Kirby Corporation (KEX) Fell Due to Softened Inland Barge Utilization

Group 1: Market Overview - The Russell Midcap Index experienced positive returns in Q3 2025, driven by strong corporate earnings, ongoing momentum in AI infrastructure, and expectations regarding the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rates [1] Group 2: Company Analysis - Kirby Corporation - Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX) is a domestic tank barge operator in the U.S., with a one-month return of 6.77% and a 52-week loss of 6.26%, closing at $113.44 per share on December 02, 2025, with a market capitalization of $6.33 billion [2] - Kirby Corporation operates in two segments: marine transportation and distribution/services, with recent underperformance attributed to softened inland barge utilization, weakened demand for transported volumes, and cyclical pressures in energy, chemical, and industrial markets [3] - The company faces challenges as its largest chemical customers may remain economically pressured, impacting inland barge pricing [3] Group 3: Investment Sentiment - Kirby Corporation is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with 46 hedge fund portfolios holding its stock at the end of Q3 2025, up from 40 in the previous quarter [4] - While Kirby Corporation has investment potential, certain AI stocks are viewed as offering greater upside potential and lower downside risk [4]