Group 1 - Borr Drilling Limited (NYSE:BORR) experienced a share price decline of 13.69% from December 10 to December 17, 2025, making it one of the worst-performing energy stocks during that week [1] - The company announced an equity offering of 21 million shares on December 8, aiming to raise $84 million in gross proceeds, with the offering priced at $4 per share [3] - Proceeds from the equity offering will be used to acquire five jackup rigs from Noble Corporation plc for $360 million and for general corporate purposes [3] Group 2 - The acquisition will be financed through $150 million in additional senior secured notes due 2030 and $150 million seller's credit due 2032, alongside the equity offering [4] - This acquisition is expected to close in Q1 2026 and will increase Borr's fleet size to 29 rigs [4] - CEO Bruno Morand stated that the acquisition represents a strategic and financial opportunity, with expectations for immediate accretion to Adjusted EBITDA and a reduction in debt per rig [4]

Group 1 - Night Watch Investment Management reported a 4.28% net appreciation in its fund LP for Q3 2025, with a year-to-date performance of 25.88% [1] - The portfolio continued to perform strongly during the quarter, coinciding with a robust market recovery [1] - Noble Corporation plc (NYSE:NE) was highlighted as a significant stock, showing a one-month return of 12.44% and a 52-week gain of 1.20% [2] Group 2 - Night Watch Investment Management fully exited its energy positions, including Noble Corporation plc, due to a pause in offshore spending that began in 2024, with expectations of no resumption until at least 2027 [3] - The company noted that Noble Energy trades at approximately 10 times free cash flow, which is not considered cheap given an 8% cost of debt and limited asset lifespan [3] - Noble Corporation plc was not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with 47 hedge fund portfolios holding it at the end of Q3, down from 49 in the previous quarter [4]

Core Insights - Findell Capital Management has completely exited its position in Valaris Limited, selling 300,000 shares for an estimated $12.6 million, as disclosed in a quarterly Form 13-F filing [2][6][8] Company Overview - Valaris Limited is a leading provider of offshore drilling services with a market capitalization of $4 billion and revenue of $2.4 billion over the trailing twelve months (TTM) [4][5] - The company reported a net income of $399 million (TTM) and generated $596 million in revenue for the latest quarter, reflecting strong operational performance [4][7][8] Stock Performance - As of the latest market close, Valaris shares were priced at $55.94, representing a 22% increase over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 13% gain during the same period [3][8] - The stock has increased approximately 90% since its lows in April [8] Operational Highlights - Valaris has demonstrated operational efficiency, with a reported adjusted EBITDA of $163 million and a net income of $187 million for the latest quarter, up from $114 million in the previous quarter [7][8] - The company has secured contracts for all four of its active drillships with near-term availability, indicating strong demand in the offshore drilling market [8] Investment Strategy - The exit by Findell Capital suggests a strategic shift towards small- and mid-cap growth opportunities, moving away from asset-heavy businesses like offshore drilling [6][8]

Core Insights - Ninepoint Investment Partners has acquired approximately $18.7 million worth of Transocean stock, indicating a bullish outlook on the company [1][5]. Company Overview - Transocean operates a specialized fleet of ultra-deepwater and harsh environment drilling rigs, making it a leading provider of offshore drilling services globally [2]. - The company's business model is based on multi-year contracts with major oil and gas producers, which provides revenue visibility despite cyclical industry conditions [2]. - Transocean's competitive advantage lies in its technical expertise and a modern fleet capable of operating in challenging offshore environments [2]. Recent Performance - As of November 11, 2025, Transocean shares were priced at $4.23, reflecting a 6.0% decline over the past year and underperforming the S&P 500 by 19.6 percentage points [3]. - Over the last three years, Transocean stock has delivered a total return of -1%, while the S&P 500 has generated a total return of 74% [6]. Financial Position - Transocean's balance sheet has improved, with net debt decreasing from a three-year high of $6.9 billion to under $5.0 billion [7]. - The company recently reported solid third-quarter earnings results that exceeded analyst estimates for both revenue and earnings per share (EPS) [7]. Investment Position - Ninepoint Partners LP's new position in Transocean represents 2.6% of its 13F reportable assets under management (AUM) [4]. - The acquisition of 6,000,000 shares makes Transocean the firm's eighth-largest position overall, indicating a significant institutional purchase [5].

Core Insights - Seadrill reported a quarterly loss of $0.17 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.26, and a significant decline from earnings of $0.49 per share a year ago, resulting in an earnings surprise of -165.38% [1] - The company generated revenues of $363 million for the quarter ended September 2025, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 10.33% and showing a year-over-year increase from $354 million [2] - Seadrill shares have declined approximately 20.6% year-to-date, contrasting with the S&P 500's gain of 15.1% [3] Financial Performance - Over the last four quarters, Seadrill has surpassed consensus EPS estimates only once [2] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.01 on revenues of $308 million, while for the current fiscal year, it is projected at -$0.63 on revenues of $1.35 billion [7] Industry Outlook - The Oil and Gas - Drilling industry, to which Seadrill belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 10% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a challenging environment [8] - Empirical research suggests a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which could impact Seadrill's stock performance [5][6]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues for the third quarter were $596 million, down from $615 million in the prior quarter, primarily due to fewer operating days for the floater fleet [29] - Adjusted EBITDA was $163 million compared to $201 million in the prior quarter, with the decrease attributed to fewer operating days and a non-recurring benefit recognized in the previous quarter [30] - Adjusted free cash flow for the quarter was $237 million, with cash flow from operations amounting to $198 million [30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The jackup segment saw increased EBITDA year over year, driven by more operating days and higher average day rates [13] - The drillship fleet added approximately $1.4 billion of backlog year to date, representing nine years of total contract duration [16] - The total backlog now stands at $4.5 billion, significantly enhancing contract coverage for 2026 and beyond [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global utilization for the jackup fleet remains around 90%, driven by national oil companies focused on energy security [12] - The offshore drilling market is expected to see a recovery in utilization rates, with seventh-generation drillships anticipated to exit 2026 with utilization levels around 90% [11] - Demand for offshore drilling services is developing, particularly in deepwater projects, with a robust pipeline of opportunities expected [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains focused on operational excellence, commercial execution, and disciplined cost management to drive long-term value for shareholders [4] - A strategic focus on securing attractive contracts has resulted in all four drillships with near-term availability being contracted for work beginning next year [9] - The company is in advanced discussions for additional contracts, particularly for rigs scheduled to complete contracts in the second half of 2026 [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term outlook for the offshore drilling industry, citing a need for sustained investment in oil and gas [10] - The company anticipates meaningful growth in deepwater project sanctioning over the next few years as customers pursue exploration and development [11] - Management highlighted the importance of ongoing investment to offset natural field declines, with the IEA estimating a potential 8% annual decline in global oil production without continued investment [10] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $75 million of shares during the quarter, reflecting its commitment to returning capital to shareholders [5] - The sale of the 27-year-old jackup Valaris 247 for $108 million was noted as part of the company's disciplined approach to cost management [14] - The company expects to receive approximately $70 million in upfront payments from customers this year for contract-specific upgrades [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Share repurchase strategy and cash utilization - Management confirmed a commitment to returning capital to shareholders and indicated that repurchases would be opportunistic based on market conditions [40][42] Question: Exploration activity and customer discussions - Management noted an increase in exploration discussions, driven by the necessity to meet future energy needs, which is seen as positive for the market [46] Question: Future asset sales and shareholder returns - Management emphasized that operational cash flow will drive capital returns, with asset sales being opportunistic to enhance financial flexibility [48][50] Question: Day rates and market outlook - Management believes day rates for high-spec ships have troughed in the high $300,000s to low $400,000 range, with expectations for recovery in utilization and day rates [58][59] Question: Rig contracts and market dynamics - Management expressed confidence in securing extensions for rigs in Angola and highlighted ongoing discussions for gap-fill work for idle rigs [60][61]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported contract drilling revenues of $1.03 billion for Q3 2025, with an average daily revenue of approximately $462,000, slightly above guidance due to the performance of the Deepwater Skiros [18] - Operating and maintenance expenses were $584 million, below guidance primarily due to deferred maintenance costs and a favorable legal dispute outcome [19] - Total liquidity at the end of Q3 was approximately $1.8 billion, including $833 million in unrestricted cash and $510 million from an undrawn revolving credit facility [19][20] - The company expects to end 2025 with total liquidity slightly above $1.4 billion, reflecting cash usage for debt reduction [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company plans to retire nine rigs by mid-2026, including four drillships and one semi-submersible, to align with evolving costs and customer needs [6][7] - The fleet now consists of 24 contracted ultra-deepwater drillships and high-specification harsh environment semi-submersibles, with three additional seventh-generation drillships currently cold stacked [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Industry projections suggest an increase in upstream investment in offshore drilling, particularly in the deepwater segment, driven by the need to address supply imbalances [10] - The company anticipates a 10% growth in contracted floaters over the next 18 months, with stable activity in the U.S. Gulf and upcoming tenders in Brazil and Africa [11][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on optimizing asset value and maintaining a disciplined approach to deploying its high-specification fleet, while also reducing debt and interest expenses [6][17] - Recent capital market transactions have allowed the company to reduce gross debt by approximately $1.2 billion and annualized interest expense by about $87 million [25][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in increasing deepwater utilization, projecting over 90% utilization by the end of 2026, with a potential increase in exploration activity from customers [30][31] - The company noted that customers are prioritizing free cash flow for debt reduction and are taking a measured approach to capital commitments, resulting in deferred near-term demand for drilling services [9] Other Important Information - The company achieved a revenue efficiency of 100% in September and 97.5% for the entire third quarter, reflecting strong operational performance [15] - The company is engaged with Petrobras to explore cost reduction opportunities, which could stimulate more work in Brazil [51][52] Q&A Session Summary Question: Confidence level on deepwater utilization increase - Management remains confident that utilization will exceed 90% by the end of 2026, with expectations for increased exploration activity from oil companies [30][31] Question: Discussions with Petrobras on cost reduction - The company confirmed ongoing discussions with Petrobras focused on reducing costs without materially affecting activity levels [51][52] Question: Future equity raise potential - Management indicated that they anticipate meeting obligations from cash flow and are focused on reducing debt rather than pursuing an equity raise [56][58] Question: Exploratory drilling timelines - Management noted that there is a growing conversation among customers about increasing exploration activity, with expectations for commitments to rigs in 2027 and 2028 [61][62]

Core Viewpoint - Valaris Limited will hold its third quarter 2025 earnings conference call on October 30, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. CDT, with the earnings release issued before the market opens [1]. Group 1: Earnings Conference Call Details - The earnings conference call will be available via live webcast on the company's website [2]. - Participants are encouraged to join the call 10 minutes early, with dial-in options provided for both U.S. and international callers [2]. - A replay of the call will be accessible on the company's website and via phone until November 30, 2025 [3]. Group 2: Company Overview - Valaris Limited is a leader in offshore drilling services, operating a diverse fleet of ultra-deepwater drillships, semisubmersibles, and shallow-water jackups [5]. - The company emphasizes safety, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction, with a strong focus on technology and innovation [5]. - Valaris is registered as a Bermuda exempted company [5].

Core Viewpoint - Transocean has shown a positive performance with a 5.2% increase in shares since the last earnings report, outperforming the S&P 500, but there are questions about whether this trend will continue leading up to the next earnings release [1][2]. Financial Performance - Transocean reported breakeven adjusted earnings per share for Q2 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 1 cent and improving from a loss of 15 cents in the same period last year [3]. - Total adjusted revenues reached $988 million, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $968 million and reflecting a 14.8% increase from $861 million in the prior year [4]. - Revenues from ultra-deepwater floaters were $699 million, while harsh environment floaters contributed $289 million, both showing year-over-year increases from $606 million and $255 million, respectively [5]. Revenue Breakdown - Ultra-deepwater floaters accounted for 70.7% of net contract drilling revenues, while harsh environment floaters made up 29.3% [5]. - Revenue efficiency improved to 96.6%, up from 95.5% in the previous quarter, but slightly down from 96.9% in the year-ago quarter [6]. Operational Metrics - Average day rates increased to $458,600 from $438,300 in the prior year, although this figure missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $462,400 [7]. - Fleet utilization rate rose to 67.3%, up from 57.8% in the same period last year, with a total backlog of $7.2 billion as of June 2025 [8]. Costs and Capital Expenditures - Total costs and expenses were reported at $823 million, a 5.9% increase from $777 million in the previous year, with operations and maintenance costs rising to $599 million from $534 million [9]. - Capital investments for the second quarter amounted to $24 million, with cash used in operating activities at $128 million and cash and cash equivalents at $377 million as of June 30, 2025 [10]. Market Sentiment and Outlook - There has been a downward trend in estimates, with a 5.88% shift in the consensus estimate over the past month [12]. - Transocean holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expectations for an in-line return in the coming months [14]. Industry Comparison - Transocean is part of the Zacks Oil and Gas - Drilling industry, where Nabors Industries has gained 9.1% over the past month, reporting revenues of $832.79 million, a year-over-year increase of 13.3% [15].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Seadrill reported adjusted EBITDA of $106 million for Q2 2025, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 29% [6][29] - Total operating revenues for Q2 were $377 million, a sequential increase of $42 million, primarily driven by higher contract drilling revenues [27] - Economic utilization improved to 93%, up from 84% in the previous quarter [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The West Vallor secured a two-well contract with TELUS Energy, while the Savan, Louisiana commenced a well intervention contract with Murphy Oil [7] - Management contract revenues increased to CAD 65 million, reflecting an inflationary increase for the daily management fee [28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The market is expected to recover in late 2026, driven by increased exploration activities and significant investments in offshore projects [11][14] - Wood Mackenzie forecasts a substantial increase in FIDs from $91 billion in 2025 to $164 billion in 2026 [14] - Recent legislation mandates at least two lease sales annually from 2026, increasing exploration drilling and rig demand [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Seadrill is focused on maximizing profitability and minimizing gaps between contracts, with a disciplined approach to contracting [32] - The company is actively pursuing opportunities to fill its order book for 2025 while also securing contracts for 2026 and 2027 [20] - The establishment of the West Minerva real-time operations center aims to enhance operational efficiency and decision-making [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management views the current market conditions as a trough, with expectations of recovery starting in late 2026 [21][22] - There is a tightening supply of rigs, and operators are increasingly moving towards offshore investments [21] - The company remains optimistic about securing contracts in Angola and Brazil, despite some political and administrative delays [39][40] Other Important Information - Seadrill maintains a robust balance sheet with gross principal debt of $625 million and cash holdings of $419 million [30] - The company is in active dialogue with multiple customers for work starting in 2026 [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Contracting opportunities and future work - Management expressed optimism about recontracting in Angola despite political unrest, with advanced dialogues on three assets [39] - The company has secured near-term work for the Westfella and is actively marketing rigs globally [40] Question: Capital investment in idle rigs - Management confirmed reluctance to invest in idle rigs without strong visibility for future work, particularly regarding the Gemini rig [50] Question: Market dynamics and operator behavior - Management acknowledged that operators are locking in multiyear contracts due to anticipated demand in late 2026 and 2027 [56] Question: Well intervention market outlook - Management sees potential for well intervention work to grow, particularly with the Savant Louisiana rig, which has unique capabilities [76] Question: Share buyback strategy - Management indicated that stability in the economy and a favorable oil price outlook are key factors for considering share buybacks [102]