Shell Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NYSE:SHEL)

Shell PLC Unsponsored ADR (NYSE:SHEL) was the target of unusually large options trading activity on Thursday. Traders bought 49,795 call options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 347% compared to the typical daily volume of 11,128 call options.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Shell

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of SHEL. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Shell during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT lifted its position in Shell by 186.7% during the fourth quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT now owns 473 shares of the energy company’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 308 shares during the period. Nalls Sherbakoff Group LLC purchased a new stake in Shell in the fourth quarter worth approximately $36,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC bought a new stake in Shell in the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Kilter Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Shell by 83.1% during the 2nd quarter. Kilter Group LLC now owns 498 shares of the energy company’s stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 226 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 28.60% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on SHEL shares. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Shell in a research note on Thursday, July 2nd. Mizuho started coverage on Shell in a research note on Monday, July 20th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $98.00 price target on the stock. Scotiabank raised their price objective on Shell from $91.00 to $122.00 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Weiss Ratings raised Shell from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, HSBC upgraded Shell from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and fourteen have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $102.17.

Shell Stock Down 0.0%

Shares of NYSE:SHEL traded down $0.04 during trading on Thursday, reaching $90.03. 3,335,905 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,139,690. The stock has a market cap of $252.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 0.05. Shell has a 52-week low of $68.63 and a 52-week high of $94.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.43. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $84.25 and a two-hundred day moving average of $85.06.

Shell (NYSE:SHEL) last posted its 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 business had revenue of $94.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $86.22 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Shell will post 10.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal 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.