SLB shares get a price target boost with Buy rating

Published 22/07/2024, 15:44
SLB shares get a price target boost with Buy rating

On Monday, TD Cowen showed confidence in SLB (NYSE: SLB) by increasing the company's price target to $64.00, up from the previous $62.00, while retaining a Buy rating on the stock. This adjustment follows SLB's performance, which saw the company outshine the Oil Services ETF (OIH) by 270 basis points.

This outperformance was attributed to SLB's second-quarter earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) that exceeded expectations by 3%. Additionally, SLB has set guidance for a 14-15% rise in EBITDA for the year 2024, suggesting a roughly 1% upside to the second-half consensus estimates.

The company has provided exact revenue forecasts for the third quarter but has not given precise profit guidance. Conversely, for the year 2024, SLB has offered precise profit projections, though its revenue forecasts are less exact. This strategic approach to financial guidance indicates a focus on profitability in the coming year.

SLB's new cost-saving initiatives have been highlighted as evidence of the company's agility in adapting to fluctuating levels of activity in the market. These measures are seen as a way for SLB to mitigate the impacts of weaker activity and maintain financial performance.

The analyst's comments reflect a positive outlook on SLB's ability to manage costs and drive growth despite potential market challenges. The raised price target suggests that the analyst sees potential for SLB's stock value to increase in the near future based on the company's recent financial results and forward-looking strategies.

In other recent news, SLB, a significant contributor to the oilfield services industry, reported strong second-quarter results for 2024, surpassing projections with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $2.288 billion.

The company's adjusted earnings per share (EPS) came in at 85 cents, beating the consensus of 83 cents. These figures reflect robust international growth, with revenues 1% higher than consensus estimates.

SLB and TotalEnergies (EPA:TTEF) recently engaged in two significant collaborations. The first is a contract for a 13-well Subsea Production System and related services for the Kaminho project in Angola's Kwanza Basin. The second is a ten-year partnership to co-develop digital solutions aimed at improving access to energy resources and enhancing performance and efficiency.

RBC Capital maintained its Outperform rating on SLB, with a steady price target of $69.00, after the company's strong performance. Similarly, Citi also maintained a "Buy" rating on SLB, with a steady price target of $62.00. Both firms' endorsements come after SLB's recent financial success.

However, the company's proposed acquisition of ChampionX, valued at $7.75 billion, has been delayed due to a second request for more information from the U.S. Department of Justice.

InvestingPro Insights

Amidst the optimism expressed by TD Cowen, SLB's financial health and market performance can be further illuminated by recent data and insights. The company boasts a strong market capitalization of $70.59 billion, underpinning its significant presence in the industry. With a current P/E ratio of 16.23 and a slightly lower forward P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 at 15.35, SLB demonstrates a balance between its current earnings and future growth expectations, although it is trading at a high P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth.

InvestingPro Tips suggest caution as the stock is currently in overbought territory according to the RSI, which may interest traders looking for potential price corrections. Additionally, SLB's commendable track record of maintaining dividend payments for 54 consecutive years, paired with a dividend yield of 2.21%, could appeal to income-focused investors. Notably, analysts have revised their earnings downwards for the upcoming period, which could be a point of consideration for those assessing the company's short-term performance prospects.

For investors seeking deeper analysis and additional metrics, there are more InvestingPro Tips available, offering a comprehensive view of SLB's financial landscape. Unlock these insights and optimize your investment strategy with InvestingPro. Use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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