Schlumberger Ltd (SLB) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Cash Flow and Digital Growth ...

In This Article:

  • Fourth Quarter Revenue: $9.3 billion, increased 1% sequentially.

  • Full Year Revenue: $36.3 billion, grew 10% year on year.

  • Free Cash Flow (Q4): $1.63 billion.

  • Full Year Free Cash Flow: $4 billion.

  • Adjusted EBITDA Margin (Q4): 25.7%, cycle high.

  • Full Year Adjusted EBITDA Margin: 25%, increased by 52 basis points year on year.

  • Digital Revenue (Full Year): $2.44 billion, grew 20% year on year.

  • Net Debt (End of Q4): Reduced by $1.1 billion to $7.4 billion.

  • Capital Investments (Full Year): $2.6 billion.

  • Shareholder Returns (Full Year): $3.3 billion in dividends and stock repurchases.

  • Planned Shareholder Returns (2025): Minimum of $4 billion.

  • Accelerated Share Repurchase: $2.3 billion of common stock.

Release Date: January 17, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Schlumberger Ltd (NYSE:SLB) achieved solid earnings and free cash flow, with a strong performance in the Middle East and North America.

  • The company reported a new record high for international revenue in the fourth quarter, demonstrating the strength of its diversified portfolio.

  • Digital revenue grew by 20% for the full year, exceeding targets, driven by strategic partnerships and increased demand for cloud computing and AI.

  • SLB's Production Systems division led growth with a 24% increase, supported by double-digit revenue increases in surface systems, completions, and artificial lift.

  • The company is expanding its exposure beyond oil and gas, with significant growth momentum in low-carbon markets and data center infrastructure solutions, generating over $850 million in revenue in 2024.

Negative Points

  • The rate of upstream investment growth continued to moderate, with declines in Saudi Arabia and Mexico impacting overall performance.

  • North American revenue declined by 1% year-on-year, with pricing pressure affecting margins despite higher digital revenues.

  • The offshore market is expected to experience a muted environment in 2025 due to white space in deepwater activity.

  • SLB's revenue in Russia continues to decline, accounting for only 4% of global revenue in 2024.

  • The company anticipates flat revenue growth for 2025, with some regions experiencing reduced spending, such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Australia.

Q & A Highlights

Q: In your outlook, can you simplify Schlumberger's exposure by identifying regions with the most potential upside and downside? A: The Middle East remains a bright spot despite a decline in Saudi Arabia, with growth in UAE, Iraq, and Kuwait. Gas production is expected to expand significantly. Deepwater activity has a gap this year but is expected to pick up in 2026. The international gas market will continue to drive long-term investments.