Carnival (CCL) vs Kirby (KEX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Kirby (KEX) has outperformed Carnival (CCL) over the past year, gaining 68.5% versus a loss of 8.9%. Over five years, KEX leads with a +151.5% price change compared with +10.5% for CCL. Carnival is the larger company by market cap ($34.75 billion vs $7.28 billion), about 4.8 times the size.
On valuation, Carnival trades at a lower forward P/E (10.1x vs 16.7x for Kirby). Carnival pays a dividend yielding 1.74%, while Kirby does not currently pay one. Kirby converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 10.5% versus 10.4%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CCL | KEX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $25.85 | $137.95 |
| Market cap | $34.75B | $7.28B |
| 1-day change | -1.17% | +0.43% |
| YTD return | -14.37% | +24.67% |
| 1-year return | -8.92% | +68.46% |
| 5-year return | +10.48% | +151.48% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 11.39 | 21.19 |
| Forward P/E | 10.09 | 16.66 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.27 | $6.51 |
| Dividend yield | 1.74% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.45 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $26.62B | $3.36B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.40% | +3.01% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.76B | $354.57M |
| Operating margin | 16.84% | 14.75% |
| Net margin | 10.37% | 10.54% |
| 52-week high | $34.03 | $157.69 |
| 52-week low | $21.45 | $79.52 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -24.05% | -12.52% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +31.28% | +19.37% |
| Average volume | 21.07M | 497.71K |
| Shares outstanding | 1.34B | 52.80M |
| Employees | 160,000 | 5,233 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Marine Transportation | Marine Transportation |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Carnival is about 4.8 times larger than Kirby by market value ($34.75B vs $7.28B).
- KEX has outperformed CCL by 77.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Kirby trades at a higher earnings multiple (21.2x vs 11.4x trailing P/E).
- Carnival offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.74% vs 0.00%).
About Carnival
CCL stock →Carnival Corporation Ltd., a cruise company, provides leisure travel services. The company operates through four segments: North America Cruise Operations, Europe Cruise Operations, Cruise Support, and Tour and Other.
Consumer Discretionary · Marine Transportation · 160,000 employees
About Kirby
KEX stock →Kirby Corporation operates domestic tank barges in the United States. Its Marine Transportation segment provides marine transportation service and towing vessels transporting bulk liquid product, as well as operates tank barges throughout the Mississippi River System, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and coastwise along three United States coasts, Alaska, and Hawaii.
Consumer Discretionary · Marine Transportation · 5,233 employees
CCL vs KEX FAQ
Which is bigger, Carnival or Kirby?
Carnival (CCL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $34.75B compared with $7.28B for Kirby (KEX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CCL or KEX?
KEX returned +68.46% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.92% for CCL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CCL or KEX?
CCL has the lower trailing P/E at 11.4, versus 21.2 for KEX. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Carnival or Kirby?
Carnival pays a dividend yielding 1.74%, while Kirby does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Carnival and Kirby in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Marine Transportation industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.