• Wolfe Research sets a price target of $136 for KEX, indicating a potential increase of 15.39%.
• Despite a downgrade by BTIG Research, the firm maintains a buy rating, showing confidence in KEX's long-term potential.
• Citigroup and Wall Street Zen have also expressed positive sentiments, raising their price targets and upgrading KEX to a buy rating.

Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX) is a leading entity in the marine transportation and diesel engine services sector. The company boasts a vast fleet of inland tank barges and towing vessels, specializing in the transportation of bulk liquid products. Kirby also extends its diesel engine services across various industries, including marine, power generation, and industrial, competing with firms like Ingram Barge Company and American Commercial Barge Line.

On January 30, 2026, Wolfe Research set a price target of $136 for KEX, suggesting a potential price increase of approximately 15.39% from its current price of $117.87. This optimistic outlook contrasts with recent market movements, as highlighted by BTIG Research's downgrade, which reduced Kirby's price target from $140 to $135. This downgrade led to a decline in the stock's opening price to $122.38 from a previous close of $128.13.

Despite the downgrade, BTIG Research maintains a buy rating on KEX, indicating confidence in the stock's long-term potential. Citigroup also shares this positive sentiment, having recently raised its price target for Kirby from $131 to $145, while assigning a buy rating. This aligns with Wall Street Zen's upgrade of Kirby from a hold to a buy rating on November 1st, reflecting a broader market confidence in the company's prospects.

The current stock price of KEX is $118.27, showing a decrease of 3.19% or $3.90. The stock has traded between a low of $117.33 and a high of $121.42 today. Over the past year, KEX has experienced significant volatility, with a high of $132.18 and a low of $79.52. The company's market capitalization is approximately $6.6 billion, indicating its substantial presence in the industry.

Evercore ISI has also shown optimism by increasing its price objective for Kirby from $109 to $122, giving the stock an outperform rating. Meanwhile, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on January 22nd. The trading volume for KEX on the NYSE is 109,932 shares, reflecting active investor interest in the stock.