9 Oil Stocks With Hot Prospects

Investor takeaway: Its shares are down 1.5% this year, but have a three-year, average annual return of 16.8%. Analysts give its shares 16 "buy" ratings, nine "buy/holds," and five "holds," according to a survey of analysts by S&P. S&P has it rated "buy," with a $43 price target, which is a 27% premium to its current price.

1. Schlumberger(SLB)

Company profile: Schlumberger, with a market value of $96 billion, provides equipment and services for oil and gas exploration and production companies worldwide.

Dividend Yield: 1.52%

Investor takeaway: Its shares are up 6.8% this year and have a three-year, average annual return of 12%. Over 10 years, its shares have a 15% annualized return. Analysts give its shares 19 "buy" ratings, 11 "buy/holds," and one "hold," according to a survey of analysts by S&P. S&P, which has it rated "strong buy" with an $85 price target, an 18% premium to the current price, says that "longer term, we see (the company) as a best-of-breed oilfield services company, well positioned to benefit from the trend toward higher oilfield technology content."