Skylands Capital Makes Significant Investment in Kirby Corp. (KEX) by Acquiring 46,750 Shares
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Nov 09 2025
0mins
Should l Buy KEX?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Skylands Capital Investment: Skylands Capital increased its stake in Kirby Corporation by 46,750 shares, bringing its total position to 105,150 shares valued at $8.77 million, which represents 1.21% of the fund's assets under management.
Kirby Corporation Overview: Kirby Corporation specializes in marine transportation and diesel engine services, focusing on transporting bulk liquids and providing maintenance, primarily serving petrochemical and agricultural sectors in the U.S.
Stock Performance: Despite Kirby's stock being down 9.2% over the past year, it saw a significant rebound, with a 29% increase in value from the end of September 2025, following Skylands Capital's investment.
Market Context: Kirby's business growth continues despite challenges from new tariffs, with third-quarter sales rising by $40 million year over year and a notable 56% increase in power generation revenue, indicating strong performance in certain segments.
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Analyst Views on KEX
Wall Street analysts forecast KEX stock price to rise
4 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 121.380
Low
122.00
Averages
132.25
High
142.00
Current: 121.380
Low
122.00
Averages
132.25
High
142.00
About KEX
Kirby Corporation is a domestic tank barge operator, transporting bulk liquid products throughout the Mississippi River System, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and coastwise along all three United States coasts. It transports petrochemicals, black oil, refined petroleum products and agricultural chemicals by tank barge. In addition, it participates in the transportation of dry-bulk commodities in the United States coastwise trade. Through the distribution and services segment, it provides after-market service and genuine replacement parts for engines, transmissions, reduction gears, electric motors, drives, and controls, specialized electrical distribution and control systems, energy storage battery systems, and related equipment used in oilfield services, marine, power generation, on-highway, and other industrial applications. It also rents equipment including generators, industrial compressors, lift trucks, and refrigeration trailers for use in a variety of industrial markets.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Kirby Corporation Executive Sells Shares
- Executive Stock Sale: On February 4, 2026, Kirby Corporation's Vice President Ronald A. Dragg sold 5,429 shares in an open-market transaction valued at approximately $662,338, reflecting executive confidence in the company's stock.
- Holding Proportion Analysis: This sale represented 34.30% of Dragg's direct holdings, significantly higher than the recent median of 14.64%, indicating his sensitivity to market dynamics and outlook on the company's future.
- Strong Financial Performance: Kirby reported Q4 FY2025 earnings exceeding EPS estimates with an actual EPS of $1.68, showcasing the company's sustained profitability and competitive position in the market.
- Solid Industry Position: As the largest operator of tank barges in the U.S., Kirby plays a crucial role in the energy and industrial sectors, with its transportation services relied upon by numerous large corporations, highlighting its significance and investment potential in the market.
See More
Kirby Corp VP Sells Over $662K in Stock Options
- Executive Stock Sale: Kirby Corp's VP Ronald Dragg sold 5,429 shares in an open-market transaction valued at approximately $662,338, representing 34.30% of his direct holdings, reducing his position to 10,399 shares, indicating a cautious outlook on the company's future by its executives.
- Strong Financial Performance: Kirby reported a Q4 FY2025 EPS of $1.68, exceeding the market expectation of $1.62, marking another strong financial performance that reinforces its leadership position in the industry amidst continuous growth.
- Industry Significance: As the largest operator of tank barges in the U.S., Kirby plays a crucial role in the energy and industrial sectors, with major tech, petroleum, and automotive companies relying on its transportation services, highlighting its importance and stability in the market.
- Investor Consideration: Despite Kirby's unique investment opportunity in its sector, it was not included in the current top stock picks by The Motley Fool Stock Advisor, suggesting that investors should carefully assess potential risks and returns before investing.
See More
KIRBY STOCK FALLS 5.5% IN PREMARKET TRADING FOLLOWING Q4 REVENUE SHORTFALL
- Market Performance: Shares of Kirby Corporation have decreased by 5.5% in the pre-market trading following the announcement of their Q4 revenue results.
- Revenue Miss: The company reported a revenue miss for the fourth quarter, which contributed to the decline in share prices.
See More
Kirby Corporation Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Kirby Corporation reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of $1.68, exceeding expectations by $0.05, indicating stable profitability and increased market confidence.
- Revenue Miss: Revenue reached $851.8 million, up 6.2% year-over-year, but fell short of expectations by $8.92 million, reflecting challenges from intensified market competition and demand fluctuations.
- Improved Utilization Rates: Inland marine utilization averaged in the mid to high 80% range during Q4, with further improvements expected into the low 90% range in Q1 2026, signaling a recovery in market demand.
- Strong Power Generation Growth: Power generation revenue increased by 10% sequentially and 47% year-over-year, driven by robust order activity and large project wins, highlighting the company's growth potential in the energy sector.
See More
Kirby Corporation Set to Announce Q4 Earnings on January 29
- Earnings Announcement: Kirby Corporation is scheduled to announce its Q4 earnings on January 29 before market open, with a consensus EPS estimate of $1.63, reflecting a 26.4% year-over-year growth, indicating sustained profitability.
- Revenue Expectations: Analysts project Kirby's revenue to reach $860.72 million, representing a 7.3% year-over-year increase, showcasing the company's robust performance and growth potential in the market.
- Performance Beat Record: Over the past year, Kirby has beaten EPS estimates 100% of the time and revenue estimates 75% of the time, demonstrating strong performance in profitability and market expectation management.
- Estimate Revision Dynamics: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen three upward and three downward revisions, while revenue estimates experienced four upward and one downward revision, reflecting market divergence and uncertainty regarding Kirby's future performance.
See More
Carmax Inc. (KMX) Options Trading Volume Hits 20,138 Contracts, 45.1% of Average Daily Volume
- Active Options Trading: Carmax Inc. recorded an options trading volume of 20,138 contracts today, equivalent to approximately 2 million shares, representing 45.1% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, indicating heightened market interest in its future performance.
- High Volume Analysis: Notably, the $55 strike call option has seen significant activity with 8,829 contracts traded today, representing about 882,900 underlying shares, suggesting bullish sentiment among investors at this price level.
- Kirby Corp. Options Activity: Concurrently, Kirby Corp. has an options trading volume of 3,047 contracts, equivalent to approximately 304,700 shares, which accounts for 43.2% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, indicating market interest in this company as well.
- Put Option Trading: Within Kirby Corp.'s trading, the $100 strike put option has seen 2,004 contracts traded, representing about 200,400 shares, reflecting a bearish sentiment among investors regarding this price, potentially signaling caution about its future performance.
See More
Kirby Corporation Executive Sells Shares
- Executive Stock Sale: On February 4, 2026, Kirby Corporation's Vice President Ronald A. Dragg sold 5,429 shares in an open-market transaction valued at approximately $662,338, reflecting executive confidence in the company's stock.
- Holding Proportion Analysis: This sale represented 34.30% of Dragg's direct holdings, significantly higher than the recent median of 14.64%, indicating his sensitivity to market dynamics and outlook on the company's future.
- Strong Financial Performance: Kirby reported Q4 FY2025 earnings exceeding EPS estimates with an actual EPS of $1.68, showcasing the company's sustained profitability and competitive position in the market.
- Solid Industry Position: As the largest operator of tank barges in the U.S., Kirby plays a crucial role in the energy and industrial sectors, with its transportation services relied upon by numerous large corporations, highlighting its significance and investment potential in the market.
See More
Kirby Corp VP Sells Over $662K in Stock Options
- Executive Stock Sale: Kirby Corp's VP Ronald Dragg sold 5,429 shares in an open-market transaction valued at approximately $662,338, representing 34.30% of his direct holdings, reducing his position to 10,399 shares, indicating a cautious outlook on the company's future by its executives.
- Strong Financial Performance: Kirby reported a Q4 FY2025 EPS of $1.68, exceeding the market expectation of $1.62, marking another strong financial performance that reinforces its leadership position in the industry amidst continuous growth.
- Industry Significance: As the largest operator of tank barges in the U.S., Kirby plays a crucial role in the energy and industrial sectors, with major tech, petroleum, and automotive companies relying on its transportation services, highlighting its importance and stability in the market.
- Investor Consideration: Despite Kirby's unique investment opportunity in its sector, it was not included in the current top stock picks by The Motley Fool Stock Advisor, suggesting that investors should carefully assess potential risks and returns before investing.
See More
KIRBY STOCK FALLS 5.5% IN PREMARKET TRADING FOLLOWING Q4 REVENUE SHORTFALL
- Market Performance: Shares of Kirby Corporation have decreased by 5.5% in the pre-market trading following the announcement of their Q4 revenue results.
- Revenue Miss: The company reported a revenue miss for the fourth quarter, which contributed to the decline in share prices.
See More
Kirby Corporation Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Kirby Corporation reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of $1.68, exceeding expectations by $0.05, indicating stable profitability and increased market confidence.
- Revenue Miss: Revenue reached $851.8 million, up 6.2% year-over-year, but fell short of expectations by $8.92 million, reflecting challenges from intensified market competition and demand fluctuations.
- Improved Utilization Rates: Inland marine utilization averaged in the mid to high 80% range during Q4, with further improvements expected into the low 90% range in Q1 2026, signaling a recovery in market demand.
- Strong Power Generation Growth: Power generation revenue increased by 10% sequentially and 47% year-over-year, driven by robust order activity and large project wins, highlighting the company's growth potential in the energy sector.
See More
Kirby Corporation Set to Announce Q4 Earnings on January 29
- Earnings Announcement: Kirby Corporation is scheduled to announce its Q4 earnings on January 29 before market open, with a consensus EPS estimate of $1.63, reflecting a 26.4% year-over-year growth, indicating sustained profitability.
- Revenue Expectations: Analysts project Kirby's revenue to reach $860.72 million, representing a 7.3% year-over-year increase, showcasing the company's robust performance and growth potential in the market.
- Performance Beat Record: Over the past year, Kirby has beaten EPS estimates 100% of the time and revenue estimates 75% of the time, demonstrating strong performance in profitability and market expectation management.
- Estimate Revision Dynamics: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen three upward and three downward revisions, while revenue estimates experienced four upward and one downward revision, reflecting market divergence and uncertainty regarding Kirby's future performance.
See More
Carmax Inc. (KMX) Options Trading Volume Hits 20,138 Contracts, 45.1% of Average Daily Volume
- Active Options Trading: Carmax Inc. recorded an options trading volume of 20,138 contracts today, equivalent to approximately 2 million shares, representing 45.1% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, indicating heightened market interest in its future performance.
- High Volume Analysis: Notably, the $55 strike call option has seen significant activity with 8,829 contracts traded today, representing about 882,900 underlying shares, suggesting bullish sentiment among investors at this price level.
- Kirby Corp. Options Activity: Concurrently, Kirby Corp. has an options trading volume of 3,047 contracts, equivalent to approximately 304,700 shares, which accounts for 43.2% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, indicating market interest in this company as well.
- Put Option Trading: Within Kirby Corp.'s trading, the $100 strike put option has seen 2,004 contracts traded, representing about 200,400 shares, reflecting a bearish sentiment among investors regarding this price, potentially signaling caution about its future performance.
See More
