Shell Sees Unusually High Options Volume (NYSE:SHEL)

Key Points

• Shell saw unusually high options activity: Investors purchased 49,795 call options, 347% above the typical volume of 11,128, signaling increased bullish interest.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed: While five analysts rate Shell a Buy, fourteen recommend Hold, resulting in an average Hold rating and a consensus price target of $102.17.
• Shell’s latest results beat expectations: The company reported quarterly earnings of $3.52 per share versus the $3.23 consensus estimate, while revenue reached $94.66 billion compared with forecasts of $86.22 billion.

Shell PLC Unsponsored ADR (NYSE:SHEL - Get Free Report) saw some unusual options trading on Thursday. Stock investors acquired 49,795 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of 347% compared to the typical volume of 11,128 call options.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have weighed in on SHEL shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded Shell from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 8th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Shell from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, May 25th. TD Cowen reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Shell in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on shares of Shell to $122.40 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 21st. Finally, Erste Group Bank restated a "hold" rating on shares of Shell in a research report on Tuesday, May 5th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and fourteen have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $102.17.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Shell

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of SHEL. Cibc World Market Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Shell by 66.3% during the 2nd quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 586,039 shares of the energy company's stock worth $45,441,000 after acquiring an additional 233,634 shares during the period. Great Lakes Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Shell by 2.3% in the 2nd quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 385,622 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $29,901,000 after purchasing an additional 8,659 shares during the period. Allied Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Shell by 2.5% during the fourth quarter. Allied Investment Advisors LLC now owns 196,452 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $14,435,000 after purchasing an additional 4,720 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its stake in Shell by 30.4% in the fourth quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 180,630 shares of the energy company's stock worth $13,273,000 after purchasing an additional 42,129 shares during the period. Finally, Adell Harriman & Carpenter Inc. lifted its position in Shell by 4.7% during the fourth quarter. Adell Harriman & Carpenter Inc. now owns 156,733 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $11,517,000 after buying an additional 7,083 shares during the period. 28.60% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Shell Trading Down 0.0%

Shares of SHEL traded down $0.04 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $90.03. 3,335,905 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,139,690. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The firm has a market capitalization of $252.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.94, a PEG ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 0.05. The business's 50-day moving average price is $84.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $85.06. Shell has a 1 year low of $68.63 and a 1 year high of $94.90.

Shell (NYSE:SHEL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The energy company reported $3.52 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.23 by $0.29. Shell had a return on equity of 14.34% and a net margin of 8.55%.The company had revenue of $94.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $86.22 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Shell will post 10.36 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Shell

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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