Bullish case
$30 to $36
More likely if oil prices remain supportive, U.S. and international rig counts rise, NOV executes well on margin improvements, free cash flow stays strong, and investors assign a mid-cycle multiple above 20x forward earnings.
NOV Inc. research snapshot
NOV AI stock analysis currently reads NOV Inc. as a well-established oilfield equipment and services business that is in a low-earnings phase of the commodity cycle. The company has a broad installed base, diversified product lines across drilling, well completion, and production, strong free cash flow generation, and a net cash balance sheet, while TTM earnings of $0.25 per share, the 74x trailing P/E, commodity-price dependency, and energy-transition uncertainty keep the NOV AI stock forecast scenario-based rather than a single-point prediction.
Current price
$18.69
Market cap
$6.71 billion
AI score
57 / 100
Rating
Cyclical oilfield equipment leader in a low-earnings phase, with valuation dependent on cycle recovery timing
Trend status
Moderately constructive after a strong YTD run, but TTM earnings are still depressed
Data cutoff (updated weekly)
July 10, 2026
Informational use only. This page is not investment advice.
| Dimension | Conclusion | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Business quality | NOV sells mission-critical drilling equipment, well-service tools, production systems, and aftermarket parts and services to oil and gas operators worldwide. | High |
| Moat | The moat comes from installed base scale, brand recognition, engineering know-how, service network density, and customer switching costs for certified downhole and surface equipment. | Medium-high |
| Management | CEO Clay Williams has led the company through multiple cycles, including the 2014-2020 downturn and the post-COVID recovery, with a focus on free cash flow, debt reduction, and shareholder returns. | Medium |
| Financial trend | TTM revenue of $8.69 billion with net income of only $91 million reflects a low-margin phase of the cycle. Free cash flow is much stronger at $776.5 million levered, supported by working capital discipline. | High |
| Valuation | At $18.69, verified math shows about 74.8x TTM EPS, 20.8x forward EPS, 1.07x book value, 0.79x sales, and 8.65x levered FCF, which is reasonable on cash flow but expensive on trailing earnings. | Medium-high |
| Technical trend | NOV has rallied from the 52-week low near $11.78 to recent levels around $18.69, gaining roughly 17% YTD and over 40% in the past year, suggesting a constructive near-term trend. | Medium |
| Risk level | Risk is elevated because oil price volatility, drilling activity swings, customer consolidation, tariff exposure, and the energy transition create multi-directional earnings risk for an equipment cyclicals name. | Medium-high |
| AI confidence | Descriptive confidence is high for reported financials. Forecasting confidence is lower because the TTM earnings base is too depressed to anchor a reliable forecast without cycle adjustment. | High data confidence |
| Investment certainty | NOV looks like a cyclical value watch rather than a compounder at current levels. The free cash flow yield and net cash position provide a floor, but earnings recovery timing is uncertain. | Medium-low |
NOV AI stock forecast
The NOV AI stock forecast should be read as scenario math, not a promised price target. Using the July 10, 2026 research cutoff, an $18.69 stock price, $0.90 normalized forward EPS, and a three-year model, the tested range spans a bearish $7 area, a base $18 area, and a bullish $34 area. The wide range reflects the cyclical nature of oilfield equipment earnings.
$30 to $36
More likely if oil prices remain supportive, U.S. and international rig counts rise, NOV executes well on margin improvements, free cash flow stays strong, and investors assign a mid-cycle multiple above 20x forward earnings.
$15 to $22
More likely if EPS normalizes toward $0.80 to $1.00, drilling activity is stable to modestly growing, the company maintains its dividend and buyback program, and valuation stays near the current 1.0x book and 0.8x sales area.
$6 to $10
More likely if oil prices fall sharply, drilling budgets are cut, energy-transition policy accelerates, customers consolidate, or net income turns negative again as in prior downturns.
NOV AI technical analysis
NOV AI technical analysis shows a stock in a multi-month uptrend from its 52-week low of $11.78, trading near $18.69 as of the July 10, 2026 data cutoff. The stock has rallied roughly 59% from the low, suggesting positive momentum, but the 52-week high near $21.55 acts as a resistance checkpoint.
| Level | Value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Current price | $18.69 | Based on market data near July 10, 2026. NOV has been trending upward from the November 2025 lows. |
| Near support | $16.50 to $17.00 | The area around prior consolidation levels. A hold above this zone keeps the current uptrend intact. |
| Deeper support | $14.00 to $14.50 | The area around the Q1 2026 trading range. A break below this level would suggest a deeper correction. |
| Near resistance | $20.50 to $21.55 | The 52-week high near $21.55 is the key upside checkpoint. A breakout above this level would be a constructive technical signal. |
| Momentum | Positive YTD, cooling near-term | NOV has gained roughly 17% YTD and over 40% in the past year. Near-term momentum appears to have moderated after the sharp move from the November lows. |
| Volume monitor | About 4.6 million average shares | Yahoo Finance reported average volume of about 4.6 million shares. Watch for volume confirmation on any breakout above $21.55. |
| RSI context | Likely near neutral | After a 59% rally from the 52-week low, RSI may be in neutral territory. A pullback toward moving averages would reset the technical setup. |
| Invalidation | Close below $14.00 | A decisive break below $14.00 would invaliDATE the constructive trend setup and suggest that cyclical headwinds are intensifying. |
NOV AI trading strategy
The NOV AI trading strategy below is a planning framework for risk control, not personal investment advice. It combines trend-following and mean-reversion approaches with fundamental cycle tracking, because NOV is heavily influenced by oil prices, rig counts, and industry capex cycles.
Consider NOV if it holds above $16.50 support and reclaims the $20.50 area. Confirm with rising oil prices, stable rig counts, and positive earnings revision momentum.
Treat a close below $16.50 as a caution signal and a close below $14.00 as trend invalidation. Keep position size moderate due to commodity-cycle risk.
If NOV pulls back toward $16.50 to $17.00 on no structural news, compare the entry with cash flow trends, backlog data, oil price support, and management commentary on cycle positioning.
Do not average down without a defined exit. The mean-reversion thesis fails if oil prices break below key support levels or if drilling activity drops.
Track the July 28, 2026 earnings release, U.S. rig count trends (Baker Hughes), WTI crude oil price action, NOV backlog and margin commentary, free cash flow conversion, and dividend sustainability.
Keep position size tied to evidence. NOV franchise quality does not remove commodity-cycle risk, customer concentration, or energy-transition structural risk.
Investment research summary
NOV sells equipment, components, parts, and services that oil and gas companies need to drill wells, complete them, and produce hydrocarbons. Customers pay because the equipment is certified, field-tested, and supported by a global service network that minimizes drilling downtime.
The moat comes from installed base scale, brand reputation, engineering expertise, field service density, OEM parts requirements, and customer switching costs for certified downhole tools and critical drilling equipment. It is strongest in offshore and complex drilling applications.
The thesis fails if oil prices stay low for an extended period, drilling activity declines structurally, customers consolidate buying power, energy-transition policy reduces long-term hydrocarbon demand, or the company cannot maintain its free cash flow discipline through the cycle.
CEO Clay Williams has led NOV since 2013 through multiple commodity cycles. Management has emphasized free cash flow generation, debt reduction, and shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks, while investing selectively in oilfield and industrial technologies.
NOV operates in the oilfield equipment and services industry, which is tied to global hydrocarbon investment. Long-term demand faces headwinds from the energy transition, while near-to-medium-term demand is supported by underinvestment in supply and the need to maintain existing production.
At $18.69, verified math shows about 74.8x TTM EPS but 20.8x forward EPS, 0.79x sales, 1.07x book, and 8.65x levered FCF. The margin of safety depends on earnings normalizing toward $0.80 to $1.00 per share and the valuation multiple holding above 15x normalized earnings.
Source-backed data
Every metric below includes a source and last verification date.
| Metric | Value | Source | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOV price | $18.69 | Market data near July 10, 2026 | July 10, 2026 |
| Market cap | $6.71 billion | Calculated from price and shares outstanding | July 10, 2026 |
| Shares outstanding | Approximately 359 million | Derived from market cap and price | July 10, 2026 |
| Revenue (TTM) | $8.69 billion | Yahoo Finance key statistics | July 10, 2026 |
| Net income (TTM) | $91 million | Yahoo Finance key statistics | July 10, 2026 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.25 | Yahoo Finance key statistics | July 10, 2026 |
| Forward EPS (implied) | ~$0.90 | Calculated from forward P/E of 20.83x and $18.69 price | July 10, 2026 |
| TTM free cash flow (levered) | $776.5 million | Yahoo Finance key statistics | July 10, 2026 |
| Cash | $1.34 billion | Yahoo Finance key statistics | July 10, 2026 |
| Total debt / equity | 37.3% | Yahoo Finance key statistics | July 10, 2026 |
| Dividend yield | 1.86% ($0.35 annual) | Yahoo Finance key statistics | July 10, 2026 |
| 52-week range | $11.78 to $21.55 | Yahoo Finance summary | July 10, 2026 |
| Trailing P/E | 74.8x | Verified calculation: $18.69 / $0.25 EPS | July 10, 2026 |
| Forward P/E | 20.83x | Yahoo Finance key statistics | July 10, 2026 |
| Price / book | 1.07x | Yahoo Finance key statistics | July 10, 2026 |
| EV / EBITDA | 10.41x | Yahoo Finance key statistics | July 10, 2026 |
| Next earnings date | July 28, 2026 | Yahoo Finance summary | July 10, 2026 |
This NOV AI stock analysis is an informational research tool only and is not investment advice, a recommendation, or a promise of future returns. Forecast ranges are scenarios based on available public data as of July 10, 2026 and can be wrong if oil prices, drilling activity, earnings, energy policy, interest rates, or market multiples change.
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