KIRBY CORPORATION vs Scorpio Tankers Inc., two Marine Shipping stocks. A side-by-side on valuation, growth, margins, returns, and what each price is betting.
Kirby moves barges along US rivers and coasts; Scorpio moves refined products across oceans. Same broad industry, opposite geographies and cargoes. Scorpio runs a much higher net margin, 36.7% against Kirby's 10.51%, typical of an ocean tanker in a strong rate window versus a steady inland hauler. On price, Scorpio trades near book at 1.06 times and 9.8 times earnings, while Kirby sits at 2.16 times book and 21.02 times earnings. Kirby is the free-cash generator, a 6.74% yield against Scorpio's slightly negative -0.6% amid fleet renewal. Both carry light debt, Kirby at 0.29 and Scorpio at zero. Kirby is dependable and domestic; Scorpio is cyclical and cheap.
Comparison updated 2026-07-11.
| Metric | KEX | STNG |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $143.68 | $79.34 |
| Market cap | $7.8B | $3.7B |
| Sector | Marine Shipping | Marine Shipping |
| Stage | Mature | Growth |
| Implied growth (priced in) | +14.8% | — |
| P/E | 22.1 | 10.7 |
| P/B | 2.27 | 1.15 |
| P/S | 2.27 | 3.94 |
| EV/EBITDA | 11.3 | 8.3 |
| Revenue growth | +5.5% | +35.8% |
| Operating margin | 12.8% | 37.9% |
| Net margin | 10.5% | 36.7% |
| Return on equity | 10.5% | 10.8% |
| Return on assets | 5.9% | 8.8% |
| Return on invested capital | 8.8% | 8.8% |
| FCF yield | 6.4% | -2.2% |
| Debt / equity | 0.29 | 0.00 |
| Current ratio | 1.59 | 9.33 |
| Altman Z (solvency) | 7.48 | 4.44 |
| Piotroski F (quality) | 6 / 9 | 6 / 9 |
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The stronger value is highlighted per metric where one is strictly better on that single number; it is not an overall verdict on either company. For informational and research purposes only. Not investment advice. Not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. boothcheck is not a registered investment adviser. Past performance does not guarantee future results.