KNF stock forecast, quote, news & analysis
Knife River Corp is a people-first construction materials and contracting services company... Show more
Knife River Corporation (KNF) Stock Analysis: Navigating Acquisition Momentum
Key Takeaways
- Knife River reported record Q3 2025 revenue of $1.2 billion, up 9% year-over-year, driven by acquisitions and pricing gains.
- Recent Texcrete acquisition bolsters Texas operations with ready-mix plants and long-term aggregate reserves.
- Analyst consensus remains "Buy" with average price targets around $97-$107 amid mixed ratings.
- Stock trades in mid-52-week range ($59-$109), reflecting sector pressures and strategic growth.
- Record backlog positions company for infrastructure demand, though weather and volumes pose near-term challenges.
Current Market Snapshot
Knife River Corporation (KNF) has navigated volatile trading in recent weeks, holding steady within its broader yearly range amid construction sector headwinds. Shares reflect resilience from strategic expansions and robust backlogs, offset by softer volumes and regional weather disruptions. Investor focus remains on aggregates pricing stability and integration of recent bolt-on deals, supporting a balanced outlook in recent trading sessions. The stock's position underscores its exposure to public infrastructure spending and private development trends.
Recent Developments Driving KNF Price Action
Knife River Corporation (KNF), a leading aggregates-led construction materials and contracting services provider, has seen its stock influenced by a series of operational and strategic updates over the past 30 days. The most notable was the December 15, 2025, acquisition of assets from Texcrete Operations LLC and TexAgg LLC. This deal added six ready-mix concrete plants, 85 trucks, and a sand and gravel site with over 20 years of reserves in Texas' high-growth Texas Triangle region, including College Station and Montgomery County. Employing about 100 new team members, the move aligns with Knife River's focus on vertically integrated operations in mid-sized, expanding markets. CEO Brian Gray highlighted its fit for materials-based growth, contributing to positive sentiment despite undisclosed terms.
Earlier Q3 2025 earnings, released November 4, 2025, provided a strong backdrop, with revenue climbing 9% to $1.2 billion from acquisitions, pricing improvements, and higher aggregates volumes. Net income dipped 3% to $143.2 million due to reduced contracting workloads from rainfall and less paving, but adjusted EBITDA rose, with gross margins expanding across aggregates, ready-mix, and asphalt lines. Record backlog at quarter-end signals robust demand, positioning the company well despite narrowing full-year 2025 guidance to $3.1-$3.15 billion revenue and $475-$500 million adjusted EBITDA. These results drove initial pre-market gains but moderated amid broader sector caution.
Analyst actions added volatility. On January 13, 2026, Wells Fargo downgraded KNF to Equal Weight from Overweight, citing valuation after a prior run-up, lowering its target. Countering this, B. Riley initiated Buy coverage on January 15, 2026, while consensus holds at Buy with targets from $75-$120, averaging near $97-$107. JPMorgan's Neutral initiation in early December also tempered enthusiasm. Macro factors, including state DOT budget increases and IIJA funding, support infrastructure tailwinds, but weather and volume softness pressured sentiment.
These developments linked directly to price behavior: Q3 beats spurred gains, Texcrete news reinforced growth narrative, but downgrades and volume concerns led to consolidation around mid-range levels. Overall, expansions offset operational hurdles, maintaining investor interest in KNF's positioning.
2026 Outlook and Key Factors to Monitor
Entering 2026, Knife River Corporation (KNF) benefits from a record backlog and strategic acquisitions like Texcrete, enhancing reserves and capacity in high-growth areas. State DOT budgets in its 14 operating states are rising 14% on average, outpacing the national 3%, with 60% of IIJA funds still available, extending infrastructure momentum beyond the program's end. Pricing discipline in aggregates, ready-mix, and asphalt—targeting mid-single-digit gains—alongside cost controls and operational efficiencies like the PITcrew program, support margin expansion toward long-term goals.
Investors should track integration of recent deals, including Texcrete's contribution to Texas volumes, and broader market pricing dynamics amid normalizing post-peak levels. Regional funding resolutions, such as Oregon's transportation needs, could unlock paving opportunities. Competitive positioning in vertically integrated services remains key, alongside macroeconomic sensitivities like interest rates impacting private development. Weather variability and labor availability pose risks, balanced by disciplined capital allocation for organic growth and tuck-in buys. Q4 2025 results, due February 17, 2026, will offer initial read on winter performance and refined guidance.
KNF's RSI Oscillator ascending out of oversold territory
The RSI Indicator for KNF moved out of oversold territory on May 20, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is shifting from a downward trend to an upward trend. Traders may want to buy the stock or call options. The A.I.dvisor looked at 8 similar instances when the indicator left oversold territory. In of the 8 cases the stock moved higher. This puts the odds of a move higher at .
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator is in the oversold zone. Keep an eye out for a move up in the foreseeable future.
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on June 09, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on KNF as a result. In of 54 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for KNF just turned positive on June 09, 2026. Looking at past instances where KNF's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in of 30 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
Following a 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where KNF advanced for three days, in of 225 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
KNF may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In of 167 cases where KNF Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are .
Bearish Trend Analysis
KNF moved below its 50-day moving average on May 12, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for KNF crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on May 18, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In of 10 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where KNF declined for three days, the price rose further in of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating slightly worse than average price growth. KNF’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.777) is normal, around the industry mean (2.579). P/E Ratio (29.685) is within average values for comparable stocks, (31.481). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.425) is also within normal values, averaging (1.698). Dividend Yield (0.000) settles around the average of (0.019) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (1.356) is also within normal values, averaging (2.511).
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. KNF’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 68, placing this stock worse than average.
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Industry ConstructionMaterials