About Us

Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

A Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Social Media

Bluesky • Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn • YouTube

Meet the Laser Focus World Team

Editorial

Sales

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology
My Watchlist
Indicators
Industrial Laser Index
Markets
Stocks
ETFs
Tools
Markets:
Overview
News
Currencies
International
Treasuries

Price Weakness in Oilfield Services is a Slick Time to Buy More

By: MarketBeat

Oilfields stocks

Oilfield services stocks like Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) and Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB) are pulling back following their Q3 earnings reports, but this is not the time to sell. These stocks are supported by a global supercycle that has years to run. The cause for the post-release weaknesses is tepid results, but only compared to the analysts' estimates. The takeaway is that near-term strengths were priced into the market, and Q4 estimates are getting reset.

This has the bar lowered for these stocks, setting them up for another rally later in the year. 

"We believe the market fundamentals remain very compelling for our business," Schlumberger CEO Olivier Le Peuch said. "The oil and gas industry continues to benefit from a multiyear growth cycle that has shifted to the international and offshore markets where we are the clear leader."

Oilfield Services Results: Nothing But Bullish for Investors

The results from SLB and HAL left a little to be desired in that they failed to outpace the Marketbeat.com consensus estimates, but those estimates had been rising for many quarters. The takeaways investors should be focusing on is the fact that growth remains solid in the low-double-digits for revenue, and margins are improving. Strength is centered in all regions and segments, although there was a noticeable shift toward international markets during the quarter. 

While SLB and HAL missed the top line, the underperformance was marginal at best and offset by strength on the bottom line. Both SLB and HAl outperformed their consensus estimates, growing earnings sequentially and YOY.

"Everything I see today strengthens my conviction in the long duration of this upcycle. Against this backdrop, we expect continued demand growth for oilfield services in 2024 and beyond,” said Halliburton CEO Jeff Miller.

As robust as the growth outlook is, it is the cash flow and FCF that will help sustain the uptrend in oilfield stocks. Not only are earnings and margins widening, but FCF is improving, allowing for share repurchases, dividends, and debt reductions. 

Cash balances on balance sheets are up significantly compared to last year, suggesting that aggressive dividend increases may also be forthcoming. Baker Hughes pays the highest yield currently, having not cut the payment during the pandemic. However, Schlumberger and Halliburton both cut theirs and have substantial room to grow. To match the pre-pandemic payouts, Schlumberger investors might see the distribution grow by 100% from its current levels and Halliburton by 12%. 

Regarding repurchases, Schlumberger spent $0.151 of its $1.04 billion in FCF to repurchase shares, while Halliburton repurchased $200 million worth of shares. Based on the outlook for revenue and earnings, repurchases should continue at a steady pace for the foreseeable future. 

Baker Hughes Set to Report: Analyst Lift Targets for Oilfield Stocks

Baker Hughes (NYSE: BKR) is set to report earnings before the end of the month and can be expected to post similar results. The difference is that analysts have had time to reset their expectations for Q3 and may have lowered the bar enough for the company to produce relative strength. 

Regardless, Baker Hughes is expected to sustain growth in the 20% range with margin improvement. In this scenario, the analysts should continue lifting their price targets for BKR stock as they did following reports from SLB and HAl. All 3 are rated Moderate Buy/Buy with price targets that are trending higher in 2023 and imply modest to moderate double-digit gains. 

The Technical Outlook: Oilfeid Services Trending Higher 

The VanEck Oilfield Services ETF (NYSEARCA: OIH), whose top 3 holdings are SLB, HAL and BKR for 40% of the portfolio, is trending higher. The ETF is pulling back currently but in alignment with the trend and still above critical support. Critical support is near the long-term moving average, near $320, and should produce a solid bounce when reached. If not, this market could correct to lower levels where it would present deeper value and better yield before continuing to trend higher. In the long term, this market appears to be reversing and is on track to gain triple digits over the next few years. 

VanEck Oilfield Services ETF chart

More News

View More
3 Defense Stocks Surging as Ukraine Tensions Deepen
Via MarketBeat
Topics Government
Tickers BAESY RNMBY SAABY
Starbucks Stock Slumps; This Competitor Shows Strength
Via MarketBeat
Tickers BROS SBUX
The Trade Desk: 2 Signs of a Comeback, 1 Risk Ahead
Via MarketBeat
Tickers AMZN GOOG GOOGL TTD
Are Airline Stocks Ready for Takeoff After a Turbulent 2025?
Via MarketBeat
Topics Economy
Tickers AAL DAL LUV XTN
Why the Precious Metal Nobody Talks About Could Be Your Best Bet
Via MarketBeat
Topics ETFs Economy
Tickers PALL VOO
Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.