Non-GAAP measures reconciliations

These non-GAAP measures, also known as alternative performance measures, are financial measures other than those defined in International Financial Reporting Standards, which Shell considers provide useful information.

Earnings on a current cost of supplies basis

Segment earnings are presented on a current cost of supplies basis (CCS earnings), which is the earnings measure used by the Chief Executive Officer for the purposes of making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance. On this basis, the purchase price of volumes sold during the period is based on the current cost of supplies during the same period after making allowance for the tax effect. CCS earnings therefore exclude the effect of changes in the oil price on inventory carrying amounts. The current cost of supplies adjustment does not impact cash flow from operating activities in the “Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows”.

Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA)

The “Adjusted Earnings” measure aims to facilitate a comparative understanding of Shell’s financial performance from period to period by removing the effects of oil price changes on inventory carrying amounts and removing the effects of identified items. These items are in some cases driven by external factors and may, either individually or collectively, hinder the comparative understanding of Shell’s financial results from period to period.

The “Adjusted EBITDA (CCS basis)” and “Adjusted EBITDA (FIFO basis)” measures are introduced with effect from January 1, 2021. Management uses both measures to evaluate Shell’s performance in the period and over time. We define “Adjusted EBITDA (CCS basis)” as “Income/(loss) for the period” adjusted for current cost of supplies; identified items; tax charge/(credit); depreciation, amortisation and depletion; exploration well write-offs and net interest expense. All items include the non-controlling interest component. We define “Adjusted EBITDA (FIFO basis)” as “Income/(loss) for the period adjusted for identified items; tax charge/ (credit); depreciation, amortisation and depletion; exploration well write-offs and net interest expense. All items include the non-controlling interest component.

Identified Items

The objective of identified items is to remove material impacts on net income/loss arising from transactions which are generally uncontrollable and unusual (infrequent or non-recurring) in nature or giving rise to a mismatch of accounting and economic results, or certain transactions that are generally excluded from underlying results in the industry.

Cash capital expenditure

Cash capital expenditure monitors investing activities on a cash basis, excluding items such as lease additions which do not necessarily result in cash outflows in the period. The measure comprises the following lines from the Consolidated Statement of Cash flows: Capital expenditure, Investments in joint ventures and associates and Investments in equity securities.

The reconciliation of “Capital expenditure” to “Cash capital expenditure” is as follows.

Operating expenses and underlying operating expenses

Operating expenses is a measure of Shell’s cost management performance, comprising the following items from the “Consolidated Statement of Income”: production and manufacturing expenses; selling, distribution and administrative expenses; and research and development expenses.

Underlying operating expenses is a measure aimed at facilitating a comparative understanding of performance from period to period by removing the effects of identified items, which, either individually or collectively, can cause volatility, in some cases driven by external factors.

Return on average capital employed

Return on average capital employed (ROACE) measures the efficiency of our utilisation of the capital that we employ. In this calculation, ROACE is defined as income for the period, adjusted for after-tax interest expense, as a percentage of the average capital employed for the period. Capital employed consists of total equity, current debt and non-current debt.

Net debt and gearing

Net debt is defined as the sum of current and non-current debt, less cash and cash equivalents, adjusted for the fair value of derivative financial instruments used to hedge foreign exchange and interest rate risk relating to debt, and associated collateral balances.

Gearing is a measure of Shell’s capital structure and is defined as net debt (total debt less cash and cash equivalents) as a percentage of total capital (net debt plus total equity).

Also refer to Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Free cash flow and organic free cash flow

Free cash flow is used to evaluate cash available for financing activities, including shareholder distributions and debt servicing, after investment in maintaining and growing our business.

Organic free cash flow is defined as Free cash flow excluding the cash flows from acquisition and divestment activities. It is a measure used by management to evaluate generation of cash flow without these activities.

Shareholder distribution

Shareholder distribution is used to evaluate the level of cash distribution to shareholders. It is defined as the sum of Cash dividends paid to Shell plc shareholders and Repurchases of shares, both of which are reported in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Divestment proceeds

Divestment proceeds represent cash received from divestment activities in the period. Management regularly monitors this measure as a key lever to deliver sustainable cash flow.