Schlumberger Ltd. (NYSE:SLB)

The financial data indicates a clear upward trend in profitability and efficiency metrics from early 2020 through the projected periods into 2025.

Gross Profit Margin

Starting from a base without initial data, the gross profit margin shows a steady increase beginning in March 2021, rising from 11.02% to a peak of about 20.56% in September 2024. After this peak, a slight decline is observed in the final quarters, ending around 20.01% by June 2025. This demonstrates a consistent improvement in core profitability over time with marginal volatility towards the end of the period.

Operating Profit Margin

Operating profit margin exhibits significant volatility in 2020, with a substantial negative margin of -46.62% in September 2020 that improves drastically by March 2021 to positive territory at 7.72%. From there, the margin increases gradually, reaching a steady range around 16% between March 2023 and September 2024. A moderate decline is apparent afterward, ending at 14.82% in June 2025. This pattern suggests initial operational challenges that were overcome, leading to sustained operational profitability with slight recent softness.

Net Profit Margin

Net profit margin follows a similar trend to the operating margin, beginning with a deep negative figure of -44.57% in September 2020 and recovering to positive values thereafter. The margin gradually increases, peaking near 12.97% in December 2023, and then shows a minor downtrend, settling at approximately 11.53% by June 2025. This reflects overall improvements in net profitability with some margin pressure emerging in the latest quarters.

Return on Equity (ROE)

ROE shows pronounced volatility early on with a sharp negative low of -87.13% in September 2020. A strong recovery phase follows, with ROE climbing steadily to reach over 21% between December 2023 and June 2025. The data reveals a robust improvement in shareholder return, indicating effective capital utilization and increased profitability after initial losses. Slight fluctuations toward the end suggest stabilization at a high level.

Return on Assets (ROA)

ROA similarly starts from negative values in 2020, bottoming near -24.79% in September 2020. An ascending trajectory ensues with ROA reaching just over 9% in the 2024 period before a small decline near 8.39% by mid-2025. This trend illustrates improving asset efficiency and profitability, consistent with the other return metrics, despite some small recent weakening.

Overall, the financial ratios reflect a company that experienced significant operational and profitability difficulties in the earlier periods circa 2020. However, there is a strong, sustained recovery visible from 2021 onwards across all key profitability and return measures. The growth in margins and returns suggests enhanced management effectiveness, improved operational efficiency, and strengthened financial health. Recent modest declines in some indicators may warrant monitoring but do not materially alter the clear positive trajectory established over the years analyzed.

Revenue Trends

Revenue exhibited an overall increasing trend from March 2020 through December 2024, starting at 7,455 million US dollars and rising to a peak of 9,284 million US dollars in March 2024. There were some fluctuations, notably a dip in the middle of 2020 coinciding with 2020 global events. After this period, revenue recovered and demonstrated strong growth through 2023 and early 2024. In the final two quarters presented, however, revenue declined to 8,490 and 8,546 million US dollars respectively.

Gross Margin Behavior

The gross margin followed a generally upward trajectory over the reported quarters. Beginning at 831 million US dollars in March 2020, gross margin decreased sharply to 431 million by June 2020, reflecting initial challenges. Subsequently, gross margin steadily increased and reached a high of 1,972 million US dollars in December 2024. Some quarters showed slight declines or plateaus, particularly in the final reported quarters where margins decreased to the range of 1,606 to 1,612 million US dollars. Overall, the gross margin increased at a faster rate than revenue, indicating improved cost management or pricing power.

Gross Profit Margin Percentage

The gross profit margin percentage, available from September 2020 onwards, demonstrated a consistent upward trend. It began at approximately 11.02% in September 2020 and increased steadily to cross 20% by late 2023. The margin peaked at 20.56% in September 2024 before declining slightly to 20.42% and 20.01% in subsequent quarters. This pattern suggests progressive improvement in profitability relative to revenue, reflecting operational efficiencies or favorable market conditions, although some volatility appeared near the end of the period.

Summary of Financial Performance

The data reveals a recovery and growth phase following an initial downturn in early 2020. Revenue and gross margin both experienced growth over the multi-year period, with gross margin improving more proportionally, supported by a rising gross profit margin percentage. The firm appeared to enhance profitability and optimize cost structure. However, the slight recent declines in revenue and gross margin indicate potential emerging challenges or market fluctuations as of the latest periods. Overall, the financial indicators point toward strengthening operational performance with some caution warranted for future quarters.

Operating Income (Loss)

The operating income demonstrated a significant negative value at the start of the period, with a loss of -7,992 million USD at March 31, 2020. This loss progressively improved through the year 2020, turning into positive territory by September 30, 2020, and showing a steady increase through to the end of 2021. From 2022 onwards, the operating income continued to rise generally, reaching peaks above 1450 million USD in several quarters, although some fluctuations appear in the later quarters, with a slight decrease observed in early 2025.

Revenue

Revenue experienced a decline moving from 7,455 million USD at the beginning of 2020 to a trough of around 5,223 million USD in March 2021, reflecting a contraction in business activity during that time. However, revenue recovered steadily from mid-2021, surpassing pre-2020 levels by the end of 2022, peaking near 9,159 million USD in late 2024. A small dip is seen towards the first half of 2025 but remains at relatively elevated levels compared to the earlier periods.

Operating Profit Margin

The operating profit margin was initially negative through the first quarters of 2020, with the lowest recorded at approximately -46.62%. A marked improvement occurred throughout 2020 and 2021, leading to positive margins above 7% starting March 2021 and further rising to over 12% by the end of 2021. Entering 2022, the margin consistently increased, reaching a peak of around 16.55% in June 2024, before experiencing a mild decline to around 14.82% by mid-2025. This trend indicates improving operational efficiency and profitability during the period analyzed.

Overall Analysis

Over the time span covered, there is a clear trend of recovery and growth after a sharp downturn in early 2020, presumably related to adverse external conditions. Operating income and revenue both declined significantly initially but showed sustained improvement and growth afterward. Operating profit margin followed a parallel trend, moving from deep losses to strong positive returns, indicating enhanced operational performance and possibly favorable market conditions or cost management. Some volatility is present in the latest quarters, suggesting attention may be needed to sustain profitability at high levels.

The financial data reveals a notable recovery and growth trajectory over the analyzed quarters. Beginning with net income (loss) figures, the company experienced significant negative values in early 2020, with a loss of $7,376 million reported in the first quarter, which sharply improved in subsequent quarters. By the end of 2020, net income shifted to positive territory, and this upward trend continued steadily through to the first quarter of 2024, where values reached a peak above $1,100 million. Although slight fluctuations were observed from mid-2024 to mid-2025, net income remained robust and positive, indicating sustained profitability.

Revenue figures showed some volatility but generally followed an upward trend from 2020 through 2024. Initially, revenue declined to around $5,355 million in the second quarter of 2020, reflecting challenges during the period, but then consistently increased, surpassing $9,000 million in several quarters during 2023 and 2024. Some periodic declines occurred, particularly towards the middle of 2025, suggesting potential market or operational pressures. Despite these fluctuations, the overall revenue level remained substantially higher compared to the early quarters of 2020.

Net profit margin percentages were not provided for the initial quarters but began showing data from the third quarter of 2020. At that point, the margin was deeply negative at approximately -44.57%, improving significantly to a near break-even position by the end of 2020. From 2021 onward, net profit margin consistently increased, reaching and stabilizing around the 12% mark. Margins slightly receded toward the end of the data series but remained strong, indicative of improved operational efficiency and cost management alongside revenue growth.

Net Income Trends

Transition from steep losses in early 2020 to consistent profitability; peak levels sustained into 2024 with minor fluctuations thereafter.

Revenue Trends

Initial decline in early 2020 followed by steady growth through 2023 and 2024; some revenue dips noted in mid-2025 suggesting external or internal challenges.

Net Profit Margin

Severe negative margins in 2020 recovered rapidly, reaching stable double-digit percentages (around 12%) from 2021 onward, implying improved profitability and efficiency.

Overall, the data discloses a company that faced considerable hardships at the onset of 2020 but managed to achieve a strong turnaround in terms of profitability and revenue. The effective improvement in profit margins alongside increasing revenues highlights positive operational adjustments and a favorable market environment during most of the reviewed period. The modest declines in late 2024 and 2025 warrant attention to identify and address underlying causes to maintain financial stability.

The financial performance exhibits notable volatility from March 2020 through June 2025, as reflected by net income and return on equity (ROE) figures. Initially, the net income showed significant losses, with the lowest point at -7,376 million US dollars in the first quarter of 2020 and a continued loss trend into the third quarter of 2020. This was followed by a recovery trend starting in the last quarter of 2020, where net income turned positive and gradually increased until it peaked near the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024. After reaching this elevated level, net income demonstrated some fluctuation, maintaining generally elevated values but showing a slight decline towards mid-2025.

Stockholders’ equity shows a steady upward trajectory from about 12,000 million US dollars in the middle of 2020 to a peak exceeding 21,000 million US dollars in early 2025, indicating sustained capital growth and retained earnings accumulation. There is a slight dip in the equity value in mid-2025, which may warrant further investigation.

ROE, which was not reported before the third quarter of 2020, initially reflected negative returns at -87.13% and -22.67%, corresponding to the periods of large net income losses. Subsequently, ROE improved steadily, turning positive and rising consistently to reach levels above 20% from early 2022 onward. The ROE remains relatively stable with minor fluctuations around 20-21% through 2025, suggesting efficient utilization of equity capital following the recovery phase.

Net Income Trend

Initial heavy losses in early 2020 with gradual recovery and consistent profitability from late 2020 onwards, peaking around 2023-2024, followed by relatively stable but slightly fluctuating profits through 2025.

Total Stockholders’ Equity Trend

Continual growth from 2020 to early 2025 indicating strengthening capital base, with a minor dip in mid-2025 that could be related to changes in profitability or dividends.

Return on Equity (ROE) Trend

Highly negative returns in 2020 correlating with large losses, followed by a sharp turnaround to stable and robust returns above 20% from 2022 through 2025, reflecting improved operational efficiency and profitability relative to equity.

Overall, the data suggests a strong recovery and stabilization phase after significant challenges in 2020, with durable equity growth and consistent profitability enhancing shareholder value in subsequent years.

The data reveals distinct trends over the periods under review, specifically in net income attributable to the company, total assets, and return on assets (ROA). Each metric exhibits notable fluctuations and developments that provide insight into the company's financial performance and asset utilization.

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to the Company (US$ in millions)

The net income shows a significant turnaround from a large loss of -7,376 million US dollars in the first quarter of 2020 to steadily positive values thereafter. Initial quarters in 2020 highlight a progressive improvement from substantial losses to breakeven and then surplus income, signaling recovery. From 2021 onward, net income consistently remains positive, exhibiting growth peaking around 1,186 million by the third quarter of 2024. However, some fluctuations are noted with slight decreases in certain quarters, such as a decline to 797 million in the second quarter of 2025 before rising slightly again. Overall, the trend suggests strengthening profitability following initial adversity.

Total Assets (US$ in millions)

Total assets show a declining trend during the early periods, dropping from 48,594 million in the first quarter of 2020 to approximately 40,908 million by mid-2021. From this point, a gradual recovery and growth are apparent, with assets increasing to a peak around 49,775 million by the third quarter of 2024. The trend then slightly reverses or stabilizes near 48,700 million towards mid-2025. The initial decline possibly reflects asset disposals or depreciation amid challenging conditions, followed by expansion or asset accumulation in later periods.

Return on Assets (ROA, %)

ROA data starts with highly negative values in 2020 (almost -25% at the end of Q3 and improving to -6.76% by year-end), reflecting the net losses and possibly inefficient use of assets during that period. From March 2021 onward, ROA turns positive and shows a clear upward trajectory, indicating improved profitability relative to asset base. This metric increases progressively, reaching levels near or above 9% by 2024, suggesting enhanced operational efficiency or improved asset utilization. Slight variability is present in later quarters, but the general trend is sustained improvement.

In summary, the data depict a recovery phase following significant early losses, with simultaneous growth in asset base and enhanced return on assets. The company appears to have transitioned from a period of severe financial stress to one of consistent profitability and asset growth, maintaining a stable return on assets above 8% in the more recent periods. This pattern points to a strengthening financial position and effective management of resources over the observed time frame.