Continue reading Closing Bell: Volatility Reminder, Swings Both Ways (AMLN, NVO, VMW, CTXS, WFT, AAPL)

Closing Bell: Volatility Reminder, Swings Both Ways (AMLN, NVO, VMW, CTXS, WFT, AAPL) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Early this morning, oil firm Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB) reported earnings of 78 cents per share -- which was considerably lower than last year's same-quarter results of $1.09 per share. While the results were worse than a year ago, SLB managed to top the consensus estimate by three cents. Quarterly revenue totaled $6.0 billion, which was off from last year's revenue of $6.29 billion.

SLB, which is the world's largest oilfield services company, attributed the lower results to a slump in energy demand, which forced customers to reduce activity and search for price reductions. The company also noted that the rate of decline in its oilfield services division dropped considerably compared to the fourth quarter, thanks mainly to a sharp drop in the firm's North American natural gas rig count. SLB stated, "Our visibility on 2009 has not materially changed from the end of the fourth quarter."

Continue reading Schlumberger's first-quarter earnings drop but still top expectations

Schlumberger's first-quarter earnings drop but still top expectations originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Weatherford Int'l (WFT) lower on Q1 earnings miss

Weatherford Int'l (WFT) lower on Q1 earnings miss originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Diamond Offshore Drilling (DO) to be added to S&P 500

Diamond Offshore Drilling (DO) to be added to S&P 500 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"In recoveries from panic selloffs in the past, the energy patch has tended to outperform the S&P 500," notes energy sector specialist Elliott Gue.

In his The Energy Strategist, the advisor offers his outlook for the sector as well as a package of five favorite energy-related stocks, including ideas in the drilling, infrastructure. oil services and exploration areas.

"This has undoubtedly been the most challenging and unsettled market in recent history for the stock, bond, currency and credit markets. Not surprisingly, the energy sector hasn't been immune to the selling pressure.

"However, I would note that the selloff in most energy stocks I cover has little or nothing to do with fundamentals and everything to do with market sentiment and a pervasive sense of panic.

"Institutions are dumping stocks to raise cash and the primary fear infecting the energy markets is that a dramatic global economic slowdown coupled with a seizing up of credit markets will destroy demand for energy commodities..

Continue reading Best stocks for a rebound in energy

Best stocks for a rebound in energy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We sense a turn for the better coming in the oil sector," says Peter Way who tracks 'big money' investors for his Block Trader Oil & Gas Report. Here's his look at the "big block" traders.

"When we use the hedging analysis employed in our stock price forecasts, there are significant differences between some adjacent futures expirations. Here's the current picture:

"Front month (November) hedging suggests likely near-term higher prices. But the December contracts are likely to continue the past 3-month price decline - briefly.

"After that we could see crude rise over a few months into the $115-125 area or even higher, providing a bullish backdrop for most energy stocks. We sense a turn for the better coming in this sector.

"Several issues are selling at attractive prices now. Among major integrated producers, the standout prospect among the big oils is Petrochina (NYSE: PTR).

Continue reading Big block traders bet on oil sector favorites

Big block traders bet on oil sector favorites originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Some oil stocks for your portofolio from Kiplinger

Some oil stocks for your portofolio from Kiplinger originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Weatherford International (NYSE: WFT) provides equipment and services for the drilling and production sectors of the oil and gas industry. The firm specializes in contract drilling, formation evaluation, well installation/completion systems, "fishing" services, oil recovery, and pipeline services. The company operates in over 100 countries and employs approximately 40,500 people worldwide. Halliburton Company (NYSE: HAL) and Schlumberger Limited (NYSE: SLB) are competitors.

The stock popped with the sector last Friday, when crude oil concluded a six percent weekly gain with its fourth new closing high. On Monday, the firm reported essentially in-line first quarter results and announced a 2-for-1 stock split (payable May 23).

Continue reading Weatherford International (WFT): Share price cycles in bullish 'flag'

Weatherford International (WFT): Share price cycles in bullish 'flag' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Technician Michael Ashbaugh expects a "cooling off period" before stocks again test their all-time highs. Yet, he remains bullish, with a particular focus on the oil services sector. In his MarketWatch Technical Indicator he explains, "The Dow was recently trading 206 points from all-time highs while the S&P 500 was 26 points from all-time highs."

He suggests, "Looking ahead, that's where the tension rests. The U.S. markets are facing significant resistance at record highs, and are extended near-term after a massive two-day spike. That means a cooling off period is likely due before they make a legitimate run at record territory."

Regardless of any short-term pullback, he adds, "The market's recent decisive break atop the 50-day moving average is distinctly bullish. The U.S. markets also confirmed their uptrend with a 24-to-1 positive volume session last Tuesday, meaning the longer-term path of least resistance is higher."

Meanwhile, one of his favored sectors, based on their technical positions, is the oil services stocks. He explains, "The Oil Services Index remains among the strongest sectors. We have selected several names to highlight as they are well positioned technically. And, their relative strength makes them better bets longer-term."

The advisor points to Weatherford International (NYSE: WFT); Cameron International (NYSE: CAM); Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB); National Oilwell Varco (NYSE: NOV); and FMC Technologies (NYSE: FTI).

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com features the latest stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

MarketWatch technician eyes oil services originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.