Bull of the Day: Helix Energy (HLX)

As energy prices have rallied sharply off their 2017 lows, stocks in the energy sector have gone along for the ride. Once among the most at-risk stocks, offshore energy companies are thriving once again. That doesn’t mean that you can just go out there and buy any energy stock you lay your hands on. By finding stocks in the industry with positive earnings estimate revisions, you can pinpoint the stocks that analysts are most bullish on. This can provide you with a winning edge.

One such stock is today’s Bull of the Day Helix Energy Solutions (HLX). Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc., an offshore energy services company, provides specialty services to the offshore energy industry primarily in Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, North Sea, the Asia Pacific, and West Africa regions. The company operates through three segments: Well Intervention, Robotics, and Production Facilities. The company engineers, manages, and conducts well construction, intervention, and abandonment operations in water depths ranging from 200 to 10,000 feet; and operates remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), trenchers, and drills for offshore construction and well intervention services.

Right now, the company is a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). The reason for the favorable Zacks Rank lies in the recent activity regarding earnings estimates from analysts. Over the last week alone, analysts have increased their earnings estimates for the current quarter, current year, and next year. The bullish sentiment has pushed up our Zacks Consensus Estimate from 5 cents to 12 cents for the current quarter, helping to move the current year consensus up from 15 cents to 18 cents.

A quick look at the Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise chart shows the healthy earnings trend. The company has beat or met earnings estimates for twelve consecutive quarters. Last quarter’s number came in at 12 cents, doubling consensus estimates calling for just 6 cents.

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