Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Outlook for NBR Earnings

Key Points

• Zacks Research trimmed expected losses across 2026–2027, raising FY2026 EPS to ($7.70) and FY2027 to ($4.41), signaling improving analyst visibility and smaller projected losses.
• Shares have rallied (trading up and hitting a 12‑month high) following the revisions, but analysts' consensus remains 'Hold' with a $69 price target, indicating mixed sentiment.
• Despite a recent quarterly beat ($0.17 vs. ($2.93) expected) and revenue growth, Nabors still faces materially negative full‑year earnings (consensus ~($6.22) EPS) and significant leverage (debt/equity ~2.22), making recovery reliant on operational improvement and cash generation.

Nabors Industries Ltd. (NYSE:NBR - Free Report) - Analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q1 2026 earnings estimates for Nabors Industries in a report released on Tuesday, March 24th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the oil and gas company will post earnings of ($2.42) per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of ($2.44). The consensus estimate for Nabors Industries' current full-year earnings is ($6.22) per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Nabors Industries' Q2 2026 earnings at ($1.94) EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at ($1.63) EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at ($1.71) EPS, FY2026 earnings at ($7.70) EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at ($0.79) EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at ($1.36) EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at ($1.65) EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at ($0.62) EPS and FY2027 earnings at ($4.41) EPS.

A number of other analysts have also recently commented on NBR. Susquehanna restated a "neutral" rating and set a $70.00 target price (up from $64.00) on shares of Nabors Industries in a report on Friday, February 13th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a "sector perform" rating and set a $77.00 price objective (up from $70.00) on shares of Nabors Industries in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Nabors Industries from $50.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 25th. UBS Group set a $70.00 price target on Nabors Industries in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Finally, Citigroup restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $85.00 price target (up from $60.00) on shares of Nabors Industries in a research note on Tuesday, February 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $69.00.

Nabors Industries Trading Up 1.7%

NYSE NBR opened at $87.42 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.28 billion, a PE ratio of 5.30 and a beta of 0.89. The stock's 50 day moving average is $73.05 and its 200 day moving average is $57.11. Nabors Industries has a twelve month low of $23.27 and a twelve month high of $88.61. The company has a quick ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.22.

Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The oil and gas company reported $0.17 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($2.93) by $3.10. Nabors Industries had a negative return on equity of 17.63% and a net margin of 8.92%.The business had revenue of $805.13 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $795.82 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted ($6.67) EPS. The business's revenue was up 9.0% on a year-over-year basis.

Institutional Trading of Nabors Industries

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Islay Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Nabors Industries in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Quarry LP bought a new stake in shares of Nabors Industries during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new position in Nabors Industries in the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. CWM LLC raised its holdings in Nabors Industries by 244.6% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 889 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 631 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State of Wyoming lifted its position in Nabors Industries by 106.3% in the 4th quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 1,314 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $71,000 after acquiring an additional 677 shares in the last quarter. 81.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Nabors Industries News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research issued a series of upward revisions on March 24 — cutting expected losses for Q1–Q4 2026 and raising FY2026 EPS to ($7.70) from ($7.81), while improving FY2027 to ($4.41) (and trimming several quarterly losses such as Q1 2027 to ($0.79) from ($0.82)). Those revisions signal improving analyst visibility into a path toward smaller losses.
• Positive Sentiment: The stock recently hit a new 1‑year high, evidence of positive investor momentum and demand after the estimate revisions. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts’ consensus rating remains "Hold," suggesting the market sees limited near‑term upside despite the estimate improvements. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Nabors has scheduled its 1Q 2026 earnings conference call (invitation posted March 24) — investors should monitor that event for updated guidance and management commentary. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Despite revisions, consensus still forecasts a materially negative FY (current consensus ~($6.22) EPS) and Nabors carries significant leverage (debt/equity ~2.22). Continued negative earnings and high debt make the recovery contingent on operational improvement and cash generation.

Nabors Industries Company Profile

Nabors Industries Ltd. is a global oil and gas drilling contractor that provides land and offshore drilling rigs, drilling equipment and related services to energy companies around the world. The company's operations span two core segments: drilling and evaluation, which includes land‐based and platform drilling rigs as well as wellbore survey services, and wellbore technologies, offering pressure control equipment, downhole tools and specialized maintenance services. Nabors' integrated model combines rig operations with engineered products and field support, positioning it as a full‐service provider in the upstream sector.

The company maintains a diverse, modern fleet of automated and conventional drilling rigs and has pioneered advanced drilling technologies, including automated drilling controls and managed pressure drilling systems.

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