Major Averages Decline Amid Oil Price Volatility
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 12 2026
0mins
Should l Buy SHEL?
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Market Impact from Oil Prices: The major averages, including the Dow, fell over 400 points as oil prices surged above $100 earlier in the week, reflecting traders' concerns over volatile energy prices and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
- IEA's Strategic Release: The International Energy Agency's decision to release approximately 400 million barrels from strategic reserves aims to stabilize energy markets following supply shocks due to conflicts, which could help mitigate extreme oil price fluctuations.
- Inflation Data Reaction: Recent inflation data showed a 0.3% month-over-month increase in the consumer price index and a 2.4% year-over-year rise, both aligning with consensus expectations, indicating persistent inflationary pressures that may influence future monetary policy decisions.
- Escalating Geopolitical Risks: U.S. forces sunk several Iranian ships near the Strait of Hormuz, heightening the fragility of global energy supply routes and contributing to unstable market sentiment, prompting investors to adopt a cautious stance regarding future market movements.
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Analyst Views on SHEL
Wall Street analysts forecast SHEL stock price to fall
10 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 89.270
Low
41.75
Averages
74.27
High
91.00
Current: 89.270
Low
41.75
Averages
74.27
High
91.00
About SHEL
Shell plc is an international energy company engaged in the principal aspects of the energy and petrochemical industries. The Company's segments include Integrated Gas, Upstream, Marketing, Chemicals and Products, Renewables and Energy Solutions, and Corporate. The Integrated Gas segment includes liquefied natural gas (LNG), conversion of natural gas into gas-to-liquids (GTL) fuels and other products. It includes natural gas and liquids exploration and extraction, and the operation of the upstream and midstream infrastructure. The Upstream segment includes exploration and extraction of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. It also markets and transports oil and gas and operates the infrastructure necessary to deliver them to the market. The Marketing segment comprises the Mobility, Lubricants, and Sectors & Decarbonization businesses. The Chemicals and Products segment includes chemicals manufacturing plants with their own marketing network, and refineries.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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See More
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- Ceasefire Extension: President Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend their ceasefire by three weeks, aiming to buy more time for diplomatic negotiations, although the ongoing tensions may impact investor confidence.
- Energy Security Threat: IEA head Fatih Birol warned that the current conflict has resulted in a loss of 13 million barrels of oil per day, marking the biggest energy security threat in history, which could trigger global market volatility.
- Market Reaction: U.S. stocks pulled back as investors grew wary of the ceasefire's prospects, while Asian markets opened mixed, reflecting a cautious sentiment regarding future developments.
- Corporate Layoffs: Meta plans to lay off 10% of its workforce, approximately 8,000 employees, while Nike will cut 1,400 jobs, indicating structural adjustments in the tech sector amid accelerated AI investments.
See More
Shell's Pernis Refinery Operates at Max Capacity for Jet Fuel Amid Middle East Tensions
- Jet Fuel Production Surge: Shell's (SHEL) Pernis refinery is operating at 'max jet mode' to produce approximately 400,000 barrels per day of jet fuel in response to concerns over potential shortages due to the Middle East conflict, demonstrating the company's agility in crisis management.
- Supply Chain Strain: With the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Europe has lost its primary jet fuel supplier, leading KLM and Lufthansa to announce flight reductions, with KLM cutting flights from Amsterdam's Schiphol and Lufthansa planning to reduce 20,000 flights this summer, highlighting the severe challenges facing the aviation industry.
- Diversifying Crude Sources: Shell is actively seeking alternatives to crude oil from the Middle East as producers in the region have been forced to cut output due to the strait's closure, showcasing the company's adaptability and resource allocation capabilities in the global market.
- Technological Upgrade Investment: Shell plans to upgrade two natural gas turbines at the Pernis refinery to operate on electricity, which not only enhances production efficiency but also aligns with the company's strategic goal of transitioning towards sustainable energy.
See More
BP Faces Shareholder Revolt at AGM Over Governance and Climate Issues
- AGM Voting Results: At BP's annual general meeting, while 81.8% of shareholders supported the election of Albert Manifold as chair, the company failed to secure the 75% needed to pass two significant resolutions, reflecting shareholder dissatisfaction with governance and climate transparency.
- Proposals Blocked: The board's decision to block a proposal from Follow This, which sought to require BP to disclose plans for creating shareholder value amid declining oil and gas demand, raised eyebrows among investors, particularly given the recommendations against BP from proxy advisors like Glass Lewis and ISS.
- Investor Backlash: Nick Mazan from climate group ACCR remarked that the AGM results were unprecedented, indicating that investors are fed up with BP's lack of capital discipline and shareholder rights, and stressing that the new leadership must demonstrate the value of its planned upstream investments.
- Market Performance Comparison: In stark contrast to BP's struggles, shares of Woodside Energy have surged over 33% year-to-date, highlighting its success in capital management and shareholder returns, thereby increasing the pressure on BP to improve its performance.
See More
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- Ceasefire Extension: President Trump has extended the Iran ceasefire deadline by two weeks, a move that may exacerbate uncertainty in the Middle East conflict as Tehran shows reluctance to engage in diplomatic efforts, potentially impacting global market sentiment.
- Tariff Policy Impact: Trump expressed hope that U.S. companies that have not sought refunds for his tariffs will adhere to a 'no take back' policy, despite the Supreme Court ruling the tariffs illegal; major firms like Apple and Amazon have yet to file for refunds, which could affect their future financial performance.
- Market Reaction: Following Trump's announcement of the ceasefire extension, U.S. stock index futures rose, despite a lower close on Tuesday, while crude oil prices increased, indicating market sensitivity to developments in the Middle East.
- Aviation Industry Outlook: United Airlines has slashed its 2026 earnings outlook due to supply chain issues stemming from the Middle East conflict, reflecting the direct impact of soaring fuel prices on the airline industry and potentially leading to broader industry adjustments.
See More
Dutch Activist Group Sues Shell to Halt New Oil and Gas Projects
- Lawsuit Initiated: The Dutch activist group Friends of the Earth filed a new lawsuit against Shell (SHEL) on Tuesday, seeking to prohibit the company from developing any new oil and gas projects to protect the public from climate disruption.
- Shell's Rebuttal: Shell described the case as 'unreasonable,' arguing that halting operations would merely shift fossil fuel production to other companies, failing to address the global economy's reliance on fossil fuels.
- Historical Ruling Impact: In 2024, the Court of Appeal of The Hague ruled in favor of Shell in a landmark climate case, overturning a lower court's order for the company to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, indicating a supportive legal environment for Shell.
- Future Sales Targets: Shell informed investors last year of its goal to achieve a 4%-5% annual increase in liquefied natural gas sales over the next five years, despite scaling back its renewable energy operations, highlighting the company's ongoing reliance on traditional energy sources.
See More
European Stocks Decline Amid Renewed U.S.-Iran Tensions
- Market Reaction: European stocks, represented by the pan-European Stoxx 600 index, fell over 1.1% by 9:30 a.m. London time due to renewed tensions between the U.S. and Iran, indicating heightened market sensitivity to geopolitical risks.
- Airline Stocks Plummet: The travel and leisure sector dropped 2.6%, with German airline Lufthansa down more than 4.2%, while London-listed EasyJet and TUI fell 3.4% and 3.5%, respectively, reflecting investor concerns about the airline industry's outlook amid escalating tensions.
- Energy Stocks Rise: In contrast, energy stocks advanced nearly 1.8%, led by Norwegian companies Equinor and Vår Energi, which surged 4.5% and 4.3%, respectively, indicating market optimism in the oil and gas sector amidst rising oil prices.
- Oil Price Fluctuations: Brent crude prices rose 6.1% to $95.86 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures climbed 7.1% to $89.83, reflecting the market's keen attention to Middle Eastern developments and their impact on global oil prices.
See More
