Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR) Shares Break Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average After Earnings Miss

Key Points

• Nabors shares climbed above their 200-day moving average of $83.89, reaching $90.52 after the earnings release.
• Revenue increased 6.6% year over year to $872.2 million, surpassing estimates, while adjusted EBITDA reached $245.5 million and adjusted free cash flow was $74.5 million.
• The company reported a $1.24-per-share loss, substantially worse than expectations, with Saudi rig suspensions remaining a headwind. Management forecasts approximately $930 million in 2026 adjusted EBITDA and $100 million–$110 million in adjusted free cash flow.

Nabors Industries Ltd. (NYSE:NBR - Get Free Report)'s stock price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock has a 200-day moving average of $83.89 and traded as high as $90.52. Nabors Industries shares last traded at $89.7860, with a volume of 410,081 shares.

The oil and gas company reported ($1.24) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.14) by ($1.10). Nabors Industries had a net margin of 7.64% and a negative return on equity of 7.06%. The firm had revenue of $872.19 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $859.20 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $16.85 EPS. Nabors Industries's quarterly revenue was up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis.

Trending Headlines about Nabors Industries

Here are the key news stories impacting Nabors Industries this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter revenue rose 7% sequentially to $872 million, exceeding analyst expectations. Adjusted EBITDA was $245.5 million, while adjusted free cash flow reached $74.5 million. Nabors third-quarter 2026 results
• Positive Sentiment: International Drilling delivered a record daily adjusted gross margin of $19,060, with segment adjusted EBITDA increasing to $145.7 million from $130.5 million in the prior quarter. U.S. Drilling EBITDA also improved to $99.4 million, and average working rigs increased to 177.1. Nabors international drilling margin report
• Positive Sentiment: Management expects approximately $930 million in 2026 adjusted EBITDA and $100 million to $110 million in adjusted free cash flow. The outlook, along with the signing of the fifth SANAD tranche, supports the investment case, although Saudi rig suspensions remain a headwind. Nabors free cash flow and SANAD update
• Positive Sentiment: Nabors redeemed $100 million of its 9.125% notes during the quarter, a step toward reducing interest costs and leverage.
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst price targets indicate potential upside, with recent targets ranging from $85 to $110 and a reported median of $99. Nabors analyst price targets
• Negative Sentiment: Nabors reported a third-quarter net loss of $11.2 million, or $1.24 per share, substantially worse than the expected $0.14–$0.36 loss. Operating profit weakened and cash from operations declined year over year. Nabors third-quarter loss report

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently issued reports on NBR shares. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Nabors Industries from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a report on Thursday, August 13th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Nabors Industries from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 1st. Morgan Stanley set a $110.00 price target on Nabors Industries in a research report on Thursday, August 20th. Piper Sandler reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $130.00 price objective (up from $120.00) on shares of Nabors Industries in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Susquehanna restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $91.00 target price (up from $85.00) on shares of Nabors Industries in a research note on Monday, October 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Nabors Industries has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $103.43.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director David Tudor sold 3,200 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.30, for a total value of $295,360.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 5,264 shares in the company, valued at $485,867.20. The trade was a 37.81% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 5.32% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Nabors Industries

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NBR. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Nabors Industries in the 2nd quarter worth about $2,081,000. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in Nabors Industries by 191.8% in the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 151,922 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $13,074,000 after purchasing an additional 99,852 shares during the period. Arlington Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Nabors Industries in the second quarter valued at approximately $3,144,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its holdings in Nabors Industries by 236.0% in the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 16,800 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $1,446,000 after purchasing an additional 11,800 shares during the period. Finally, VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al purchased a new stake in shares of Nabors Industries in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,201,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.92% of the company's stock.

Nabors Industries Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.75, a current ratio of 1.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.43 billion, a PE ratio of 6.68 and a beta of 1.11. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $84.94 and a 200 day moving average price of $83.89.

Nabors Industries Company Profile

Nabors Industries Ltd. is a global provider of drilling and well-construction services to the oil and gas industry. The company operates land-based drilling rigs and offshore drilling units, serving exploration and production companies developing conventional and unconventional oil and natural gas resources.

Its services and products include contract drilling, directional drilling, measurement-while-drilling and logging-while-drilling technologies, wellbore placement, and drilling-related equipment.

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