CORE LAB ANNOUNCES IMPACT OF THE MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT TO FIRST QUARTER 2026 GUIDANCE

Core Laboratories (NYSE:CLB) said the Middle East conflict is reducing first quarter 2026 results and issued revised guidance.

Rhea-AI Summary

Core Laboratories (NYSE:CLB) said the Middle East conflict is reducing first quarter 2026 results and issued revised guidance. Revenue is now expected at $119,000,000–$123,000,000, operating income, ex-items at $5,700,000–$7,100,000, and EPS, ex-items at $0.05–$0.07.

The company cited client-driven project delays, travel limits, and supply-chain and maritime logistics constraints, with Reservoir Description most affected and Production Enhancement comparatively less impacted. An earnings webcast is scheduled for April 30, 2026.

Positive

• Revised first-quarter revenue guidance of $119M–$123M
• Operating income, ex-items, guidance provided at $5.7M–$7.1M
• EPS, ex-items, guidance set at $0.05–$0.07
• Production Enhancement business reported as comparatively less affected

Negative

• Revenue and earnings are now expected below prior guidance
• Reservoir Description operations materially disrupted by regional logistics and access issues
• Client-driven project delays, travel constraints, and supply-chain disruptions impacting execution

Argus Mar 24 session

-6.88% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – CLB

On Mar 24, the first trading day after this news, CLB closed 6.88% below the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Mar 24 session.

Market Context

On Mar 24, the first trading day after this news, the stock closed 6.9% below the previous close. A ...

Analysis

On Mar 24, the first trading day after this news, the stock closed 6.9% below the previous close. A negative reaction despite the stock trading above its $14.46 200-day MA would fit a pattern where earnings news sometimes led to downside, such as the 4.23% decline after Q4 2025 results. The cut to Q1 2026 guidance—revenue of $119M–$123M and EPS of $0.05–$0.07—directly reflects Middle East disruptions. Given the company’s global footprint and recent tax and control-related disclosures, concerns about geopolitical and operational risk could amplify selling pressure.

Key Figures

Q1 2026 revenue guidance: $119,000,000–$123,000,000 Q1 2026 operating income ex-items: $5,700,000–$7,100,000 Q1 2026 EPS ex-items: $0.05–$0.07 +2 more

Q1 2026 revenue guidance

$119,000,000–$123,000,000

Revised first quarter 2026 guidance, below prior outlook

Q1 2026 operating income ex-items

$5,700,000–$7,100,000

Revised first quarter 2026 guidance, ex-items

Q1 2026 EPS ex-items

$0.05–$0.07

Projected earnings per share, ex-items, for Q1 2026

Earnings webcast time CDT

7:30 a.m. CDT

Scheduled Q1 2026 earnings call on April 30, 2026

Earnings webcast time EDT

8:30 a.m. EDT

Scheduled Q1 2026 earnings call on April 30, 2026

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 04

5 events

1. Feb 04

   Q4 2025 earnings

   24h Move

   -4.2%

   Reported Q4 and full-year 2025 growth with improved revenue and earnings.

2. Jan 05

   Earnings call timing

   24h Move

   +0.2%

   Announced Q4 2025 earnings release date and conference call details.

3. Jan 05

   Earnings call timing

   24h Move

   +0.2%

   Reiterated schedule for Q4 2025 earnings release and webcast access.

4. Oct 22

   Q3 2025 earnings

   24h Move

   +28.8%

   Delivered Q3 2025 growth, debt reduction, buybacks, and set Q4 guidance.

5. Oct 22

   Q3 2025 earnings

   24h Move

   +28.8%

   Highlighted strong Q3 2025 performance and capital allocation actions.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

forward-looking statements, safe harbor provisions

2 terms

forward-looking statements regulatory

"This release, as well as other statements Core Lab makes, includes forward-looking statements regarding the Company's future revenue..."

Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.

safe harbor provisions regulatory

"forward-looking statements ... made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Federal securities law."

Safe harbor provisions are rules or legal protections that shield companies or individuals from certain penalties or liabilities when they follow specific guidelines or procedures. They provide a sense of security, encouraging compliance and innovation by reducing the fear of legal repercussions if they act in good faith. For investors, these provisions help ensure that companies are transparent and accountable without the risk of unfair punishment for honest mistakes.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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FIRST QUARTER 2026 EARNINGS WEBCAST AT 7:30 A.M. CDT / 8:30 A.M. EDT ON APRIL 30, 2026

HOUSTON, March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Core Laboratories Inc. (NYSE: "CLB") ("Core," "Core Lab," or the "Company") continues to evaluate and monitor the evolving geopolitical conflict in the Middle East and its effect on the Company's first quarter 2026 financial results. Core Lab is working with clients and its local teams to manage operations and mitigate impacts on project execution through a rapidly changing operating environment. The safety and security of the Company's employees remain its highest priority.

At this time, due to regional instability, including client-driven project delays, travel constraints, and supply-chain disruptions, the Company expects first quarter 2026 revenue and earnings to be below its previously issued guidance provided on February 4, 2026.

Changes in client activity levels across the Middle East are directly impacting operations in the countries where Core Lab operates. Damage to oil refining infrastructure and storage terminals has created capacity limitations, forcing operators to shut in or limit oil production. These effects have extended to regional supply chains and the maritime transportation of crude oil and refined products—particularly through the Strait of Hormuz—resulting in logistical constraints and delays in project execution. The impact has been more pronounced in Reservoir Description due to its unique role in supporting regional client studies, crude oil assay testing, and reservoir rock and fluid characterization, all of which rely on predictable field access, sample movement, and laboratory operations. Production Enhancement has been comparatively less affected; however, shipments of energetics products into certain parts of the region have been delayed or temporarily suspended.

Core's revised guidance for first quarter 2026 revenue ranges from $119,000,000 to $123,000,000, while operating income, ex-items, is projected to range from $5,700,000 to $7,100,000. The Company is now projecting Earnings Per Share, ex-items, to be between $0.05 to $0.07 for the first quarter of 2026.

Core Lab will continue to monitor developments and will provide additional updates as appropriate.

Earnings Call Scheduled

The Company has scheduled a conference call to discuss Core's first quarter 2026 earnings. The call will begin at 7:30 a.m. CDT / 8:30 a.m. EDT on Thursday, April 30, 2026. An earnings press release will be issued after market close on April 29, 2026, and may be accessed through the Company's website at www.corelab.com/investors. To register for the listen-only webcast, log on to www.corelab.com at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call.  For those not available to listen to the live webcast, a replay and transcript will be available on the Company's website shortly after the call.

Core Laboratories Inc. is a leading provider of proprietary and patented reservoir description and production enhancement services and products used to optimize petroleum reservoir performance. The Company has over 70 offices in more than 50 countries and is located in every major oil-producing province in the world. This release, as well as other statements Core Lab makes, includes forward-looking statements regarding the Company's future revenue, profitability, business strategies and developments, demand for the Company's products and services and for products and services of the oil and gas industry generally, made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Federal securities law. The Company's outlook is subject to various important cautionary factors, including risks and uncertainties related to the oil and natural gas industry, business and general economic conditions, including inflationary pressures, the impact of tariffs, trade policies and sanctions, international civil unrest or geopolitical tensions, including the continuing armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the escalation of military conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, and political conditions in South America, most recently in Venezuela, the severity and duration of public health crises, and any related actions taken by businesses and governments, and other factors as more fully described in the Company's most recent Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These important factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on current expectations of the Company's performance and are subject to a variety of factors, some of which are not under the control of the Company. Because the information herein is based solely on data currently available, and because it is subject to change as a result of changes in conditions over which the Company has no control or influence, such forward-looking statements should not be viewed as assurance regarding the Company's future performance.

The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release, except as required by law.

Visit the Company's website at www.corelab.com.

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SOURCE Core Laboratories Inc

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

How did the Middle East conflict affect Core Laboratories' Q1 2026 revenue guidance (CLB)?

Core revised Q1 2026 revenue down to $119 million–$123 million, reflecting reduced activity. According to Core Laboratories, client project delays, travel limits and maritime logistics through the Strait of Hormuz caused the downward adjustment.

What is Core Laboratories' updated Q1 2026 operating income and EPS guidance (CLB)?

Operating income, ex-items, is projected at $5.7 million–$7.1 million and EPS at $0.05–$0.07. According to Core Laboratories, the ranges reflect short-term disruptions from regional instability affecting project execution.

Which Core Laboratories business lines were most affected by the Middle East disruption (CLB)?

Reservoir Description was most affected due to reliance on field access and sample movement. According to Core Laboratories, reservoir rock/fluid testing and crude assay work faced the greatest operational constraints.

Will Core Laboratories still hold its Q1 2026 earnings call and when is it scheduled (CLB)?

Yes. The earnings webcast is scheduled for April 30, 2026 at 7:30 a.m. CDT / 8:30 a.m. EDT. According to Core Laboratories, an earnings release will follow after market close on April 29, 2026.

How did supply-chain and maritime issues influence Core Laboratories' Q1 2026 outlook (CLB)?

Logistical constraints and delays in crude and product shipping hampered project timelines and sample movement. According to Core Laboratories, disruptions through key routes like the Strait of Hormuz materially affected execution in the region.

Does Core Laboratories expect Production Enhancement results to be severely impacted in Q1 2026 (CLB)?

Production Enhancement is comparatively less affected but saw some shipment delays for energetics products. According to Core Laboratories, the segment experienced fewer disruptions than Reservoir Description yet faced regional shipment suspensions.