Results of Operations

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 31, 2018 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: ☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) ☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Emerging growth company ☐ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐   Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition   On January 31, 2018, Kirby Corporation (“Kirby”) issued a press release announcing earnings for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017.  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 attributable to Kirby before interest expense, taxes on income, depreciation and amortization, and impairment of long-lived assets.  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 attributable to Kirby for the 2017 and 2016 fourth quarters and years is included in the press release. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits   (d) Exhibits: 99.1 Press release dated January 31, 2018   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/ David W. Grzebinski       David W. Grzebinski       President       and Chief Executive Officer   Dated:  February 1, 2018   EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit 99.1 Press release dated January 31, 2018