The Panic-Proof Portfolio (Stockchase Research)Schlumberger Ltd.SLBTOP PICKNov 21, 2023

Last Friday they reported a slight top and bottom line beat with revenue up 14% YOY and free cash flow up 167% YOY. Strength lies in their international business, with 10 straight quarters of double-digit growth. Guidance was encouraging, though they seldom say much, driven by this international business. Also, they raised their dividend 10% and will increase buybacks, which will absorb their higher-than-expected capex.

She sold Chevron to buy more SLB, which is the #1 player in oil field services. Traeds at 17x forward PE. They raised guidance three times this year, yet shares haven't moved. Their technology is not appreciation.

World's largest oil drilling company. Fundamentally the company scores 6/10. Revenue slowing. Stock price also has a downward trend. Would wait for stock trend to reverse before buying. Company also has cut dividend in the past 10 years. Better options available for investors. 

Likes it. It may have bottomed.

International service business very volatile. Require strong energy prices for service sector to recover. Would prefer Canadian heavy oil producers. 

Reported a super quarter. Would buy some now, then more a little lower.

Delivered a mixed Q3, but earnings were excellent with revenues up double digits. Today's sell-off is a buy. They've been increasing their dividend a lot in recent years, nearly 2%. They benefit from the exploration, more than the price, of oil, and they are digging now.

She just bought more after the report: beat on EBITDA and earnings as margins grew. 14 of 25 global geographies grew 20%; 7 grew 30%. Free cash flow is strong.

Are introducing AI into the oil space. A tailwind. A consolidation would take it to the next leg.

She added more recently. She keeps buying it on sloppy days. Impressed with their digital initiatives which gives them pricing power. Their international revenues are rising.

Likes their international exposure which offers stickier income. Has been outperforming peers though trades at a premium to Halliburton.

This and Haliburton are great companies but have bad long term track records. In 25 years they have created no value for shareholders.