Analyst Ratings January 26, 2026

Stifel Lifts SLB Target to $56 Citing Strong Q4 2025, ChampionX Deal

Firm keeps Buy rating as free cash flow and deal synergies underpin upside; peers also raise targets after results beat

By Hana Yamamoto SLB
Stifel Lifts SLB Target to $56 Citing Strong Q4 2025, ChampionX Deal
SLB

Stifel raised its SLB price target to $56 from $52 and kept a Buy rating after the oilfield services company reported stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter 2025 results. Management’s comment that "the worst is likely behind us" aligns with Stifel’s view that the downward estimate revision cycle is ending, with growth anticipated in the second half of 2026 and into 2027. Stifel highlighted solid free cash flow supporting buybacks and dividends and cited the ChampionX acquisition as a margin-enhancing strategic move. Several other brokerages also lifted price targets following the beat, reflecting broad analyst confidence.

Key Points

  • Stifel raised its SLB price target to $56 from $52 and kept a Buy rating after stronger-than-expected Q4 2025 results.
  • Stifel and other brokers cited strong free cash flow as a basis for shareholder returns through buybacks and dividends; ChampionX acquisition is expected to expand product offerings and drive margin improvement.
  • Multiple firms raised price targets (BMO to $55, RBC to $54, BofA to $55, JPMorgan to $54) after SLB beat revenue and EPS expectations, with Digital and Production Systems noted as key contributors.

Stifel increased its 12-month price target for SLB (NYSE:SLB) to $56.00 from $52.00 on Monday while maintaining a Buy rating, after the oilfield services company posted fourth-quarter 2025 results that exceeded expectations.

The firm said SLB management’s view that "the worst is likely behind us" is consistent with Stifel’s assessment that the period of downward estimate revisions appears to be concluding. Stifel expects growth to resume in the second half of 2026 and to continue into 2027.

In its note, Stifel emphasized SLB’s strong free cash flow generation, noting that the cash profile supports shareholder returns through both share repurchases and dividend payments. The research house also flagged the company’s recently announced acquisition of ChampionX as a favourable development that broadens SLB’s product and service set.

Stifel said merger synergies and an increasing contribution from Digital sales are expected to help expand margins. The firm made only modest changes to its model but raised the price target by $4.00 while reiterating its Buy recommendation.

Other analysts responded positively to SLB’s quarterly performance. Raymond James and BMO Capital highlighted robust contributions from SLB’s Digital and Production Systems segments, which helped push the company to a low-single-digit EBITDA beat versus expectations.

BMO Capital lifted its price target to $55, citing the company’s results as stronger than anticipated. RBC Capital raised its target to $54 and pointed to SLB’s solid free cash flow generation and an adjusted EBITDA figure of $2.33 billion for the period.

BofA Securities moved its price target to $55, attributing the revision in part to a constructive outlook for SLB’s international revenue, with a particular emphasis on the Middle East. JPMorgan similarly increased its target to $54, noting expected improvements in regions including Saudi Arabia and Mexico as well as in deepwater operations.

Taken together, the analyst moves reflect a broadly favourable reception among brokerages to SLB’s quarter and management commentary, with the ChampionX acquisition and free cash flow profile underpinning optimistic forward views.


Context and implications

While the firm-level price target changes vary slightly, a common thread among Stifel and its peers is confidence in SLB’s cash generation and the potential for earnings and margin recovery as the estimate revision cycle eases. The ChampionX deal is viewed as accretive to SLB’s offerings and as a driver of potential margin expansion through synergies and higher Digital sales penetration.

Risks

  • Realization of projected merger synergies and margin expansion from the ChampionX acquisition is uncertain and will be critical to achieving the expected upside - impacts M&A outcomes and corporate profitability in the energy services sector.
  • If the anticipated end to the downward estimate revision cycle does not hold, growth projections for the second half of 2026 and 2027 could be delayed, affecting energy and oilfield services forecasts.
  • Regional and segment performance remains a variable; analyst upgrades referenced expected improvements in specific markets (Saudi Arabia, Mexico, deepwater, Middle East international revenue), so slower-than-expected recovery in these areas could weigh on results.

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