Is CLB a good stock to buy right now?

Based on our 6-factor quantitative model, Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ (CLB) receives a "Hold" rating with a composite score of 44.4/100. It is ranked #1,240 out of 4,446 stocks. Key factor scores: Quality 50/100, Value 64/100, Momentum 50/100. The timing signal is "Neutral". This is quantitative analysis only — not investment advice.

What is the stock rating for CLB?

Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ (CLB) has a "Hold" rating and 3-star score. The composite score of 44.4 ranks it #1,240 among 4,446 U.S. stocks. Ratings are updated weekly using academically-proven factor models.

What sector is CLB in?

Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ operates in the Energy sector (Petroleum And Natural Gas industry) with a market cap of $742 million. It is classified as a small-cap stock.

Does CLB pay a dividend?

CLB does not currently pay a regular dividend. The company may be reinvesting profits for growth.

What is CLB's P/E ratio?

CLB has a trailing P/E ratio of 21.33x. The Energy sector average is 19.6x. This P/E is in a moderate range relative to the broader market.

How profitable is CLB?

CLB's quality factor score is 50/100. Gross margin: 20.6%. ROE: 13.7% vs sector average 6.7%. Margins are moderate to low, reflecting competitive market dynamics.

How is CLB valued compared to peers?

CLB's value factor score is 64/100 (higher = cheaper). Key multiples: P/E 21.3x, EV/EBITDA 14.2x. The stock appears attractively valued versus peers.

What is CLB's debt level?

CLB's debt-to-equity ratio is 42%. Sector average: 55%. Low leverage suggests conservative financial management.

CLB has a beta of 1.53, meaning it amplifies market moves. Stability score: 39/100.

Does CLB have high short interest?

CLB's short interest factor score is 3/100 (higher = less short selling). Elevated short interest may indicate bearish sentiment or short squeeze potential.

CLB Stock Analysis: Top Small-Cap Hold (Score 44.4/100) | Blank Capital Research

Data Series	1D	5D	1M	YTD	1Y	3Y	5Y	10Y
CLB	-0.60%	+1.10%	+1.10%	+2.99%	+38.86%	-	-	-
Industry Proxy XLE	-0.68%	-3.90%	+2.41%	+27.35%	-26.03%	-	-	-
U.S. Market SPY	-0.07%	+3.60%	+0.34%	-0.36%	+29.52%	-	-	-
Alpha vs Market	-0.54%	-2.50%	+0.77%	+3.36%	+9.33%	-	-	-
Alpha vs Sector	+0.08%	+5.00%	-1.31%	-24.36%	+64.89%	-	-	-

Metric	CLB	Benchmark
P/E Ratio	21.3x	+9%
EV/EBITDA	14.2x	+305%
Price / Book	2.9x

Stock Entity	Score▼	Quality	Value	Momentum	P/E Ratio	ROE	Gross Margin	Net Margin	Rev Growth	D/E Ratio	Market Cap	Compare
GFR Greenfire Resources Ltd.	59	48	91	64	4.8x	59.1%	96.5%	15.4%	11.2%	40.0x	$761M	VS
PARR PAR PACIFIC HOLDINGS, INC.	57	50	77	77	10.7x	19.8%	-	3.7%	-0.2%	53.0x	$3.1B	VS
TTE TotalEnergies SE	57	36	90	62	14.4x	-	34.7%	8.2%	-	-	$191.7B	VS
XOM EXXON MOBIL CORP	55	50	63	62	21.3x	12.0%	32.0%	9.4%	-8.4%	68.0x	$669.9B	VS
GPRK GeoPark Ltd	55	47	97	55	4.4x	189.6%	75.2%	14.6%	-	262.0x	$452M	VS
APA APA Corp	55	50	79	69	12.4x	17.5%	85.0%	13.5%	-16.8%	154.0x	$14.6B	VS
PDS PRECISION DRILLING Corp	53	30	61	75	16.2x	0.8%	34.4%	5.9%	-	71.0x	$1.2B	VS
AMPY Amplify Energy Corp.	53	50	80	60	116.2x	0.5%	93.3%	0.5%	-16.5%	31.0x	$242M	VS
NBR NABORS INDUSTRIES LTD	53	50	80	72	3.8x	34.0%	55.1%	10.0%	10.1%	351.0x	$1.2B	VS
DVN DEVON ENERGY CORP/DE	53	50	67	59	10.5x	19.0%	46.0%	17.3%	10.6%	54.0x	$30.1B	VS
CLB Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/	44	50	64	50	21.3x	13.7%	20.6%	7.0%	3.0%	42.0x	$742M

Key Ratio	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
Gross Margin %	0.2%	0.2%	0.2%	-	-	-
Operating Margin %	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%
EBITDA Margin %	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%
Net Margin %	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.0%	0.0%
FCF Margin %	4.9%	-	-	-	-	-
ROE %	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.2%	0.1%	0.1%
ROA %	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.1%	0.0%	0.0%
ROIC %	0.1%	11.6%	12.0%	10.9%	9.0%	10.2%

Line Item	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
	$523M	$527M	$524M	$510M	$490M	$470M
	—	$418M	$421M	—	—	—
	$80M	$109M	$103M	—	—	—
Gross Margin	20.6%	20.7%	19.7%	---	---	---
	—	$52M	$45M	$455M	$448M	$425M
	$60M	$56M	$59M	$55M	$42M	$45M
EBIT	$60M	$56M	$59M	$55M	$42M	$45M
EBITDA	$64M	$56M	$59M	$55M	$42M	$45M
Operating Margin	11.4%	10.7%	11.2%	10.7%	8.5%	9.6%
EBITDA Margin	12.3%	10.7%	11.2%	10.7%	8.5%	9.6%
	—	$11M	$12M	$13M	$12M	$9M
	—	$46M	$46M	$41M	$30M	$36M
Income Tax Expense	—	$16M	$14M	-$4M	$10M	$16M
	$37M	$30M	$32M	$37M	$20M	$20M
Net Margin	7.0%	5.8%	6.1%	7.3%	4.0%	4.3%
	$0.64	$0.64	$0.67	$0.79	$0.42	$0.43
Diluted EPS	$0.64	$0.63	$0.66	$0.77	$0.42	$0.42
Weighted Avg Basic	—	46M	47M	47M	46M	46M
Weighted Avg Diluted	—	47M	48M	48M	47M	47M

Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ (CLB) Stock Analysis — April 2026 Rating, Price, and Forecast

Last updated: April 2026

Company Overview — What Does Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ Do?

Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ (CLB) is a small-cap company in the Energy sector, operating within the Petroleum And Natural Gas industry. The stock has a market capitalization of $742M, making it a notable participant in its sector. Investors researching CLB stock will find a comprehensive, data-driven analysis below covering valuation, profitability, growth, dividends, and peer comparisons for the Petroleum And Natural Gas space.

Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ (CLB) Stock Rating — Hold (April 2026)

As of April 2026, Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ receives a Hold rating with a composite score of 44.4/100 and 3 out of 5 stars from the Blank Capital Research quantitative model.CLB ranks #1,240 out of 4,446 stocks in our coverage universe. Within the Energy sector, Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ ranks #95 of 128 stocks, placing it in the lower half of its Energy peers. The rating is generated by a multi-factor model that weighs quality (30%), momentum (25%), value (15%), investment (10%), stability (10%), and short interest (10%).

CLB Stock Price and 52-Week Range

Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ (CLB) currently trades at $16.61. The 52-week high for CLB is $20.36, which means the stock is currently trading -18.4% from its annual peak. The 52-week low is $9.72, putting the stock 70.9% above its annual trough. Recent trading volume was 0 shares, suggesting relatively thin trading activity.

Is CLB Overvalued or Undervalued? — Valuation Analysis

Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ (CLB) carries a value factor score of 64/100 in the Blank Capital model, indicating fair valuation relative to historical norms. The trailing price-to-earnings ratio is 21.33x, compared to the Energy sector average of 19.63x — a premium of 9%. The price-to-book ratio stands at 2.92x, versus the sector average of 1.64x. The price-to-sales ratio is 1.52x, compared to 0.47x for the average Energy stock. On an enterprise value basis, CLB trades at 14.18x EV/EBITDA, versus 3.50x for the sector.

Overall, CLB's valuation appears roughly in line with sector benchmarks, suggesting the market is pricing the stock fairly given its current fundamentals and growth trajectory. Neither deep value nor significantly overpriced, the stock occupies a middle ground on valuation.

Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ Profitability — ROE, Margins, and Quality Score

Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ (CLB) earns a quality factor score of 50/100, indicating solid business quality with consistent operational execution. The return on equity (ROE) is 13.7%, compared to the Energy sector average of 6.7%, which is within a healthy range. Return on assets (ROA) comes in at 6.4% versus the sector average of 3.7%.

On a margin basis, Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ reports gross margins of 20.6%, compared to 52.7% for the sector. The operating margin is 11.4% (sector: 10.7%). Net profit margin stands at 7.0%, versus 6.4% for the average Energy stock. Revenue growth is running at 3.0% on a trailing basis, compared to -1.2% for the sector. The overall profitability profile is adequate, though there may be room for margin expansion.

CLB Debt, Balance Sheet, and Financial Health

Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ has a debt-to-equity ratio of 42.0%, compared to the Energy sector average of 55.0%. The low leverage indicates a conservative balance sheet with significant financial flexibility. The current ratio is 2.02x, indicating strong short-term liquidity. Total debt on the balance sheet is $113M. Cash and equivalents stand at $26M.

CLB has a beta of 1.53, meaning it is more volatile than the broader market — a $10,000 investment in CLB would be expected to move 52.8% more than the S&P 500 on any given day. The stability factor score for Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ is 39/100, suggesting elevated price swings that may be unsuitable for conservative portfolios.

Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ Revenue and Earnings History — Quarterly Trend

In TTM 2026, Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ reported revenue of $523M and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.64. Net income for the quarter was $37M. Gross margin was 20.6%. Operating income came in at $60M.

In FY 2025, Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ reported revenue of $527M and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.64. Net income for the quarter was $30M. Gross margin was 20.7%. Revenue grew 0.5% year-over-year compared to FY 2024. Operating income came in at $56M.

In Q3 2025, Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ reported revenue of $135M and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.31. Net income for the quarter was $15M. Gross margin was 22.0%. Revenue grew 0.1% year-over-year compared to Q3 2024. Operating income came in at $21M.

In Q2 2025, Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ reported revenue of $130M and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.23. Net income for the quarter was $11M. Gross margin was 20.3%. Revenue grew -0.3% year-over-year compared to Q2 2024. Operating income came in at $15M.

Over the past 8 quarters, Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ has demonstrated a growth trajectory, with revenue expanding from $131M to $523M. Investors analyzing CLB stock should weigh these quarterly trends alongside the valuation and quality metrics discussed above.

CLB Dividend Yield and Income Analysis

Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ (CLB) does not currently pay a dividend. This is common among smaller companies in the Petroleum And Natural Gas industry that prefer to reinvest cash flows into business expansion rather than returning capital to shareholders. Income-focused investors looking for Energy dividend stocks may want to explore other Energy stocks or use the stock screener to filter by dividend yield.

CLB Momentum and Technical Analysis Profile

Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ (CLB) has a momentum factor score of 50/100, reflecting neutral trend characteristics. The stock is neither significantly outperforming nor underperforming the broader market on a momentum basis. The investment factor score is 32/100, which measures capital allocation efficiency and asset growth patterns. The short interest score of 3/100 signals elevated short interest, which can indicate bearish sentiment among institutional investors.

CLB vs Competitors — Energy Sector Ranking and Peer Comparison

Within the Energy sector, Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ (CLB) ranks #95 out of 128 stocks based on the Blank Capital composite score. This places CLB in the lower half of all Energy stocks in our coverage universe. Key competitors and sector peers include TotalEnergies SE (TTE) with a score of 57.0/100, APA Corp (APA) with a score of 54.7/100, PRECISION DRILLING Corp (PDS) with a score of 53.4/100, Greenfire Resources Ltd. (GFR) with a score of 59.2/100, and EXXON MOBIL CORP (XOM) with a score of 55.1/100.

Comparing CLB against the S&P 500 benchmark is also instructive for understanding relative performance. Investors can view the full CLB vs S&P 500 (SPY) comparison to assess how Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ stacks up against the broader market across all factor dimensions.

CLB Next Earnings Date

No upcoming earnings date has been announced for Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ (CLB) at this time. Check the earnings calendar for the latest scheduling updates across all stocks in our coverage universe.

Should You Buy CLB? — Investment Thesis Summary

Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ presents a balanced picture with arguments on both sides. The value score of 64/100 suggests attractive pricing relative to fundamentals. High volatility (stability score 39/100) increases portfolio risk.

In summary, Core Laboratories Inc. /DE/ (CLB) earns a Hold rating with a composite score of 44.4/100 as of April 2026. The rating is derived from the Blank Capital Research methodology, which combines six factor dimensions into a single quantitative ranking. Investors should consider these quantitative signals alongside their own fundamental research, risk tolerance, and investment time horizon before making buy or sell decisions on CLB stock.

Related Resources for CLB Investors

Explore more research and tools: CLB vs S&P 500 comparison, top Energy stocks, stock screener, our methodology, quality factor explained, value factor explained, momentum factor explained. Compare CLB head-to-head with peers: CLB vs TTE, CLB vs APA, CLB vs PDS.

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