Shell puts $3bn buyback on hold ahead of ARC shareholder vote

(Sharecast News) - Energy major Shell has announced it is pausing its $3bn share buyback programme for a month as it awaits the outcome of a shareholder vote by ARC Resources, which it is set to buy for $16.4bn. Last month, Shell lowered the size of its buyback plan by $500m and flagged that it would have to suspend share repurchases pending an ARC Resources shareholder vote due to "securities law requirements".

An ARC Resources circular published on Friday showed that shareholders will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed takeover on 14 July.

"Following publication of the ARC Resources Ltd shareholder circular and due to related securities law requirements that apply to the company, the [buyback] programme is suspended from, and including, June 12, 2026 until, and including, market close on July 14, 2026, being the published date of the ARC shareholder meeting," Shell said in a statement.

"Any buybacks not undertaken due to such suspension will be part of the remaining 2026 programmes (subject to board approval)."

Shell said it would provide a further update if the suspension extends beyond the date of the vote.

Shell's share price was 1.7% lower at 3,219p by 1539 BST.