On Apr 2, Baker Hughes, a GE company (NYSE:BHGE) was downgraded to a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
Reasons for the Downgrade
Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter 2019 earnings per share has been revised downward to 14 cents from 23 cents. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same has moved down to $1.04 from $1.30 over the same time frame.
The downward revisions reflect the possibility of lower demand for oilfield services this year as explorers and producers in the United States are planning for conservative spending owing to volatile oil prices.
In other words, with expectations that the oil pricing scenario will be weaker in 2019 as compared to the prior year, most explorers and producers in the domestic market have opted for conservative spending since they are mostly bothered about bottom-line growth rather than to raise oil and gas production. Overall, curtailing investments in upstream activities has slowed down drilling in the United States and hence could continue to affect demand for fresh oilfield services of Baker Hughes in North America.
Moreover, as compared to peers, the trailing 12-month operating profit margin at Baker Hughes is the lowest. In the same time frame, the company’s EBIT margin is 2.4% compared with 10.3% of the industry it belongs to. The underperformance has raised questions about the effectiveness of the Baker Hughes-General Electric merger.
Stocks to Consider
Prospective players in the energy space include Antero Resources Corporation (NYSE:AR) , NGL Energy Partners LP (NYSE:NGL) and ProPetro Holding Corp. (NYSE:PUMP) . While Antero Resources and NGL Energy sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), ProPetro Holding carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Antero Resources is likely to see earnings growth of 20% over the next five years.
NGL Energy is likely to witness earnings growth of 227% for the fiscal year ending March 2019.
ProPetro Holding is likely to see 19.5% earnings growth through 2019.
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NGL Energy Partners LP (NGL): Free Stock Analysis Report
Antero Resources Corporation (AR): Free Stock Analysis Report
ProPetro Holding Corp. (PUMP): Free Stock Analysis Report
Baker Hughes, a GE company (BHGE): Free Stock Analysis Report
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Zacks Investment Research