9 Oil Stocks With Hot Prospects

Investor takeaway: Its shares are down 2.5% this year, but have a three-year, average annual return of 4.9%. Analysts give its shares eight "buy" ratings, seven "buy/holds," 14 "holds," and one "sell," according to a survey of analysts by S&P. Analysts' consensus estimate is for earnings of $3.75 per share this year, growing by 15%, to $4.31 per share, next year. S&P has it rated "buy" with a $56 price target, a 19% premium to the current price.

4. Superior Energy Services(SPN)

Company profile: Superior, with a market value of $3.3 billion, provides specialized oil-field services and equipment to oil and gas exploration companies both onshore and offshore. Its products include electronic torque and pressure-control equipment,

Investor takeaway: Its shares are down 25% this year, but have a three-year, average annual return of 6.6%. Analysts give its shares eight "buy" ratings, four "buy/holds," and one "hold," according to a survey of analysts by S&P. S&P has its shares rated "buy" with a $28 price target, which is a 32% premium to the current price. Analysts' consensus estimate is for earnings of $2.99 per share this year and $3.10 next year or 4% growth.

3. National Oilwell Varco(NOV)

Company profile: National Oilwell Varco, with a market value of $32 billion, is one of the largest, most diversified equipment suppliers to the drilling industry as a provider of rigs, parts and repair services.

Dividend Yield: 0.64%

Investor takeaway: Its shares are up 11.5% this year, and have a three-year annualized return of 29%. Its 10-year annualized return is a huge, 25%. S&P has its shares rated "buy," with a $97 price target, which is a 29% premium to its current price. S&P's survey of analysts found 14 "buy" ratings, 9 "buy/holds," and two "holds." Analysts' consensus estimate is for earnings of $5.96 per share this year and growth of 14% to $6.82 per share next year.

2. Halliburton(HAL)

Company profile: Halliburton, with a market value of $31 billion, provides a wide range of oil-field products and services to the global energy industry, ranging from housing and support at worker camps to sophisticated computerized research. Halliburton booked a $300 million liability charge in the first quarter for potential civil penalties for its role in the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

Dividend Yield: 1.07%