NOV vs SLB

For growth investors, NOV Inc.

(NOV) is the stronger pick with -1. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -1. 6% for SLB N. V. (SLB). SLB N. V. (SLB) offers the better valuation at 23. 8x trailing P/E (20. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate SLB N. V. (SLB) a "Buy" — based on 66 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.

On trailing P/E, SLB N.

V. (SLB) is the cheapest at 23. 8x versus NOV Inc. at 51. 6x. On forward P/E, SLB N. V. is actually cheaper at 20. 9x.

Over the past 5 years, SLB N.

V. (SLB) delivered a total return of +99. 6%, compared to +30. 8% for NOV Inc. (NOV). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SLB returned -8. 4% versus NOV's -33. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), SLB N.

V. (SLB) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 87β versus NOV Inc. 's 1. 01β — meaning NOV is approximately 16% more volatile than SLB relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, NOV Inc. (NOV) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 37% versus 45% for SLB N. V. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), NOV Inc.

(NOV) is pulling ahead at -1. 4% versus -1. 6% for SLB N. V. (SLB). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: SLB N. V. grew EPS -24. 4% year-over-year, compared to -75. 6% for NOV Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SLB leads at 8. 3% 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.

SLB N.

V. (SLB) is the more profitable company, earning 9. 4% net margin versus 1. 7% for NOV Inc. — meaning it keeps 9. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SLB leads at 15. 3% versus 6. 5% for NOV. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NOV leads at 20. 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.

On forward earnings alone, SLB N.

V. (SLB) trades at 20. 9x forward P/E versus 22. 7x for NOV Inc. — 1. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SLB: 1. 7% to $56. 95.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

NOV Inc. (NOV) offers the highest yield at 2. 5%, versus 1. 9% for SLB N. V. (SLB).

For long-horizon retirement investors, SLB N.

V. (SLB) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 87), 1. 9% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SLB: -8. 4%, NOV: -33. 3%), 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.

Both stocks operate in the Energy sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

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.