Shell shares rise slightly on third-quarter outlook

The FTSE 100 oil giant said the segment’s operating expenses were projected to be between $1.1bn and $1.3bn, while adjusted earnings were expected to see pre-tax depreciation of $1.2bn to $1.6bn.

It said the taxation charge for the quarter was estimated between $800m and $1.1bn.

For the upstream division, Shell forecasted sales volumes between 2.75 million and 3.15 million barrels per day, with underlying operating expenses of $2.5bn to $2.9bn.

Pre-tax depreciation for the segment was expected to range from $400m to $800m, with taxation charges estimated between $200m and $500m.

In the chemicals and products segment, indicative refining margins were expected to average $5.50 per barrel, while chemicals margins were projected at $164 per tonne.

The company said it anticipated a marginal loss in the chemicals sub-segment for the quarter.

Refinery utilisation was forecast between 79% and 83%, while chemicals utilisation was expected to range from 73% to 77%.

The segment's adjusted earnings would be impacted by pre-tax depreciation of $800m to $1bn.

In the renewables and energy solutions division, Shell said it expected adjusted earnings to range between a loss of $400m and a gain of $200m, reflecting ongoing challenges in this growing segment.

At the corporate level, Shell anticipated adjusted losses of between $700m and $500m, with cash flow from operations impacted by tax payments ranging from $2.5bn to $3.3bn, and working capital movements estimated between $0 and $4bn.

Shell’s consensus earnings expectations, managed by Vara Research, were scheduled to be published on 23 October, ahead of the company’s full third-quarter results.

At 0849 BST, shares in Shell were up 0.54% at 2,591.5p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.