Kirby (KEX) vs Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Kirby (KEX) has outperformed Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) over the past year, gaining 68.0% versus a loss of 34.6%. Over five years, KEX leads with a +152.9% price change compared with -41.6% for NCLH. Kirby is the larger company by market cap ($7.25 billion vs $7.10 billion), about 1.0 times the size, while Norwegian Cruise Line is growing revenue faster (+3.7% vs +3.0%).
On valuation, Norwegian Cruise Line trades at a lower forward P/E (9.6x vs 16.6x for Kirby). Kirby converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 10.5% versus 4.3%.
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 | NCLH |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $137.24 | $15.46 |
| Market cap | $7.25B | $7.10B |
| 1-day change | -0.63% | -0.23% |
| YTD return | +25.35% | -30.60% |
| 1-year return | +67.96% | -34.59% |
| 5-year return | +152.86% | -41.61% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 21.08 | 9.54 |
| Forward P/E | 16.59 | 9.57 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.51 | $1.62 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.36B | $9.83B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.01% | +3.67% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $354.57M | $423.25M |
| Gross margin | — | 42.62% |
| Operating margin | 14.75% | 15.88% |
| Net margin | 10.54% | 4.31% |
| 52-week high | $157.69 | $25.13 |
| 52-week low | $79.52 | $13.63 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.97% | -38.50% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.99% | +29.93% |
| Average volume | 492.76K | 16.76M |
| Shares outstanding | 52.80M | 459.19M |
| Employees | 5,233 | 44,500 |
| 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
- KEX has outperformed NCLH by 102.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Kirby trades at a higher earnings multiple (21.1x vs 9.5x trailing P/E).
- Kirby is more profitable, keeping 10.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 4.3 cents for Norwegian Cruise Line.
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 Norwegian Cruise Line
NCLH stock →Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cruise company in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. It offers itineraries to destinations, such as Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa, Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Alaska; and inter-island itinerary in Hawaii.
Consumer Discretionary · Marine Transportation · 44,500 employees
KEX vs NCLH FAQ
Which is bigger, Kirby or Norwegian Cruise Line?
Kirby (KEX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.25B compared with $7.10B for Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, KEX or NCLH?
KEX returned +67.96% over the past 12 months, compared with -34.59% for NCLH (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, KEX or NCLH?
NCLH has the lower trailing P/E at 9.5, 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.
Are Kirby and Norwegian Cruise Line in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Marine Transportation industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.