Energy

International Growth Boosts Schlumberger Earnings

Schlumberger Ltd. (NYSE: SLB) reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2013 results before markets opened Friday morning. The oil field services firm posted adjusted diluted quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of $1.35 and revenues of $11.91 billion. In the same period a year ago, Schlumberger reported EPS of $1.08 on revenues of $11.17 billion. Fourth-quarter results also compare to the consensus estimates for EPS of $1.32 on revenues of $11.99 billion.

For the full year, the company reported adjusted EPS of $4.75 on revenues of $45.27 billion. A year ago the company reported EPS of $4.17 on $42.15 billion in revenue. Consensus estimates called for EPS of $4.79 on revenues of $45.43 billion.

Schlumberger also said that it repurchased 11.9 million shares of its common stock during the fourth quarter, at an average price of $89.67 per share for a total purchase price of $1.07 billion. And Thursday, the board of directors approved a 28% increase in the quarterly dividend.

The company’s CEO said:

Our fourth-quarter results were driven by solid activity in key international markets and strong year-end product, software and multiclient seismic sales in almost all areas. Growth was strongest internationally, where revenue set a new record high, but all Areas recorded sequential growth underpinned by the quality and efficiency of our execution. Overall results were, however, impacted by the temporary shutdown of activity in South Iraq and seasonal slowdowns in North America, the North Sea, Russia and China.

The company did not provide guidance in its press release, but the consensus forecast for the first quarter calls for EPS of $1.26 on revenues of $11.76 billion. For the full year, EPS is pegged at $5.79 on $50.02 billion in revenue.

Shares were up 0.8% in premarket trading Friday to $89.35, in a 52-week range of $69.08 to $94.91. Thomson Reuters had a consensus analyst price target of around $109.87 before these results were announced.

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