Kirby Corporation 8-K 1-25-2006
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): January 25, 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 2.02.
Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On January 25, 2006, Kirby Corporation (“Kirby”) issued a press release announcing earnings for the three months and year ended December 31, 2005. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, is used in the press release. Kirby defines EBITDA as net earnings before interest expense, taxes on income, depreciation and amortization. Kirby has historically evaluated its operating performance using numerous measures, one of which is EBITDA. EBITDA is presented because of its wide acceptance as a financial indicator. 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. A quantitative reconciliation of EBITDA to GAAP net earnings for the 2005 and 2004 fourth quarters and full years is included in the press release.


Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits
 
(c)
Exhibits:
 
99.1
Press release dated January 25, 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/ Norman W. Nolen
 
   
Norman W. Nolen
  
   
Executive Vice President, Treasurer
  
   
and Chief Financial Officer
  

Dated: January 26, 2006


EXHIBIT INDEX


Press release dated January 25, 2006