Topic: How To Invest

Pat: Could I have an update on Royal Dutch Shell plc, please? What does its change of management mean? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Royal Dutch Shell plc (ADR), $67.49, symbol RDS.A on New York (ADRs outstanding: 3.2 billion; Market cap: $215.1 billion; www.shell.com), owns or invests in the many companies that make up the Royal Dutch Shell Group. The Netherlands-based oil giant operates in 70 countries and is involved in all areas of the oil and gas industry. It also has interests in chemicals and other energy-related businesses. Shell appointed Ben Van Beurden as CEO at the start of this year, taking over from Peter Voser. Under Van Beurden, the company continues to exit unprofitable, risky or non-essential projects, with plans to sell $15 billion worth of assets by the end of 2015. Van Beurden has already sold off enough unprofitable properties to return Shell’s operations in the U.S. to profitability. Recent sales include two natural gas properties in Wyoming and Louisiana for $2.1 billion. Shell plans to buy back $8 billion worth of shares in 2014 and 2015, after repurchasing $1.6 billion worth in the first…