HALLIBURTON CO (HAL) Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 results beat consensus as adjusted EPS of $0.58 topped S&P Global by ~$0.08 (+17%) and revenue of $5.60B beat by ~$0.21B (+3.9%); adjusted operating margin was 13% despite broad impairments and a U.S. tax valuation allowance tied to OBBBA . Consensus from S&P Global shown with asterisks; values retrieved from S&P Global.*
- Mix: International was flat q/q ($3.2B) as Middle East/Asia softened (Saudi) while North America rose 5% sequentially to $2.4B on stronger stimulation and Gulf of America activity .
- Management executed defensively: idled uneconomic fleets, actions to reduce labor costs delivering ~$100M quarterly savings starting Q4, and reset 2026 capex down ~30% to ~$1.0B; also returned ~$250M via buybacks and paid a $0.17 dividend in Q3 .
- New vectors: a strategic collaboration with VoltaGrid positions HAL for international distributed power for AI/data centers (initial Middle East), a potential medium-term growth leg alongside offshore and artificial lift .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
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What Went Well
- Adjusted earnings and revenue beat consensus; adj. operating margin at 13% on cost actions and less North America “white space” than expected; HAL reiterated ~$100M per quarter cost savings starting Q4 .
- D&E margin improved sequentially; strength in project management and wireline in LatAm, drilling services in NA and Europe/Africa, and higher software sales in Europe/Africa .
- Strategic wins and tech adoption: Petrobras deepwater completions/stimulation contracts (start 2026), NEP CCS award in UK, Shell ROCS framework, and LOGIX/iCruise/Zeus IQ momentum; CEO: “Our growth engines are on track” .
- Management quote: “We…took steps that will deliver estimated savings of $100 million dollars per quarter…reset our 2026 capital budget and idled equipment that no longer meets our return expectations” .
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What Went Wrong
- GAAP EPS fell to $0.02 on $540M of charges (impairments/other items plus Argentina investment impairment and a $125M U.S. tax valuation allowance tied to OBBBA); operating margin compressed to 6% GAAP .
- Middle East/Asia softness (Saudi) pressured both segments; International total flat q/q, Middle East/Asia -3% sequentially; C&P operating income flat q/q despite higher revenue .
- Tariffs rising: Q3 gross impact ~$31M, with Q4 expected ~$60M (notably artificial lift supply chain), and CFO flagged higher net interest and corporate expense in Q4 .
- Q4 outlook: NA seasonal/white space to drive ~12–13% sequential revenue decline; C&P revenue -4% to -6% with margin down 25–75 bps; D&E flat to -2% with margin up 50–100 bps .
Financial Results
Actual vs S&P Global Consensus (Q3 2025)*
Segment Revenue and Operating Income
Geographic Revenue
KPIs and Non-GAAP/One-time Items
Notes: Adjusted figures exclude “Impairments and other charges,” Argentina investment impairment, and tax valuation allowance impacts per company reconciliations .
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We delivered total company revenue of $5.6 billion and adjusted operating margin of 13%. We…will deliver estimated savings of $100 million dollars per quarter, reset our 2026 capital budget and idled equipment that no longer meets our return expectations” — Jeff Miller, CEO .
- “We recorded severance and fixed and other assets write-offs of $284 million…We expect cash operational savings…approximately $100 million in quarterly savings” — Eric Hurey, CFO .
- “For the fourth quarter, we expect international revenue to increase 3% to 4% on roughly flat activity levels…typical seasonal software and completion tool sales” — CEO .
- “North America…we expect greater than typical white space…approximately 12% to 13% lower sequential revenue” — CEO .
- “We signed an agreement with VoltaGrid to be their international partner for delivering distributed power solutions for data centers outside of North America” — CEO .
Q&A Highlights
- VoltaGrid collaboration: HAL will co-invest at project level internationally; leverages HAL’s global scale, execution, and customer relationships; projects can be large-scale; supply chain seen as supportive .
- Margin beat drivers: Roughly half from earlier-than-expected labor cost reductions; remainder from less NA white space and strong international performance (completion tools/cementing; LatAm project management) .
- NA idling/attrition: HAL is idling uneconomic fleets; expects equipment attrition to accelerate; preserves assets for snapback .
- 2026 outlook: Early; CEO sees “flattish” with bright spots; expects Saudi to improve in 2026 though not back to prior peaks; deepwater gaining traction .
- FCF/returns: 2025 FCF targeted ~$1.8–$2.0B as of Q2 call; CFO reiterates commitment to shareholder return framework, with pace maintained; Q3 CFO noted ~$1.7B full-year goal earlier then updated at Q2 to $1.8–$2.0B range .
Estimates Context
- Relative to S&P Global consensus, Q3 revenue of $5.60B beat by ~$0.21B (+3.9%)* and adjusted EPS of $0.58 beat by ~$0.084 (+16.9%); EBITDA of ~$1.005B vs ~$0.974B estimate (+3.1%). Cost actions and mix (Gulf of America, LatAm D&E) supported the beat, offsetting Saudi softness and tariffs . Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Where estimates may adjust:
- NA Q4 seasonal step-down (12–13%) and tariff escalation to ~$60M likely push consensus lower for C&P margins in Q4; D&E margins could see upward revisions on software and drilling strength .
- 2026 capex reset and $100M quarterly cost savings may lift out-year FCF and margin expectations, partially offset by uncertain NA macro and Saudi pacing .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Quality beat on adjusted metrics with clear cost/capex discipline; the $100M/quarter savings and 2026 capex reset underpin resilience into a softer near-term macro .
- International portfolio holding up ex-Saudi; deepwater and artificial lift provide secular growth, supplemented by seasonal Q4 uplift in software/completion tools .
- North America remains challenging near term; HAL’s idling strategy preserves returns and optionality for a rapid snapback when fundamentals tighten .
- Tariffs are a headwind, particularly for lift; management is rewiring supply chains, but Q4 impact doubles vs Q3 (~$60M vs ~$31M) .
- New adjacency: VoltaGrid collaboration creates an AI/data center distributed power wedge internationally—watch for project announcements as a potential multiple-expanding catalyst .
- Capital returns remain intact (Q3: ~$250M buybacks; $0.17 dividend); FCF seasonally strongest in Q4; cost actions add ~$400M annual opex plus ~$400M lower capex liquidity into 2026 .
- Monitor Saudi tender cadence, NA white space in Q4, and software/completion seasonality to gauge Q4 slope and 2026 setup .
Footnote: Items marked with an asterisk (*) are S&P Global consensus/actuals from analyst estimates. Values retrieved from S&P Global.