Tearsheet

Core Laboratories (CLB)


Market Price (12/5/2025): $16.48 | Market Cap: $762.4 Mil
Sector: Energy | Industry: Oil & Gas Equipment & Services

Core Laboratories (CLB)


Market Price (12/5/2025): $16.48
Market Cap: $762.4 Mil
Sector: Energy
Industry: 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


0 Attractive yield
Total 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 returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -57%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -93%
Weak revenue growth
Rev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -1.0%
1 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Hydrocarbon Efficiency & Optimization. Themes include Advanced Reservoir Characterization, and Production Optimization Technologies.
Meaningful short interest
Short Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 10%
 
0 Attractive yield
Total 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%
1 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Hydrocarbon Efficiency & Optimization. Themes include Advanced Reservoir Characterization, and Production Optimization Technologies.
2 Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -57%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -93%
3 Meaningful short interest
Short Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 10%
4 Weak revenue growth
Rev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -1.0%

Valuation, Metrics & Events

CLB Stock


Why The Stock Moved


Qualitative Assessment

AI Generated Analysis | Feedback

Here are the key points for Core Laboratories (CLB) stock movement from approximately August 31, 2025, to December 5, 2025:

1. Core Laboratories reported sequential improvements in its third-quarter 2025 financial results. Despite missing analyst expectations for both earnings per share (EPS) and revenue, the company achieved sequential increases in operating income, operating margins, and EPS (excluding certain items). This performance, though a miss against forecasts, saw the stock experience a notable premarket increase of 16.6% on October 23, 2025.

2. The company completed a strategic acquisition in Brazil during the third quarter of 2025. On September 30, 2025, Core Laboratories announced the strategic acquisition of Brazil-based Solintec, a geological services provider. This acquisition was intended to enhance Core Lab's capabilities in the strategically important South Atlantic Margin and included an earn-out feature, tying a portion of the purchase price to Solintec's future performance.

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Stock Movement Drivers

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
CLB Return-29%-16%-9%-13%-2%-4%-55%
Peers Return-16%-9%276%-13%-7%-9%113%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%17%112%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
CLB Win Rate50%33%50%33%50%50% 
Peers Win Rate17%17%25%15%30%30% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%75%42%67%75%70% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
CLB Max Drawdown-79%-17%-40%-17%-20%-44% 
Peers Max Drawdown-32%-15%-3%-19%-17%-28% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-31%-1%-25%-1%-2%-15% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: CLMT, NINE, HMH, WBI, BKR. 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 12/4/2025 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

Unique KeyEventCLBS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-72.4%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven262.4%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-80.6%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven416.1%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven358 days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-71.7%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven252.8%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days120 days
2008 Global Financial Crisis2008 Global Financial Crisis  
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Loss% Loss-65.7%-56.8%
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven191.8%131.3%
2008 Global Financial CrisisTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven498 days1480 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

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Asset Allocation

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About Core Laboratories (CLB)

Better Bets than Core Laboratories (CLB)

Latest Trefis Analyses

Trade Ideas

Select past ideas related to CLB. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.

Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
WHD_11212025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11212025WHDCactusDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
11.8%11.8%0.0%
OVV_10172025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield10172025OVVOvintivDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
17.7%17.7%0.0%
COP_10102025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield10102025COPConocoPhillipsDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
5.7%5.7%-2.3%
HAL_10102025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield10102025HALHalliburtonDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
25.5%25.5%-0.7%
OXY_10102025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield10102025OXYOccidental PetroleumDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
0.7%0.7%-5.7%
Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
WHD_11212025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11212025WHDCactusDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
11.8%11.8%0.0%
OVV_10172025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield10172025OVVOvintivDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
17.7%17.7%0.0%
COP_10102025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield10102025COPConocoPhillipsDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
5.7%5.7%-2.3%
HAL_10102025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield10102025HALHalliburtonDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
25.5%25.5%-0.7%
OXY_10102025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield10102025OXYOccidental PetroleumDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
0.7%0.7%-5.7%

Recent Active Movers

Recent Active Movers

More From Trefis

Peer Comparisons for Core Laboratories

Peers to compare with:

Financials

CLBCLMTNINEHMHWBIBKRMedian
NameCore Lab.Calumet Nine Ene.HMH WaterBri.Baker Hu. 
Mkt Price16.4919.450.46-22.4650.6119.45
Mkt Cap0.81.70.0--49.91.2
Rev LTM5184,070571844-27,711844
Op Inc LTM46-24412108-3,53546
FCF LTM34-200-718-2,08918
FCF 3Y Avg29-298-3--1,92413
CFO LTM50-1271035-3,33835
CFO 3Y Avg41-5221--3,14731

Growth & Margins

CLBCLMTNINEHMHWBIBKRMedian
NameCore Lab.Calumet Nine Ene.HMH WaterBri.Baker Hu. 
Rev Chg LTM-1.0%-4.6%2.6%3.9%-1.5%1.5%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg2.1%-1.5%3.2%--10.4%2.6%
Rev Chg Q0.1%-9.4%-4.4%-1.9%-1.5%-1.9%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM0.0%-2.6%-1.1%-0.5%-0.4%-0.5%
Op Mgn LTM8.9%-6.0%2.0%12.8%-12.8%8.9%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg10.0%0.9%2.9%--11.6%6.4%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM0.0%-2.7%-0.7%-0.8%-0.0%-0.7%
CFO/Rev LTM9.6%-3.1%1.7%4.1%-12.0%4.1%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg7.9%-1.3%3.5%--11.9%5.7%
FCF/Rev LTM6.6%-4.9%-1.2%2.1%-7.5%2.1%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg5.6%-7.1%-0.5%--7.3%2.5%

Valuation

CLBCLMTNINEHMHWBIBKRMedian
NameCore Lab.Calumet Nine Ene.HMH WaterBri.Baker Hu. 
Mkt Cap0.81.70.0--49.91.2
P/S1.10.30.0--1.70.7
P/EBIT10.4-6.22.0--14.36.2
P/E17.8-3.0-0.6--16.68.0
P/CFO11.5-10.82.6--14.47.1
Total Yield5.8%-33.0%-156.9%--7.9%-13.6%
Dividend Yield0.2%0.0%0.0%--1.9%0.1%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg3.9%--8.1%--4.9%3.9%
D/E0.31.714.4--0.11.0
Net D/E0.21.613.9--0.10.9

Returns

CLBCLMTNINEHMHWBIBKRMedian
NameCore Lab.Calumet Nine Ene.HMH WaterBri.Baker Hu. 
1M Rtn4.2%-1.4%-7.5%--7.9%10.1%-1.4%
3M Rtn32.2%14.1%-30.1%--9.8%12.0%
6M Rtn50.6%47.2%-5.0%--37.6%42.4%
12M Rtn-18.0%-13.6%-70.1%--21.5%-15.8%
3Y Rtn-20.8%--94.9%--89.2%-20.8%
1M Excs Rtn2.9%-2.7%-8.7%--9.1%8.8%-2.7%
3M Excs Rtn25.0%3.2%-35.7%--5.8%4.5%
6M Excs Rtn35.1%31.8%-20.4%--22.1%27.0%
12M Excs Rtn-34.7%-27.0%-86.0%--4.9%-30.8%
3Y Excs Rtn-93.5%--168.5%--16.4%-93.5%

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment

$ Mil20242023202220212020
Reservoir Description334308314355421
Production Enhancement177182157133248
Corporate & Other-0-1-1-1-1
Total510490470487668


Operating Income by Segment
$ Mil20242023202220212020
Reservoir Description4123295555
Production Enhancement131615-13338
Corporate & Other12123
Total554245-7797


Assets by Segment
$ Mil20242023202220212020
Reservoir Description309307305327343
Production Enhancement161160142130280
Corporate & Other116112133112151
Total586578581569775


Price Behavior

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date11142025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity4,744,802
Short Interest: % Change Since 10312025-14.0%
Average Daily Volume535,640
Days-to-Cover Short Interest8.86
Basic Shares Quantity46,263,000
Short % of Basic Shares10.3%

SEC Filings

Expand for More

Report DateFiling DateFiling
93020251023202510-Q 9/30/2025
6302025725202510-Q 6/30/2025
3312025428202510-Q 3/31/2025
12312024213202510-K 12/31/2024
93020241024202410-Q 9/30/2024
6302024725202410-Q 6/30/2024
3312024425202410-Q 3/31/2024
12312023215202410-K 12/31/2023
93020231102202310-Q 9/30/2023
6302023727202310-Q 6/30/2023
3312023427202310-Q 3/31/2023
12312022210202310-K 12/31/2022
93020221028202210-Q 9/30/2022
6302022728202210-Q 6/30/2022
3312022428202210-Q 3/31/2022
12312021210202210-K 12/31/2021