Knife River Corporation logo

Knife River Corporation(KNF)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL RECENCY
1-STAR RATING
Consider higher Upturn Star rating
BUY for 3 days
PROFIT SINCE LAST BUY
+2.95% ▲
LAST CLOSE
$58.94
11/09/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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  • BUY Advisory
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Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for KNF

11/09/2026: KNF (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.

Knife River Corporation is a U.S.-based, aggregates-led construction materials and services company. The firm benefits from a vertically integrated model that links essential aggregate reserves to high-value concrete, asphalt, and paving services. While the company has historically delivered consistent revenue growth, investors focus on its ability to improve operational margins through its 'Competitive EDGE' initiative. Key opportunities lie in federal infrastructure spending and bolt-on acquisitions in fragmented regional markets. Conversely, the company faces significant risks from cyclical construction demand, rising input costs, and competition from better-capitalized peers. KNF is best suited for growth-oriented investors who can tolerate cyclicality and are monitoring execution success.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorStrong fitThe company is actively scaling its footprint through aggressive, debt-financed acquisitions in high-growth regions.
Momentum investorMixed fitThe stock can experience periods of volatility; momentum depends heavily on infrastructure spending signals and successful integration of acquisitions.
Value investorMixed fitValuation depends on whether margins improve to justify the current enterprise value against replacement costs.
Dividend investorWeak fitKnife River does not currently pay a dividend, making it unsuitable for income-focused portfolios.
Low-risk investorWeak fitThe company's reliance on debt-funded acquisitions and construction cycles creates higher-than-average operational and financial risk.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMedium / highThe stock is susceptible to swings based on infrastructure sentiment and commodity price fluctuations.
Valuation riskMediumThe market's valuation hinges on the success of margin-improvement initiatives versus asset replacement costs.
Competition risk (Consolidation)HighLarge competitors like VMC and CRH possess superior pricing power and scale in many of the same markets.
Business qualityMediumAs a cyclical construction firm, earnings can be impacted by factors outside of management control, such as weather.
Dividend incomeLow / noneThe company does not provide a dividend, requiring total return from capital gains only.
Execution riskMedium / highSuccessful growth depends heavily on the effective integration of regional acquisitions.

Price Behavior

Steep Decline
PRICE PATH

Steep Decline

The stock price has dropped sharply with strong downward pressure.

Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Choppy

The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -36.2%
Avg. Invested days 34
Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 11/09/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
KNF receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak unit economics, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
KNF has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, soft growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, growth and ownership metrics are mixed: negative earnings growth (-22.1%), weak cash generation (FCF margin -2.2%), moderate revenue growth (+8.5%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
KNF's financial health is supported by moderate liquidity, including working-capital and asset support (WC/assets 16.0%). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Revenue growth is KNF's strongest growth driver at +8.5% FY2025 versus FY2024 (moderate, 3 stars). By comparison, while earnings growth (-22.1%, negative) and free-cash-flow growth (-146.4%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 105.9% and approximately 99.5% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.43%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 12.84%
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. 9.01%
Capital World Investors 5.72%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 4.96%
Baillie Gifford & Co Limited. 4.83%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
KNF generates approximately $184 of gross profit, $91 of operating income, and $-22 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Negative free cash flow explains the 1-star rating, with weak cash conversion and soft capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 26.31%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
KNF has a liquid, relatively low-volatility profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedLow VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Mid-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 3.20B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 23.8
1Y Target Price 69.8
Price to earnings Ratio 23.8
1Y Target Price 69.8
Volume (30-day avg) 850.1K shares
Beta 0.53
52 Weeks Range 47.79 - 96.28
Updated Date 11/08/2026
52 Weeks Range 47.79 - 96.28
Updated Date 11/08/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) 2.37

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
AggregatesMining and sale of sand, gravel, and crushed stone.The foundation of the business; selling raw rock is high-margin and critical for local infrastructure.
Downstream ProductsReady-mix concrete and asphalt manufacturing.These products add value to raw materials; demand is closely linked to road and commercial construction.
Contracting ServicesPaving, grading, and site development.Revenue from executing actual building projects; utilizes the company's own materials.
Geography (14 U.S. States)Concentrated presence in the West, Mountain, and Central U.S.Operations are regional; performance is tied to local infrastructure budgets in these specific states.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-11-03
When Before Market
Estimate 2.59
Actual 2.43

Profitability

Profit Margin 3.98%
Operating Margin (TTM) 16.91%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 4.39%
Return on Equity (TTM) 8.03%

Valuation

Trailing PE 23.8
Forward PE 18.69
Enterprise Value 4.69B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.95
Enterprise Value 4.69B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.95
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.39
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 9.51
Shares Outstanding 56.76M
Shares Floating 56.46M
Shares Outstanding 56.76M
Shares Floating 56.46M
Percent Insiders 0.43
Percent Institutions 105.9

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Form CRS provides a relationship summary of our automated advisory services, flat subscription fees, and conflicts of interest. Form ADV Part 2A brochure contains complete details on services, billing, and disclosures. If any summary differs from our current regulatory filings, the filed Form ADV controls.