NOV
NOV Inc.
Oil & Gas Equipment & Services
Market Cap$6.96B
5Y Perf.+54.8%
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Stock Comparison
NOV vs NCSM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
NCSM
NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.
Oil & Gas Equipment & Services
Market Cap$105M
5Y Perf.+283.0%
NOV vs NCSM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | NOV | NCSM |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Oil & Gas Equipment & Services | Oil & Gas Equipment & Services |
| Market Cap | $6.96B | $105M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $8.69B | $180M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $91M | $19M |
| Gross Margin | 19.5% | 36.7% |
| Operating Margin | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| Forward P/E | 21.7x | 8.7x |
| Total Debt | $2.34B | $13M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.55B | $37M |
NOV vs NCSM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
NOV
NCSM
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOV Inc. (NOV) | 100 | 154.8 | +54.8% |
| NCS Multistage Hold… (NCSM) | 100 | 383.0 | +283.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: NOV vs NCSM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: NCSM leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. NOV Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for dividend income and shareholder returns and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
NOV
NOV Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
NOV is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- -31.8% 10Y total return vs NCSM's -90.0%
- 2.6% yield; 5-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend
- +67.6% vs NCSM's +28.1%
Best for: long-term compounding
NCSM
NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.
The Income Pick
NCSM carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 0.28
- Rev growth 13.6%, EPS growth 239.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 5.9%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.28, Low D/E 9.0%, current ratio 4.27x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | NCSM | 13.6% revenue growth vs NOV's -1.4% |
| Value | NCSM | Lower P/E (8.7x vs 21.7x) |
| Quality / Margins | NCSM | 10.8% margin vs NOV's 1.0% |
| Stability / Safety | NCSM | Beta 0.28 vs NOV's 1.01, lower leverage |
| Dividends | NOV | 2.6% yield; 5-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | NOV | +67.6% vs NCSM's +28.1% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | NCSM | 11.4% ROA vs NOV's 0.8%, ROIC 7.9% vs 5.8% |
NOV vs NCSM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
NOV vs NCSM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLNCSMLAGGINGNOV
NOVNOV Inc.
0leads
NCSMNCS Multistage Holdin…
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs NOVMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
NCSM6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
NCSM9/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — NOV and NCSM each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NOV is the larger business by revenue, generating $8.7B annually — 48.4x NCSM's $180M. NCSM is the more profitable business, keeping 10.8% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to NOV's 1.0%. On growth, NOV holds the edge at -2.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | NOVNOV Inc. | NCSMNCS Multistage Ho… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $8.7B | $180M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $725M | $15M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $91M | $19M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $734M | $24M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +19.5% | +36.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +5.3% | +5.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +1.0% | +10.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +8.4% | +13.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -2.4% | -8.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -73.7% | -109.3% |
Evenly matched — NOV and NCSM each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
NCSM leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 4.6x trailing earnings, NCSM trades at a 91% valuation discount to NOV's 49.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, NCSM's 4.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than NOV's 8.4x.
| Metric | NOVNOV Inc. | NCSMNCS Multistage Ho… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $7.0B | $105M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $7.7B | $81M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 49.49x | 4.60x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 21.73x | 8.70x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 8.43x | 4.57x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.80x | 0.57x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.14x | 0.76x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 8.06x | 4.98x |
NCSM leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NCSM leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NCSM delivers a 14.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $14 in annual profit, vs $1 for NOV. NCSM carries lower financial leverage with a 0.09x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to NOV's 0.37x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), NCSM scores 6/9 vs NOV's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | NOVNOV Inc. | NCSMNCS Multistage Ho… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +1.4% | +14.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.8% | +11.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +5.8% | +7.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.3% | +8.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.37x | 0.09x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $788M | -$24M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.6B | $37M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.3B | $13M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 5.82x | 28.21x |
NCSM leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — NOV and NCSM each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in NCSM five years ago would be worth $15,144 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $11,957 for NOV. Over the past 12 months, NOV leads with a +67.6% total return vs NCSM's +28.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NCSM at 27.0% vs NOV's 8.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | NOVNOV Inc. | NCSMNCS Multistage Ho… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +18.2% | +0.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +67.6% | +28.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +29.3% | +104.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +19.6% | +51.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -31.8% | -90.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +8.9% | +27.0% |
Evenly matched — NOV and NCSM each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — NOV and NCSM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
NCSM is the less volatile stock with a 0.28 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than NOV's 1.01 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. NOV currently trades 92.2% from its 52-week high vs NCSM's 45.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | NOVNOV Inc. | NCSMNCS Multistage Ho… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.01x | 0.28x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $20.93 | $87.36 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $11.65 | $28.64 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +92.2% | +45.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 55.4 | 27.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 4.8M | 38K |
Evenly matched — NOV and NCSM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
NOV is the only dividend payer here at 2.63% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | NOVNOV Inc. | NCSMNCS Multistage Ho… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | — |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $19.38 | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 58 | — |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.6% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 5 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.51 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +4.5% | +0.3% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
NCSM leads in 2 of 6 categories — strongest in Valuation Metrics and Profitability & Efficiency. 3 categories are tied.
Best OverallNCS Multistage Holdings, In… (NCSM)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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NOV vs NCSM: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is NOV or NCSM a better buy right now?
For growth investors, NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.
(NCSM) is the stronger pick with 13. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -1. 4% for NOV Inc. (NOV). NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc. (NCSM) offers the better valuation at 4. 6x trailing P/E (8. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate NOV Inc. (NOV) a "Hold" — based on 58 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 — NOV or NCSM?
On trailing P/E, NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.
(NCSM) is the cheapest at 4. 6x versus NOV Inc. at 49. 5x. On forward P/E, NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 7x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — NOV or NCSM?
Over the past 5 years, NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.
(NCSM) delivered a total return of +51. 4%, compared to +19. 6% for NOV Inc. (NOV). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NOV returned -31. 8% versus NCSM's -90. 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 — NOV or NCSM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.
(NCSM) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 28β versus NOV Inc. 's 1. 01β — meaning NOV is approximately 263% more volatile than NCSM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc. (NCSM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 9% versus 37% for NOV Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — NOV or NCSM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.
(NCSM) is pulling ahead at 13. 6% versus -1. 4% for NOV Inc. (NOV). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc. grew EPS 239. 2% year-over-year, compared to -75. 6% for NOV Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NOV leads at 6. 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 — NOV or NCSM?
NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.
(NCSM) is the more profitable company, earning 12. 9% net margin versus 1. 7% for NOV Inc. — meaning it keeps 12. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NOV leads at 6. 5% versus 6. 4% for NCSM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NCSM leads at 38. 2%, 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 NOV or NCSM more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.
(NCSM) trades at 8. 7x forward P/E versus 21. 7x for NOV Inc. — 13. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — NOV or NCSM?
In this comparison, NOV (2.
6% yield) pays a dividend. NCSM does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is NOV or NCSM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.
(NCSM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 28)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NCSM: -90. 0%, NOV: -31. 8%), 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 NOV and NCSM?
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: NOV is a small-cap quality compounder stock; NCSM is a small-cap deep-value stock. NOV pays a dividend while NCSM 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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%
(NOV: -2.4% · NCSM: -8.7%)P/E Ratio<
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