Has Kirby (KEX) Outpaced Other Transportation Stocks This Year?

Group 1 - Kirby (KEX) has returned 50.7% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the Transportation sector, which has returned an average of -4% [4] - Kirby is part of the Transportation - Shipping industry, which includes 43 companies and has gained an average of 22.8% this year, indicating KEX's strong performance relative to its industry [5] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KEX's full-year earnings has increased by 2.8% in the past quarter, reflecting improved analyst sentiment and a more positive earnings outlook [3] Group 2 - The Transportation sector consists of 135 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of 16, indicating its relative strength among 16 sector groups [2] - Matson (MATX), another stock in the Transportation sector, has returned 19% year-to-date and has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), with a consensus EPS estimate increase of 20% over the past three months [4][5] - The Transportation - Services industry, to which Matson belongs, is ranked 162 and has declined by -9.8% this year, contrasting with the performance of Kirby [6]