National Oilwell Posts Q4 Loss

National Oilwell Varco Inc, the largest U.S. oilfield equipment provider, reported a loss for the fourth quarter, compared with a profit a year earlier, as it took a $1.63 billion charge.

Operating margins at the company's rig systems business, which accounted for nearly 40 percent of its total revenue, fell to 15.8 percent in the quarter ended Dec. 31, from 20 percent a year earlier.

National Oilwell said the charge it recorded in the quarter included inventory write-downs, severance and facility closure costs.

National Oilwell cut costs and 1,500 jobs in 2015 to offset a 70 percent decline in oil prices since June 2014 highs.

"Tumbling oil prices brought capital austerity and sharply lower oilfield activity, which is intensifying as we enter 2016," Chief Executive Clay Williams said in a statement.

Net loss attributable to the company was $1.52 billion, or $4.06 per share, compared with a profit of $595 million, or $1.39 per share, a year earlier.

The Houston-based company's revenue fell 52.3 percent to $2.72 billion.

National Oilwell's stock lost nearly 50 percent in value in 2015, while the Dow Jones Oil and Gas Titans 30 Index declined 21.5 percent.

Reporting by Anet Josline Pinto