8-K

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February 15, 2006

Kirby Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada	1-7615	74-1884980
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
55 Waugh Drive, Suite 1000		77007
Houston, Texas		(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(713) 435-1000

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On February 15, 2006, Kirby Corporation’s senior management will present at the JPMorgan Small Cap Conference at 3:15 p.m. (Eastern time) in Philadelphia, PA. On February 16, 2006, Kirby will present at the BB&T Capital Markets Transportation Services Conference at 11:45 a.m. (Eastern time) in Miami, FL. On February 17, 2006, Kirby will present at the Deutsche Bank Small Cap Growth Conference at 10:30 a.m. (Eastern time) in Naples, FL. A live audio webcast of each presentation will be available to the public and replays will be available afterward. Each webcast can be accessed by visiting Kirby’s Web site at http://www.kirbycorp.com/.

A copy of the slide presentation that will be used by Kirby at each event, substantially in the form intended to be used, is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is also posted on Kirby’s Web site at http://www.kirbycorp.com/ on the opening page.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits

99.1 Kirby Corporation slide presentation dated February 2006

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

KIRBY CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By:	/s/ G. Stephen Holcomb
	G. Stephen Holcomb
	Vice President, Investor Relations

Dated: February 15, 2006

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 99.1 Kirby Corporation slide presentation dated February 2006

EX-99.1

Kirby Corporation

Putting America’s Waterways to Work

NYSE: KEX

February 2006

Statements contained in this presentation with respect to the future are forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management’s reasonable judgement with respect to future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated as a result of various factors, including cyclical or other downturns in demand, significant pricing competition, unanticipated additions to industry capacity, changes in the Jones Act or in U.S. maritime policy and practice, fuel costs, interest rates, weather conditions and the timing, magnitude and the number of acquisitions made by Kirby. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and Kirby assumes no obligation to update such statements. A list of additional risk factors can be found in Kirby’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Kirby reports its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, Kirby believes that certain Non-GAAP financial measures are useful in managing Kirby’s businesses and evaluating Kirby’s performance. This presentation contains two Non-GAAP financial measures, adjusted net earnings and EBITDA. Please see the Appendix for a reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures.

Forward Looking Statement

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

2

Kirby... Business Operations

3

NYSE: K E X

Current Price (February 13, 2006)	$54.67
Number of Shares O/S	26.2M
Market Capitalization	$1,435M
Debt (December 31, 2005)	$200M
Enterprise Value	$1,635M
Employees	2,400

Kirby…Public Market Facts

4

Kirby Facts

•

Largest inland tank barge operator

•

Operates 897 barges and 242 towing vessels

•

Sustainable competitive advantages:

–

Lowest cost due to economies of scale

–

Best positioned for growth opportunities

–

“One Stop Shop” for customers

•

70% of Kirby’s business is under contract,
30% spot market

•

Successful integration of 24 acquisitions

5

Towboats Only

Date	No. of Tank Barges	Description
1986	5	Alliance Marine
1989	35	Alamo Inland Marine Co.
1989	53	Brent Towing Company
1991	3	International Barge Lines, Inc.
1992	38	Sabine Towing & Transportation Co.
1992	26	Ole Man River Towing, Inc.
1992	29	Scott Chotin, Inc.
1992		South Texas Towing
1993	72	TPT, Division of Ashland
1993		Guidry Enterprises
1993	53	Chotin Transportation Company
1994	96	Dow Chemical (transportation assets)

Date	No. of Tank Barges	Description
1999	270	Hollywood Marine, Inc. Stellman Alamo Barge Lines Ellis Towing Arthur Smith Koch Ellis Mapco
2002	15	Cargo Carriers
2002	64	Coastal Towing, Inc. (barge management agreement for 54 barges)
2002	94	Dow/Union Carbide (transportation assets)
2003	64	SeaRiver Maritime (ExxonMobil)
2005	10	American Commercial Lines (black oil fleet)

Shipper Owned (Blue)

Independent (Red)

Acquisitions in Core Business

6

17% growth
rate from
1988-2005

Revenue... Business Operations

7

1994-2001 adjusted to exclude goodwill amortization expense

2002 adjusted to exclude impairment charges of $12.5 million, net of taxes, or $.51 per share

See Appendix for reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP earnings per share

14.4% growth
rate from
1994 - 2005

Earnings Per Share From Continuing Operations Before Adjustments

Earnings Per Share…

8

St. Paul

Sioux City

Chicago

Pittsburgh

Charleston

St. Marks

Tulsa

Corpus Christi

New Orleans

St. Louis

Cincinnati

Mobile

Brownsville

Houston

Texas and Louisiana
account for

80% of the
total U.S. production of
chemicals and
petrochemicals

12,000 miles of navigable
waterways linking America’s
heartland to the world

Kirby is one of the few

operators offering distribution
throughout the Mississippi
River System and Gulf
Intracoastal  Waterway

Putting America’s Waterways to Work
Inland Waterway System

9

Industry Facts

•

Approximately 18,300 dry cargo barges, 2,800 liquid tank
barges. Kirby in the liquid cargo business only.

•

No competition from foreign companies due to a U.S. law
known as the Jones Act

•

Always a market to move product by barge on inland
waterways

•

Equipment not subject to economic obsolescence because
draft and lock restrictions limit the size of barges

•

Barges are mobile, carry wide range of cargoes, and service
different geographic markets

•

Inland waterway system plays a vital role in the U.S. economy

•

Inland waterway system is an environmentally friendly mode
of transportation

10

For the years 1993 through 2004

Number of Inland Tank Barges

11

Inland Tank Barge Fleet

12

90,000 bbl. three-barge tow is equivalent to:

Kirby’s fleet capacity of 16.7 million bbls. equates
to 83,500 trucks, or 22,200 rail cars

Barges Compete Successfully

With Rails and Trucks

13

One gallon of fuel in a barge can move one ton of freight 522 miles,
compared to 403 miles by rail and only 80 miles for a truck.

Barge

Rail

Truck

Barges…
Efficient

14

While moving one ton of freight 1,000 miles:

•

Smog is a major problem in most major cities

•

Oxides of nitrogen are the chemicals that produce smog

Trains produce 3.5 times as much oxides of
nitrogen as barges

Trucks produce 19 times as much oxides of
nitrogen as barges

Barges…
Environmentally Friendly

15

KIRBY INLAND MARINE

16

Largest Inland Tank Barge
Operator

17

High Tech and Diverse Fleet
897 Active Tank Barges

18

Fleet Size and Diversity…
Better Asset Utilization

•

Better Asset Utilization

–

More backhaul
opportunities

–

Faster barge
turnarounds

–

More efficient use of
horsepower

–

Barges positioned
closer to cargos

•

Lower Incremental Costs

–

Enhanced purchasing
power

–

Minimal incremental
G&A from fleet
additions

–

Less cleaning due to
more barges with
compatible prior cargos

19

Shipper Owned Independent	Tank Barges Operated	Dry Cargo Barges Operated
Kirby Corporation	897	-
American Commercial Lines LLC	369	2,861
Marathon Ashland Petroleum	167	-
Ingram Barge Company	165	3,468
Canal Barge Company, Inc.	150	226
Florida Marine	103	-
American River Transportation Co	84	1,892
Blessey Enterprises	83	-
Higman Barge Lines, Inc.	77	-
Cenac Towing Company, Inc.	69	-
Magnolia Marine Transport Co	60	-
PPG Industries, Inc.	59	-
Martin Midstream Partners	55	-
Southern Towing Company	53	-
Settoon Towing, LLC	49	-
LeBeouf Brothers Towing Co	43	-
John W. Stone Oil	31	-
Dupont	30	-
Olin Corporation	26	-
Buffalo Marine Service, Inc.	22	-
River City Towing Services	19	-
Rhodia, Inc.	19	-
Lyondell Chemical Company	17	-

Shipper Owned Independent	Tank Barges Operated	Dry Cargo Barges Operated
Dynegy Midstream Services	16	-
Waxler Towing Company, Inc.	15	-
Highland Towing	15	-
ConocoPhillips Company	15	-
Plaquemine Towing Corp.	13	-
Houston Marine Services, Inc.	13	-
Devall Towing	12	-
Chem Carriers, Inc.	11	-
Westlake/GA&O Corporation	10	-
Merichem Company	8	-
Grifco	8	-
Apex Towing	7	-
Golding Barge Lines, Inc.	6	-
Republic of Texas	6	-
American Milling	5	17
Barge Management, Inc.	5	-
Mon River Towing, Inc.	4	142
Reilly Industries	4	-
Memphis Barge Lines	2	-
Cytec Industries	2	-
Jantran, Inc.	1	3
Other dry cargo carriers	-	9, 670
TOTAL	2,825	18,279

Informa Economics, Barge Fleet Profile, March 2005

Kirby Outpaces the Competition

Tank Barge Owners By Number of Tank Barges

20

Revenue Distribution	Products Moved	Products	Drivers
67%	Petrochemicals and Chemicals	Benzene, Styrene, Methanol, Acrylonitrile, Xylene, Caustic Soda, Butadiene, Propylene	Housing, Consumer Goods, Autos, Clothing
20%	Black Oil Products	Residual Fuel, No. 6 Fuel Oil, Coker Feed, Vacuum Gas, Asphalt	Road Construction, Feed Stock for Refineries and Fuel for Power Plants and Ships
9%	Refined Products	Gasoline, Jet Fuel, Diesel Fuel, Naphtha	Vehicle Usage, Air Travel, Weather
4%	Agricultural Chemicals	Anhydrous Ammonia, Nitrogen-based Liquid Fertilizer, Industrial Ammonia	Corn, Cotton and Wheat Production

End Uses of Products…
Demand Drivers

21

•

Committed to dedicating adequate
resources to achieve safety
objectives

–

Extensive company-owned and
operated training facility

–

Seamen’s Church Institute
(Towboat Simulator)

•

Industry leader

–

First winner of Benkert Award,
highest award given by
Department of Transportation for
safety and environmental
protection

Strong Emphasis on Safety…
Safety Is Our Franchise To Operate

22

Blue Chip Customers

23

Kirby Engine Systems

24

Diesel Engine Services Markets

•

Marine (59%)

–

Inland River Carriers – Dry and Liquid

–

Offshore Towing – Dry and Liquid

–

Offshore Oilfield Services – Drilling Rigs &
Supply Boats

–

Harbor Towing

–

Dredging

–

Great Lakes Ore Carriers

•

Power Generation, Nuclear and Industrial (20%)

–

Standby Power Generation

–

Pumping Stations

–

Industrial Reduction Gears

•

Railroad (21%)

–

Passenger (Transit Systems)

–

Class II

–

Shortline and Industrial

25

Services

26

Acquisitions and Internal
Growth

27

Key Customers

28

Market Conditions

29

•

Record revenues, net earnings, earnings per share and EBITDA

•

Petrochemical and black oil products markets remained strong

•

Winter weather conditions in January and February. Favorable
conditions in March, second quarter and fourth quarter

•

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita negatively impacted the third
quarter by an estimated $.10 per share

•

Contract rates up 4% to 6%. Spot market rates higher than
contract and up 20% over 2004

•

Diesel engine services – strong service and direct parts sales,
coupled with increased prices for both service and parts

Market Conditions
2005 Year

30

•

2006 first quarter earnings per share guidance of $.64 to
$.70, compared with $.52 for 2005 first quarter

•

Guidance based on:

•

Petrochemical and black oil volumes will remain strong

•

Expect increased delay days from winter weather conditions

•

2006 year earnings per share guidance of $2.95 to $3.15,
compared with $2.67 for 2005

2006 First Quarter and Year
Outlook

31

Future Growth Opportunities

•

Acquire inland tank barge operations

–

Kirby operates more efficiently due to size and distribution system

–

Competitors face fleet replacement decisions

–

Outsourcing by shippers provides growth opportunities

–

Customers seek to single source their requirements

•

Expand services related to marine operations

–

Purchased two-thirds interest in Osprey Line, a provider of container
on barge feeder service

–

Manage or acquire marine facilities

•

Expand diesel engine service operations

–

Existing geographic foot print presents opportunities for expansion

–

Continue to develop exclusive parts distribution relationships

32

Osprey Line, LLC

•

Purchased one-third interest in April 2004

•

Increased ownership to two-thirds in January
2006

•

Transports containers on barge on U.S. inland
waterway system and Gulf of Mexico

•

Future growth opportunity as U.S. contends
with congestion problems

•

Provides attractive alternative to rail and
truck

•

Very complementary to Kirby’s existing
distribution system and customer base

33

Financial Highlights

34

For Year Ended December 31, 2005

35

Operating Margins

36

11.9% growth
rate from
1994 - 2005

See Appendix for reconciliation of GAAP net earnings to Non-GAAP EBITDA

EBITDA Per Share Growth

37

Excluding acquisitions

* Unaudited

Cash Flows

38

27.1%

57.3%

Debt / Capitalization

39

Balance Sheet

40

•

Investment grade public debt

–

Standard & Poor’s – BBB+

–

Moody’s – Baa3

•

8-year unsecured Private Placement due 2013

–

$200 million outstanding

–

Floating rate of LIBOR +0.5%

–

No required principal payments until maturity

•

$150 Million Revolving Credit Facility

–

Accordion feature added to allow maximum amount to
increase to $225 million without amendment

•

Protection against interest rate increases

–

$150 million of interest rate swaps

Financial Strength

41

Why Invest In Kirby?

42

•

Consistent long-term record of success in core
businesses

•

Excellent business fundamentals

•

Strong free cash flow

•

Internal and external growth opportunities in core
businesses

•

Strong operating leverage with every 1% increase
in marine transportation segment margin adds $.16
per share to earnings; for diesel segment, adds $.03
per share to earnings

•

Fleet expansions will improve asset utilization,
operating efficiencies and reduce costs

Why Invest in Kirby?

43

Thank You  For Listening to Our Story

Kirby Corporation

Putting America’s
Waterways to Work

44

Appendix

45

KIRBY CORPORATION

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Kirby reports its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, Kirby believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures are useful in managing Kirby’s businesses and evaluating Kirby’s performance. Two such non-GAAP financial measures are adjusted net earnings and EBITDA.

Adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share exclude non-recurring adjustments in order to present a measure of earnings that facilitates a comparison of results from one period to results from another period on a more consistent basis, since the non-recurring items are materially different in nature and amount from one period to another. The adjustments generally represent items that are outside normal business operations and are therefore difficult to predict for future periods.

EBITDA, which Kirby defines as net earnings before interest expense, taxes on income, depreciation and amortization, is used because of its wide acceptance as a measure of operating profitability before nonoperating expenses (interest and taxes) and noncash charges (depreciation and amortization). EBITDA is one of the performance measures used in Kirby’s incentive bonus plan. EBITDA is also used by rating agencies in determining Kirby’s credit rating and by analysts publishing research reports on Kirby, as well as by investors and investment bankers generally in valuing companies.

These non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for GAAP financial results and should only be considered in conjunction with Kirby’s financial information that is presented in accordance with GAAP.

Quantitative reconciliations of adjusted net earnings to GAAP net earnings and of EBITDA to GAAP net earnings are provided in the following tables.

KIRBY CORPORATION

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Earnings and Earnings Per Share to Adjusted Non-GAAP

Net Earnings and Adjusted Earnings Per Share

	For the years ended December 31,
	2005		2004		2003		2002		2001		2000		1999		1998		1997		1996
	(In millions, except per share amounts)
Net earnings from continuing operations, GAAP	$	68.8	$	49.5	$	40.9	$	27.4	$	39.6	$	34.1	$	21.4	$	10.1	$	22.7	$	21.2
Adjustments or charges, net of taxes:
Impairment of assets		-		-		-		12.5		-		-		.7		5.4		-		-
Amortization of goodwill expense		-		-		-		-		6.3		5.9		1.7		.6		.7		.5
Loss on sale of Universal Insurance Company		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		6.9		-		-
Merger related charges		-		-		-		-		-		.1		2.9		-		-		-
		-		-		-		12.5		6.3		6.0		5.3		12.9		.7		.5
Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations, Non-GAAP	$	68.8	$	49.5	$	40.9	$	39.9	$	45.9	$	40.1	$	26.7	$	23.0	$	23.4	$	21.7
Net earnings per share from continuing operations, GAAP	$	2.67	$	1.97	$	1.67	$	1.13	$	1.63	$	1.39	$	1.01	$	.46	$	.92	$	.82
Adjustments or charges per share, net of taxes		-		-		-		.51		.26		.24		.24		.58		.03		.02
Adjusted net earnings per share from continuing operations, Non-GAAP	$	2.67	$	1.97	$	1.67	$	1.64	$	1.89	$	1.63	$	1.25	$	1.04	$	.95	$	.84

2

KIRBY CORPORATION

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Earnings to Non-GAAP EBITDA

	For the years ended December 31,
	2005		2004		2003		2002		2001		2000		1999		1998		1997		1996
	(In millions, except per share amounts)
Net earnings from continuing operations, GAAP	$	68.8	$	49.5	$	40.9	$	27.4	$	39.6	$	34.1	$	21.4	$	10.1	$	22.7	$	21.2
Interest expense		12.8		13.3		14.6		13.7		19.0		23.9		12.8		11.9		13.4		13.3
Provision for taxes on income		42.3		30.4		25.1		18.0		27.5		23.7		14.0		6.9		13.8		12.9
Depreciation and amortization		57.4		55.1		53.4		45.5		50.3		48.2		31.3		27.4		28.1		28.4
EBITDA from continuing operations, Non-GAAP		181.3		148.3		134.0		104.6		136.4		129.9		79.5		56.3		78.0		75.8
Adjustments or charges:
Impairment of assets		-		-		-		18.9		-		-		1.1		8.3		-		-
Loss on sale of Universal Insurance Company		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		10.6		-		-
Merger related charges		-		-		-		-		-		.2		4.5		-		-		-
		-		-		-		18.9		-		.2		5.6		18.9		-		-
EBITDA from continuing operations, after adjustments, Non-GAAP	$	181.3	$	148.3	$	134.0	$	123.5	$	136.4	$	130.1	$	85.1	$	75.2	$	78.0	$	75.8

3

KIRBY CORPORATION

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Earnings to Non-GAAP EBITDA

	Three months ended
	March 31,				June 30,				September 30,				December 31,				Year
	2005		2004		2005		2004		2005		2004		2005		2004		2005		2004
	(In millions, except per share amounts)
Net earnings, GAAP	$	13.3	$	9.0	$	18.4	$	13.8	$	17.3	$	13.3	$	19.8	$	13.4	$	68.8	$	49.5
Interest expense		3.1		3.4		3.2		3.3		3.0		3.3		3.5		3.3		12.8		13.3
Provision for taxes on income		8.1		5.5		11.3		8.4		10.6		8.2		12.3		8.3		42.3		30.4
Depreciation and amortization		15.0		13.8		14.0		13.6		13.7		14.0		14.7		13.7		57.4		55.1
EBITDA, Non-GAAP	$	39.5	$	31.7	$	46.9	$	39.1	$	44.6	$	38.8	$	50.3	$	38.7	$	181.3	$	148.3

4

KIRBY CORPORATION

MARINE TRANSPORTATION PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

	2002		2003										2004										2005
	Year		1st Qtr		2nd Qtr		3rd Qtr		4th Qtr		Year		1st Qtr		2nd Qtr		3rd Qtr		4th Qtr		Year		1st Qtr		2nd Qtr		3rd Qtr		4th Qtr		Year
Ton miles (in millions) (1)		13,377		3,455		3,991		4,021		4,115		15,582		3,735		4,321		4,238		3,938		16,232		3,738		4,135		4,027		4,241		16,141
Revenues/Ton mile (cents/tm) (2)		3.4		3.6		3.4		3.3		3.3		3.4		3.6		3.5		3.6		3.8		3.6		4.2		4.1		4.3		4.4		4.3
Towboats operated (3)		201		229		226		222		224		225		233		237		237		235		235		239		241		243		242		242
Delays days (4)		5,974		2,583		1,268		1,001		1,610		6,462		2,359		1,822		1,658		2,553		8,392		3,289		1,790		2,080		1,863		9,022

⁽¹⁾ Ton miles indicate fleet productivity by measuring the distance (in miles) a loaded tank barge is moved. Example: A typical 30,000 barrel tank barge loaded with 3,300 tons of liquid cargo is moved 100 miles, thus generating 330,000 ton miles.

⁽²⁾ Marine transportation revenues divided by ton miles. Example: 4^th quarter 2005 revenues of $185,788,000 divided by 4,241,000,000 ton miles = 4.4 cents.

⁽³⁾ Towboats operated is the average number of owned and chartered towboats operated during the period.

⁽⁴⁾ Delay days measures the lost time incurred by a tow (towboat and tank barges) during transit. The measure includes transit delays caused by weather, lock congestion and other navigational factors.

5