Shell PLC Unsponsored ADR (NYSE:SHEL) Short Interest Update

Key Points

• Short interest fell 12.5% to 8,754,533 shares as of February 27, leaving a days‑to‑cover ratio of about 1.6 and roughly 0.3% of shares sold short.
• Shell is boosting capital return—completing on‑ and off‑market buybacks and confirming euro/GBP dividend payments—while some analysts (e.g., BofA, Piper Sandler) raised targets, though the consensus rating remains a Hold with an average target of $83.76.
• The company reported a Q4 revenue and EPS miss, weighing on near‑term profitability, but forecasts significant long‑term LNG demand growth (~54% by 2040) supporting its LNG strategy.

Shell PLC Unsponsored ADR (NYSE:SHEL - Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest in February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 8,754,533 shares, a drop of 12.5% from the February 12th total of 10,000,839 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 5,569,344 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.6 days. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 5,569,344 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.6 days.

Shell News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Shell this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Company completed on‑market and off‑market share purchases as part of its buyback programme (several hundred thousand shares across LSE, Chi‑X, BATS and other venues), reinforcing capital-return plans and reducing share count. Transaction in Own Shares
• Positive Sentiment: The Board announced euro/GBP equivalent payments for the Q4 2025 interim dividend (US$0.372/share originally declared), supporting yield-focused investor returns. SHELL PLC FOURTH QUARTER 2025 EURO AND GBP EQUIVALENT DIVIDEND PAYMENTS
• Positive Sentiment: Bank of America raised its price target to 3,250 GBp (from 2,900 GBp), citing higher commodities forecasts — a notable analyst upgrade that can support sentiment among institutional holders. BofA Lifts PT on Shell plc (SHEL) to 3,250 GBp From 2,900 GBp – Here’s Why
• Positive Sentiment: Shell projects long‑term LNG demand to rise substantially (at least ~54% by 2040), reinforcing the strategic value of its diversified LNG portfolio and supporting future cash generation. Global LNG demand to rise least 54% by 2040, Shell says
• Neutral Sentiment: Investment commentary highlights Shell as a defensive/undervalued name with steady FCF yield and buybacks, pointing to modest upside but noting recent low prices hurt near‑term profit. (Opinion/analysis piece). Shell: Defensive Play In An Uncertain Energy Market
• Neutral Sentiment: Market reports and style‑score pieces flag SHEL as a momentum stock and note it outperformed the broader market in the latest session — market positioning commentary rather than new fundamentals. Shell (SHEL) Outperforms Broader Market: What You Need to Know
• Neutral Sentiment: Shell disclosed it sold or closed ~800 branded U.S. retail sites last year; the company says U.S. retail remains a growth priority — operational reshaping that may have mixed near‑term effects. Shell sold or closed 800 branded retail sites last year
• Negative Sentiment: Shell reported weaker Q4 revenue and an EPS miss versus consensus, reflecting softer energy prices and pressuring near‑term profitability metrics. Shell: Defensive Play In An Uncertain Energy Market

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on SHEL. Weiss Ratings lowered Shell from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered Shell from an "outperform" rating to a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Piper Sandler raised their target price on Shell from $89.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 12th. UBS Group lowered Shell from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Shell from $78.00 to $77.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $83.76.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Shell

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Brighton Jones LLC increased its holdings in Shell by 51.7% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 7,463 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $468,000 after purchasing an additional 2,545 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Shell by 70.1% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 32,564 shares of the energy company's stock worth $2,386,000 after purchasing an additional 13,419 shares in the last quarter. Sierra Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Shell by 1.8% during the second quarter. Sierra Capital LLC now owns 31,266 shares of the energy company's stock worth $2,201,000 after buying an additional 551 shares during the period. Poehling Capital Management INC. acquired a new stake in shares of Shell in the second quarter valued at $1,213,000. Finally, Rothschild Investment LLC lifted its stake in Shell by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 6,040 shares of the energy company's stock worth $425,000 after acquiring an additional 185 shares in the last quarter. 28.60% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Shell Trading Up 1.2%

SHEL opened at $90.55 on Tuesday. The business's 50 day moving average price is $78.42 and its 200 day moving average price is $75.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.30. The stock has a market capitalization of $256.41 billion, a PE ratio of 15.09, a P/E/G ratio of 6.19 and a beta of 0.14. Shell has a one year low of $58.54 and a one year high of $91.09.

Shell (NYSE:SHEL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 5th. The energy company reported $0.57 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.21 by ($0.64). The business had revenue of $64.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $65.82 billion. Shell had a net margin of 6.52% and a return on equity of 10.34%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Shell will post 7.67 EPS for the current year.

Shell Company Profile

Shell plc NYSE: SHEL is a global integrated energy company that operates across the full oil and gas value chain as well as in developing lower-carbon energy solutions. The company traces its roots to the early 20th century merger of Royal Dutch Petroleum and Shell Transport and Trading, and today it is organized to explore for and produce hydrocarbons, process and refine them, manufacture petrochemicals, and market fuel, lubricants and related products under the Shell brand around the world.

Shell's principal activities include upstream exploration and production of oil and natural gas, integrated gas operations including liquefied natural gas (LNG), and downstream refining, supply and marketing.

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