SHELL AND DIVIDEND INCREASE

1.Shell's Financial Results in 2023:

- Shell $SHEL beat expectations with a profit of $28.25 billion, although it recorded a 29% decline compared to the previous year.

2. Dividends and Share Buybacks:

- Despite the drop in profits, Shell $SHEL announced a 4% dividend increase and the launch of a $3.5 billion share buyback program.

3. Fourth Quarter Results:

- Results for the final quarter delivered a profit of $7.31 billion, supported by lucrative margins from natural gas trading.

4. Financial Health and Debt:

- Shell $SHEL minimized net debt to $43.5 billion and completed a share buyback program. However, the stock has seen a decline.

How do you assess Shell's strategic decisions, including increasing the dividend, initiating a new share buyback program, and minimizing net debt, in response to its 2023 results?