Why Were These Energy Results So Mixed?

Last Wednesday, Halliburton (NYSE: HAL  ) kicked of a busy week of Q3 earnings releases for the oil and gas services sector. With its net profit down 12% year over year, investors were cautious heading into Friday's releases from Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB  ) and Baker Hughes International (NYSE: BHI  ) . What shareholders got was a mixed bag from both of these companies relative to Halliburton's results.

For the quarter, Schlumberger largely outperformed both of its peers, while Halliburton and Baker Hughes each had different reasons for their down quarter -- slowing growth in North American drilling for Halliburton and weaker margins internationally for Baker Hughes, to name a couple. Take a look at the following video for a better picture of why such stark differences existed in Q3 and how they our analysts see the near future progressing.

To capitalize on a resurgence in North American drilling, especially in the Gulf of Mexico, as these three service companies see in the future, take a look at Seadrill. This offshore driller is primed and ready to profit off any uptick in offshore drilling activity. To learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of the company, as well as what to expect from Seadrill going forward, be sure to check out this brand-new premium report one of our top Stock Advisor analysts has put together. Get started.