Shell's third-quarter adjusted earnings of $10.8 billion exceeded expectations. Stronger results than the second quarter came from higher LNG prices and stronger refining margins. Given strong cash flow and lower debt, it increased its repurchase rate.
Shell stands to benefit from rising global gas demand and likely strong prices over the next decade, as LNG becomes integral to managing renewable intermittency.
Bears
Shell’s large LNG position puts it at risk if renewable power generation grows faster than expected or intermittency issues are solved, meaning natural gas will no longer be needed as a bridge fuel.
Shell is an integrated oil and gas company that explores for, produces, and refines oil around the world. In 2025, it produced 1.5 million barrels of liquids and 7.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. At end-2025, reserves stood at 8.1 billion barrels of oil equivalent, 44% of which consisted of liquids. Its production and reserves are in Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and North and South America. The company operates refineries with a capacity of 1.4 mmb/d located in the Americas, Asia, and Europe, and sells about 9 million tons per year of chemicals. Its largest chemical plants, often integrated with its local refineries, are in NorthWestern Europe, China, and North America.