World Kinect (NYSE:WKC) Shares Gap Down on Disappointing Earnings

World Kinect Corporation (NYSE:WKC)’s stock price gapped down prior to trading on Friday following a weaker than expected earnings announcement. The stock had previously closed at $26.59, but opened at $25.40. World Kinect shares last traded at $25.48, with a volume of 133,114 shares.

The company reported $0.30 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.47 by ($0.17). The company had revenue of $9.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $9.41 billion. World Kinect had a positive return on equity of 6.23% and a negative net margin of 1.66%.The firm’s revenue was down 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.62 EPS. World Kinect has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.200-2.400 EPS.

World Kinect Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.2%. World Kinect’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -10.34%.

Key World Kinect News

Here are the key news stories impacting World Kinect this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Company set FY‑2026 EPS guidance of $2.20–$2.40, which overlaps consensus and gives investors a forward earnings range to model from. FY2026 Guidance (Press Release)
• Positive Sentiment: Management emphasized strategic acquisitions and business priorities on the call, signaling growth initiatives beyond the commodity distribution cycle. Earnings Highlights: Strategic Acquisitions
• Neutral Sentiment: Full earnings call transcript and slide deck are available for investors to review detailed commentary and management’s assumptions. Earnings Call Transcript Earnings Presentation
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 EPS missed consensus ($0.30 reported vs. ~$0.47 expected) and revenue missed estimates ($9.03B vs. ~$9.4B consensus), showing a year‑over‑year revenue decline (~‑7.5%) that pressures near‑term sentiment. Q4 Earnings and Revenues Lag Estimates
• Negative Sentiment: GAAP items produced a much larger operating/net loss and weaker cash flow (cash from operations down sharply; cash balances fell), which could increase short‑term volatility and investor concern about earnings quality. Q4 Financial Details and Cash Flow
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts and models will likely re‑price risk: the quarter and some large GAAP adjustments increase the chance of revisions to near‑term estimates despite guidance for FY‑2026. Q4 Earnings Snapshot

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on WKC shares. Zacks Research raised World Kinect from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d)” rating on shares of World Kinect in a report on Monday, December 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $28.33.

Institutional Trading of World Kinect

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Clearstead Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of World Kinect by 52.8% in the 3rd quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 1,261 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 436 shares during the last quarter. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. increased its position in World Kinect by 0.5% during the third quarter. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 110,836 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,876,000 after buying an additional 502 shares during the period. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its stake in World Kinect by 14.5% in the second quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 3,976 shares of the company’s stock valued at $113,000 after buying an additional 503 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its stake in World Kinect by 8.5% in the third quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 6,397 shares of the company’s stock valued at $166,000 after buying an additional 503 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lido Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of World Kinect by 6.1% in the fourth quarter. Lido Advisors LLC now owns 10,504 shares of the company’s stock valued at $268,000 after acquiring an additional 608 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.06% of the company’s stock.

World Kinect Trading Down 6.2%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.39 billion, a PE ratio of -2.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.13. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $25.85 and its 200-day moving average price is $25.55.

About World Kinect

World Kinect Energy Services, Inc (NYSE: WKC) is a global energy services company specializing in fuel procurement, supply chain management and risk mitigation solutions. The company offers an integrated platform that facilitates the sourcing, trading and logistics of refined fuels, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable energy products. Its services are designed to help industrial, commercial and institutional clients optimize energy costs, comply with environmental regulations and manage price volatility.

In addition to traditional commodity trading and delivery, World Kinect provides a suite of value-added services that include carbon offset and decarbonization strategies, energy efficiency consulting and emissions reporting.