Shell

SHEL Q1 2026 Earnings

Reported May 7, 2026 at 6:15 AM ET · SEC Source

Q1 26 EPS

$1.22

MISS 44.91%

Est. $2.21

Q1 26 Revenue

$69.69B

MISS 13.27%

Est. $80.35B

Did SHEL Beat Earnings? Q1 2026 Results

Shell plc posted a sharply stronger first quarter in 2026, reporting earnings per share of $1.22 on revenue of $69.69 billion, as a dramatic recovery in trading and optimisation activity across its Downstream and Renewables businesses powered adjuste… Read more Shell plc posted a sharply stronger first quarter in 2026, reporting earnings per share of $1.22 on revenue of $69.69 billion, as a dramatic recovery in trading and optimisation activity across its Downstream and Renewables businesses powered adjusted earnings to $6.92 billion, more than doubling from $3.26 billion in the prior quarter. The Chemicals and Products segment was the standout, swinging to adjusted earnings of $1.93 billion from a loss of $66 million in Q4 2025, aided by refinery utilisation climbing to 99% and improved refining margins. GAAP income attributable to shareholders rose to $5.69 billion, while adjusted EBITDA reached $17.74 billion. The results arrived against a complex operational backdrop, with an attack on Shell's Pearl GTL facility in Qatar in March and Strait of Hormuz disruptions weighing on LNG volumes and lifting net debt to $52.61 billion. Looking ahead, Shell guided Q2 2026 LNG liquefaction volumes of 6.8 to 7.4 million tonnes, reflecting continued conflict-related constraints, while announcing a $3 billion share buyback and advancing its $13.60 billion acquisition of ARC Resources.

Key Takeaways

  • Higher contributions from trading and optimisation across Downstream, Renewables and Energy Solutions
  • Higher realised prices from liquid products and upstream operations
  • Higher refining margins with refinery utilisation at 99%
  • Lower operating expenses across the group declining to $8,716 million from $9,559 million
  • Higher Lubricants margins from improved unit margins and seasonally higher volumes
  • Chemicals manufacturing plant utilisation improved to 85% from 76%
  • ROACE improved to 9.9% from 9.4% in Q4 2025
  • Underlying operating expenses declined to $8,585 million from $9,436 million sequentially
  • Cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements was $17,241 million vs $8,164 million in Q4 2025

SHEL Forward Guidance & Outlook

Full year 2026 cash capital expenditure is expected to be $24-$26 billion, including ~$4 billion related to the ARC Resources acquisition. For Q2 2026: Integrated Gas production is expected at 580-640 thousand boe/d; LNG liquefaction volumes approximately 6.8-7.4 million tonnes (reflecting Middle East conflict impact including Qatar and higher planned maintenance). Upstream production is expected at 1,620-1,820 thousand boe/d with higher planned maintenance. Marketing sales volumes expected at 2,500-2,700 thousand b/d. Refinery utilisation expected at 91%-99%; Chemicals manufacturing plant utilisation at 76%-84%. Corporate Adjusted Earnings expected to be a net expense of approximately $600-$800 million in Q2 2026.

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SHEL YoY Financials

Q1 2026 vs Q1 2025, source: SEC Filings

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SHEL Revenue by Segment

With YoY comparisons, source: SEC Filings

Q2 25 Q1 26