Shareholder FAQs
On this page you'll find a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ's) about our shares and our American Depository Shares (ADSs).
Questions about your shareholding, including changes to your personal information, should be addressed to our share registrar Equiniti or your broker, custodian or financial institution where you hold your shares.
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Who are Shell plc's Registrars and how do I contact them?
Equiniti
Aspect House
Spencer Road
Lancing
West Sussex
BN99 6DAFreephone: 0800 169 1679 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 (0) 121 415 7073 (from outside the UK)
Website: www.shareview.co.uk for online information about your holding. (Shareholder reference number will be required – shown on your share certificates, tax vouchers or your Shell Nominee Statement.)
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How do I check my shareholding details online?
Registered shareholders or shareholders in the Shell Nominee Service can visit the Equiniti website at: www.shareview.co.uk.
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Why am I not receiving my dividend cheques?
Shell plc has simplified the way dividends and other distributions are paid, by only making payments directly into a nominated bank account. This is known as Direct Payment. Equiniti Financial Services Limited, as provider of the Shell plc Nominee Service, has aligned its practices and also no longer makes Shell payments, or re-issues Shell payments by cheque.
Please contact Equiniti to provide your bank account details. Unclaimed payments will then be released on the next payment run.
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I have lost my dividend cheque, what should I do?
Please contact Equiniti to provide your bank account details and the funds will be transferred to you electronically.
In March 2020, Shell plc (“Shell”) simplified the way its dividends and other distributions are paid, by only making payments (and the re-issuing of payments) directly into a nominated bank account. Equiniti Financial Services Limited, as provider of the Shell Nominee Service, aligned its practices and also no longer makes Shell payments, or re-issues Shell payments by cheque transferred to you electronically on the next payment run.
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When are dividends paid?
Dividends are usually paid quarterly in March, June, September and December.
Please visit our financial calendar for further information.
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Are there Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRIPs) available?
Dividend Reinvestment Programmes (“DRIP”) are available from:
- Equiniti Financial Services Limited (“EFSL”), for those holding shares (a) directly on the register as certificate holder or as CREST Member and (b) via the Nominee Service;
- ABN-AMRO NV (“ABN”) for Financial Intermediaries holding ordinary shares via Euroclear Nederland;
- JP Morgan Chase Bank NA (“JPM”) for holders of American Depository Shares; and
- Other DRIPs may also be available from the intermediary through which investors hold their shares
DRIP Offerors, EFSL, ABN, JPM and other intermediaries, provide their DRIP fully on their account and thus not on behalf of Shell plc. Therefore, interested parties should contact DRIP Offerors directly. The contact details of EFSL, ABN or JPM are available at:www.shell.com/drip.
To be eligible for DRIP, investors must make applicable arrangements prior to the cut-off applied by the respective DRIP Offeror.
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Do you have a SCRIP Dividend Programme?
Shell plc (the “Company”) operated a Scrip Dividend Programme (the “Programme”) from the first quarter interim dividend for 2015, however the Company announced on November 28, 2017 the cancellation of the Programme with effect from the fourth quarter 2017 interim dividend. The cancellation meant that the fourth quarter 2017 interim dividend and future dividends will be settled entirely in cash, rather than the Company offering a share-based alternative.
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Are share dealing services available?
Yes, please visit our buying or selling Shell Shares section for further details.
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Why do I keep receiving more than one annual report?
This could be because you have more than one account shown on Shell's share register. If you would like to amalgamate your accounts to ensure this does not happen in the future, please contact Equiniti.
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Will you be preparing a consolidated tax voucher at the end of the year?
Yes, consolidated tax vouchers will be sent by the Company's Registrar to all registered shareholders in March each year. This is becoming an increasingly common practice for listed FTSE companies. If you have any queries about your tax voucher please contact Equiniti on 0800 169 1679 (from the UK) or +44 121 415 7073 (from outside the UK).
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I have lost my share certificate, what should I do?
Please contact Equiniti who will be able to arrange a replacement certificate for you. You will need to complete an indemnity which covers Shell for any loss arising from a dispute over ownership of the shares and there may be a charge for this.
If you are a member of the Shell Nominee Service your shares are not held in certificated form.
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When is the next Annual General Meeting?
Please visit our financial calendar for further information.
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When are the next set of results being announced?
Please visit our financial calendar for further information.
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What is an American Depositary Share (ADS)?
ADS stands for an American Depositary Share. ADSs are listed on the NYSE under the symbol SHEL. Each ADS represents two ordinary shares. ADS ownership is evidenced by American Depositary Receipts or ADRs.
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What is an American Depositary Receipt (ADR)?
An ADR is a negotiable U.S. certificate representing ownership of the ADSs in a non-U.S. corporation. ADSs are quoted and traded in U.S. dollars in the U.S. securities market. Also, the dividends are paid to investor in U.S. dollars. ADSs were specifically designed to facilitate the purchase, holding and sale of non-U.S. securities by U.S. investors, and to provide a corporate finance vehicle for non-U.S. companies. ADSs can be held in book-entry form or as a physical certificate.
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What is the difference between an ADR and an ADS?
An ADR is a negotiable certificate issued by a depositary bank representing a specific number of shares of a non-U.S. company traded on a U.S. stock exchange. An ADS is the share issued under the ADR agreement which is actually traded. In many cases the terms ADR and ADS are used interchangeably.
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Who is the depositary bank for Shell ADSs?
JPMorgan is the depositary bank. The depositary bank plays a key role in the process of issuance and cancellation of ADSs. It also maintains the ADS holder register and distributes the dividends in U.S. dollars. JPMorgan is a DTC (Depository Trust Company) participant as are brokers and dealers, other banks, trust companies and clearing houses.
For additional general information, please visit JPMorgan’s website at
DR Profile: Shell - Ordinary Shares
Registered holders wishing to access their account with JPMorgan (JPMorgan acts as both ADS depositary bank and registrar):
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
P.O. Box 64504
St. Paul, MN 55164-0504Overnight Mail:
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
1110 Centre Pointe Curve, Suite 101
Mendota Heights, MN 55120-4100
Tel: +1 888-737-2377 (USA only)
Tel: +1 651-453-2128 (International)
Email: jpmorgan.adr@equiniti.com
Website: www.adr.com/shareholder
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Can I buy Shell ADSs through a broker just as you would buy other U.S. securities?
Yes.
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Can I purchase ADSs directly from Shell?
No.
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What is the difference between a registered holder and a beneficial ADS holder?
A registered holder is one whose name appears on the books of the depositary. The registered holder is considered the owner of the record. A beneficial holder is one whose holdings are registered in a name other than his or her own, such as the name of a broker, bank or nominee.
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I did not receive a certificate with the purchase of my ADSs. How can I obtain a certificate?
For registered owners, ownership is registered by the depositary bank and is evidenced by an account statement, provided by the depositary. Registered owners may request a physical certificate issued by the Depositary Bank and receive dividends, and proxy materials directly from JPMorgan. To have a physical certificate issued, complete, sign and return the tear-off portion of the account statement or contact JPMorgan as indicated above.
Owners of Shell ADSs that are registered in the "nominee name" or "street name" of a bank, broker or other institution that holds such securities for the accounts of others are considered beneficial owners. ADSs held in this form are book-entry securities, where the beneficial owner’s interest is recorded in an account held by the institution rather than by registration with the ADS depositary.
Major benefits of book-entry ownership are the elimination of problems associated with paper certificates such as storage, safety of securities or cost and inconvenience of replacement. Book-entry ADSs eliminate the requirement for physical movement of certificates at the time of sale or transfer of ownership. Investors purchasing ADSs through a broker who wish to become registered owners must specifically direct the broker to register the shares with the ADS depositary. If you choose to have a certificate issued, please contact JPMorgan.
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How can I find out how many ADSs I have?
For those holders who are not registered because their shares are held through a nominee account, please contact your nominee for information on your ADS holdings.
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Do I always get an ADS certificate?
Your Shell ADSs represent your ownership of shares in the company and can be held in certificate or book-entry form. The term "Direct Registration Receipts" means American Depositary Shares not evidenced by Receipts that are evidenced by book entry notations recorded on the Direct Registration System and by periodic statements from the Depositary.
If you hold your ADSs in certificate form, these should be kept in a safe-deposit box or secure place. Certificates are negotiable documents and should be signed only in the event of a sale or transfer of ownership. If you hold your ADSs through a nominee account these will be in book-entry form and therefore you will not have an ADS certificate.
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What is “Direct Registration Receipts”?
The term "Direct Registration Receipts" means American Depositary Shares not evidenced by Receipts that are evidenced by book entry notations recorded on the Direct Registration System and by periodic statements from the Depositary.
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What should I do if I lose an ADS certificate?
If your certificate is lost, stolen, or destroyed, notify JPMorgan's investor hotline +1 888 737 2377. Please ensure you have your account number or Social Security Taxpayer Identification number ready when calling.
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How are dividends paid for ADSs?
Dividends are paid in U.S. dollars, just like dividends on U.S. shares.
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How can I replace a lost dividend check for ADSs?
You can request the replacement of a lost dividend check by visiting www.adr.com/shareholder or by calling JPMorgan as indicated above. Upon authorization from you, a stop payment order will be placed against the original check and a replacement check will be issued to you. Please have your account number or Social Security Number ready when calling.
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How can I find out Shell ADS dividend information?
For the most current Shell ADS dividend information you can call JPMorgan. Please have your account number, exact address, and exact name(s) on the account ready when you call. You can also refer to JPMorgan website at www.adr.com
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Can I have my dividends from ADSs directly deposited into my bank account?
All or a portion of your cash dividend can be wired directly to your bank account. In order to take advantage of this option your bank or financial institution must be part of Automatic Clearing House (ACH). If you are interested in this option please visit www.adr.com/shareholder or call JPMorgan as indicated above.