Shell's 'Solid' Profits? More Like the Capitol Feasting While the Districts Starve!

Earnings Schmearnings: A Quarter Doesn't Make a Rebellion

Well folks looks like another year another reaping... of profits for Shell. They're bragging about adjusted earnings of $5.58 billion for the first quarter. Now I'm no Prim with numbers but even I can see that's less than the $7.73 billion they raked in last year. But hey who needs progress when you've got… 'solid' results right? As President Snow would say 'Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear.' I guess that's why they're hoping we won't notice the drop.

Buybacks: Because Bread and Circuses are SO Last Century

Instead of say investing in something that won't eventually turn the planet into a flaming arena Shell's decided to treat its shareholders to another $3.5 billion share buyback program. That's right the 14th consecutive quarter of at least $3 billion in buybacks. It's like they're throwing money at the problem hoping it'll go away. Reminds me of the Capitol throwing feasts while we were scavenging for scraps. At least we had Peeta's bread; what do these folks have? Empty promises and a rapidly warming planet?

BP's Buyback Backtrack: Even They're Feeling the Heat

Even British Petroleum (BP) another big player in this deadly game is scaling back its share buybacks. Their first quarter profits fell short which goes to show that even the wealthiest can't escape reality forever. Maybe they're finally realizing that you can't eat money when the world is on fire. As Gale would say someone's finally starting to fight back even if it's just a little.

Strategic Direction? More Like Strategic Deception!

Shell's CEO Wael Sawan calls it a 'strategic direction.' I call it rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. They're doubling down on liquified natural gas which last I checked still involves digging stuff out of the ground and burning it. It's like they haven't learned a thing from the Hunger Games. You can't just keep taking without giving back. Remember what I said? 'If we burn you burn with us!'

Reduced Investment: Cutting Costs or Cutting Corners?

To add insult to injury Shell is reaffirming its reduced annual investment budget of $20 billion to $22 billion for 2025. So less money for actual energy solutions and more for… lining their pockets? It's enough to make you want to grab a bow and arrow and start targeting their headquarters. But I digress.

The Games Continue: Who Will Be the Victor?

So here we are another year another set of 'solid' profits for the Capitol... I mean Shell. While they're busy playing games with the economy and the environment the rest of us are left to wonder when the odds will finally be in our favor. But remember even in the darkest of times there's always hope. And maybe just maybe one day we'll finally win this game. But until then I will keep fighting. So should you.