Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) is a top three provider of support services for early stage energy production.^[1][2] Its primary business is to help oil exploration and drilling companies extract more oil from the ground. To that end, the company acts as a consultant to optimize production for customers. Halliburton also provides equipment and services to aid companies in evaluating new drilling opportunities, as well as cementing services post-drilling.

Halliburton has extensive market coverage in over 70 countries. As a result of its broad international exposure, Halliburton is particularly vulnerable to geopolitical instability. Acts of terrorism, regime changes and other disruptive acts can negatively impact Halliburton's businesses. Conversely, the company is still incorporated in the U.S., generating approximately 49% of its revenue from this country in 2010.^[3] This keeps it extremely sensitive to downturns in the U.S. economy as well as changes to U.S. environmental legislation.

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