Shell plc announces $5 billion share buyback and Q3 2026 interim dividend

Shell plc announced on October 29, 2026, the commencement of a $5 billion share buyback programme and the details of its third quarter 2026 interim dividend.

Share Buyback Programme

Shell plc has initiated a $5 billion share buyback programme with an aggregate contract term of approximately three months. The company stated that the purpose of the programme is to reduce the issued share capital of the Company, and all shares repurchased as part of the programme will be cancelled. Shell intends to complete the programme prior to its Q4 2026 results announcement, subject to market conditions.

The company has entered into two non-discretionary contracts with brokers to facilitate the purchases:

• London contract: A single broker will enable the purchase of ordinary shares on London market exchanges, including the London Stock Exchange, BATS, and Chi-X. The aggregate maximum consideration for this contract is $3 billion.
• Netherlands contract: A single broker will enable the purchase of ordinary shares on Netherlands exchanges, including Euronext Amsterdam, CBOE Europe DXE, and Turquoise Europe. The aggregate maximum consideration for this contract is $2 billion.

These arrangements are set for a period up to and including January 29, 2027. The maximum number of ordinary shares that may be purchased or committed to be purchased under both contracts is 470,000,000. This represents the maximum number remaining as of the announcement date based on authorities granted by shareholders at the Company's 2026 Annual General Meeting. The brokers will make trading decisions regarding the Company's securities independently of the Company.

Shell has obtained a Canadian Exemption for this programme. This exemption applies provided that ordinary shares are not listed or posted for trading on any stock exchange or marketplace in Canada, and Canadian beneficial ownership does not exceed 10% of the total number of issued and outstanding ordinary shares. Additionally, the aggregate number of ordinary shares acquired within any 12-month period must not exceed 10% of the outstanding ordinary shares, excluding treasury shares.

Third Quarter 2026 Interim Dividend

The Board of Shell plc announced an interim dividend for the third quarter of 2026 of US$ 0.3906 per ordinary share. For American Depositary Shares (ADSs), the dividend is US$ 0.7812 per ADS, as each ADS represents two ordinary shares.

Shareholders may elect to receive dividends in US dollars, euros, or pounds sterling. The company noted the following default payment methods:

• Euroclear Nederland: Shareholders holding shares through Euroclear Nederland will receive dividends in euros, absent any valid election to the contrary.
• Pounds Sterling: Shareholders holding shares through the Shell Corporate Nominee, or those holding in certificated and uncertificated form (CREST members), will receive dividends in pounds sterling, absent any valid election to the contrary.
• US Dollars: Cash dividends on American Depositary Shares (ADSs) will be paid, by default, in US dollars.

The pound sterling and euro equivalent dividend payments are scheduled to be announced on December 7, 2026. The payment date for the dividend is December 21, 2026.

Dividend Timetable and Reinvestment

The dividend schedule is as follows:

• Ex-Dividend Date (Ordinary Shares): November 12, 2026
• Ex-Dividend Date (ADSs): November 13, 2026
• Record Date: November 13, 2026
• Closing date for currency election: November 27, 2026 at 11:00am GMT
• Payment date: December 21, 2026

Shareholders can participate in Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRIPs) through several organizations, including Equiniti Financial Services Limited (EFSL), ABN-AMRO NV (ABN), and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPM).

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Sources

• financialpost.com: Shell plc Third Quarter 2026 Interim Dividend | Financial Post
• uk.finance.yahoo.com: Shell announces commencement of a share buyback programme
• stocktitan.net: Shell starts $5 billion share buyback programme | SHEL Stock News
• theglobeandmail.com: Shell plc Third Quarter 2026 Interim Dividend - The Globe and Mail
• mykxlg.com: Shell announces commencement of a share buyback programme | Press Releases | mykxlg.com

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.