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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favorite stories in this weekly newsletter.
Shell Denies Plans to Make Offer for BP
Shell has put an end to months of speculation by stating that it has “no intention” of making an offer for rival BP. The UK’s two largest oil companies have been the subject of rumors about a possible merger, but Shell has confirmed that it has not been actively considering making an offer for BP.
In a statement released on Thursday, Shell clarified that it has not approached BP for any talks regarding a possible offer. This announcement comes after a report by the Wall Street Journal claimed that the companies were in early stage negotiations about a potential deal to create a global energy group worth over £200bn.
Despite denying takeover talks on Wednesday, Shell reiterated on Thursday that its focus remains on improving the group’s performance and simplifying the business to deliver more value. London stock market rules now prohibit Shell from making an offer for BP for the next six months, unless certain circumstances arise.
However, Shell has reserved the right to make a bid within the next six months if BP receives a bid from another party, encourages Shell to do so, or if there is a material change of circumstances. BP’s shares rose by 0.5% in early trading on Thursday, while Shell’s stock saw a 0.6% increase.
BP CEO, Murray Auchincloss, is facing pressure to turn around the fortunes of the oil major after its aggressive push into renewable energy did not yield the expected results. On the other hand, Shell’s CEO, Wael Sawan, has shown little interest in pursuing a takeover of its rival. Sawan has previously stated that he would rather buy back Shell’s own shares than use the money on a deal for BP.
Over the past three years, Shell has spent at least $36bn on buying back its shares, resulting in its share price outperforming BP’s by more than 30%. The future of the two oil giants remains uncertain as they navigate the changing landscape of the energy industry.
