SLB Positioned for Growth in 2026 as AI Beneficiary and Stock Recovery Expected
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 08 2026
0mins
Should l Buy SLB?
Source: CNBC
- Industry Recovery Outlook: Stephanie Link from Hightower believes SLB is set for organic growth in 2026, primarily driven by power demand and artificial intelligence, indicating a gradual recovery that will enhance the company's market position.
- International Market Opportunities: An expected significant increase in international activity in the second half of 2026, particularly with a 6% year-over-year capital expenditure growth in the Middle East, presents substantial growth potential for SLB, which derives 81% of its revenue from international markets.
- Digital Solutions Advantage: SLB's digital solutions business, which offers AI products to enhance customer efficiency and productivity, is anticipated to drive higher margins and revenue growth, with nearly $1 billion in recurring revenue reported in the last year's third quarter alone.
- Shareholder Return Plan: SLB aims to achieve approximately $4 billion in shareholder returns this year through buybacks and dividends, demonstrating the company's commitment to enhancing profitability while rewarding investors.
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Analyst Views on SLB
Wall Street analysts forecast SLB stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for SLB is 48.71 USD with a low forecast of 43.00 USD and a high forecast of 55.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
16 Analyst Rating
16 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 49.510
Low
43.00
Averages
48.71
High
55.00
Current: 49.510
Low
43.00
Averages
48.71
High
55.00
About SLB
SLB N.V. is a global technology company. The Company’s segments include Digital, Reservoir Performance, Well Construction, Production Systems, and All Other. Digital segment includes products, services, and solutions that span the energy value chain from subsurface characterization through field development and hydrocarbon production to carbon management and the integration of adjacent energy systems. Reservoir Performance segment consists of reservoir-centric technologies and services that are critical to optimizing reservoir productivity and performance. Well Construction segment provides operators and drilling rig manufacturers with services and products related to the design and construction of a well. Production Systems segment develops technologies and provides expertise that enhances production and recovery from subsurface reservoirs to the surface, into pipelines, and to refineries. All Other segment includes asset performance solutions, data center solutions and SLB Capturi.
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.
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- Strategic Impact: His expertise not only strengthens Star Mountain's investment capacity in the lower middle market but also enhances the firm's competitive edge through his profound understanding of portfolio construction and institutional governance.
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- Stock Price Surge: SLB has risen 25% since the beginning of the year, with a current price of $51.35, reflecting market confidence in its future performance, particularly in light of improving conditions in Venezuela.
- Short-Term Volatility: Despite a 3.30% drop over the past five days, this does not indicate a market correction, but rather may provide patient investors with better buying opportunities, highlighting the market's recognition of SLB's long-term potential.
- Venezuela Market Potential: SLB is poised to accelerate its activities in Venezuela once permitted, leveraging the country's vast 303 billion barrels of oil reserves, despite aging infrastructure, which still holds long-term growth potential.
- Digital Transformation: With the acquisition of ChampionX, SLB is expanding its digital footprint in the data center solutions market, and its partnership with Nvidia enhances its competitiveness in artificial intelligence tools, demonstrating its adaptability to market changes.
See More
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- Stock Surge: SLB's stock has surged over 25% since the beginning of 2026, primarily driven by optimistic market expectations regarding the revival of oil production in Venezuela, reflecting strong investor confidence in the stock.
- Market Dynamics: Despite a 3.30% drop in the past five days, this has not diminished SLB's long-term growth potential, and may actually provide patient investors with a better entry point, indicating sustained market confidence in its future performance.
- Venezuela Opportunity: SLB is poised to accelerate its activities in Venezuela once it receives the green light, leveraging its relationships with Western oil majors and technological capabilities to benefit from the liberalization of the country's oil market, thereby solidifying its market position.
- Digital Transformation: With the acquisition of ChampionX, SLB is expanding its footprint in the digital space, particularly in the rapidly growing data center solutions market, showcasing its adaptability to market changes and potential for future growth.
See More
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- Alphabet's Strong Performance: Alphabet exceeded Wall Street expectations in its fourth-quarter earnings report released on Wednesday, although its stock fell about 1% in after-hours trading; the projected capital expenditures for 2026 are expected to reach between $175 billion and $185 billion, nearly double that of 2025, reflecting a strong commitment to future growth.
- Qualcomm's Disappointing Guidance: Qualcomm reported quarterly earnings that surpassed expectations, yet its stock fell 9% in after-hours trading due to disappointing forward guidance, highlighting investor concerns about future performance, with shares down nearly 13% year-to-date in 2026.
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- Structural Re-rating: Jeff Krimmel of Krimmel Strategy Group emphasizes that this rally is not merely momentum-driven but reflects a structural re-rating of oil-related equities, which could reshape capital flows and investment priorities over the next decade.
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