Nabors Industries Reports Q4 Earnings Exceeding Expectations
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 26 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
Nabors Industries' stock fell 11.47% as it hit a 5-day low amid broader market declines, with the Nasdaq-100 down 1.44% and the S&P 500 down 0.96%.
The company reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of $0.17, beating expectations by $1.13, which highlights a significant improvement in profitability and boosts investor confidence. Additionally, Nabors achieved Q4 revenue of $797.53 million, a 9.3% year-over-year increase, exceeding market expectations, indicating a sustained recovery in its business that may attract more investor interest. Despite the positive earnings report, the stock's decline reflects sector rotation as investors react to broader market weakness.
The strong earnings performance and debt reduction initiatives may position Nabors favorably for future growth, but the current market conditions suggest caution among investors.
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Analyst Views on NBR
Wall Street analysts forecast NBR stock price to fall
6 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
3 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 89.150
Low
50.00
Averages
61.67
High
66.00
Current: 89.150
Low
50.00
Averages
61.67
High
66.00
About NBR
Nabors Industries Ltd. is a provider of advanced technology for the energy industry. The Company operates in over 20 countries and provides drilling and drilling-related services for land-based and offshore oil and natural gas wells, with a fleet of rigs and drilling-related equipment. Its segments include U.S. Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. Its RigCLOUD platform is an edge computing system designed to support workflow management, performance monitoring, and user-specific configurations. Its fleet includes over 284 actively marketed rigs for land-based drilling operations in the United States and various countries throughout the world and 26 actively marketed rigs for offshore platform drilling operations in the United States and multiple international markets. It provides performance tools, directional drilling services, tubular running services, and technologies for use on its own rig fleet and rigs operated by third parties.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Brigade Capital Fully Exits Nabors Industries
- Share Disposition: Brigade Capital sold 675,879 shares of Nabors Industries last quarter for an estimated $49.04 million, marking a complete exit from the company and reflecting a 6.1% decrease in its 13F AUM.
- Value Decline: The quarter-end position value decreased by $36.70 million, capturing the dual impact of trading and price changes, indicating increased volatility in the stock that may affect investor confidence.
- Performance Review: Despite Brigade's decision to lock in profits, Nabors Industries reported $784 million in revenue and $205 million in adjusted EBITDA in Q1, showcasing strong performance and ongoing growth potential in the oil and gas sector.
- Market Outlook: Nabors' management highlighted that as customers prioritize high-specification rigs and drilling technology, the company is gaining market share, with optimistic expectations for rig growth ahead, although investors should cautiously assess future performance after significant stock price increases.
See More
Brigade Capital Fully Exits Nabors Industries Position
- Position Change: Brigade Capital Management disclosed on May 14, 2026, that it sold its entire holding of 675,879 shares in Nabors Industries for an estimated $49.04 million, reflecting a strategic response to market fluctuations.
- Financial Impact: The sale resulted in a $36.70 million decrease in Brigade's position value at quarter-end, indicating that the overall portfolio performance was affected by trading activities and price changes.
- Market Performance: As of last Friday, Nabors Industries shares were priced at $92.63, having surged 250% over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 28% increase, showcasing its strong performance in the energy services sector.
- Future Outlook: While Brigade opted to lock in profits, Nabors reported $784 million in revenue and $205 million in adjusted EBITDA for Q1, with management expecting continued growth, particularly in international markets and demand for high-specification rigs.
See More
Miller Value Partners Reduces Nabors Stake
- Share Reduction Details: Miller Value Partners reported a sale of 158,307 shares of Nabors Industries in its SEC filing dated May 15, 2026, with an estimated transaction value of $11.49 million, indicating a strategic decision to lock in some gains while maintaining a positive outlook on future growth.
- Position Change Analysis: Following the sale, Miller's stake in Nabors dropped to about 10%, reflecting a $5.52 million decrease; however, Nabors remains the fund's largest disclosed holding, suggesting continued confidence in the company's long-term potential despite the reduction.
- Company Financial Performance: In the first quarter, Nabors generated $784 million in revenue and $205 million in adjusted EBITDA, demonstrating ongoing business improvement, with an increase in the average rig count to nearly 168 rigs worldwide, indicating strong market demand.
- Debt Management and Future Outlook: Nabors successfully reduced total debt to $2.1 billion, cutting $386 million since the end of 2024, and management anticipates benefiting from growing international demand, particularly in Saudi Arabia and Latin America, positioning the company for strong free cash flow in the future.
See More
Miller Value Partners Reduces NBR Holdings
- Share Reduction Details: In Q1 2026, Miller Value Partners sold 158,307 shares of Nabors Industries (NBR), with an estimated transaction value of $11.49 million, reflecting both a reduction in holdings and stock price fluctuations.
- Impact on AUM: This transaction represented 3% of Miller Value's 13F AUM, while the quarter-end position value decreased by $5.52 million, indicating the market's influence on the fund's investment portfolio.
- Company Performance Highlights: Despite the reduction, Nabors remains Miller Value's largest holding at approximately 10% of reportable assets, suggesting the fund's confidence in its future growth potential, especially given the stock's over 300% rise in the past year.
- Financial Health Status: Nabors generated $784 million in revenue and $205 million in adjusted EBITDA in Q1, while reducing total debt to $2.1 billion, demonstrating the company's proactive efforts in improving its financial health and operational efficiency.
See More
Analysis of Stocks Near Market Highs
- Golar LNG Performance Concerns: Golar LNG's annual sales have declined by 2.7% over the past five years, indicating unfavorable market trends, and with a share price of $57.36 and a forward P/E of 71.9, investor confidence in its long-term profitability appears shaky.
- Nabors Industries Financial Strain: Despite a one-month return of 19.2%, Nabors Industries has a gross margin of only 39%, which is below its competitors, limiting its investment capacity in exploration and production, while a mere 2.3% free cash flow margin over the last five years indicates significant funding pressures.
- First BanCorp Strong Performance: First BanCorp boasts a robust loan portfolio with a net interest margin of 4.6%, and its efficiency ratio has improved by 11 percentage points over the past five years, showcasing its competitive edge, with a current share price of $23.37 and a forward P/B of 1.8.
- Market Trend Caution: While some stocks exhibit short-term momentum, investors should exercise caution as short-term trends may lead to losses, particularly given the fundamental risks associated with Golar LNG and Nabors Industries.
See More
Nabors (NBR) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
See More
Brigade Capital Fully Exits Nabors Industries
- Share Disposition: Brigade Capital sold 675,879 shares of Nabors Industries last quarter for an estimated $49.04 million, marking a complete exit from the company and reflecting a 6.1% decrease in its 13F AUM.
- Value Decline: The quarter-end position value decreased by $36.70 million, capturing the dual impact of trading and price changes, indicating increased volatility in the stock that may affect investor confidence.
- Performance Review: Despite Brigade's decision to lock in profits, Nabors Industries reported $784 million in revenue and $205 million in adjusted EBITDA in Q1, showcasing strong performance and ongoing growth potential in the oil and gas sector.
- Market Outlook: Nabors' management highlighted that as customers prioritize high-specification rigs and drilling technology, the company is gaining market share, with optimistic expectations for rig growth ahead, although investors should cautiously assess future performance after significant stock price increases.
See More
Brigade Capital Fully Exits Nabors Industries Position
- Position Change: Brigade Capital Management disclosed on May 14, 2026, that it sold its entire holding of 675,879 shares in Nabors Industries for an estimated $49.04 million, reflecting a strategic response to market fluctuations.
- Financial Impact: The sale resulted in a $36.70 million decrease in Brigade's position value at quarter-end, indicating that the overall portfolio performance was affected by trading activities and price changes.
- Market Performance: As of last Friday, Nabors Industries shares were priced at $92.63, having surged 250% over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 28% increase, showcasing its strong performance in the energy services sector.
- Future Outlook: While Brigade opted to lock in profits, Nabors reported $784 million in revenue and $205 million in adjusted EBITDA for Q1, with management expecting continued growth, particularly in international markets and demand for high-specification rigs.
See More
Miller Value Partners Reduces Nabors Stake
- Share Reduction Details: Miller Value Partners reported a sale of 158,307 shares of Nabors Industries in its SEC filing dated May 15, 2026, with an estimated transaction value of $11.49 million, indicating a strategic decision to lock in some gains while maintaining a positive outlook on future growth.
- Position Change Analysis: Following the sale, Miller's stake in Nabors dropped to about 10%, reflecting a $5.52 million decrease; however, Nabors remains the fund's largest disclosed holding, suggesting continued confidence in the company's long-term potential despite the reduction.
- Company Financial Performance: In the first quarter, Nabors generated $784 million in revenue and $205 million in adjusted EBITDA, demonstrating ongoing business improvement, with an increase in the average rig count to nearly 168 rigs worldwide, indicating strong market demand.
- Debt Management and Future Outlook: Nabors successfully reduced total debt to $2.1 billion, cutting $386 million since the end of 2024, and management anticipates benefiting from growing international demand, particularly in Saudi Arabia and Latin America, positioning the company for strong free cash flow in the future.
See More
Miller Value Partners Reduces NBR Holdings
- Share Reduction Details: In Q1 2026, Miller Value Partners sold 158,307 shares of Nabors Industries (NBR), with an estimated transaction value of $11.49 million, reflecting both a reduction in holdings and stock price fluctuations.
- Impact on AUM: This transaction represented 3% of Miller Value's 13F AUM, while the quarter-end position value decreased by $5.52 million, indicating the market's influence on the fund's investment portfolio.
- Company Performance Highlights: Despite the reduction, Nabors remains Miller Value's largest holding at approximately 10% of reportable assets, suggesting the fund's confidence in its future growth potential, especially given the stock's over 300% rise in the past year.
- Financial Health Status: Nabors generated $784 million in revenue and $205 million in adjusted EBITDA in Q1, while reducing total debt to $2.1 billion, demonstrating the company's proactive efforts in improving its financial health and operational efficiency.
See More
Analysis of Stocks Near Market Highs
- Golar LNG Performance Concerns: Golar LNG's annual sales have declined by 2.7% over the past five years, indicating unfavorable market trends, and with a share price of $57.36 and a forward P/E of 71.9, investor confidence in its long-term profitability appears shaky.
- Nabors Industries Financial Strain: Despite a one-month return of 19.2%, Nabors Industries has a gross margin of only 39%, which is below its competitors, limiting its investment capacity in exploration and production, while a mere 2.3% free cash flow margin over the last five years indicates significant funding pressures.
- First BanCorp Strong Performance: First BanCorp boasts a robust loan portfolio with a net interest margin of 4.6%, and its efficiency ratio has improved by 11 percentage points over the past five years, showcasing its competitive edge, with a current share price of $23.37 and a forward P/B of 1.8.
- Market Trend Caution: While some stocks exhibit short-term momentum, investors should exercise caution as short-term trends may lead to losses, particularly given the fundamental risks associated with Golar LNG and Nabors Industries.
See More
Nabors (NBR) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
See More
