NE
Noble Corporation Plc
Oil & Gas Drilling
Market Cap$7.73B
5Y Perf.+96.0%
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Stock Comparison
NE vs NBR
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
NBR
Nabors Industries Ltd.
Oil & Gas Drilling
Market Cap$1.54B
5Y Perf.-15.5%
NE vs NBR — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | NE | NBR |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Oil & Gas Drilling | Oil & Gas Drilling |
| Market Cap | $7.73B | $1.54B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.20B | $3.18B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $229M | $263M |
| Gross Margin | 22.4% | 25.0% |
| Operating Margin | 16.8% | 13.8% |
| Forward P/E | 44.5x | 5.6x |
| Total Debt | $1.98B | $2.57B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $471M | $941M |
NE vs NBR — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
NE
NBR
| Stock | Jun 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noble Corporation P… (NE) | 100 | 196.0 | +96.0% |
| Nabors Industries L… (NBR) | 100 | 84.5 | -15.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: NE vs NBR
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: NBR leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Noble Corporation Plc is the stronger pick specifically for capital preservation and lower volatility and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
NE
Noble Corporation Plc
The Income Pick
NE is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 3 yrs, beta 0.92, yield 4.1%
- 118.1% 10Y total return vs NBR's -67.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.92, Low D/E 43.4%, current ratio 1.67x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
NBR
Nabors Industries Ltd.
The Growth Play
NBR carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure.
- Rev growth 8.7%, EPS growth 176.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 6.3%
- 8.7% revenue growth vs NE's 7.4%
- Lower P/E (5.6x vs 44.5x)
Best for: growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | NBR | 8.7% revenue growth vs NE's 7.4% |
| Value | NBR | Lower P/E (5.6x vs 44.5x) |
| Quality / Margins | NBR | 8.3% margin vs NE's 7.2% |
| Stability / Safety | NE | Beta 0.92 vs NBR's 1.53, lower leverage |
| Dividends | NE | 4.1% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs NBR's 0.4% |
| Momentum (1Y) | NBR | +273.7% vs NE's +125.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | NBR | 5.3% ROA vs NE's 3.0%, ROIC 6.2% vs 6.2% |
NE vs NBR — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
NE vs NBR — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLNELAGGINGNBR
NBRNabors Industries Ltd.
2leads
NENoble Corporation Plc
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs NBRMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
NBR4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
NBR4/4
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
NE5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
NE4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
NE2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NBR leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NE and NBR operate at a comparable scale, with $3.2B and $3.2B in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 8.3% (NBR) to 7.2% (NE). On growth, NBR holds the edge at +9.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | NENoble Corporation… | NBRNabors Industries… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.2B | $3.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.1B | $1.1B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $229M | $263M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $444M | -$23M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +22.4% | +25.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +16.8% | +13.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +7.2% | +8.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +13.9% | -0.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -10.2% | +9.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +11.9% | +102.5% |
NBR leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
NBR leads this category, winning 4 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 5.6x trailing earnings, NBR trades at a 84% valuation discount to NE's 35.9x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, NBR's 3.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than NE's 8.4x.
| Metric | NENoble Corporation… | NBRNabors Industries… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $7.7B | $1.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $9.2B | $3.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 35.90x | 5.62x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 44.46x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 8.39x | 3.47x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.35x | 0.48x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.71x | 0.97x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 17.89x | — |
NBR leads this category, winning 4 of 4 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NE leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NBR delivers a 17.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $18 in annual profit, vs $5 for NE. NE carries lower financial leverage with a 0.43x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to NBR's 1.78x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), NBR scores 7/9 vs NE's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | NENoble Corporation… | NBRNabors Industries… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +5.0% | +17.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.0% | +5.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +6.2% | +6.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +7.5% | +6.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.43x | 1.78x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $1.5B | $1.6B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $471M | $941M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.0B | $2.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 3.26x | 3.07x |
NE leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
NE leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in NE five years ago would be worth $21,806 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,746 for NBR. Over the past 12 months, NBR leads with a +273.7% total return vs NE's +125.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NE at 13.4% vs NBR's 0.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | NENoble Corporation… | NBRNabors Industries… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +68.9% | +74.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +125.7% | +273.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +45.7% | +0.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +118.1% | -2.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +118.1% | -67.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +13.4% | +0.2% |
NE leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — NE and NBR each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
NE is the less volatile stock with a 0.92 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than NBR's 1.53 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | NENoble Corporation… | NBRNabors Industries… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.92x | 1.53x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $54.57 | $105.80 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $22.37 | $23.27 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +88.8% | +91.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 49.8 | 62.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.6M | 348K |
Evenly matched — NE and NBR each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
NE leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates NE as "Hold" and NBR as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply -5.5% upside for NE (target: $46) vs -16.1% for NBR (target: $81). For income investors, NE offers the higher dividend yield at 4.13% vs NBR's 0.43%.
| Metric | NENoble Corporation… | NBRNabors Industries… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $45.80 | $81.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 51 | 44 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +4.1% | +0.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.00 | $0.42 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.3% | 0.0% |
NE leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
NE leads in 3 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). NBR leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
Best OverallNoble Corporation Plc (NE)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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NE vs NBR: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is NE or NBR a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Nabors Industries Ltd.
(NBR) is the stronger pick with 8. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 7. 4% for Noble Corporation Plc (NE). Nabors Industries Ltd. (NBR) offers the better valuation at 5. 6x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Noble Corporation Plc (NE) a "Hold" — based on 51 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — NE or NBR?
On trailing P/E, Nabors Industries Ltd.
(NBR) is the cheapest at 5. 6x versus Noble Corporation Plc at 35. 9x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — NE or NBR?
Over the past 5 years, Noble Corporation Plc (NE) delivered a total return of +118.
1%, compared to -2. 5% for Nabors Industries Ltd. (NBR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NE returned +118. 1% versus NBR's -67. 0%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — NE or NBR?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Noble Corporation Plc (NE) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
92β versus Nabors Industries Ltd. 's 1. 53β — meaning NBR is approximately 67% more volatile than NE relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Noble Corporation Plc (NE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 43% versus 178% for Nabors Industries Ltd. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — NE or NBR?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Nabors Industries Ltd.
(NBR) is pulling ahead at 8. 7% versus 7. 4% for Noble Corporation Plc (NE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Nabors Industries Ltd. grew EPS 176. 7% year-over-year, compared to -54. 4% for Noble Corporation Plc. Over a 3-year CAGR, NE leads at 32. 5% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — NE or NBR?
Nabors Industries Ltd.
(NBR) is the more profitable company, earning 7. 8% net margin versus 6. 6% for Noble Corporation Plc — meaning it keeps 7. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NE leads at 15. 7% versus 8. 3% for NBR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NE leads at 19. 7%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is NE or NBR more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NE: -5.
5% to $45. 80.
08Which pays a better dividend — NE or NBR?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Noble Corporation Plc (NE) offers the highest yield at 4. 1%, versus 0. 4% for Nabors Industries Ltd. (NBR).
09Is NE or NBR better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Noble Corporation Plc (NE) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
92), 4. 1% yield, +118. 1% 10Y return). Nabors Industries Ltd. (NBR) carries a higher beta of 1. 53 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (NE: +118. 1%, NBR: -67. 0%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between NE and NBR?
Both stocks operate in the Energy sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: NE is a small-cap income-oriented stock; NBR is a small-cap deep-value stock. NE pays a dividend while NBR does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(NE: -10.2% · NBR: 9.3%)Net Margin>
%
(NE: 7.2% · NBR: 8.3%)P/E Ratio<
x
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