HOUSTON, Jan. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Weatherford International plc (NASDAQ: WFRD) (“Weatherford” or the “Company”) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.275 per share on the Company’s ordinary shares, representing a 10% increase compared to the prior quarterly dividend. The dividend is payable on March 5, 2026 to shareholders of record as of February 6, 2026. Girish Saligram, President and Chief Executive Officer of Weatherford, commented, “This divid ...

Weatherford (WFRD) shares rallied 6.5% in the last trading session to close at $88.5. This move can be attributable to notable volume with a higher number of shares being traded than in a typical session. This compares to the stock's 4.2% gain over the past four weeks.The surge can be attributed to an improving outlook for Weatherford’s oilfield services business, particularly in international and offshore markets where drilling activity has gained momentum in recent years. Ramp-up of drilling activity in L ...

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgency to invest now [1][13] - The energy demands of AI technologies are significant, with data centers consuming as much energy as small cities, leading to concerns about power grid capacity and rising electricity prices [2][3] Investment Opportunity - A specific company is highlighted as a critical player in the AI energy sector, owning essential energy infrastructure assets that are poised to benefit from the increasing energy demands of AI [3][7] - This company is not a chipmaker or cloud platform but is positioned as a "toll booth" operator in the AI energy boom, collecting fees from energy exports [5][6] Financial Position - The company is noted for being debt-free and holding a substantial cash reserve, amounting to nearly one-third of its market capitalization, which provides a strong financial foundation [8] - It is trading at less than 7 times earnings, making it an attractive investment compared to other firms in the energy and utility sectors [10] Market Trends - The company is well-positioned to capitalize on the onshoring trend driven by tariffs, as well as the surge in U.S. LNG exports under the current administration's energy policies [14][7] - The influx of talent into the AI sector is expected to drive continuous innovation and advancements, further solidifying the importance of investing in AI-related companies [12] Future Outlook - The company is involved in nuclear energy infrastructure, which is seen as a key component of America's future power strategy, particularly in the context of clean and reliable energy [7][14] - The potential for significant returns is emphasized, with projections suggesting a possible 100% return within 12 to 24 months for investors who act now [15][19]

Group 1: Eli Lilly and Company - Eli Lilly reported a significant increase in revenue, driven by strong sales of its diabetes and cancer drugs, with a year-over-year growth of 15% [1] - The company has expanded its pipeline with new drug candidates, aiming to address unmet medical needs in various therapeutic areas [1] - Eli Lilly's strategic focus on innovation and market expansion is expected to enhance its competitive position in the pharmaceutical industry [1] Group 2: Weatherford International PLC - Weatherford International has shown improvement in operational efficiency, resulting in a 10% reduction in costs compared to the previous year [1] - The company is benefiting from the recovery in oil prices, which has led to increased demand for its services in the oil and gas sector [1] - Weatherford's strategic initiatives include enhancing its technology offerings to better serve its clients and capture market share [1] Group 3: Pagaya - Pagaya has experienced rapid growth in its asset management business, with assets under management increasing by 25% over the last quarter [1] - The company is leveraging advanced data analytics to optimize investment strategies and improve returns for its clients [1] - Pagaya's focus on technology-driven solutions positions it well in the competitive landscape of financial services [1]

Company Overview - Weatherford (WFRD) shares increased by 9.5% to close at $88.61, with notable trading volume compared to typical sessions, and a 5.8% gain over the past four weeks [1][2] Market Outlook - The positive stock movement is linked to an improved outlook for Weatherford's oilfield services due to geopolitical developments that may enhance access to Venezuela's oil and gas reserves, leading to increased demand for oilfield services [2] - Weatherford operates in several Latin American countries, including Brazil and Colombia, and is expected to benefit from increased drilling activity and crude production in Venezuela [2] Financial Performance - The company is projected to report quarterly earnings of $1.50 per share, unchanged from the previous year, with revenues expected to be $1.26 billion, reflecting a 6% decline from the year-ago quarter [3] - The consensus EPS estimate for Weatherford has remained stable over the last 30 days, indicating that stock price movements may not sustain without trends in earnings estimate revisions [4] Industry Context - Weatherford holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) within the Oil and Gas - Field Services industry, contrasting with Archrock Inc. (AROC), which has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and closed 0.8% lower at $26.41 [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - The stock market presents compelling opportunities as the US economy shows resilience, the AI boom continues, and equity rallies broaden beyond a few leading stocks, creating favorable conditions for stock selection heading into 2026 [1] Group 1: Zacks Rank and Stock Selection - The Zacks Rank is highlighted as an effective investment tool with a strong track record of identifying emerging leaders before they gain widespread recognition [2] - Three stocks are identified as top picks: Pagaya Technologies Ltd. (PGY), Eli Lilly (LLY), and Weatherford International (WFRD), all carrying a top Zacks Rank and backed by strong growth expectations and attractive valuations [3] Group 2: Eli Lilly (LLY) - Eli Lilly has shown exceptional performance due to the adoption of GLP-1 weight-loss therapies, experiencing a powerful stock advance towards the end of 2025 after a temporary pause [5][6] - The stock is currently rated Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) with earnings estimates revised upward, trading at 32.2x forward earnings, and projected EPS growth of 41.4% annually over the next three to five years [6] - Technical analysis indicates a bullish setup, with a recent breakout above resistance levels suggesting potential for further gains [7] Group 3: Pagaya Technologies Ltd. (PGY) - Pagaya Technologies is positioned in the "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) space, previously highlighted for its strong growth projections and attractive valuation, with shares having more than tripled before a significant pullback [9][10] - The stock has returned to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), trading at 6.5x forward earnings, with sales expected to grow by 28.4% this year and 19.2% next year, alongside a projected earnings growth of 274% [10] - Recent technical movements indicate a potential pivot point for renewed buying interest, suggesting favorable conditions for investors [11] Group 4: Weatherford International (WFRD) - Weatherford International's shares have risen sharply amid geopolitical developments affecting global energy markets, particularly following military actions in Venezuela [13] - The stock has maintained a top Zacks Rank and has shown signs of renewed leadership in the energy sector prior to recent events [14] - Technical analysis shows a decisive breakout from a bull flag pattern, reinforcing a bullish outlook for Weatherford and the broader energy sector [15] Group 5: Investment Considerations - Each of the highlighted stocks offers unique investment opportunities: Eli Lilly as a structural growth leader, Pagaya as a high-upside growth story, and Weatherford as a play on a resurgent energy cycle [16]

Core Viewpoint - Weatherford International plc will host a conference call on February 4, 2026, to discuss its fourth quarter and full year results for 2025 [1]. Group 1: Conference Call Details - The conference call will start at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (7:30 a.m. Central Time) [2]. - Participants can join the call via a live webcast or by dialing specific numbers for U.S. and international access [3]. - A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until February 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time [4]. Group 2: Company Overview - Weatherford provides innovative energy services that combine proven technologies with advanced digitalization to enhance value and return on investment [5]. - The company operates in approximately 75 countries, employing around 17,000 team members from about 110 nationalities across 310 locations [5].

Core Viewpoint - Weatherford International plc (NASDAQ:WFRD) is experiencing positive momentum in its stock price and analyst ratings, indicating a potential recovery in the oil and gas equipment and services sector. Group 1: Stock Performance - The share price of Weatherford International surged by 5.12% between December 5 and December 12, 2025, making it one of the top-performing energy stocks for that week [1] - The stock has increased by more than 105% since reaching a multi-year low in April [4] Group 2: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Citi raised its price target on Weatherford International from $77 to $93, maintaining a 'Buy' rating, which suggests an upside potential of over 15% [3] - UBS analyst Josh Silverstein initiated coverage with a Neutral rating and a price target of $82, noting improvements in revenue from Mexico [4]

Core Insights - Summit Street Capital Management has established a new position in Weatherford International, acquiring 398,661 shares valued at approximately $27.3 million during the third quarter [1][2][9] - Weatherford's stock price is currently $79.47, reflecting a 2% increase over the past year, which is underperforming compared to the S&P 500's 13% gain in the same period [3][4] Company Overview - Weatherford International is a leading global provider of oilfield services and equipment, supporting the entire lifecycle of well development and production [5] - The company offers a broad range of services including drilling, evaluation, completion, and intervention activities, leveraging technology and operational expertise [5][8] - Weatherford's market capitalization stands at $5.7 billion, with a total revenue of $5 billion and a net income of $405 million over the trailing twelve months (TTM) [4] Financial Performance - In the latest quarter, Weatherford reported a sequential revenue increase of 2% to $1.2 billion, with adjusted EBITDA rising 6% to $269 million, resulting in expanded margins of 21.8% [9] - Despite the positive revenue growth, net income fell by 40% sequentially, indicating mixed near-term performance [10] Strategic Positioning - The new investment by Summit Street indicates a strategic shift towards cyclical energy sectors, as Weatherford's fundamentals stabilize [9] - Weatherford has secured consistent contract wins with major clients such as Petrobras, Romgaz, Talos, and Shell, which may enhance its credibility and operational efficiency [10]

Group 1: Stock Recommendations - PRA Group, Inc. (PRAA) has a Zacks Rank 1 and a 9.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days, with a P/E ratio of 9.35 compared to 16.70 for the industry, and a Value Score of A [1] - Weatherford International plc (WFRD) also holds a Zacks Rank 1, with an 8.6% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days, a P/E ratio of 13.18 compared to 24.97 for the S&P 500, and a Value Score of A [2] - StoneCo Ltd. (STNE) carries a Zacks Rank 1, with a 12.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days, a P/E ratio of 11.33 compared to 23.30 for the industry, and a Value Score of B [3]