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Can Shell get as good a reaction as BP Plc when it reports on Thursday?

Last updated: 06:00 02 Nov 2017 GMT, First published: 13:30 01 Nov 2017 GMT

Shell petrol station

Investors will be hoping Royal Dutch Shell Plc (LON:RDSB) can get the same kind of boost seen by BP Plc (LON:BP) after its third quarter update this week.

BP shares jumped to levels not seen since the beginning of the decade after the energy giant posted a 9% increase in third quarter profit.

Shell is due to release interim results on Thursday.

In a recent preview RBC Capital analyst Biraj Borkhataria noted that the Anglo-Dutch would not be as exposed to improving refining conditions as BP. Better crude oil prices and greater confidence would, of course, apply.

Borkhataria expects there will be a wait for ‘strategic answers’ for the market given that there’ll be an investor relations day later this month.

Previewing the Anglo-Dutch’s update, the analyst said: “A number of one-offs, both positive and negative could lead to a volatile quarter.”

Expectations are that Shell may deliver some healthy numbers,  but, perhaps there may not be a huge amount to shout about.

Thursday's agenda

Bank of England UK interest rate decision

Trading update: BT Group plc (Q2) (LON:BT.A),  Centaminl PLC (LON:CEY), Howden Joinery Group PLC (LON:HWDN), Indivior PLC (Q3) (LON:INDV), Intu Properties PLC (LON:INTU), Lancashire Holdings Limited (Q3) (LON:LRE), Randgold Resources PLC (Q3) (LON:RRS),  Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Q3) (LON:RDSA), RSA Insurance PLC (Q3) (LON:RSA), Schroders PLC (LON:SDR), Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC (LON:MRW)

Interims: 3i Infrastructure PLC (LON:3IN), Tate & Lyle PLC (LON:TATE)

Economic data: UK construction PMI; US weekly jobless claims

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