Why SLB Stock Surged This Past Week

Source The Motley Fool

Key Points

  • Energy security is becoming even more crucial amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

  • The artificial intelligence (AI) market is providing SLB with a lucrative source of growth.

  • 10 stocks we like better than Slb ›

Shares of SLB (NYSE: SLB) climbed last week after the oilfield services leader reported higher-than-expected sales and profits.

An oil rig is operating under a red sky.

Image source: Getty Images.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks »

Energy security and AI-fueled gains

SLB's revenue rose 5% year over year to $8.97 billion in the second quarter.

CEO Olivier Le Peuch said the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is driving its customers to prioritize "energy security, supply diversification, and production capacity expansion." Companies are also investing in technology to extend the useful lives of their energy assets.

At the same time, SLB is expanding into lucrative new markets. First among these is the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, for which SLB offers modular infrastructure manufacturing, engineering, and design services.

SLB's data center revenue soared 80%, placing it on pace to surpass a $1 billion annualized run rate by the end of 2026 and $2 billion by the end of next year.

All told, SLB's adjusted earnings checked in at $0.55. That topped Wall Street's estimates, which had called for per-share profits of $0.52, according to Yahoo! Finance.

Demand for SLB's offerings is set to rise

War in the Middle East is forcing governments and companies to rethink their energy strategies. Dependable energy supplies are becoming even more valuable, and the businesses that can help to ensure them are likely to see rising demand for their services in the coming years.

SLB, as a respected leader in the oil and gas services industry, is well-positioned to help meet the world's need for reliable and cost-effective energy.

Should you buy stock in Slb right now?

Before you buy stock in Slb, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Slb wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $377,990!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,269,518!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 896% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 206% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of July 26, 2026.

Joe Tenebruso has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
placeholder
Natural Gas sinks to pivotal level as China’s demand slumpsNatural Gas price (XNG/USD) edges lower and sinks to $2.56 on Monday, extending its losing streak for the fifth day in a row. The move comes on the back of China cutting its Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) imports after prices rose above $3.0 in June. It
Author  FXStreet
Jul 01, 2024
Natural Gas price (XNG/USD) edges lower and sinks to $2.56 on Monday, extending its losing streak for the fifth day in a row. The move comes on the back of China cutting its Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) imports after prices rose above $3.0 in June. It
placeholder
Markets in 2026: Will gold, Bitcoin, and the U.S. dollar make history again? — These are how leading institutions thinkAfter a turbulent 2025, what lies ahead for commodities, forex, and cryptocurrency markets in 2026?
Author  Insights
Dec 25, 2025
After a turbulent 2025, what lies ahead for commodities, forex, and cryptocurrency markets in 2026?
placeholder
ECB Policy Outlook for 2026: What It Could Mean for the Euro’s Next MoveWith the ECB likely holding rates steady at 2.15% and the Fed potentially extending cuts into 2026, EUR/USD may test 1.20 if Eurozone growth proves resilient, but weaker growth and an ECB pivot could pull the pair back toward 1.13 and potentially 1.10.
Author  Mitrade
Dec 26, 2025
With the ECB likely holding rates steady at 2.15% and the Fed potentially extending cuts into 2026, EUR/USD may test 1.20 if Eurozone growth proves resilient, but weaker growth and an ECB pivot could pull the pair back toward 1.13 and potentially 1.10.
placeholder
My Top 5 Stock Market Predictions for 2026Five 2026 market predictions written in a native, news-style voice: AI’s winners and losers, broader sector leadership, dividend demand, valuation cooling as the Shiller CAPE sits at 39 (Dec. 31, 2025), and quantum-computing bursts—while keeping all original facts and numbers unchanged.
Author  Mitrade
Jan 06, Tue
Five 2026 market predictions written in a native, news-style voice: AI’s winners and losers, broader sector leadership, dividend demand, valuation cooling as the Shiller CAPE sits at 39 (Dec. 31, 2025), and quantum-computing bursts—while keeping all original facts and numbers unchanged.
placeholder
Gold Price Forecast: Oil Price Breaking $100 Fuels Inflation Concerns, Will Gold Prices Fall Further?As of the Asian session on July 24, gold prices ( XAUUSD) fell continuously during intraday trading, briefly approaching the $4,000 mark. Looking at the chart, gold prices rebounded this
Author  TradingKey
Jul 24, Fri
As of the Asian session on July 24, gold prices ( XAUUSD) fell continuously during intraday trading, briefly approaching the $4,000 mark. Looking at the chart, gold prices rebounded this
goTop
quote