Opinions Paul Harris, CFA
Transocean Inc.RIGWEAK BUYApr 16, 2015
Paul Harris, CFAStock price when the opinion was issued
As of Jun 04, 2026. Market Open.
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Good free cash flow, valuation and contracts that generate revenue.
Jim Lebenthal
They reported earnings last night: cash flow and debt were lower than expected. They're merging with Valaris.
Jim LebenthalLargest in the space. Only company that didn't go bankrupt during Covid, but now has a bit more debt than peers (though it's manageable). JPM downgraded it today on worries about Petrobras exposure.
He took profits, but would look to re-enter (not today, but likely lower). Demand will grow for next several decades. Biggest bear in the world (the IEA) just pivoted on peak demand. US shale growth is over, so where is oil going to come from? Macro's very good, but we just have to get through the next 3-6 months. Of all the names in services, the one he's most inclined to own.
11 of their cold-stacked rigs have been mothballed for a while but will return to operation soon.
Jim LebenthalThe day rates on these offshore drilling rigs has been climbing well, so idle rigs will return to service. Is up sharply this month.
Jim LebenthalThey report later today, but he's not interest in that, but rather the conference call about how tight the market is for deep-drilling rigs. He thinks it's a matter of when, not if, their rigs will be reactivated.
Jim LebenthalHigh debt, which they are paying down from free cashflow. Rig counts are up, a big milestone. Super-duper, high beta name to own when oil's not falling 5% in a day. Be strategic when to add. 12-ish% free cashflow yield, but see his Top Picks for a more compelling name.
Eric NuttallGiven the high spot price of oil now, you need to go to a high-beta oil name to capture a return.
Joe Terranova
Pete Najarian
One issue with these companies is where does oil go? This was trading at some value below the value of their actual rigs out there. He believes oil will be higher over the longer-term and this is a good company. If you compare the volatility over the next little while, it will do well and you can see a reasonable rate of return on it. Probably worth buying at these levels.