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Shell Says Weak Oil and Gas Trade Hit 2Q Profit

Shell’s sprawling but secretive in-house trading business is often one of its biggest profit boosters, and Chief Executive Officer Wael Sawan said in March that its traders haven’t lost money in a single quarter over the past decade. Yet recent price swings have been hard to navigate, with crude whipsawed by US President Donald Trump’s trade war, OPEC+ policy and Israel’s attacks on Iran.

Oil Gains 3% as Trade Hopes Rise

Crude has slid since Trump took office on concerns that his global trade war will dent economic growth and slow energy demand. Adding to the bearishness, OPEC+ has decided to revive idled output faster than expected. Already, the drop in oil prices is spurring American shale producers to cut spending in the Permian Basin.