Schlumberger Limited Beats Analyst Estimates on EPS

Seth Jayson, The Motley Fool
Updated

Schlumberger Limited (NYS: SLB) reported earnings on Jan. 20. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Schlumberger Limited beat expectations on revenues and beat slightly on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased significantly, and earnings per share grew significantly.

Gross margins dropped, operating margins increased, net margins improved.

Revenue details
Schlumberger Limited tallied revenue of $11 billion. The 22 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see sales of $10.7 billion. Sales were 21% higher than the prior-year quarter's $9.1 billion.

anImage
anImage

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.11. The 31 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.09 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $1.05 for Q4 were 39% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.76 per share.

anImage
anImage

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 21.5%, 30 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 18.1%, 120 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.8%, 130 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $10.7 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.08.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $45.5 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.87.

Investor Sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 2,912 members out of 2,990 rating the stock outperform, and 78 members rating it underperform. Among 714 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 702 give Schlumberger Limited a green thumbs-up, and 12 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Schlumberger Limited is outperform, with an average price target of $90.36.

Is Schlumberger Limited the right energy stock for you? Read about a handful of timely, profit-producing plays on expensive crude in "3 Stocks for $100 Oil." Click here for instant access to this free report.

At the time thisarticle was published Seth Jayson had no position in any company mentioned here at the time of publication. You can view his stock holdings here. He is co-advisor ofMotley Fool Hidden Gems, which provides new small-cap ideas every month, backed by a real-money portfolio. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of Schlumberger. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2012 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Advertisement