4 Energy Stocks to Gain Despite Oilfield Service Industry Woes

Industry Overview - The Zacks Oil and Gas - Field Services industry is facing a challenging outlook due to a volatile pricing environment for commodities, driven by rising trade tensions and strict capital management by upstream energy firms, which is diminishing the demand for oilfield services [1][4] - Companies in this sector must navigate the evolving landscape of energy transition to succeed, as failing to meet energy transition objectives could adversely impact their cash flow [1][6] - The industry comprises companies providing support services to exploration and production players, including manufacturing, repairing, and maintaining wells, drilling equipment, and seismic testing [3] Current Trends - The demand for oilfield services is closely tied to exploration and production activities, making companies like SLB and Halliburton susceptible to the uncertainties caused by volatile oil and gas prices, particularly due to the US-China trade war [4] - There has been a slowdown in drilling activities as upstream players prioritize stockholder returns over boosting output, leading to lower demand for oilfield services [5] - Companies must efficiently tackle the decarbonization of oil and gas operations while adopting low-carbon technologies to navigate the energy transition successfully [6] Industry Performance - The Zacks Oil and Gas - Field Services industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 149, placing it in the bottom 40% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a bearish outlook [7][8] - Over the past year, the industry has declined by 27.1%, significantly underperforming the S&P 500, which rose by 4.7%, and the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector, which declined by 15.2% [10] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at an EV/EBITDA ratio of 5.45X, compared to the S&P 500's 15.53X and the sector's 4.14X, indicating a lower valuation relative to the broader market [13] - Historically, the industry has traded as high as 12.87X and as low as 1.10X over the past five years, with a median of 8.24X [13] Company Insights - Archrock's acquisition of Total Operations and Production Services significantly expands its capacity and improves margins, positioning it as a leader in electrified natural gas compression [15] - Baker Hughes has a diverse business portfolio across natural gas, LNG, and clean energy, which secures steady earnings despite operational volatility, and is expanding its global presence [18] - SLB's diversified portfolio and leadership in digital technology position it for sustained growth, even as upstream investments moderate [20] - Halliburton is focusing on key growth areas that could contribute $2.5 to$3 billion in annual revenues within the next three to five years, despite industry challenges [21]