Why SLB Could Be the Smartest Oil Stock to Buy Now

Core Viewpoint - SLB reported third-quarter earnings that exceeded expectations, reflecting cautious optimism for future growth despite current market challenges [2][3] Financial Performance - Revenue for the third quarter was $8.93 billion, slightly above the expected $8.92 billion [2] - Earnings per share (EPS) were 69 cents, surpassing estimates of 66 cents by 3.95% [2] Market Context - SLB's stock has declined over 1% following the earnings report and is down approximately 14% in 2025, correlating with crude oil price movements [1] - Crude oil prices recently fell below $60 per barrel, but structural trends suggest potential for higher demand and pricing power in the future [4][5] Growth Catalysts - North American infrastructure investment and onshoring efforts are expected to drive energy demand, potentially tightening supply and supporting oil prices [5][6] - International markets, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, are showing resilience, with 80% of SLB's revenue derived from these regions [8] Strategic Initiatives - SLB is focusing on long-cycle projects and anticipates OPEC+ will gradually increase production quotas, which aligns with the company's investment strategy [9] - The company is also advancing in digital and transition technologies, with its SLB New Energy division targeting carbon capture and lithium extraction [10] Financial Outlook - Analysts project a 12-month stock price forecast of $52.00, indicating a potential upside of 59.61% from the current price of $32.58 [12] - SLB is trading at a discount to historical valuation multiples and industrial peers, with a forward earnings multiple around 9x [13][14]