Oil-Service Shares Higher On Earnings Reports, Inventory Data

By Steve Gelsi

Energy stocks rose along with crude prices Wednesday as a greater-than-expected increase in weekly petroleum inventories enforced the possibility of production cuts from OPEC.

Strong earnings reports from National Oilwell Varco (NOV) and NiSource (NI) also stoked buying with oil-service shares leading gains among the three major energy sector indexes.

U.S. crude oil supplies rose 7.2 million barrels in the week ended Jan. 30, according to the Energy Information Administration. Analysts surveyed by Platts expected a build-up of 2.9 million barrels of oil in the past week. Gasoline stocks rose by 300,000 barrels, less than expected.

The Amex Oil Index (XOI) rose 1.4% to 955, led by a rise of 6.5% to $39.94 from Anadarko Petroleum (APC).

The Amex Natural Gas Index (XNG) rose 2.8% to 390, with component El Paso (EP) up more than 5% to $8.64.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Index (OSXX) rose 4.6% to 130. Component Halliburton (HAL) rose 6% to $18.43.

Crude for March delivery gained 65 cents to $41.43 a barrel. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said January production fell 3.7% to 26.23 million barrels of oil a day from 27.24 million barrels a day in December.

NiSource jumped 7% to $10.41 after it posted a higher fourth-quarter profit, beating Wall Street expectations.

Devon Energy (DVN) fell 4.3% to $59.26 after it booked a $6.8 billion loss on the marked down value of its oil and natural gas properties.

National Oilwell Varco rallied 8% to $27.74 after it reported a 55% jump in profit after absorbing its acquisition of Grant Prideco last year.

Cameron International (CAM) jumped 3.2% to $21.91, regaining a big chunk of its losses from the previous session. Analysts at Pritchard Capital said Cameron provided full-year profit targets on a conference call, unlike most of its peers, in a move that "reflects well on management confidence."

-Steve Gelsi; 415-439-6400; [e-mail]