Is KNF a good stock to buy right now?

Based on our 6-factor quantitative model, Knife River Corp (KNF) receives a "Reduce" rating with a composite score of 41.2/100. It is ranked #3,076 out of 4,446 stocks. Key factor scores: Quality 50/100, Value 59/100, Momentum 39/100. The timing signal is "Neutral". This is quantitative analysis only — not investment advice.

What is the stock rating for KNF?

Knife River Corp (KNF) has a "Reduce" rating and 2-star score. The composite score of 41.2 ranks it #3,076 among 4,446 U.S. stocks. Ratings are updated weekly using academically-proven factor models.

What sector is KNF in?

Knife River Corp operates in the Materials sector (Non-Metallic And Industrial Metal Mining industry) with a market cap of $4.65 billion. It is classified as a mid-cap stock.

Does KNF pay a dividend?

KNF does not currently pay a regular dividend. The company may be reinvesting profits for growth.

What is KNF's P/E ratio?

KNF has a trailing P/E ratio of 15.61x. The Materials sector average is 26.5x. This P/E is in a moderate range relative to the broader market.

How profitable is KNF?

KNF's quality factor score is 50/100. Gross margin: 16.1%. ROE: 16.7% vs sector average 3.3%. Margins are moderate to low, reflecting competitive market dynamics.

How is KNF valued compared to peers?

KNF's value factor score is 59/100 (higher = cheaper). Key multiples: P/E 15.6x, EV/EBITDA 12.6x. Valuation is roughly in line with peers.

What is KNF's debt level?

KNF's debt-to-equity ratio is 71%. Sector average: 41%. Moderate leverage is normal for established companies.

KNF has a beta of 1.27, meaning it amplifies market moves. Stability score: 44/100.

Does KNF have high short interest?

KNF's short interest factor score is 9/100 (higher = less short selling). Elevated short interest may indicate bearish sentiment or short squeeze potential.

KNF Stock Analysis: Top Mid-Cap Reduce (Score 41.2/100) | Blank Capital Research

Data Series	1D	5D	1M	YTD	1Y	3Y	5Y	10Y
KNF	-1.64%	+13.73%	+3.76%	+19.49%	-5.84%	-	-	-
Industry Proxy XLB	+0.56%	+3.07%	+4.17%	+14.58%	-33.54%	-	-	-
U.S. Market SPY	-0.07%	+3.60%	+0.34%	-0.36%	+29.52%	-	-	-
Alpha vs Market	-1.57%	+10.13%	+3.43%	+19.85%	-35.36%	-	-	-
Alpha vs Sector	-2.20%	+10.66%	-0.41%	+4.91%	+27.70%	-	-	-

Metric	KNF	Benchmark
P/E Ratio	15.6x	-41%
EV/EBITDA	12.6x	+110%
Price / Book	2.6x

Stock Entity	Score▼	Quality	Value	Momentum	P/E Ratio	ROE	Gross Margin	Net Margin	Rev Growth	D/E Ratio	Market Cap	Compare
CF CF Industries Holdings, Inc.	57	50	72	66	11.8x	21.1%	36.2%	24.9%	5.5%	41.0x	$19.7B	VS
NTR Nutrien Ltd.	57	37	70	64	54.2x	11.5%	29.0%	2.7%	-	52.0x	$35.9B	VS
UAN CVR PARTNERS, LP	56	50	71	67	12.0x	42.4%	28.5%	17.8%	23.1%	265.0x	$1.3B	VS
LXU LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.	54	50	54	73	41.2x	-3.3%	8.6%	-4.5%	11.0%	85.0x	$1.1B	VS
AA Alcoa Corp	54	50	61	71	18.7x	16.6%	10.0%	8.0%	3.1%	40.0x	$19.0B	VS
MEOH METHANEX CORP	53	34	76	72	24.6x	47.8%	19.1%	6.7%	-	149.0x	$4.6B	VS
NGVT Ingevity Corp	53	50	68	66	53.4x	-638.7%	38.1%	-12.1%	-14.7%	5,459.0x	$2.5B	VS
SEE SEALED AIR CORP/DE	52	50	67	59	11.2x	44.7%	30.2%	10.4%	0.5%	318.0x	$6.2B	VS
ACU ACME UNITED CORP	51	50	71	51	16.4x	9.0%	39.4%	5.2%	-11.5%	45.0x	$171M	VS
APD Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.	51	50	49	50	179.2x	2.4%	31.6%	2.2%	3.9%	114.0x	$64.4B	VS
KNF Knife River Corp	41	50	59	39	15.6x	16.7%	16.1%	3.0%	49.2%	71.0x	$4.7B

Key Ratio	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
Gross Margin %	0.2%	0.2%	0.2%	0.2%	0.1%
Operating Margin %	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%
EBITDA Margin %	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%
Net Margin %	0.0%	0.0%	0.1%	0.1%	0.0%
FCF Margin %	-19.9%	-	-	-	1.2%
ROE %	0.2%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%
ROA %	0.1%	0.0%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%
ROIC %	0.1%	8.0%	11.6%	12.0%	9.0%

Line Item	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
	$3.5B	$3.1B	$2.9B	$2.8B	$2.5B
	—	$2.6B	$2.3B	$2.3B	—
	$705M	$577M	$570M	$539M	$361M
Gross Margin	16.1%	18.4%	19.7%	19.0%	14.2%
	—	$291M	$254M	$243M	—
Depreciation	—	—	—	—	$118M
Total Operating Expenses	—	$291M	$254M	$243M	—
	$430M	$286M	$316M	$296M	$194M
EBIT	$430M	$286M	$316M	$296M	$194M
EBITDA	$430M	$286M	$316M	$296M	$307M
Operating Margin	6.0%	9.1%	10.9%	10.5%	7.7%
EBITDA Margin	12.3%	9.1%	10.9%	10.5%	12.1%
	—	—	—	$58M	$30M
	—	$213M	$271M	$245M	—
Income Tax Expense	—	$56M	$69M	$62M	$43M
	$273M	$157M	$202M	$183M	$116M
Net Margin	3.0%	5.0%	7.0%	6.5%	4.6%
	$2.77	$2.77	$3.56	$3.23	$2.05
Diluted EPS	$2.77	$2.76	$3.55	$3.23	$2.05
Weighted Avg Basic	—	57M	57M	57M	—
Weighted Avg Diluted	—	57M	57M	57M	—

Knife River Corp (KNF) Stock Analysis — April 2026 Rating, Price, and Forecast

Last updated: April 2026

Company Overview — What Does Knife River Corp Do?

Knife River Corporation provides aggregates-based construction materials and contracting services in the United States. It operates through six segments: Pacific, Northwest, Mountain, North Central, South, and Energy Services. It mines, processes, and sells construction aggregates, including crushed stone and sand, and gravel; and produces and sells asphalt and ready-mix concrete, as well as provides contracting services to support the aggregate-based product lines, including heavy-civil construction, asphalt and concrete paving, and site development and grading. It serves various projects related to highways, airports, and other public infrastructure. The company was founded in 1917 and is based in Bismarck, North Dakota. Knife River Corp (KNF) is classified as a mid-cap stock in the Materials sector, specifically within the Non-Metallic And Industrial Metal Mining industry. The company is led by CEO Brian R. Gray. With a market capitalization of $4.7B, KNF is one of the notable companies in the Materials sector.

Knife River Corp (KNF) Stock Rating — Reduce (April 2026)

As of April 2026, Knife River Corp receives a Reduce rating with a composite score of 41.2/100 and 2 out of 5 stars from the Blank Capital Research quantitative model.KNF ranks #3,076 out of 4,446 stocks in our coverage universe. Within the Materials sector, Knife River Corp ranks #220 of 284 stocks, placing it in the lower half of its Materials peers. The rating is generated by a multi-factor model that weighs quality (30%), momentum (25%), value (15%), investment (10%), stability (10%), and short interest (10%).

KNF Stock Price and 52-Week Range

Knife River Corp (KNF) currently trades at $84.06. The stock lost $1.40 (1.6%) in the most recent trading session. The 52-week high for KNF is $103.17, which means the stock is currently trading -18.5% from its annual peak. The 52-week low is $58.72, putting the stock 43.2% above its annual trough. Recent trading volume was 478K shares, suggesting relatively thin trading activity.

Is KNF Overvalued or Undervalued? — Valuation Analysis

Knife River Corp (KNF) carries a value factor score of 59/100 in the Blank Capital model, indicating fair valuation relative to historical norms. The trailing price-to-earnings ratio is 15.61x, compared to the Materials sector average of 26.50x — a discount of 41%. The price-to-book ratio stands at 2.60x, versus the sector average of 2.83x. The price-to-sales ratio is 1.22x, compared to 0.74x for the average Materials stock. On an enterprise value basis, KNF trades at 12.63x EV/EBITDA, versus 6.01x for the sector.

Overall, KNF's valuation appears roughly in line with sector benchmarks, suggesting the market is pricing the stock fairly given its current fundamentals and growth trajectory. Neither deep value nor significantly overpriced, the stock occupies a middle ground on valuation.

Knife River Corp Profitability — ROE, Margins, and Quality Score

Knife River Corp (KNF) earns a quality factor score of 50/100, indicating solid business quality with consistent operational execution. The return on equity (ROE) is 16.7%, compared to the Materials sector average of 3.3%, which is within a healthy range. Return on assets (ROA) comes in at 7.5% versus the sector average of 0.6%.

On a margin basis, Knife River Corp reports gross margins of 16.1%, compared to 29.8% for the sector. The operating margin is 6.0% (sector: 6.0%). Net profit margin stands at 3.0%, versus 3.0% for the average Materials stock. Revenue growth is running at 49.2% on a trailing basis, compared to 1.8% for the sector. The overall profitability profile is adequate, though there may be room for margin expansion.

KNF Debt, Balance Sheet, and Financial Health

Knife River Corp has a debt-to-equity ratio of 71.0%, compared to the Materials sector average of 41.0%. Leverage is within a manageable range for the industry, though investors should monitor debt trends over time. The current ratio is 2.54x, indicating strong short-term liquidity. Total debt on the balance sheet is $1.17B. Cash and equivalents stand at $81M.

KNF has a beta of 1.27, meaning it is more volatile than the broader market — a $10,000 investment in KNF would be expected to move 27.2% more than the S&P 500 on any given day. The stability factor score for Knife River Corp is 44/100, reflecting average volatility within the normal range for its sector.

Knife River Corp Revenue and Earnings History — Quarterly Trend

In TTM 2026, Knife River Corp reported revenue of $3.50B and earnings per share (EPS) of $2.77. Net income for the quarter was $273M. Gross margin was 16.1%. Operating income came in at $430M.

In FY 2025, Knife River Corp reported revenue of $3.15B and earnings per share (EPS) of $2.77. Net income for the quarter was $157M. Gross margin was 18.4%. Revenue grew 8.5% year-over-year compared to FY 2024. Operating income came in at $286M.

In Q3 2025, Knife River Corp reported revenue of $1.20B and earnings per share (EPS) of $2.53. Net income for the quarter was $143M. Gross margin was 23.6%. Revenue grew 8.9% year-over-year compared to Q3 2024. Operating income came in at $215M.

In Q2 2025, Knife River Corp reported revenue of $834M and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.89. Net income for the quarter was $51M. Gross margin was 18.9%. Revenue grew 3.3% year-over-year compared to Q2 2024. Operating income came in at $88M.

Over the past 8 quarters, Knife River Corp has demonstrated a growth trajectory, with revenue expanding from $807M to $3.50B. Investors analyzing KNF stock should weigh these quarterly trends alongside the valuation and quality metrics discussed above.

KNF Dividend Yield and Income Analysis

Knife River Corp (KNF) does not currently pay a dividend. This is common among smaller companies in the Non-Metallic And Industrial Metal Mining industry that prefer to reinvest cash flows into business expansion rather than returning capital to shareholders. Income-focused investors looking for Materials dividend stocks may want to explore other Materials stocks or use the stock screener to filter by dividend yield.

KNF Momentum and Technical Analysis Profile

Knife River Corp (KNF) has a momentum factor score of 39/100, signaling weak relative price performance. Stocks with low momentum scores have historically tended to continue underperforming in the near term. The investment factor score is 23/100, which measures capital allocation efficiency and asset growth patterns. The short interest score of 9/100 signals elevated short interest, which can indicate bearish sentiment among institutional investors.

KNF vs Competitors — Materials Sector Ranking and Peer Comparison

Within the Materials sector, Knife River Corp (KNF) ranks #220 out of 284 stocks based on the Blank Capital composite score. This places KNF in the lower half of all Materials stocks in our coverage universe. Key competitors and sector peers include CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) with a score of 56.6/100, Nutrien Ltd. (NTR) with a score of 56.6/100, CVR PARTNERS, LP (UAN) with a score of 55.6/100, LSB INDUSTRIES, INC. (LXU) with a score of 53.6/100, and ACME UNITED CORP (ACU) with a score of 51.2/100.

Comparing KNF against the S&P 500 benchmark is also instructive for understanding relative performance. Investors can view the full KNF vs S&P 500 (SPY) comparison to assess how Knife River Corp stacks up against the broader market across all factor dimensions.

KNF Next Earnings Date

No upcoming earnings date has been announced for Knife River Corp (KNF) at this time. Check the earnings calendar for the latest scheduling updates across all stocks in our coverage universe.

Should You Buy KNF? — Investment Thesis Summary

The quantitative profile for Knife River Corp suggests caution. Momentum is weak at 39/100, a headwind for near-term performance.

In summary, Knife River Corp (KNF) earns a Reduce rating with a composite score of 41.2/100 as of April 2026. The rating is derived from the Blank Capital Research methodology, which combines six factor dimensions into a single quantitative ranking. Investors should consider these quantitative signals alongside their own fundamental research, risk tolerance, and investment time horizon before making buy or sell decisions on KNF stock.

Related Resources for KNF Investors

Explore more research and tools: KNF vs S&P 500 comparison, top Materials stocks, stock screener, our methodology, quality factor explained, value factor explained, momentum factor explained. Compare KNF head-to-head with peers: KNF vs CF, KNF vs NTR, KNF vs UAN.

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