Kirby (KEX) vs Viking (VIK)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Kirby (KEX) has outperformed Viking (VIK) over the past year, gaining 68.5% versus a gain of 36.6%. Viking is the larger company by market cap ($36.29 billion vs $7.25 billion), about 5.0 times the size. On valuation, Kirby trades at a lower forward P/E (16.5x vs 18.5x for Viking).
Viking converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 17.7% 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 | VIK |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $137.36 | $81.26 |
| Market cap | $7.25B | $36.29B |
| 1-day change | -0.82% | -0.47% |
| YTD return | +24.67% | +13.79% |
| 1-year return | +68.46% | +36.57% |
| 5-year return | +151.48% | — |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 21.10 | 27.00 |
| Forward P/E | 16.54 | 18.53 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.51 | $3.01 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.36B | $6.50B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.01% | +21.89% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $354.57M | $1.15B |
| Gross margin | — | 43.34% |
| Operating margin | 14.75% | 23.10% |
| Net margin | 10.54% | 17.65% |
| 52-week high | $157.69 | $110.09 |
| 52-week low | $79.52 | $56.37 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.89% | -26.19% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.88% | +34.81% |
| Average volume | 498.99K | 3.47M |
| Shares outstanding | 52.80M | 318.87M |
| Employees | 5,233 | 13,000 |
| 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
- Viking is about 5.0 times larger than Kirby by market value ($36.29B vs $7.25B).
- KEX has outperformed VIK by 31.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Viking trades at a higher earnings multiple (27.0x vs 21.1x trailing P/E).
- Viking is more profitable, keeping 17.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 10.5 cents for Kirby.
- Viking grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+21.89% vs +3.01%).
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 Viking
VIK stock →Viking Holdings Ltd focused on providing passenger cruises in North America, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through the River and Ocean segments.
Consumer Discretionary · Marine Transportation · 13,000 employees
KEX vs VIK FAQ
Which is bigger, Kirby or Viking?
Viking (VIK) is larger, with a market capitalization of $36.29B compared with $7.25B for Kirby (KEX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, KEX or VIK?
KEX returned +68.46% over the past 12 months, compared with +36.57% for VIK (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, KEX or VIK?
KEX has the lower trailing P/E at 21.1, versus 27.0 for VIK. 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 Viking in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Marine Transportation industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.