BofA/Merrill reinstating Oilfield Services coverage with Halliburton as top pick. BofA analyst Chase Mulvehill reinstated coverage of U.S. onshore and diversified oilfield service, or OFS, saying he has a bullish near-to-medium term view on the sector. The analyst notes that OFS should outperform thanks to rising oil prices that should lead to "solid" cash flows across the sector. Mulvehill further anticipates investment to increase across the industry, with North America land E&P spending surprising to the upside and U.S. onshore D&C spending rising nearly 20%. The analyst also sees "Permian pipeline relief" adding to the benefits with exposure to the basin. Mulvehill's Top Pick is Halliburton (HAL), and his other Buy-rated names include Baker Hughes (BHGE), C&J Energy Services (CJ), FTS International (FTSI), Keane Group (FRAC), Nabors Industries (NBR), Nine Energy Service (NINE), Patterson-UTI Energy (PTEN), ProPetro Holdings Corp (PUMP), and Schlumberger (SLB).
