Schlumberger Limited. (SLB), Halliburton Company (HAL): Which Energy Service Giant Is Best For Your Portfolio?

One might entertain the following ownership thesis for Halliburton stock:

Halliburton has demonstrated strong, sustained shareholder returns, a good balance sheet, and the ability to generate cash.

I believe the company’s international growth prospects will continue to add value as energy services’ global demand increases with the world’s appetite for energy.

The North American energy revolution is in its early stages; Halliburton has staked its business defending both onshore and offshore market share. North America sequential revenue was flat, but the trend remains positive.

Corporate directors have expressed confidence in the future by authorizing large boosts in the cash dividend and stock repurchase plans.

While a BP-Macondo settlement is an overhang on the stock, the corporation will ultimately find a reasonable conclusion with respect to its involvement in the tragedy and resulting litigation.

Please conduct your own thorough due diligence before making any investment decision. Good luck with all your 2013 investments.

Raymond Merola is long Halliburton. The Motley Fool recommends Halliburton.

The article Which Energy Service Giant Is Best For Your Portfolio? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Raymond Merola.

Raymond is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network — entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.

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