Halliburton operating income at $623 mln

Halliburton announced today that income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2014 was $623 million, or $0.73 per diluted share.

This compares to income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2013 of $624 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, excluding a $637 million charge, after-tax, or $0.68 per diluted share, to increase a reserve related to the Macondo litigation. Reported loss from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2013 was $13 million, or $0.01 per diluted share.

Halliburton’s total revenue in the first quarter of 2014 was $7.3 billion, compared to $7.0 billion in the first quarter of 2013. Operating income was $970 million in the first quarter of 2014, compared to adjusted operating income of $902 million in the first quarter of 2013. Reported operating loss was $98 million for the first quarter of 2013.

“I am pleased with total company revenue of $7.3 billion, which was a record first quarter for Halliburton,” commented Dave Lesar, chairman, president and chief executive officer.

“Operating income of $970 million was 8% higher than adjusted operating income in the first quarter of 2013, and was the result of our double-digit growth in the Eastern Hemisphere.

“In the Eastern Hemisphere, we continue to successfully execute our growth strategy. Relative to the first quarter of 2013, we grew revenue by 11% and operating income by 16%. We continue to forecast that full-year Eastern Hemisphere revenue growth will be in the low double digits, and average full year margins will be in the upper teens.

“In the Middle East/Asia region, compared to the first quarter of the prior year, both revenue and operating income increased by 13%. Saudi Arabia led the improvement with growth across all product lines due to an increase in integrated project activity along with an overall higher rig count that is driving increased services.

“In Europe/Africa/CIS, relative to the first quarter of 2013, we saw revenue and operating income increase 9% and 21%, respectively. The improvement was led by higher completion tools sales and cementing activity throughout the region, and increased drilling and open hole wireline activity in Angola.

“In Latin America, revenue and operating income declined by 9% and 8%, respectively, compared to the same quarter last year, primarily due to a decline in drilling-related activity in Brazil and activity reductions in Mexico. For the full year, we expect Latin America revenue and operating income to be in line with 2013 levels.

“In North America, revenue increased 5% and operating income was flat compared to the first quarter of 2013. Results were negatively impacted by lower pressure pumping pricing and transitory issues related to weather disruption and higher logistics costs. We are optimistic about the potential for increased activity levels in the second half of the year, and expect North America margins to expand over the remainder of 2014. Service intensity levels are expanding across the United States, where we continue to see a trend to longer laterals, increased stage density, and rising volumes per stage. We continue to expect North America margins to approach 20% before the end of the year.

“Our strategy is working well and we intend to stay the course. I am optimistic about our ability to grow our North America revenue and margins, and to realize industry-leading revenue and margin growth in our international business, resulting in solid EPS growth and significantly higher cash generation. We expect earnings per share to grow approximately 25% in the second quarter, with further increases to follow. We remain focused on generating superior financial performance and providing industry-leading shareholder returns, as evidenced by our $500 million share repurchase this quarter,” concluded Lesar.

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Press Release, April 21, 2014