Even with the drop in advertising income in the fourth quarter of 2015, Shell's shares were sharply higher on Thursday (Press Release / Shell / SEE)
Royal Dutch Shell confirmed on Thursday it plans to cut 10,000 jobs of work, a reduction in staff that began last year and will continue throughout 2016. In addition, the Anglo-Dutch company said it plans to sell 30 billion dollars in assets, after buying BG.
Shell also said that its dividend following protected and promised to distribute payments of at least $ 1.88 per share to investors this year. "Shell will take more impactful decisions to overcome the fall in oil prices, if the conditions require it," said the chief executive of the company, Ben van Beurden.
The news was released on the same day that Shell released its balance sheet, with a drop of 57% in profit in the fourth quarter 2015 compared to the same period last year to $ 1.8 billion. The sharp drop in oil prices hurt results. Nevertheless, the overall communication Shell was well received in the market. Close to 9:30 (GMT), the company's stock rose 6.50% on the London Stock Exchange.
The statement released on Thursday is the last before the closing of the acquisition of BG, for about $ 50 billion on 15 February. Shell was criticized by investors and analysts for the price we paid for the smaller competitor, but the agreement should mean a boost to their production volumes. The company says that with the purchase, plans to increase production by 20% and strengthen its reserves by 25% compared to the end of 2014.
