Based on the aggregated intelligence of 140,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, oilfield service specialist National Oilwell Varco (NYSE:NOV) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

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

National Oilwell facts

Headquarters (Founded)

Houston (1862)

Market Cap

$18.04 billion

Industry

Oil and gas equipment and services

Trailing-12-Month Revenue

$13.91 billion

Management

CEO Merrill Miller, Jr. (since 2001)

CFO Clay Williams (since 2005)

Return on Equity (Average, Past 3 Years)

17.2%

Cash / Debt

$2.29 billion / $881 million

Competitors

Weatherford International (NYSE:WFT)

Smith International (NYSE:SII)

CAPS Members Bullish on NOV Also Bullish on

Vale (NYSE:VALE)

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)

CAPS Members Bearish on NOV Also Bearish on

Transocean (NYSE:RIG)

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX)

Sources: Capital IQ (a division of Standard & Poor's) and Motley Fool CAPS.

On CAPS, 98% of the 2,914 members who have rated National Oilwell believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bulls include ngannet1221 and All-Star PsychoDr, who is ranked in the top 5% of our community.

Just last month, ngannet1221 tapped the stock as a great way to get equipped: "Solid equipment provider to oil and natural gas drilling [operations]; good financials -- well managed cash, more cash on hand than long term debt. Company should do well the next time fossil fuel prices rise."

In an earlier pitch, PsychoDr drills down a little deeper:

Another company that will profit from a gradual improvement in the economy worldwide. They make what the drillers need to run, train the employees of the companies that buy their equipment, and they service what they sell, making it very difficult for a company to move to a competitor after making the initial investments. ... [L]ots of share appreciation as things improve. Lots of contracts to help carry them through the slow time. A very strong company with good positioning for growth going forward.

What do you think about National Oilwell, or any other stock for that matter? Make your voice heard on Motley Fool CAPS today. The CAPS community is waiting to hear your opinions. CAPS is 100% free, so get started!