Earnings Alerts

Kirby Corp (KEX) Earnings: Q3 Revenue Surpasses Expectations with $871.2 Million Performance

By October 29, 2025 No Comments
  • Kirby’s third-quarter revenue was $871.2 million, up by 4.8% compared to last year, and exceeded the estimates of $856.3 million.
  • Marine Systems revenue slightly decreased by 0.2% to $484.9 million, which was below the estimate of $500.4 million.
  • Distribution and Services revenue increased by 12% to $386.2 million, beating the estimate of $360.9 million.
  • Earnings per share (EPS) rose to $1.65 from last year’s $1.55.
  • EBITDA was $201.4 million, showing a 5.7% increase year-over-year, close to the estimate of $201.8 million.
  • Operating income grew by 1.8% to $129.2 million, slightly below the expected $129.4 million.
  • Capital expenditure was $67.3 million, a 12% decline from the previous year, near the estimate of $67.6 million.
  • For 2025, Kirby still forecasts capital expenditure to be between $260 million and $290 million, below the estimated $299.8 million.
  • Kirby anticipates generating net cash from operating activities ranging from $620 million to $720 million in 2025.
  • Inland revenues and margins are expected to improve modestly in the fourth quarter, with tighter barge availability.
  • Coastal revenues and operating margins are expected to remain stable as in the third quarter of 2025.
  • The inland marine market experienced near-term softness due to several factors, including weather and navigational conditions.
  • Barge utilization averaged in the mid-80% range due to these conditions.
  • However, demand contributed to utilization levels in the mid to high-90% range, boosting operating margins to approximately 20% for the quarter.
  • The investment outlook includes 6 buy ratings, 1 hold, and no sell recommendations.

Kirby Corp on Smartkarma

Analysts on Smartkarma, such as Baptista Research, are closely tracking Kirby Corp as it navigates through mixed performance in its recent quarterly results. Kirby Corp‘s earnings per share rose to $1.33 from $1.19 year-over-year, showcasing some positive growth despite operational hurdles. In the Marine Transportation sector, challenges in both inland and coastal operations have been noted, reflecting the complexities of the current market environment.

Baptista Research‘s bullish sentiment towards Kirby Corp highlights the company’s potential to benefit from onshoring trends that are fueling domestic transport demand. Their research points towards Kirby Corp being strategically positioned to capitalize on these trends, hinting at significant revenue impacts in the near future. This optimistic outlook sheds light on the growth opportunities that Kirby Corp might seize as it navigates through the evolving dynamics of the transportation industry.


A look at Kirby Corp Smart Scores

FactorScoreMagnitude
Value4
Dividend1
Growth5
Resilience3
Momentum2
OVERALL SMART SCORE3.0

Smart Score is a compound score for the Company indicating its overall outlook. It is derived by taking an equally weighted average of underlying Factor scores computed by Smartkarma

Analysts are optimistic about the long-term future of Kirby Corp, with a strong emphasis on growth potential. With a stellar score of 5 in the Growth category, Kirby Corp is positioned for expansion and development in the coming years. Additionally, the company scores well in terms of value, highlighting its attractive investment proposition with a score of 4 in this category.

However, it is essential to note that Kirby Corp‘s performance in other areas is mixed. While it excels in growth and value, its scores for Dividend, Resilience, and Momentum are relatively lower, indicating some areas that investors may need to monitor closely. Overall, Kirby Corp‘s unique position in operating inland tank barges and transporting various products provides a solid foundation for growth, making it an intriguing prospect for long-term investors.


Disclaimer: This article by Smartkarma is general in nature and based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Note that our articles may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.
While all reasonable care has been taken in the preparation, Smartkarma makes no assurance about the accuracy of any generated data or content. All content is indicative only and should be independently checked for accuracy and confirmed before use. Smartkarma accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage caused as a result of any inaccuracy or error within the Lab online tools or generated data.
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