With oil prices hovering near the triple-digit mark, it would make sense that the big energy service companies would be strong. But then who ever said the market always makes sense? With investors worried that the plunging price of natural gas will curtail activity (and margins) in North America, the Big Four ((Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB), Halliburton (NYSE:HAL), Weatherford (NYSE:WFT) and Baker Hughes (NYSE:BHI)) have been relatively weak of late. Unfortunately, while Halliburton's fourth quarter results weren't all that bad, margins worries look to be the story for 2012.
Fourth Quarter Results - Over Here, Over There
On a headline basis, there wasn't all that much wrong with Halliburton's quarter. The company's revenue was better than expected and earnings were basically OK. Margins, though, are going to drive the discussion.
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http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2012/Will-Low-Prices-Gas-Halliburtons-Margins-HAL-SLB-BHI-WFT0124.aspx
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