For the quarter ended September 2026, Kirby (KEX Quick QuoteKEX - Free Report) reported revenue of $977.21 million, up 12.2% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $2.09, compared to $1.65 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of +3.66% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $942.69 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $1.96, the EPS surprise was +6.63%.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Kirby performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

• Marine transportation - Inland Performance Measurements - Revenue/Ton Mile: $11.00 compared to the $11.18 average estimate based on two analysts.
• Marine transportation - Inland Performance Measurements - Ton Miles: 4.18 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of 3.86 billion.
• Barrel capacities - Coastal tank barges: 2.9 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of 2.95 million.
• Barges (active) - Coastal tank barges: 27 versus 27 estimated by two analysts on average.
• Barrel capacities - Inland tank barges: 25.7 million compared to the 25.04 million average estimate based on two analysts.
• Barges (active) - Inland tank barges: 1,148 versus 1,128 estimated by two analysts on average.
• Revenues- Distribution and services: $408.48 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $404.43 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +5.8%.
• Revenues- Marine transportation: $568.73 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $538.27 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +17.3%.
• Operating income- Distribution and services: $48.42 million versus $42.63 million estimated by two analysts on average.
• Operating income- Marine transportation: $111.91 million compared to the $106.96 million average estimate based on two analysts.

View all Key Company Metrics for Kirby here>>>

Shares of Kirby have returned +3.9% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.2% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.