Shell's $4.3bn Earnings Draw Criticism; Rolls-Royce Increases Forecast by £400m
Today’s focus is on business and financial updates, with major earnings reports from key companies.
Shell reported $4.3bn (£3.2bn) in adjusted earnings for the second quarter of 2025, surpassing analyst expectations of $3.7bn but below the $6.3bn recorded a year earlier.
This marks the 15th consecutive quarter in which Shell has returned over $3bn to shareholders through buybacks, including an additional $3.5bn announced today, along with $2.1bn in dividends.
The prolonged period of high shareholder returns follows the global energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which strained household budgets but greatly benefited oil firms.
Environmental campaigners criticized Shell’s earnings, citing the company’s decision last year to scale back decarbonization goals.
Robin Wells, director of Fossil Free London, a group that protested outside Shell’s headquarters, stated:
"We now face unprecedented heat worsened by companies like Shell. Scientists warn this could lead to catastrophic human consequences and threaten civilization by 2100. Profits must not come at the cost of destruction."
Rolls-Royce Bolsters Earnings Outlook by £400m
Rolls-Royce has also delivered strong results, aided by the rebound in air travel and a restructuring plan.
The jet engine manufacturer reported a 50% rise in underlying operating profit to £1.7bn for the first half of 2025, with a profit margin of 19.1%.
The company raised its full-year profit forecast from £2.7bn-£2.9bn to £3.1bn-£3.2bn, partly due to increased military demand following the Ukraine conflict. Rolls-Royce produces engines for combat aircraft.
Key Economic Updates
10am BST: Eurozone unemployment rate (June; prior: 6.3%; forecast: 6.3%)
10am BST: Italy inflation rate (July; prior: 1.7%; forecast: 1.5%)
1pm BST: Germany inflation rate (July; prior: 2%; forecast: 1.9%)
1:30pm BST: US core PCE inflation rate (June; prior: 0.2%; forecast: 0.3%)
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