- Schlumberger (SLB +0.1%) makes its debut on the UBS Equity Focus List, as UBS and other Wall Street analysts think the oilfield services company will continue to drive margins on execution, technologies and efficiencies.
- UBS raises its rating on the sector to Neutral from Underweight, citing the growing drive for North American energy independence by the end of the decade.
- UBS also likes other top E&P and oilfield services leaders: Halliburton (HAL +0.3%) should enjoy a boost from a forecast 5% increase in margins over the next three years combined with a tightening frac calendar in some regions, Apache (APA -0.5%) trades at a discount vs. peers, and Anadarko (APC -0.9%) is favored amid rising demand for natural gas.