Shell (NYSE:SHEL) Reaches New 12-Month High – Should You Buy?

Shell PLC Unsponsored ADR (NYSE:SHEL) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $78.82 and last traded at $78.4740, with a volume of 566060 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $77.63.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Wolfe Research cut shares of Shell from an “outperform” rating to a “peer perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Shell from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Monday. Scotiabank reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Shell in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Wall Street Zen cut Shell from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, December 20th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Shell in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $81.61.

Shell Trading Up 1.1%

The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $73.45 and a 200 day simple moving average of $73.19. The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The company has a market cap of $225.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.06, a PEG ratio of 5.61 and a beta of 0.16.

Institutional Trading of Shell

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in SHEL. Brighton Jones LLC grew its position in Shell by 51.7% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 7,463 shares of the energy company’s stock worth $468,000 after purchasing an additional 2,545 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its holdings 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 acquiring an additional 13,419 shares during the period. Venturi Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Shell in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $201,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Shell by 7.4% during the 2nd quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 38,919 shares of the energy company’s stock worth $2,740,000 after purchasing an additional 2,665 shares during the period. Finally, Salomon & Ludwin LLC lifted its stake in shares of Shell by 50.5% in the 2nd quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 480 shares of the energy company’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 161 shares during the period. 28.60% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.