{"id":1922591,"date":"2026-05-07T11:42:06","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T08:42:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1922591"},"modified":"2026-05-07T11:42:06","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T08:42:06","slug":"shell-profits-surge-as-iran-war-drives-oil-prices-higher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1922591","title":{"rendered":"Shell profits surge as Iran war drives oil prices higher"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/98\/91\/1200x675_cmsv2_aaaf9990-d0a9-5f58-aa49-657ca2b59cb6-9749891.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2891683-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2891683\" data-cid=\"9749233\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891683-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/92\/33\/189x106_cmsv2_c2e4763f-3fde-5b35-a5e6-bfe9af1a458c-9749233.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Aveiro, Portugal.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    These EU states have already used up their natural resources for 2026\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891901-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2891901\" data-cid=\"9749911\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891901-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/99\/11\/189x106_cmsv2_c438f01b-cadc-529a-838f-548be753183d-9749911.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Interpol seizes \u20ac13.1m of fake medicines in global operation\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Interpol seizes \u20ac13.1m of fake medicines in global operation\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891312-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2891312\" data-cid=\"9748692\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891312-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/70\/25\/189x106_cmsv2_aeb8b13c-77be-5858-95ac-b152b09be495-9747025.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tehran, Iran\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iranians at home torn between hope for regime change and war fears\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891919-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2891919\" data-cid=\"9750002\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891919-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/00\/02\/189x106_cmsv2_5a7fdb7c-a81d-588f-9754-6c5704686562-9750002.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A new Vatican Swiss Guard gives a salute as he is sworn into the pontiff's elite military corps, at the Vatican\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Pope Leo XIV swears in 28 new Swiss Guards in Vatican ceremony\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891683-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2891683\" data-cid=\"9749233\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891683-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/92\/33\/189x106_cmsv2_c2e4763f-3fde-5b35-a5e6-bfe9af1a458c-9749233.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Aveiro, Portugal.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    These EU states have already used up their natural resources for 2026\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891901-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2891901\" data-cid=\"9749911\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891901-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/99\/11\/189x106_cmsv2_c438f01b-cadc-529a-838f-548be753183d-9749911.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Interpol seizes \u20ac13.1m of fake medicines in global operation\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Interpol seizes \u20ac13.1m of fake medicines in global operation\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891312-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2891312\" data-cid=\"9748692\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891312-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/70\/25\/189x106_cmsv2_aeb8b13c-77be-5858-95ac-b152b09be495-9747025.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tehran, Iran\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iranians at home torn between hope for regime change and war fears\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891919-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2891919\" data-cid=\"9750002\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891919-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/00\/02\/189x106_cmsv2_5a7fdb7c-a81d-588f-9754-6c5704686562-9750002.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A new Vatican Swiss Guard gives a salute as he is sworn into the pontiff's elite military corps, at the Vatican\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Pope Leo XIV swears in 28 new Swiss Guards in Vatican ceremony\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Business<\/p>\n<p>                          Business<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Shell profits surge as Iran war drives oil prices higher<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/98\/91\/1536x864_cmsv2_aaaf9990-d0a9-5f58-aa49-657ca2b59cb6-9749891.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"File - Gas prices are displayed at a Shell gas station in front of the Marathon Petroleum refinery in Carson, Calif.,  1 April, 2026. \"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              File &#8211; Gas prices are displayed at a Shell gas station in front of the Marathon Petroleum refinery in Carson, Calif.,  1 April, 2026.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo\/Jae C. Hong<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\/Jae C. Hong\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspDoloresz Katanich\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1778154126\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-05-07 13:42:06 +02:00\">07\/05\/2026 &#8211; 13:42 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup 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loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Europe\u2019s biggest oil and gas company more than doubled first-quarter profits as the Iran war and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz sent energy prices sharply higher.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content c-article-content--business js-article-content\">\n<p>Shell plc posted stronger-than-expected first-quarter earnings as the Iran war drove up oil and gas prices and boosted trading profits, offsetting conflict-related declines in production.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cShell delivered strong results enabled by our relentless focus on operational performance in a quarter marked by unprecedented disruption in global energy markets,\u201d Chief Executive Wael Sawan said.<\/p>\n<p>Adjusted income rose to $6.9bn (\u20ac5.86bn), up from $3.3bn (\u20ac2.8bn) in the previous quarter. Shell also announced a 5% increase in its dividend, alongside a $3bn share buyback programme over the next three months.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA key profit driver has been the Middle East conflict, leading to a spike in oil prices, meaning Shell was able to sell its products at much higher prices,\u201d said Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell. He added that, \u201cThe oil price has been volatile since the conflict began on stop-start hopes of a resolution, and that volatility created opportunities for Shell\u2019s trading arm. <\/p>\n<p>Before the war broke out, international oil prices were trading at roughly $70 a barrel. The conflict-driven supply shock later pushed Brent crude to a peak of around $126 a barrel, its highest level in more than four years. On Thursday morning, <strong>Brent futures for next month&#8217;s delivery fell below $100<\/strong>, amid hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Outlook and the impacts on production in the Middle East<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Higher crude prices and stronger refining margins lifted profits across the sector. But Coatsworth noted that Shell also faced operational setbacks, including damage to one of its facilities in Qatar during the conflict and cyclone-related stoppages at one of its liquefied natural gas sites in Australia.<\/p>\n<p>Around 20% of Shell\u2019s oil and gas production comes from the Middle East, leaving the company exposed to prolonged disruption in the region. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Resilience amid ruins: Why markets are hitting record highs despite the Iran war<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">The UAE\u2019s OPEC exit signals strategic shift as Gulf unity faces new test over oil policy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Shell signalled that gas production in Qatar is expected to fall by at least 30% in the second quarter compared with the first three months of 2026. However, it said its assets in Oman remain operational and that upstream production has not been affected.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cStrategically, the longer-term question remains reserve replacement and production growth,\u201d said Maurizio Carulli, global energy analyst at Quilter Cheviot, commenting on the challenges ahead of the company. \u201cThe recent ARC Resources acquisition is a meaningful step in that direction, lifting Shell\u2019s production outlook from stagnation to modest but visible growth.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The company recently announced the acquisition of ARC Resources Ltd., a producer focused on the Montney shale basin in Canada. Analysts say the deal strengthens Shell\u2019s shale gas and liquids production in Canada. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>An extended windfall tax on earnings?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In the United Kingdom, Shell\u2019s sharp rise in profits has reignited the debate around an extended windfall tax on energy earnings.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOnce again, fossil fuel giants are pocketing monstrous profits while drivers are being squeezed at the petrol pump and households are set to pay higher energy bills,\u201d said Danny Gross, climate campaigner at Friends of the Earth, to the BBC. He suggested the strengthening of the windfall tax on fossil fuel companies&#8217; profits. <\/p>\n<p>Energy firms operating in the UK are already subject to a windfall tax, but the levy applies only to profits generated from oil and gas extraction in the UK. The country accounts for less than 5% of Shell\u2019s global oil and gas production. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cCalls for a windfall tax on oil profits will only grow louder now that both Shell and BP plc have reported bumper earnings as a direct result of the Middle East war,\u201d Coatsworth said. He added that \u201cthe longer oil prices stay higher, the harder it will be for them to oppose any windfall tax suggestions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Shell shares were down by around 2% after the results, though analysts said the decline reflected broader market expectations that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could soon resume, rather than company-specific concerns.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShell\u2019s first-quarter numbers were clearly better than expected,\u201d Carulli said. \u201cThe early share price weakness looks entirely macro-driven rather than company-specific, with oil stocks broadly under pressure on hopes of a rapid resolution to the Strait of Hormuz disruption.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__container\">\n<article id=\"abe-2891862-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2891862\" data-cid=\"9749725\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891862-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/97\/25\/480x270_cmsv2_cbc0be23-eacf-5ae8-a56c-099fa425be80-9749725.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt='File - The \"Maersk Skarstind\" container ship is moored at the APM Terminals in the Port of Los Angeles. 15 April 2025. 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' height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Business<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who pays more tax? See where you fall in Europe\u2019s income tax divide<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Iran war<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Big Oil<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Oil prices<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Natural gas<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Shell<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Profits<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2891783-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891783\" data-cid=\"9749372\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891783-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/93\/72\/320x180_cmsv2_275de323-764d-532b-8b59-4bd6593eefcf-9749372.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt='A retired man holds a placard which reads \"Macron robs the money of the old men and women\" during a rally in Paris, France, Thursday June 14, 2018. 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' height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Business<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who pays more tax? See where you fall in Europe\u2019s income tax divide<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891783-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891783\" data-cid=\"9749372\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891783-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/93\/72\/320x180_cmsv2_275de323-764d-532b-8b59-4bd6593eefcf-9749372.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt='A retired man holds a placard which reads \"Macron robs the money of the old men and women\" during a rally in Paris, France, Thursday June 14, 2018. ' height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who pays more tax? See where you fall in Europe\u2019s income tax divide<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891862-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891862\" data-cid=\"9749725\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891862-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/97\/25\/320x180_cmsv2_cbc0be23-eacf-5ae8-a56c-099fa425be80-9749725.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt='File - The \"Maersk Skarstind\" container ship is moored at the APM Terminals in the Port of Los Angeles. 15 April 2025. ' height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Maersk profit drops, maintains 2026 outlook despite Hormuz uncertainty<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891795-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891795\" data-cid=\"9749424\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891795-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/94\/24\/320x180_cmsv2_83196dfc-aa97-53e1-a51b-6eebbed3c6dd-9749424.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Trader Joseph Stevens, left, works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Tuesday, 5 May 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Oil drops below $100 while markets rise as US and Iran near a deal<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891592-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891592\" data-cid=\"9748455\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891592-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/84\/55\/320x180_cmsv2_86a56c1b-6009-5d9a-ad76-52836729fa66-9748455.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A Lufthansa aircraft at the airport in Munich, Germany, 13 April 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Lufthansa hits record revenue as Iran war fuel costs eat into profits<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891111-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891111\" data-cid=\"9746037\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891111-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/60\/37\/320x180_cmsv2_174ebe8c-6e31-5c23-a2d6-f8373a64fcc2-9746037.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Options traders, Scott Frinzi, Dave Rushand and Marty Handler work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, 1 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Resilience amid ruins: Markets at record highs despite Iran war<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891411-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891411\" data-cid=\"9747562\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who has the most ultra-rich in Europe in 2026 and where are they growing fastest?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887814-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887814\" data-cid=\"9729810\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Why is Europe&#8217;s break from Visa and Mastercard facing resistance?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2890159-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2890159\" data-cid=\"9741791\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Irish economic miracle explained: Why all that glitters isn&#8217;t gold<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891783-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891783\" data-cid=\"9749372\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who pays more tax? See where you fall in Europe\u2019s income tax divide<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891290-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891290\" data-cid=\"9746918\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ten years of Brexit: How have UK equities and the pound performed?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Shell plc posted stronger-than-expected first-quarter earnings as the Iran war drove up oil and gas prices and boosted trading profits, offsetting conflict-related declines in production.\u201cShell delivered strong results enabled by our relentless focus on operational performance in a quarter marked by unprecedented disruption in global energy markets,\u201d Chief Executive Wael Sawan said.Adjusted income rose to $6.9bn (\u20ac5.86bn), up from $3.3bn (\u20ac2.8bn) in the previous quarter. Shell also announced a 5% increase in its dividend, alongside a $3bn share buyback programme over the next three months.\u201cA key profit driver has been the Middle East conflict, leading to a spike in oil prices, meaning Shell was able to sell its products at much higher prices,\u201d said Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell. He added that, \u201cThe oil price has been volatile since the conflict began on stop-start hopes of a resolution, and that volatility created opportunities for Shell\u2019s trading arm.\u00a0Before the war broke out, international oil prices were trading at roughly $70 a barrel. The conflict-driven supply shock later pushed Brent crude to a peak of around $126 a barrel, its highest level in more than four years. On Thursday morning, Brent futures for next month&#8217;s delivery fell below $100, amid hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran.Outlook and the impacts on production in the Middle EastHigher crude prices and stronger refining margins lifted profits across the sector. But Coatsworth noted that Shell also faced operational setbacks, including damage to one of its facilities in Qatar during the conflict and cyclone-related stoppages at one of its liquefied natural gas sites in Australia.Around 20% of Shell\u2019s oil and gas production comes from the Middle East, leaving the company exposed to prolonged disruption in the region.Shell signalled that gas production in Qatar is expected to fall by at least 30% in the second quarter compared with the first three months of 2026. However, it said its assets in Oman remain operational and that upstream production has not been affected.\u201cStrategically, the longer-term question remains reserve replacement and production growth,\u201d said Maurizio Carulli, global energy analyst at Quilter Cheviot, commenting on the challenges ahead of the company. \u201cThe recent ARC Resources acquisition is a meaningful step in that direction, lifting Shell\u2019s production outlook from stagnation to modest but visible growth.\u201dThe company recently announced the acquisition of ARC Resources Ltd., a producer focused on the Montney shale basin in Canada. Analysts say the deal strengthens Shell\u2019s shale gas and liquids production in Canada.An extended windfall tax on earnings?In the United Kingdom, Shell\u2019s sharp rise in profits has reignited the debate around an extended windfall tax on energy earnings.\u201cOnce again, fossil fuel giants are pocketing monstrous profits while drivers are being squeezed at the petrol pump and households are set to pay higher energy bills,\u201d said Danny Gross, climate campaigner at Friends of the Earth, to the BBC. He suggested the strengthening of the windfall tax on fossil fuel companies&#8217; profits.Energy firms operating in the UK are already subject to a windfall tax, but the levy applies only to profits generated from oil and gas extraction in the UK. The country accounts for less than 5% of Shell\u2019s global oil and gas production.\u201cCalls for a windfall tax on oil profits will only grow louder now that both Shell and BP plc have reported bumper earnings as a direct result of the Middle East war,\u201d Coatsworth said. He added that \u201cthe longer oil prices stay higher, the harder it will be for them to oppose any windfall tax suggestions.\u201dShell shares were down by around 2% after the results, though analysts said the decline reflected broader market expectations that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could soon resume, rather than company-specific concerns.\u201cShell\u2019s first-quarter numbers were clearly better than expected,\u201d Carulli said. \u201cThe early share price weakness looks entirely macro-driven rather than company-specific, with oil stocks broadly under pressure on hopes of a rapid resolution to the Strait of Hormuz disruption.\u201d<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/2026\/05\/07\/shell-profits-surge-as-iran-war-drives-oil-prices-higher&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/98\/91\/1200x675_cmsv2_aaaf9990-d0a9-5f58-aa49-657ca2b59cb6-9749891.jpg&#8221;] Earth News These EU states have already used up their natural resources for 2026 Health news Interpol seizes \u20ac13.1m of fake medicines in global operation Iran Iranians at home torn between hope for regime change and war fears No Comment Pope Leo XIV swears in 28 new Swiss Guards in Vatican ceremony [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1922591","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1922591","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1922591"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1922591\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1922591"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1922591"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1922591"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}