Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras (PBR) vs Shell (SHEL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras (PBR) has outperformed Shell (SHEL) over the past year, gaining 95.4% versus a gain of 29.3%. Over five years, PBR leads with a +116.3% price change compared with +98.8% for SHEL. Shell is the larger company by market cap ($285.26 billion vs $159.11 billion), about 1.8 times the size.
On valuation, Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras trades at a lower forward P/E (6.0x vs 9.6x for Shell). Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras offers the higher dividend yield (14.85% vs 1.51%). Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 8.2% versus 6.7%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | PBR | SHEL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $24.69 | $100.20 |
| Market cap | $159.11B | $285.26B |
| 1-day change | +2.92% | +3.46% |
| YTD return | +102.45% | +31.80% |
| 1-year return | +95.36% | +29.29% |
| 5-year return | +116.32% | +98.83% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 6.23 | 11.06 |
| Forward P/E | 5.97 | 9.56 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.96 | $9.06 |
| Dividend yield | 14.85% | 1.51% |
| Annual dividend | $3.67 | $1.51 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $91.42B | $266.89B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -10.73% | -6.13% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $7.53B | $17.84B |
| Gross margin | 50.29% | — |
| Operating margin | 29.40% | — |
| Net margin | 8.23% | 6.68% |
| 52-week high | $24.85 | $100.60 |
| 52-week low | $11.43 | $68.63 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -0.64% | -0.40% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -5.59% | +3.87% |
| Average volume | 20.06M | 6.37M |
| Shares outstanding | 3.72B | 2.85B |
| Employees | 43,199 | 84,000 |
| Sector | Energy | Energy |
| Industry | Oil & Gas Production | Oil & Gas Production |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- PBR has outperformed SHEL by 66.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Shell trades at a higher earnings multiple (11.1x vs 6.2x trailing P/E).
- Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (14.85% vs 1.51%).
About Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras
PBR stock →Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras explores, produces, and sells oil and gas in Brazil, China, the United States, the Americas, Asia, Europe, Singapore, and internationally.
Energy · Oil & Gas Production · 43,199 employees
About Shell
SHEL stock →Shell plc operates as an energy and petrochemical company in Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, the United States, and other parts of the Americas. It operates through the following segments: Integrated Gas, Upstream, Marketing, Chemicals and Products, and Renewables and Energy Solutions.
Energy · Oil & Gas Production · 84,000 employees
PBR vs SHEL FAQ
Which is bigger, Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras or Shell?
Shell (SHEL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $285.26B compared with $159.11B for Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras (PBR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, PBR or SHEL?
PBR returned +95.36% over the past 12 months, compared with +29.29% for SHEL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, PBR or SHEL?
PBR has the lower trailing P/E at 6.2, versus 11.1 for SHEL. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras or Shell?
Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras has the higher yield at 14.85%, compared with 1.51% for Shell.
Are Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras and Shell in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Oil & Gas Production industry within the Energy sector.