Shell, Saturn Oil + Gas, Plug Power - Energy stocks in focus

Royal Dutch Shell - On two highs

Although renewable energies are rising due to climate targets, oil and natural gas remain more in demand than ever. As a result, oil multinationals such as Exxon Mobil, Royal Dutch Shell, and BP posted record results in 2021. These shares are becoming more attractive because most producers are distributing an ever-larger share of their profits to investors, thus offering a high dividend yield.

In addition, a large part of the profits flows into the reorientation and conversion of the groups into sustainable, renewable energy companies. Instead of oil and gas, the billions at Royal Dutch Shell are to be generated primarily by wind, sun and hydrogen.

For an undisclosed sum, Royal Dutch Shell is taking over Solar-Konzept Italia Srl (SKI) from the German solar-konzept International GmbH. The acquisition increases Shell's solar development pipeline in Italy to about 2 GW and supports the Company in its global effort to supply customers with renewable energy. Integrated energy supply is key to Shell's Powering Progress strategy and commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Various analyst firms continue to be positive on Shell shares. British investment bank Barclays left its rating for Shell at "Overweight" with a price target of 3000 pence, equivalent to EUR 36.02. Deutsche Bank experts see the stock as a buy candidate with a price target of 2038 pence, or EUR 24.47.

Saturn Oil & Gas - Production output increased twenty-fold

Saturn Oil & Gas, an oil producer, based in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, can also profit from the tight supply and high demand for crude oil. By completing a transformative acquisition of light oil deposits in the Oxbow area of southeastern Saskatchewan, one of the most economically viable oil reservoirs in North America, the Canadians rose to become one of the region's leading oil producers. With the acquisition, production capacity was increased twenty-fold to 7,000 barrels per day, which corresponds to a daily turnover of USD 487,000.

The attractiveness of this transaction was already evident in the figures for the third quarter. The producer increased operating cash flow in Q3 by a factor of more than 13 compared to the same period last year, posting CAD 13.9 million. This corresponds to a cash flow of CAD 0.55 per share. Almost half of the free cash flow of CAD 9.5 million was invested in three successful wells. Also, in the future, the Canadians drive the strategy that, on the one hand, the debt reduction of the enterprise is consistently advanced, and the remaining free cash flow in new drillings is invested.

The analyst firm GBC Research classifies the share as massively undervalued. According to the experts, the maturity of the Oxbow asset and the low decline rate of 12% give Saturn Oil & Gas great flexibility for future investments. The price target was therefore increased from CAD 9.20 to CAD 12.17. Thus, the share certificates have multiplication potential. Further information is expected from the Company at the International Investment Forum (IIF) on February 17, 2022. Free to attend: www.ii-forum.com

Plug Power gives an update

Despite an update and a surprise revenue increase, shares of the fuel cell producer continue to slide. At around USD 21, the Nasdaq-listed stock's chart picture suggests a further sell-off.

Plug Power raised its revenue forecast for the current fiscal year from USD 900 million to between USD 900 million and USD 925 million. In addition, the US company is sticking to its mid-term forecast for 2025 published last year. Then, the operating margin is expected to be 17% on total revenues of USD 3 billion.

Due to low supply and rising demand, oil prices remain at record highs. Profiteers are not only oil giants such as Exxon or Royal Dutch Shell but also the Canadian oil producer Saturn Oil & Gas. Analysts rate the Canadian Company's shares as a potential multiplier. In contrast, shares of hydrogen and fuel cell companies such as Plug Power continue to correct strongly.