Is Time Running Out To Buy Royal Dutch Shell Plc?

Have you missed the boat with Royal Dutch Shell Plc (LON: RDSB)?

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

At the end of January, it looked as if investors had given up on Royal Dutch Shell (LSE: RDSB). Its share price had plunged to a multi-year low of 1,277p and City analysts were advising their clients to avoid the company. What’s more, the consensus seemed to be that during 2016 Shell would be forced to cut its dividend for the first time since the Second World War.

However, 20 January was a low point for the company and since then Shell’s shares have rallied by 33%, that’s excluding the first quarter dividend payment of 33p per share. 

Investors who bought at the end of January are now sitting on a healthy profit. The question is, how much longer will this rally continue?

Renewed confidence

At the end of January, the market was worried about Shell’s ability to maintain its dividend payout amid the volatile oil environment and many investors were concerned about the company’s deal to buy BG Group.

Two months on and these concerns seem to have evaporated. Shell has completed its merger with BG and is now setting about integrating the two companies. Buyers have been sounded out for asset sales, and Shell is already restructuring the enlarged group’s workforce.

Moreover, Shell’s management has made it quite clear that the company’s dividend payout is here to stay, despite the low oil price. The company has a relatively clean balance sheet and is still making significant profits from its downstream and trading operations, profits that will be used to fund the dividend for the time being. Asset sales will also boost Shell’s liquidity.

Hard to value

Investors have begun to trust Shell again now that the company is making steady progress with the BG integration and the sustainability of the dividend. Still, Shell’s shares remain difficult to value, and it’s hard to say whether or not the shares are overvalued or undervalued at present levels.

You see, based on current oil prices Shell is trading at a forward P/E of 22.5, a premium multiple usually reserved for high-growth tech companies. However, the new enlarged Shell is set to have a record year this year regarding output and volume of hydrocarbon products traded. But because oil prices are depressed this won’t be reflected on the firm’s income statement.

So, for the time being one of the simplest ways to value shares in Shell, without guessing where the price of oil will be 12 months from now, is to look at the company’s dividend yield.

And at present levels, Shell’s shares support a dividend yield of 7.6%. As covered above, management is set on keeping this yield in place for the foreseeable future. In today’s low-interest-rate world, that 7.6% looks highly attractive. 

It looks as if there is still time to buy Shell.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Rupert Hargreaves owns shares of Royal Dutch Shell B. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Royal Dutch Shell B. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Investing Articles

How I’d use an empty Stocks and Shares ISA to aim for a £1,000 monthly passive income

Here's how using a Stocks and Shares ISA really could help those of us who plan to invest for an…

Read more »

Investing Articles

This FTSE stock is up 20% and set for its best day ever! Time to buy?

This Fool takes a look at the half-year results from Burberry (LON:BRBY) to see if the struggling FTSE stock might…

Read more »

Investing Articles

This latest FTSE 100 dip could be an unmissable opportunity to pick up cut-price stocks

The FTSE 100 has pulled back with the government’s policy choices creating some negative sentiment. But this gives us a…

Read more »

A young woman sitting on a couch looking at a book in a quiet library space.
Investing Articles

As the WH Smith share price falls 4% on annual results, is it still worth considering?

WH Smith took a hit after this morning’s results left shareholders unimpressed. With the share price down 4%, Mark Hartley…

Read more »

Investing Articles

The Aviva share price just jumped 4.5% but still yields 7.02%! Time to buy?

A positive set of results has put fresh life into the Aviva share price. Harvey Jones says it offers bags…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Can a €500m buyback kickstart the Vodafone share price?

The Vodafone share price has been a loser for investors in recent years, and the dividend has been cut. We…

Read more »

Frustrated young white male looking disconsolate while sat on his sofa holding a beer
Growth Shares

3 mistakes I now avoid when choosing which growth stocks to buy

Jon Smith runs through some of the lessons he's learnt the hard way over the years about what to look…

Read more »

Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

Should I follow Warren Buffett and sell my favourite shares?

Billionaire US investor Warren Buffett has been selling tons of Apple shares and other stocks of businesses he thinks are…

Read more »