Investors Purchase High Volume of Call Options on Shell (NYSE:SHEL)

Shell PLC Unsponsored ADR (NYSE:SHEL) saw some unusual options trading activity on Thursday. Investors purchased 42,426 call options on the stock. This is an increase of 276% compared to the typical daily volume of 11,271 call options.

Shell Stock Performance

SHEL stock traded up $1.22 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $88.99. 2,965,803 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,158,736. Shell has a twelve month low of $68.63 and a twelve month high of $94.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $249.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.61 and a beta of 0.06. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $83.26 and a 200-day simple moving average of $83.36.

Shell (NYSE:SHEL) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 8th. The energy company reported $2.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.14 by $0.30. Shell had a net margin of 6.85% and a return on equity of 11.18%. The business had revenue of $69.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $77.54 billion. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Shell will post 9.44 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Shell from $77.00 to $94.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 9th. TD Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Shell in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on Shell to $122.40 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 21st. Scotiabank raised their price objective on shares of Shell from $91.00 to $122.00 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Finally, Erste Group Bank restated a “hold” rating on shares of Shell in a research note on Tuesday, May 5th. Five investment 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 a consensus price target of $98.19.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Shell

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in SHEL. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Shell in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT increased its position in shares of 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 bought a new position in shares of Shell during the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC acquired a new stake in Shell in the 4th quarter valued at $38,000. Finally, Allied Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Shell in the 2nd quarter worth about $43,000. 28.60% of the stock is currently owned by 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.