To help you better determine which oilfield service stock you’ll want to buy, I’ve compiled the top reason why you’d want want each company in your portfolio.
…you want to own the 800-pound gorilla
With a market cap of over $100 billion Schlumberger Limited. (NYSE:SLB) is by far and away the 800-pound gorilla of the industry. The company employs more than 110,000 people in over 80 countries around the world. The company’s geographic diversity enables it to shift its focus on key geographies in order to keep growing.
It’s also teaming up with Cameron International Corporation (NYSE:CAM) in an effort to grow in the important subsea market. The company’s joint venture, OneSubsea, brings together the best of both companies in an effort to grow in the important deepwater marketplace. While the company’s not exactly cheap at 20 times earnings, it does pay a 1.5% dividend. Taken together, an investment in Schlumberger is an investment in the growth of global energy production.
…you want to own U.S. onshore fracking
To be fair, Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) also has global operations with more than 70,000 employees spread across 80 nations. However, at a market cap of $40 billion and half of its revenue from U.S. onshore, Halliburton is your play if you want to invest in the growth here at home.
While low natural gas prices had others in the industry pulling back, Halliburton was solidifying its relationships to gain business when drilling does pick back up. It’s shares offer a bit more of a value than Schlumberger, as it trades at around 15 times earnings, though its dividend is about half Schlumberger’s rate. The bottom line here, if you want to invest in fracking, Halliburton is your play.
…you want to own the growth of the Gulf of Mexico
Baker Hughes Incorporated (NYSE:BHI), too, has global operations. Though, it is the smallest of the three with just a $20 billion market cap. Its workforce stands just shy of 60,000 employees, which are spread across many of the same 80 countries as its peers.
The company, like Halliburton, does have a very strong U.S. onshore business as well as strong growth internationally. However, Baker Hughes is most focused on winning in the Gulf of Mexico. The company is a leading provider of well construction services in what is one of the fastest growing deepwater markets in the world. At about 15 times earnings and a dividend of just over 1.25% the company might offer the best blend of income and value of the three.
My Foolish take
I’m most intrigued by Halliburton, as I think that its decision to stick with its U.S. onshore customers and invest right here at home will payoff big time in the years ahead. It’s a leader in fracking technology including developing clean frack fluids made entirely of ingredients sourced from the food industry. The company is making the investments necessary to win as we continue on our journey toward energy independence.
Halliburton, along with other domestic oil and gas service companies, has taken a hit in the recent past due to a slowdown in the natural gas drilling boom of the last couple of years. As this market looks to rebound, investors would be wise to consider Halliburton, one of the top companies in the business and one of those most in tune with the domestic market.
The article Buy This Oil-Field Services Stock if… originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Matt DiLallo.
Fool contributor Matt DiLallo has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Halliburton.
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