Kirby (KEX) vs Matson (MATX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Matson (MATX) has outperformed Kirby (KEX) over the past year, gaining 131.5% versus a gain of 68.5%. Over five years, MATX leads with a +169.2% price change compared with +151.5% for KEX. Kirby is the larger company by market cap ($7.25 billion vs $6.67 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Matson trades at a lower forward P/E (13.3x vs 16.5x for Kirby). Matson pays a dividend yielding 0.65%, while Kirby does not currently pay one. Matson converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.3% versus 10.5%.
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 | KEX | MATX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $137.36 | $222.92 |
| Market cap | $7.25B | $6.67B |
| 1-day change | -0.82% | -0.83% |
| YTD return | +24.67% | +80.43% |
| 1-year return | +68.46% | +131.48% |
| 5-year return | +151.48% | +169.16% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 21.10 | 14.99 |
| Forward P/E | 16.54 | 13.34 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.51 | $14.87 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.65% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.44 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.36B | $3.34B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.01% | -2.26% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $354.57M | $444.80M |
| Operating margin | 14.75% | 14.94% |
| Net margin | 10.54% | 13.30% |
| 52-week high | $157.69 | $240.87 |
| 52-week low | $79.52 | $86.97 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.89% | -7.45% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.88% | +18.32% |
| Average volume | 498.99K | 291.24K |
| Shares outstanding | 52.80M | 29.90M |
| Employees | 5,233 | 4,170 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| Industry | Marine Transportation | Marine Shipping |
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
- MATX has outperformed KEX by 63.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Kirby trades at a higher earnings multiple (21.1x vs 15.0x trailing P/E).
- Kirby grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+3.01% vs -2.26%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Kirby in Consumer Discretionary and Matson in Industrials.
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
About Matson
MATX stock →Matson, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of ocean transportation and logistics services. It operates through two segments, Ocean Transportation and Logistics.
Industrials · Marine Shipping · 4,170 employees
KEX vs MATX FAQ
Which is bigger, Kirby or Matson?
Kirby (KEX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.25B compared with $6.67B for Matson (MATX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, KEX or MATX?
MATX returned +131.48% over the past 12 months, compared with +68.46% for KEX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, KEX or MATX?
MATX has the lower trailing P/E at 15.0, versus 21.1 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, Kirby or Matson?
Matson pays a dividend yielding 0.65%, while Kirby does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Kirby and Matson in the same industry?
No. Kirby is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while Matson is in Industrials.