KEX
Kirby Corporation
Marine Shipping
Market Cap$7.62B
5Y Perf.+177.3%
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Stock Comparison
KEX vs SBLK
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
SBLK
Star Bulk Carriers Corp.
Marine Shipping
Market Cap$3.09B
5Y Perf.+426.7%
KEX vs SBLK — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | KEX | SBLK |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Marine Shipping | Marine Shipping |
| Market Cap | $7.62B | $3.09B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.36B | $1.04B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $355M | $84M |
| Gross Margin | 26.3% | 33.0% |
| Operating Margin | 14.6% | 13.6% |
| Forward P/E | 20.8x | 8.0x |
| Total Debt | $1.30B | $1.07B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $79M | $500M |
KEX vs SBLK — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
KEX
SBLK
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirby Corporation (KEX) | 100 | 277.3 | +177.3% |
| Star Bulk Carriers … (SBLK) | 100 | 526.7 | +426.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: KEX vs SBLK
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: SBLK leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. Kirby Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
KEX
Kirby Corporation
The Income Pick
KEX is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.83
- Rev growth 3.0%, EPS growth 28.9%, 3Y rev CAGR 6.5%
- 3.0% revenue growth vs SBLK's -17.6%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
SBLK
Star Bulk Carriers Corp.
The Long-Run Compounder
SBLK carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 9.8% 10Y total return vs KEX's 123.3%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.73, Low D/E 43.8%, current ratio 1.78x
- Beta 0.73, yield 1.1%, current ratio 1.78x
Best for: long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | KEX | 3.0% revenue growth vs SBLK's -17.6% |
| Value | SBLK | Lower P/E (8.0x vs 20.8x) |
| Quality / Margins | KEX | 10.5% margin vs SBLK's 8.1% |
| Stability / Safety | SBLK | Beta 0.73 vs KEX's 0.83 |
| Dividends | SBLK | 1.1% yield; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | SBLK | +83.1% vs KEX's +39.1% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | KEX | 5.9% ROA vs SBLK's 2.2%, ROIC 8.2% vs 3.2% |
KEX vs SBLK — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
Segment breakdown not available.
KEX vs SBLK — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLKEXLAGGINGSBLK
SBLKStar Bulk Carriers Co…
1leads
KEXKirby Corporation
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs SBLKMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
KEX4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
Tied
—
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
KEX7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
SBLK2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
KEX1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
KEX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
KEX is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.4B annually — 3.2x SBLK's $1.0B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 10.5% (KEX) to 8.1% (SBLK). On growth, KEX holds the edge at +6.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | KEXKirby Corporation | SBLKStar Bulk Carrier… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.4B | $1.0B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $756M | $311M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $355M | $84M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $406M | $209M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +26.3% | +33.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +14.6% | +13.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +10.5% | +8.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +12.1% | +20.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +6.2% | -2.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +127.0% | +58.3% |
KEX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — KEX and SBLK each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 22.5x trailing earnings, KEX trades at a 39% valuation discount to SBLK's 36.7x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, KEX's 11.7x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than SBLK's 11.9x.
| Metric | KEXKirby Corporation | SBLKStar Bulk Carrier… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $7.6B | $3.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $8.8B | $3.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 22.46x | 36.73x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 20.78x | 8.00x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.75x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 11.71x | 11.87x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.27x | 2.97x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.36x | 1.26x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 18.79x | 14.73x |
Evenly matched — KEX and SBLK each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KEX leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KEX delivers a 10.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $11 in annual profit, vs $3 for SBLK. KEX carries lower financial leverage with a 0.39x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SBLK's 0.44x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), KEX scores 7/9 vs SBLK's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | KEXKirby Corporation | SBLKStar Bulk Carrier… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +10.5% | +3.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +5.9% | +2.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +8.2% | +3.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +9.4% | +4.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.39x | 0.44x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $1.2B | $572M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $79M | $500M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $1.3B | $1.1B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 11.18x | 2.08x |
KEX leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — KEX and SBLK each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in KEX five years ago would be worth $21,089 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $17,911 for SBLK. Over the past 12 months, SBLK leads with a +83.1% total return vs KEX's +39.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors KEX at 25.8% vs SBLK's 17.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | KEXKirby Corporation | SBLKStar Bulk Carrier… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +27.1% | +40.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +39.1% | +83.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +98.9% | +60.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +110.9% | +79.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +123.3% | +977.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +25.8% | +17.1% |
Evenly matched — KEX and SBLK each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SBLK leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SBLK is the less volatile stock with a 0.73 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than KEX's 0.83 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SBLK currently trades 98.6% from its 52-week high vs KEX's 90.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | KEXKirby Corporation | SBLKStar Bulk Carrier… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.83x | 0.73x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $157.69 | $27.20 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $79.52 | $14.79 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +90.2% | +98.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 48.4 | 72.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 702K | 1.4M |
SBLK leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
KEX leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates KEX as "Buy" and SBLK as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 8.2% upside for SBLK (target: $29) vs 6.4% for KEX (target: $151). SBLK is the only dividend payer here at 1.11% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | KEXKirby Corporation | SBLKStar Bulk Carrier… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $151.33 | $29.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 29 | 24 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +1.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.30 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +4.6% | +3.2% |
KEX leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
KEX leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). SBLK leads in 1 (Risk & Volatility). 2 tied.
Best OverallKirby Corporation (KEX)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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KEX vs SBLK: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is KEX or SBLK a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Kirby Corporation (KEX) is the stronger pick with 3.
0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -17. 6% for Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (SBLK). Kirby Corporation (KEX) offers the better valuation at 22. 5x trailing P/E (20. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Kirby Corporation (KEX) a "Buy" — based on 29 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — KEX or SBLK?
On trailing P/E, Kirby Corporation (KEX) is the cheapest at 22.
5x versus Star Bulk Carriers Corp. at 36. 7x. On forward P/E, Star Bulk Carriers Corp. is actually cheaper at 8. 0x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — KEX or SBLK?
Over the past 5 years, Kirby Corporation (KEX) delivered a total return of +110.
9%, compared to +79. 1% for Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (SBLK). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SBLK returned +977. 3% versus KEX's +123. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — KEX or SBLK?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Star Bulk Carriers Corp.
(SBLK) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 73β versus Kirby Corporation's 0. 83β — meaning KEX is approximately 13% more volatile than SBLK relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Kirby Corporation (KEX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 39% versus 44% for Star Bulk Carriers Corp. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — KEX or SBLK?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Kirby Corporation (KEX) is pulling ahead at 3.
0% versus -17. 6% for Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (SBLK). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Kirby Corporation grew EPS 28. 9% year-over-year, compared to -73. 9% for Star Bulk Carriers Corp.. Over a 3-year CAGR, KEX leads at 6. 5% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — KEX or SBLK?
Kirby Corporation (KEX) is the more profitable company, earning 10.
5% net margin versus 8. 1% for Star Bulk Carriers Corp. — meaning it keeps 10. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: KEX leads at 14. 6% versus 13. 5% for SBLK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — KEX leads at 26. 3%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is KEX or SBLK more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Star Bulk Carriers Corp.
(SBLK) trades at 8. 0x forward P/E versus 20. 8x for Kirby Corporation — 12. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SBLK: 8. 2% to $29. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — KEX or SBLK?
In this comparison, SBLK (1.
1% yield) pays a dividend. KEX does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is KEX or SBLK better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Star Bulk Carriers Corp.
(SBLK) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 73), 1. 1% yield, +977. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SBLK: +977. 3%, KEX: +123. 3%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between KEX and SBLK?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
SBLK pays a dividend while KEX does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
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(KEX: 6.2% · SBLK: -2.7%)Net Margin>
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(KEX: 10.5% · SBLK: 8.1%)P/E Ratio<
x
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