Halliburton Surges 0.85% on $3.5B Credit Agreement and Petrobras Contracts Ranks 489th in Market Activity

On August 21, 2025, Halliburton (HAL) closed with a 0.85% gain, driven by a $3.5 billion credit agreement and new $330 million well services contracts with Petrobras. The stock traded at a volume of 0.17 billion, ranking 489th in market activity. Despite recent earnings reports showing a 5.5% year-over-year revenue decline and lower margins, the company secured long-term North Sea stimulation contracts and a Melius Research Buy rating with a $41 price target. UBS also raised its price target to $21, reflecting modest upside potential.

Halliburton’s Q2 earnings report highlighted mixed performance across regions. North American revenues fell 9% year-over-year to $2.3 billion, while international operations declined 3% to $3.3 billion. The Completion and Production segment saw reduced operating income due to lower U.S. stimulation pricing and reduced Middle Eastern activity. Management noted a “softer oilfield services market” outlook but emphasized confidence in drilling and unconventional growth strategies. The firm also returned $250 million to shareholders via buybacks during Q2.

Analyst sentiment remains divided, with 12 ratings indicating divergent views on margin recovery. The stock’s VGM Score reflects strong value (A) but weak momentum (F), aligning with a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Despite short-term volatility, Halliburton’s 3.26% forward dividend yield and recent liquidity enhancements position it for potential long-term stability in a fragmented sector.

The strategy of buying the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding for one day from 2022 to 2025 yielded a 7.61% total return with a 1.98% average daily gain. The approach achieved a Sharpe ratio of 0.94 but faced a maximum drawdown of -29.16%, underscoring market downturn risks.