NBR

Energy

Nabors Industries Ltd. · Oil & Gas Drilling · $1B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
37.8
Below Average

Nabors Industries Ltd. scores 37.8/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Energy Sector
NBR
37.8
Sector avg
43.5
Quality
Weak
Moat
Weak
Growth
Neutral
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Good

What is Nabors Industries Ltd.?

Nabors Industries Ltd. is one of the world's largest land drilling contractors, operating rigs across the United States, Canada, and more than twenty countries internationally. The company also provides a broad suite of drilling-related technology and services.

Nabors generates revenue by contracting drilling rigs to oil and gas producers for land-based and offshore operations. Beyond rig contracts, the company sells proprietary drilling technologies — including directional steering systems, measurement-while-drilling tools, and rig automation software — through its Drilling Solutions and Rig Technologies segments. Equipment manufacturing and aftermarket services round out the business, giving Nabors multiple revenue streams tied to the broader upstream energy cycle.

Nabors Industries was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

  • Land and offshore contract drilling across five operating segments
  • Directional drilling and measurement-while-drilling (MWD) services
  • RigCLOUD real-time operations integration platform
  • Automated stick-slip mitigation via the REVit system
  • Top drives, drawworks, and other rig equipment manufacturing

Is NBR a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates NBR as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful headwinds across several key quality dimensions.

The Valuation pillar stands out as the relative bright spot — NBR's current market pricing appears more favorable compared to sector peers, which may attract investors focused on value-oriented entry points. The Quality and Growth pillars land at Neutral, suggesting the business is neither deteriorating sharply nor demonstrating clear upward momentum in fundamentals.

The Moat and Risk pillars are both rated Weak, pointing to limited competitive differentiation and an elevated risk profile — concerns that are common in capital-intensive, commodity-linked drilling businesses.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does NBR pay dividends?

No — Nabors Industries Ltd. does not currently pay a dividend.

Nabors Industries does not currently pay a dividend. For a capital-intensive drilling contractor carrying significant debt, retaining cash to service obligations and reinvest in rig upgrades and technology development is a common strategic priority. Income-focused investors should factor the absence of a dividend into their assessment of total return potential.

When does NBR report earnings?

Nabors Industries reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.

Results tend to track closely with drilling activity levels, rig utilization rates, and oil and gas price cycles — all of which can shift meaningfully from quarter to quarter. Technology and international segments have increasingly contributed to revenue mix alongside the core U.S. drilling business.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Nabors Industries' investor relations page directly.

NBR Price History

-15.6% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Nabors Industries Ltd.?

$
Today it would be worth
$8,524
That's a -14.8% total return, or -3.1% annualized.

Based on Nabors Industries Ltd.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

NBR Long-term Outlook

With Growth and Quality both rated Neutral, Nabors' near-term fundamental trajectory appears stable but not expansionary. The Weak Risk rating signals that the business remains sensitive to energy price volatility, customer capital spending cycles, and its balance sheet structure. The relatively Good Valuation label suggests the market may already be pricing in a degree of these risks, leaving the forward picture dependent on sustained drilling demand and execution on technology monetization.

Growth drivers

  • Expansion of technology and software services within the Drilling Solutions segment
  • International rig deployments in markets with growing upstream investment
  • Adoption of automation and digitalization tools across the rig fleet

Key risks

  • High sensitivity to oil and gas price cycles affecting customer drilling budgets
  • Elevated financial risk from a capital-intensive balance sheet
  • Weak competitive moat in a commoditized contract drilling market

NBR vs Peers

Nabors competes in a fragmented global drilling market alongside specialized contractors and offshore-focused operators.

PDSSimilar UQS
Precision Drilling Corporation

Precision Drilling focuses heavily on the Canadian and U.S. markets with a technology-forward rig fleet, making it a direct land drilling rival to Nabors in North America.

SOCNBR scores higher
Sable Offshore Corp.

Sable Offshore operates in the offshore California energy space, representing a geographically concentrated upstream model distinct from Nabors' diversified global drilling platform.

BORRNBR scores lower
Borr Drilling Limited

Borr Drilling specializes exclusively in shallow-water jack-up rigs, contrasting with Nabors' predominantly land-based drilling focus and broader technology services portfolio.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Nabors Industries do?

Nabors Industries provides contract drilling services for oil and natural gas wells, operating land rigs across the U.S., Canada, and over twenty countries. The company also develops and sells drilling technology — including directional steering systems, automation software, and rig equipment — through its Drilling Solutions and Rig Technologies segments.

Does NBR pay dividends?

Nabors Industries does not currently pay a dividend. The company operates in a capital-intensive industry where cash is typically directed toward debt management and reinvestment in rig technology rather than shareholder distributions.

When does NBR report earnings?

Nabors Industries follows a standard quarterly earnings cadence. Specific upcoming report dates are best confirmed on the company's investor relations page, as our data source does not cover scheduled earnings dates.

Is NBR a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates NBR as Below Average, driven by Weak Moat and Risk pillars alongside Neutral Quality and Growth. The Valuation pillar is rated Good, which may appeal to value-oriented investors. The complete pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.

Is NBR overvalued?

Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, NBR's current market pricing appears relatively favorable compared to sector peers — earning a Good rating on that dimension. However, valuation alone does not offset concerns in the Moat and Risk pillars. Pro members can view the full underlying metrics.

How does NBR compare to its competitors?

Nabors differentiates itself through scale and geographic diversification, operating rigs across more than twenty countries alongside a growing technology services business. Peers like Precision Drilling focus more narrowly on North American land markets, while Borr Drilling concentrates on offshore jack-up rigs.

What is NBR's market cap bracket?

Nabors Industries is classified as a small-cap company. This places it in a segment of the market that can carry higher volatility and liquidity risk compared to large- or mega-cap peers in the energy sector.

Who founded Nabors Industries?

Nabors Industries was founded in 1973. Detailed founding history, including key figures involved in the company's early development, is widely available through public corporate records and the company's own historical disclosures.

Is NBR a long-term quality investment?

From a long-term quality perspective, NBR's Below Average UQS Score — anchored by Weak Moat and Risk ratings — suggests the business faces structural challenges in sustaining competitive advantages over time. The Neutral Quality and Growth pillars indicate the company is not in sharp decline, but long-term durability remains a key question for investors.

What is the main competitive advantage of Nabors Industries?

Nabors' primary differentiators are its global rig fleet scale and its growing portfolio of proprietary drilling technologies, including automation software and directional steering systems. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates these advantages as Weak relative to the broader competitive landscape.

What sector does NBR belong to?

Nabors Industries operates in the Energy sector, specifically within oilfield services and contract drilling. The company's financial performance is closely tied to upstream oil and gas activity levels, which fluctuate with commodity prices and producer capital spending cycles.

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Pro Analysis

NBR — Score History

303540455055Apr 2Apr 16Apr 30May 14May 28Jun 10v5
Score changes· 20 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
Jun 10, 202637.839.720.041.636.560.4+0.1
Jun 9, 202637.739.720.041.636.559.7-0.1
Jun 6, 202637.839.720.041.636.560.5+0.1
Jun 5, 202637.739.720.041.636.559.5-0.1
Jun 4, 202637.839.720.041.636.560.5-0.1
Jun 3, 202637.939.720.041.636.560.90.0
May 30, 202637.939.720.041.636.561.30.0
May 29, 202637.939.720.041.636.561.1+0.1
May 28, 202637.839.720.041.036.561.0+0.2
May 27, 202637.639.720.041.036.560.0+0.1

NBR — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

39.7/100 (25%)

Nabors Industries Ltd. has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Weak

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityStrong

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityModerate

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityModerate

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsModerate

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationWeak

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

41.6/100 (20%)

Nabors Industries Ltd. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.

Recent Revenue TrendModerate

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthStrong

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookModerate

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthWeak

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

36.5/100 (15%)

Nabors Industries Ltd. has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.

Financial LeverageModerate

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityWeak

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioModerate

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

60.4/100 (15%)

Nabors Industries Ltd. trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.

Earnings YieldWeak

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorStrong

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

20/100 (25%)

Nabors Industries Ltd. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for NBR.

Score Composition

Quality
39.7×25%9.9
Growth
41.6×20%8.3
Risk
36.5×15%5.5
Valuation
60.4×15%9.1
Moat
20.0×25%5.0
Total
37.8Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the NBR UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Nabors Industries Ltd. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Nabors Industries Ltd.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Nabors Industries Ltd. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.