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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