Oil giant Shell posts beat on profit despite sharp annual drop

Financial Performance - Shell reported adjusted earnings of $4.26 billion for Q2 2025, exceeding analyst expectations of $3.87 billion [1][2] - The company's Q2 2025 earnings were lower than the $6.29 billion reported in the same period last year and $5.58 billion in Q1 2025 [2] Strategic Focus - In March, Shell announced plans to prioritize shareholder returns, increase cost savings, and enhance its liquefied natural gas (LNG) initiatives, aiming for value creation while focusing on performance and simplification [3] - The strategic update has positively impacted investor sentiment, with Shell's share price rising by 8% this year, outperforming competitors like BP (up 3%), TotalEnergies (down 2%), and Exxon Mobil (up 4%) [3] Market Position - Shell dismissed rumors of a potential takeover bid for BP, stating in late June that it had "no intention" of making an offer for its struggling rival [4]