Core Laboratories (CLB)
Market Price (12/18/2025): $16.21 | Market Cap: $749.9 MilSector: Energy | Industry: Oil & Gas Equipment & Services
Core Laboratories (CLB)
Market Price (12/18/2025): $16.21Market Cap: $749.9 MilSector: EnergyIndustry: Oil & Gas Equipment & Services
Investment Highlights
Why It Matters
Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?
1. Generates cash flow
The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.
2. Riding a trend
Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 5.8%, FCF Yield is 6.0% | Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -51%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -81% | Expensive valuation multiplesP/CFOPrice/(Cash Flow from Operations). CFO is cash before capital expenditures. is 12x |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Hydrocarbon Efficiency & Optimization. Themes include Advanced Reservoir Characterization, and Production Optimization Technologies. | Weak revenue growthRev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -1.0% | |
| Key risksCLB key risks include [1] intense competition creating significant margin pressures, Show more. |
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 5.8%, FCF Yield is 6.0% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Hydrocarbon Efficiency & Optimization. Themes include Advanced Reservoir Characterization, and Production Optimization Technologies. |
| Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -51%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -81% |
| Expensive valuation multiplesP/CFOPrice/(Cash Flow from Operations). CFO is cash before capital expenditures. is 12x |
| Weak revenue growthRev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -1.0% |
| Key risksCLB key risks include [1] intense competition creating significant margin pressures, Show more. |
Valuation, Metrics & Events
CLB Stock
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Generated Analysis | Feedback
The provided search results contain information about Core Laboratories (CLB) for the period between August 31, 2025, and December 18, 2025. This includes Q3 2025 earnings, an acquisition, share repurchases, and analyst ratings, along with some historical stock performance data within that period. However, none of the search results explicitly state that CLB's stock moved by exactly 40.9% during the specified timeframe. Instead, some snippets provide daily and monthly movements, and a "year-to-date return of -12.77%" and "decreased 25.87% over the last 12 months" as of November 2025. One analyst forecast from July 2025 suggests a "Hold" rating and an average price target that forecasts a -24.15% decrease over the next year. Another source from December 16, 2025, mentions the stock "fell by -3.25% on the last day" and is "up by 2.23% over the past 2 weeks".
Given the prompt's instruction to "highlight the key points for why the stocked moved by 40.9%" and the absence of a confirmed 40.9% movement in the search results, I will focus on the significant events that *did* occur during this period, which would have influenced the stock's performance, without confirming the specific 40.9% rise. I will list up to 5 key points.
Here are the key points regarding Core Laboratories (CLB) from August 31, 2025, to December 18, 2025:
1. Core Laboratories Announced Q3 2025 Financial Results: Core Laboratories reported its third-quarter 2025 financial results on October 22, 2025. The company reported revenue of $134.5 million, which was up over 3% sequentially but flat year-over-year. GAAP EPS was $0.30, while EPS excluding items was $0.22, up 16% sequentially. The company showed sequential improvement in operating income, operating margins, and earnings per share.
2. Q3 2025 Earnings Miss Against Forecasts: Despite some sequential improvements, Core Laboratories' Q3 2025 earnings significantly missed market expectations. EPS came in at $0.22 compared to the forecasted $0.35, a 37.14% negative surprise. Revenue also fell short at $134.5 million against the expected $160.5 million, a 16.2% miss.
Stock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| CLB Return | -29% | -16% | -9% | -13% | -2% | -7% | -57% |
| Peers Return | -25% | 1512% | 64% | 20% | -16% | 7% | 2053% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 14% | 108% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| CLB Win Rate | 50% | 33% | 50% | 33% | 50% | 50% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 40% | 45% | 65% | 52% | 42% | 67% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 73% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| CLB Max Drawdown | -79% | -17% | -40% | -17% | -20% | -44% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -56% | -6% | -10% | -19% | -26% | -26% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: SLB, HAL, BKR, WFRD, NOV. See CLB Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/17/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | CLB | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -72.4% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 262.4% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -80.6% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 416.1% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 358 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -71.7% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 252.8% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 120 days |
| 2008 Global Financial Crisis | ||
| % Loss | -65.7% | -56.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 191.8% | 131.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 498 days | 1480 days |
Compare to CLMT, NINE, HMH, WBI, BKR
In The Past
Core Laboratories's stock fell -72.4% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 6/10/2021. A -72.4% loss requires a 262.4% gain to breakeven.
Preserve Wealth
Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.
Asset Allocation
Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.
Latest Trefis Analyses
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to CLB. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | WHD | Cactus | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 6.8% | 6.8% | 0.0% |
| 10172025 | OVV | Ovintiv | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.4% | 4.4% | 0.0% |
| 10102025 | COP | ConocoPhillips | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.5% | 4.5% | -2.3% |
| 10102025 | HAL | Halliburton | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 24.5% | 24.5% | -0.7% |
| 10102025 | OXY | Occidental Petroleum | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | -7.1% | -7.1% | -7.1% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | WHD | Cactus | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 6.8% | 6.8% | 0.0% |
| 10172025 | OVV | Ovintiv | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.4% | 4.4% | 0.0% |
| 10102025 | COP | ConocoPhillips | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.5% | 4.5% | -2.3% |
| 10102025 | HAL | Halliburton | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 24.5% | 24.5% | -0.7% |
| 10102025 | OXY | Occidental Petroleum | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | -7.1% | -7.1% | -7.1% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for Core Laboratories
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 33.13 |
| Mkt Cap | 5.7 |
| Rev LTM | 15,456 |
| Op Inc LTM | 1,960 |
| FCF LTM | 1,376 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 1,211 |
| CFO LTM | 2,243 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 1,953 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | -1.8% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | 8.8% |
| Rev Chg Q | -1.2% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | -0.3% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 13.6% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 13.7% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | -0.8% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 13.8% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 13.1% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 8.1% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 8.2% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 5.7 |
| P/S | 1.0 |
| P/EBIT | 8.5 |
| P/E | 14.4 |
| P/CFO | 7.0 |
| Total Yield | 9.4% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.3% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 8.1% |
| D/E | 0.4 |
| Net D/E | 0.2 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | 6.0% |
| 3M Rtn | 21.8% |
| 6M Rtn | 21.8% |
| 12M Rtn | 7.5% |
| 3Y Rtn | -14.1% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | 5.2% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | 18.6% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | 9.4% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | -9.5% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -81.6% |
Comparison Analyses
Segment Financials
Revenue by Segment
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reservoir Description | 334 | 308 | 314 | 355 | 421 |
| Production Enhancement | 177 | 182 | 157 | 133 | 248 |
| Corporate & Other | -0 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 |
| Total | 510 | 490 | 470 | 487 | 668 |
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reservoir Description | 41 | 23 | 29 | 55 | 55 |
| Production Enhancement | 13 | 16 | 15 | -133 | 38 |
| Corporate & Other | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Total | 55 | 42 | 45 | -77 | 97 |
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reservoir Description | 309 | 307 | 305 | 327 | 343 |
| Production Enhancement | 161 | 160 | 142 | 130 | 280 |
| Corporate & Other | 116 | 112 | 133 | 112 | 151 |
| Total | 586 | 578 | 581 | 569 | 775 |
Returns Analyses
Earnings Returns History
Expand for More| Forward Returns | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Date | 1D Returns | 5D Returns | 21D Returns |
| 10/22/2025 | 28.8% | 26.2% | 8.8% |
| 7/23/2025 | 5.9% | -11.7% | -17.0% |
| 4/23/2025 | -3.8% | -5.8% | -9.5% |
| 1/29/2025 | -4.3% | -3.8% | -21.0% |
| 10/23/2024 | 10.9% | 12.9% | 23.7% |
| 7/24/2024 | 10.6% | 11.2% | -17.7% |
| 4/24/2024 | 3.3% | -5.0% | 9.7% |
| 1/31/2024 | -4.7% | -7.4% | -1.9% |
| ... | |||
| SUMMARY STATS | |||
| # Positive | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| # Negative | 4 | 6 | 7 |
| Median Positive | 8.2% | 12.0% | 9.7% |
| Median Negative | -4.0% | -6.6% | -14.0% |
| Max Positive | 28.8% | 26.2% | 23.7% |
| Max Negative | -4.7% | -11.7% | -21.0% |
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 9302025 | 10232025 | 10-Q 9/30/2025 |
| 6302025 | 7252025 | 10-Q 6/30/2025 |
| 3312025 | 4282025 | 10-Q 3/31/2025 |
| 12312024 | 2132025 | 10-K 12/31/2024 |
| 9302024 | 10242024 | 10-Q 9/30/2024 |
| 6302024 | 7252024 | 10-Q 6/30/2024 |
| 3312024 | 4252024 | 10-Q 3/31/2024 |
| 12312023 | 2152024 | 10-K 12/31/2023 |
| 9302023 | 11022023 | 10-Q 9/30/2023 |
| 6302023 | 7272023 | 10-Q 6/30/2023 |
| 3312023 | 4272023 | 10-Q 3/31/2023 |
| 12312022 | 2102023 | 10-K 12/31/2022 |
| 9302022 | 10282022 | 10-Q 9/30/2022 |
| 6302022 | 7282022 | 10-Q 6/30/2022 |
| 3312022 | 4282022 | 10-Q 3/31/2022 |
| 12312021 | 2102022 | 10-K 12/31/2021 |
Industry Resources
External Quote Links
| Y Finance | Barrons |
| TradingView | Morningstar |
| SeekingAlpha | ValueLine |
| Motley Fool | Robinhood |
| CNBC | Etrade |
| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |