Shell plc (SHEL)

(A Top Pick Jun 30/22, Down 8.2%)Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly Our PAST TOP PICK with SHEL has triggered its stop at $48. To remain disciplined, we recommend covering the position at this time. This will result in a net investment loss of 3%, when combined with the previous buy recommendations.

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly We again reiterate SHEL as a TOP PICK. With energy again being viewed as strategic asset, especially within Europe, the company is well positioned. It trades at 9x earnings compared to peers at 13x and is valued at only 1.2x book. It pays a good dividend, backed by a payout ratio under 40% of cashflow. We like how management has focused on aggressively retiring debt and buying back shares, while still building on cash reserves. We recommend trailing up the stop (from $45) to $48, looking achieve $70 -- upside potential over 33%. Yield 3.76% (Analysts’ price target is $69.64)

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly With the largest liquified natural gas portfolio and network of service stations, SHEL is ideally situated to benefit from global energy rebalancing caused by the conflict in Ukraine and is reiterated again as a TOP PICK. Recently reported earnings beat analyst expectations and support a good 14% ROE. It trades at only 1.25x book value. It pays a good dividend backed by a payout ratio under 35% of cash flow. We like how it has built up cash reserves while aggressively retiring debt and buying back shares. We continue to recommend a stop loss at $45, looking to achieve $69.50 -- upside potential over 28%. Yield 3.32% (Analysts’ price target is $69.39)

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly We reiterate SHEL as a TOP PICK as the company wisely will divest itself of up to $5 billion in Russian joint ventures and has stopped suppling that country with oil and gas. The company is well diversified globally to help fill in the gap. It trades at a discount to peers at 11x earnings, recently beat earnings estimates by 17% and trades just 1.2x book value. It has a good dividend, backed by a payout ratio under 40% of cash flow. We recommend trailing up the stop (from $41) to $45, looking to achieve $68 -- upside potential over 24%. Yield 3.50% (Analysts’ price target is $67.79)

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O’Reilly Although embroiled in the Ukraine tragedy, due to its exporting of Russian oil, we select SHEL as a TOP PICK. The company is involved in everything energy around the world and we are confident they will play a role in solving the global energy crisis following the conflict. It trades at 10x earnings, compared to peers at 15x and is trading at only 1.2x book value. We would recommend setting a stop loss at $41, looking to achieve $71 — upside over 30%. Yield 3.89% (Analysts’ price target is $71.00)