Halliburton Co.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call
What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 21 April 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.
Key takeaways
- Net income up on prior-year impairments: Net income attributable to the company was $461 million, or $0.55 per diluted share. The prior-year quarter reported $204 million, or $0.24, after $356 million of impairments and other charges. Source
- Completion revenue and income declined: Revenue was $3.0 billion, down $104 million or 3%, and operating income was $439 million, down $92 million or 17%. Lower North America stimulation and Middle East completion tool and pumping activity drove the decline. Source
- North America revenue declined: North America revenue was $2.1 billion, down 4%. Lower US Land and Gulf of America stimulation, along with US Land artificial lift and Gulf of America fluid services, drove the decline. Source
- Latin America revenue grew 22%: Latin America revenue was $1.1 billion, up 22%, led by Ecuador, the Caribbean and Brazil, with improved stimulation activity in Mexico and Argentina. Source
- Middle East and Asia revenue fell 13%: Middle East/Asia revenue was $1.3 billion, down 13%, mainly on lower activity across several product lines in Saudi Arabia and lower drilling services in Qatar. Asia completion tools and fluid services were higher. Source
- Operating cash flow and free cash flow: Cash flow from operations was $273 million, against $377 million a year earlier. Free cash flow was $123 million, against $124 million. Working capital used $252 million. Source
- Buybacks and dividends paid: About $100 million of stock was repurchased, against $250 million in the first quarter of 2025. Dividends of $0.17 per share were paid, totaling $142 million. Source
“In North America, I see clear signs that we are in the early innings of a recovery.”
Jeff Miller, Chairman, President and CEO
What changed from last quarter
- New: Halliburton and A*STAR announced a joint lab in Singapore for well completion technology. Source
Results and profitability
- Net income up on prior-year impairments: Net income attributable to the company was $461 million, or $0.55 per diluted share. The prior-year quarter reported $204 million, or $0.24, after $356 million of impairments and other charges. Source
- Revenue flat, operating income higher: Revenue was $5.4 billion, flat year over year. Operating income was $679 million against $431 million a year earlier, and operating margin was 13%. Source
- Revenue and earnings below fourth quarter: Revenue was $5,402 million against $5,657 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. Diluted net income per share was $0.55 against $0.70. Source
Completion and Production segment
- Completion revenue and income declined: Revenue was $3.0 billion, down $104 million or 3%, and operating income was $439 million, down $92 million or 17%. Lower North America stimulation and Middle East completion tool and pumping activity drove the decline. Source
- Western Hemisphere tools and Africa pumping: Higher completion tool sales in the Western Hemisphere and improved pressure pumping in Africa partly offset the declines. Source
“In international markets, our performance around the world outpaced disruptions from the Middle East conflict.”
Jeff Miller, Chairman, President and CEO
Drilling and Evaluation segment
- Drilling revenue up, income flat: Revenue was $2.4 billion, up $89 million or 4%, while operating income was $351 million, flat year over year. Latin America project management and Europe and Western Hemisphere drilling services drove the increase. Source
- Middle East and wireline activity lower: Activity across several Middle East product lines, Eastern Hemisphere wireline and Gulf of America fluid services was lower, partly offsetting the gains. Source
Regional revenue
- North America revenue declined: North America revenue was $2.1 billion, down 4%. Lower US Land and Gulf of America stimulation, along with US Land artificial lift and Gulf of America fluid services, drove the decline. Source
- Latin America revenue grew 22%: Latin America revenue was $1.1 billion, up 22%, led by Ecuador, the Caribbean and Brazil, with improved stimulation activity in Mexico and Argentina. Source
- Europe and Africa revenue rose 11%: Europe/Africa revenue was $858 million, up 11%, on drilling services and completion tool sales in Norway and pressure pumping in Angola. Caspian completion tools and Namibia drilling were lower. Source
- Middle East and Asia revenue fell 13%: Middle East/Asia revenue was $1.3 billion, down 13%, mainly on lower activity across several product lines in Saudi Arabia and lower drilling services in Qatar. Asia completion tools and fluid services were higher. Source
“I expect that our consistent focus on returns and capital discipline will drive long-term success for Halliburton and its shareholders,”
Jeff Miller, Chairman, President and CEO
Costs, tax and impairments
- SAP migration and corporate costs: SAP S4 upgrade expense was $42 million, against $30 million a year earlier. Corporate and other costs were $69 million, against $66 million. Source
- No impairment charges this quarter: No impairments and other charges were recorded in the first quarter of 2026, against $356 million in the first quarter of 2025, which included severance and asset impairments. Source
- Tax benefit from allowance release: The income tax provision was $105 million, which includes a $32 million tax benefit from a valuation allowance release. Source
Cash flow and shareholder returns
- Operating cash flow and free cash flow: Cash flow from operations was $273 million, against $377 million a year earlier. Free cash flow was $123 million, against $124 million. Working capital used $252 million. Source
- Buybacks and dividends paid: About $100 million of stock was repurchased, against $250 million in the first quarter of 2025. Dividends of $0.17 per share were paid, totaling $142 million. Source
- Capital expenditure fell: Capital expenditures were $192 million, against $302 million a year earlier. Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment were $42 million. Source
- Cash balance lower: Cash and equivalents ended the quarter at $2,003 million, down from $2,206 million at December 31, 2025. Long-term debt was $7,070 million, against $7,158 million. Source
Technology and projects
- HyperSteer MX drill bit launched: A shankless matrix-body directional drill bit intended for longer runs, fewer trips and resistance to erosion in high-flow, abrasive environments. Source
- CO2 injection safety valve launched: A wireline-retrievable safety valve for carbon capture, utilization and storage wells, with a non-elastomeric design intended to minimize leak paths. Source
- Geothermal well placement service: The RangeStar geothermal service supports detection distances up to 130 meters and reduces ranging decision time from hours to minutes. Source
- Automated well placement offshore Guyana: With ExxonMobil Guyana, Sekal and Noble, Halliburton delivered fully automated geological well placement with complete rig automation offshore Guyana. Source
Figures management reported
| Figure | Reported |
|---|---|
| Capital expenditure Source | $192 million (Q1 2026) vs $302 million (Q1 2025) |
| Free cash flow Source | $123 million |
| Shareholder returns Source | $100 million stock repurchases; $142 million dividends |
Risks management discussed
- External: The Middle East conflict affected both divisions, with an impact of about 2 to 3 cents of net income per diluted share. Source
- Demand: North America stimulation and artificial lift activity in US Land declined during the quarter. Source
- Demand: Activity across multiple Middle East product lines, particularly in Saudi Arabia, declined year over year. Source
Other quarters
Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.