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

Shell PLC Unsponsored ADR (NYSE:SHEL)’s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday. The company traded as high as $99.47 and last traded at $99.7220, with a volume of 534271 shares. The stock had previously closed at $96.85.

Key Stories Impacting Shell

Here are the key news stories impacting Shell this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Strong refining outlook: Shell expects its indicative refining margin to rise to approximately $42 per barrel in the third quarter, up from $24 in the second quarter. The surge, driven partly by Middle East-related fuel-market volatility, increases the likelihood of another earnings beat. Shell Signals Another Earnings Beat as Refining Profits Surge
• Positive Sentiment: Higher gas production forecast: Shell raised its third-quarter integrated-gas production estimate to 740,000–780,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day from 570,000–630,000 previously. The increase reflects stronger output following the ARC Resources acquisition. Shell raises Q3 gas output forecast
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst and quantitative support: Zacks Research upgraded Shell from “hold” to “strong-buy,” while separate Zacks screens identified SHEL as a top strong-buy, income, growth, value and momentum candidate. These ratings may support demand for the stock. Zacks Research Upgrades Shell to Strong-Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: Results remain ahead: Shell’s third-quarter update is preliminary, with full results scheduled for October 29. The company’s latest reported quarter also exceeded earnings and revenue expectations, providing a supportive baseline but leaving investors focused on final results and guidance. Shell third quarter 2026 update note
• Negative Sentiment: Storm-related disruption: Shell and Chevron are curtailing Gulf of Mexico operations as Tropical Storm Isaias approaches. Temporary production and logistical interruptions could weigh on near-term output, although reduced supply may offer some offset through firmer prices. Shell and Chevron cut Gulf of Mexico output
• Negative Sentiment: Chemicals weakness: Shell expects its indicative chemicals margin to decline to $208 per tonne from $270, partially offsetting the refining improvement.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on SHEL shares. HSBC restated a “buy” rating on shares of Shell in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Mizuho began coverage on shares of Shell in a research report on Monday, July 20th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $98.00 price target for the company. Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of Shell from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 27th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Shell from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their price target on Shell from $89.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, September 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $106.08.

Shell Price Performance

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 $93.33 and a 200-day moving average of $88.69. The company has a market cap of $279.85 billion, a PE ratio of 11.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 0.10.

Shell (NYSE:SHEL) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 31st. The energy company reported $3.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.23 by $0.29. Shell had a return on equity of 14.34% and a net margin of 8.55%.The firm had revenue of $94.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $86.22 billion. Equities analysts predict that Shell PLC Unsponsored ADR will post 11.23 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Shell

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Veery Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Shell in the 3rd quarter valued at $205,000. Venture Visionary Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Shell by 10.5% in the third quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC now owns 6,756 shares of the energy company’s stock valued at $642,000 after acquiring an additional 642 shares in the last quarter. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC grew its holdings in shares of Shell by 57.8% during the third quarter. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC now owns 478 shares of the energy company’s stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. Cooper Financial Group lifted its stake in Shell by 5.0% in the 3rd quarter. Cooper Financial Group now owns 6,019 shares of the energy company’s stock worth $572,000 after purchasing an additional 288 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Weaver Consulting Group acquired a new position in shares of Shell during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $232,000. 28.60% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Shell Company Profile

Shell plc is a global energy company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Its operations span the exploration, production, processing, transportation and marketing of oil and natural gas, with an increasing focus on liquefied natural gas (LNG), lower-carbon energy and energy-transition solutions.

The company supplies fuels, lubricants, chemicals and other energy products to businesses, transportation customers and consumers. Shell also operates a network of retail service stations and provides charging services for electric vehicles, renewable power and related energy solutions.