Societe Generale Reiterates Buy Rating, $44 PT on Noble Corporation on Monthly Fleet Status Report

In a report published Friday, Societe Generale reiterated its Buy rating and $44.00 price target on Noble Corporation

. Societe Generale noted, “Noble released its monthly fleet status report last night. Several incremental downtime issues reduce our 1Q'13 and 2013 eps, and we now forecast $0.51/shr and $3.20/shr, respectively, from $0.64/shr and $3.40/shr. The Noble Clyde Boudreaux semi-sub is expected to be down for an additional 25 days in 1Q'13 while NE makes repairs related to a BOP malfunction. The Paul Wolf is expected to be down for 46 days for inspection related to GE's previously disclosed faulty connector bolt issues. These represent a -4c and -6c delta, respectively, to our 1Q'13 eps. The remaining eps reduction is driven by minor fleet status changes, and reduced bonus revenue assumptions.” Noble Corporation closed on Thursday at $34.80.