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): APRIL 28, 2004 KIRBY CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) NEVADA 74-1884980 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) 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 Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits (c) Exhibits: 99.1 Press release dated April 28, 2004 Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition On April 28, 2004, Kirby Corporation ("Kirby") issued a press release announcing earnings for the first quarter ended March 31, 2004. 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 2004 and 2003 first quarters is included in the press release. 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: April 29, 2004 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit 99.1 Press release dated April 28, 2004