Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, offshore drilling contractor Noble (NYSE: NE) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Noble's business and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.

Noble facts

Headquarters (founded) Baar, Switzerland (1921)
Market Cap $10.1 billion
Industry Oil and gas drilling
Trailing-12-Month Revenue $2.7 billion
Management Chairman/CEO David Williams (since January 2008)
CFO James MacLennan (since January 2012)
Return on Equity (average, past 3 years) 14.5%
Cash/Debt $239.2 million / $4.1 billion
Dividend Yield 1.3%
Competitors Diamond Offshore
Nabors Industries
Transocean

Sources: S&P Capital IQ and Motley Fool CAPS.

On CAPS, 99% of the 2,305 members who have rated Noble believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward.

A couple of months ago, one of those Fools, danmangrove, highlighted Noble as a solid selection:

The industry is finally learning to deal with the Fed permatorium, and Macondo will finally be in the rear view mirror in 2012. ... [Noble] has several new drillships and high-spec jackups scheduled for delivery in the next three years. Earnings will approach $4 in 2012. I don't see Brent trading below $100 for an extended period, so dayrates will continue to go higher.

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