Drilling Increases with Demand Growth - Research Report on Baker Hughes, Weatherford International, Lufkin Industries, Helix Energy Solutions Group and Willbros Group

NEW YORK, March 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Today, Investors Alliance announced new research reports highlighting Baker Hughes Incorporated (NYSE:BHI), Weatherford International Ltd (NYSE:WFT), Lufkin Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:LUFK), Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc. (NYSE:HLX) and Willbros Group Inc (NYSE:WG). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.

Baker Hughes Incorporated Research Report

Baker Hughes announced that its international rig count for February this year is up 71 rigs at 1,275 from 1,204 year over year, though is down 4 rigs sequentially from 1,279 counted the previous month. For offshore rigs, the international count is up 3 rigs at 323 compared to the same month last year, and is up 16 rigs sequentially from the 307 recorded last month. Meanwhile, the drilling services company announced last month that it will retain its process and pipeline services business, and will be reclassified within its Industrial Services segment. The stock rose 72 cents or 1.6 percent to $45.96 with 1.4 million shares exchanging hands, with The Street reiterating its "hold" rating due to good cash flow and debt management, which counters its underperformance in net income growth. The Full Research Report on Baker Hughes Incorporated - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.investors-alliance.com/r/full_research_report/5ce9_BHI]

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Weatherford International Ltd Research Report

Weatherford International saw its earnings per share for Q4 2012 dip to just 1 cent or net income of $8 million due to weakness in North American earnings as well as close to $130 million worth of a combination of professional fees for accounting, legacy lump sum contracts, and severance, exit and other charges. However, the company posted a record high in quarterly revenue of $4.05 billion in addition to $207 million in positive cash flow from operations. In comparison Zacks estimates were earnings of 18 cents per share and revenue of $3.9 billion. Meanwhile, the company expects a neutral full year 2013 outlook for its North American business and expects moderate growth in revenue and operating income. Weatherford also sees growth and expanded margins in its Latin America region, supported by improvements in Argentina and Mexico. The Full Research Report on Weatherford International Ltd - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.investors-alliance.com/r/full_research_report/d76c_WFT]

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Lufkin Industries, Inc. Research Report

Lufkin posted revenue and earnings per share growth in Q4 2012 with both beating expectations due to high demand for artificial lift products as well as ongoing operational improvements at its US manufacturing facilities. Revenue came in at $355.7 million, up 27 percent from $279.3 million the same quarter the previous year, while earnings per share is at 75 cents per share, up 12 percent from 67 cents per share year over year. Without adjustments, earnings per share is at 84 cents. In comparison, analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see revenue of $345.9 million and unadjusted earnings of 84 cents per share. For Q1 2013, the company expects revenue in the range of $295 million to $305 million and net earnings in the range of 40 cents to 50 cents per share. The Full Research Report on Lufkin Industries, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.investors-alliance.com/r/full_research_report/bbe1_LUFK]

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Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc. Research Report

Helix Energy Solutions announced the resignation of Chief Accounting Officer Lloyd Hajdik effective at March 1 and will leave the company at the end of April, and has been replaced by Corporate Controller Marty Hall effective March 1 this year. Meanwhile, Director of Corporate Accounting Erik Staffeldt has been appointed to the position of Director of Finance and will oversee the Company's finance and treasury functions. In other news, Helix posted lower-than-expected revenue and earnings per share due to the divestiture of its oil and gas business and the pending sale of its pipelay vessels, posting revenue of $201.7 million and unadjusted earnings per share of 23 cents, compared to the estimated $344.5 million in revenue and 33 cents in earnings per share. Management says it is positioned to advance its Well Intervention and Robotics businesses with their actions, and expects a positive 2013 outlook of $969.4 million in revenue and earnings per share of $1.33. The Full Research Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.investors-alliance.com/r/full_research_report/1e24_HLX]

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Willbros Group Inc Research Report

Willbros Group recently reported its Q4 2012 results, beating expectations on revenues and earnings per share as the company undergoes a turnaround effort to revive its strategic yet underperforming segments. The company recorded revenue of $573.1 million, 58 percent higher than the prior-year quarter's $361.7 million, and earnings per share of 9 cents, up from a loss of 41 cents per share year over year. To compare, analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see revenue of $485.7 million and earnings of 6 cents per share. This year, Willbros intends to further reduce our debt to strengthen the balance sheet, as well as take actions to improve operating margins or exit businesses not meeting its objectives. The company expects revenue of $447.1 million and earnings per share of 1 cent for the current quarter. The Full Research Report on Willbros Group Inc - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.investors-alliance.com/r/full_research_report/4ada_WG]

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SOURCE Investors-Alliance