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A view shows a board with the logo of Shell at the company’s fuel station in Saint Petersburg, Russia May 6, 2022. 

Anton Vaganov | Reuters

British oil major Shell on Tuesday announced plans to increase shareholder returns and cut spend, as it doubles down on its liquified natural gas (LNG) push.

In an announcement ahead of its Capital Markets Day 2025 event, the company said it would bolster shareholder distributions to 40-50% of cash flow from operations, up from a 30-40% range previously. It intends to stick to progressive dividends of 4% per year and to grow free cash flow per share by more than a yearly 10% through to 2030.

The oil major also said it will lower its spending to $20-22 billion per year through to 2028, after targeting such costs in a $22-25 billion range for 2024 and 2025 back in 2023.

The oil company separately said it aims to trim its structural cost reduction target from $2-3 billion by the end of this year to a cumulative $5-7 billion by the end of the three-year stretch to the end of 2028, compared with 2022 plans.

Shell — the world’s largest liquified natural gas trader — guided it will grow output across its combined upstream and integrated gas businesses by 1% per year through to 2030, as well as increase LNG sales by 4-5% every year through that period. It will separately keep its oil production steady at 1.4 million barrels per day until the end of the decade.

The company intends to expend 10% of its capital in low-carbon businesses by 2030.

”We want to become the world’s leading integrated gas and LNG business and the most customer-focused energy marketer and trader, while sustaining a material level of liquids production. Today we are raising the bar across our key financial targets, investing where we have competitive strengths and delivering more for our shareholders,” CEO Wael Sawan said in a Tuesday statement.

European oil companies have increasingly battled pressure to review their portfolio strategy in a bid to lock step with shareholder returns offered by majors in the U.S., where White House leader Donald Trump’s administration champions the resurging output of fossil fuels.

Shell has largely outpaced European peers, with shares up 11.3% in the year to date, but most recently notched a sharp drop in annual profit to $23.72 billion for full-year 2024, missing expectations. It announced a 4% hike in dividend per share and launched a $3.5 billion buyback program at the time.

“Shell’s share price has outperformed the peer group handily, and so it should not be a surprise that today’s update reads as more evolution than revolution,” RBC analysts said in a Tuesday note. “At the margin, the guidance looks better than expected, with higher cost reductions, capex guidance coming in lower at the midpoint versus consensus, and higher shareholder returns than anticipated.”

Shell’s stock was up 2% at 8:30 a.m. London time.

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First savings on new ECOVACS Goat O1000 RTK robot mower at $900, Anker PowerCore Reserve $90, Hiboy e-scooters, Husqvarna, more

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First savings on new ECOVACS Goat O1000 RTK robot mower at 0, Anker PowerCore Reserve , Hiboy e-scooters, Husqvarna, more

Today’s Green Deals are headlined by the very first chance at cash savings on ECOVACS’ new Goat O1000 RTK Robot Lawn Mower that first debuted at CES 2025 and is now down at $900. Right behind it we have the popular Anker PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station dropping down to $90, as well as the newer C200 and C300 power banks that are also seeing significant savings. There’s also Hiboy’s S2 Pro Electric Scooter that has dropped down further from last week’s pricing to $425, among other discounted models to choose from. Lastly, we have a rare price cut on Husqvarna’s Power Axe 350i 42V 18-inch Cordless Chainsaw Kit to $384 alongside a few other notable kit discounts. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s exclusive new low price on EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 power station, Aventon’s Level 2 e-bike discounts, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

ECOVACS’ new Goat O1000 RTK robot lawn mower sees its first discount to $900

We’re seeing the very first chance at savings over at Amazon on ECOVACS’ new Goat O1000 RTK Robot Lawn Mower that is dropping the price to $899.99 shipped, while also matching directly from the brand’s website. This model was only recently released following its unveiling at CES 2025 carrying a full $1,000 price tag, and it’s nice to see it already getting some cash savings in the early spring months ahead of those warmer days when plenty of folks will be much more concerned with getting their lawn care routines back to normal. You’re looking at a solid $100 discount here while the savings last, setting the bar for future discounts down the road.

First introduced at CES 2025, ECOVACS’ Goat O1000 is one among several new robot mowers from the brand, with this one more tailored for folks with smaller lawns up to 1/4-acres in size. It’s been given a compact and narrow 1.31-foot design to better fit into tighter spaces where normal mowers couldn’t go, complete with an IPX6 waterproof rating to stand up to unexpected weather changes. You’ll get remote smart controls via the companion app, with an editable 3D map that lets you “add, merge, split, or delete areas, giving you full control over your lawn layout,” along with the usual setting adjustments to tailor its performance for your grass’ needs.

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Equipped with advanced AI tech, the ECOVACS Goat O1000 robot mower sports RTK navigation (so no perimeter wires here) to keep track of where it’s been and where it needs to go, as well as integrated AIVI 3D obstacle avoidance – not just for everyday objects and debris it might come across, but also small animals too, even at night. It even has a LiDAR (3D-ToF) and a fisheye camera for better support, especially should it enter under heavily shaded areas where the satellites can’t directly find it. The TrueEdge mowing “smoothly follows along your set boundaries for zero-edge cutting, providing a clean, professional finish.” There’s also the LELS navigation that drives it in a U-shaped path for better efficiency and so that you won’t have to hop in for manual touch-ups in select spots.

Anker PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station

Anker’s 5-pound PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh power bank station is a totable backup companion at $90

As part of its now live Big Spring Sale, Anker’s official Amazon storefront is offering its PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station for $89.99 shipped. Coming down off of its usual $150 price tag, it’s spent most of the last year keeping above $100, though we have been seeing more frequent drops to $90 since Black Friday sales, with 2025 seeing a fall per month along with several short-term Lightning deals. Today’s deal marks the second we’ve seen in March, coming in with a $60 price cut to the second-lowest price we have tracked – just $10 above the all-time low, which we haven’t seen again since Christmas sales. You’ll also find it matching in price directly from Anker’s website.

Anker’s PowerCore Reserve is a 5-pound totable companion for your out-of-house travels, whether you’re heading out of town on a trip or just getting through your day-to-day schedule. It starts off by offering up a 60,000mAh/192Wh battery capacity, with two USB-A ports and two USB-C ports that deliver up to 60W charging speeds. It’s even been equipped with a pop-up light on the top of its form factor that works great for camping trips, providing you with two brightness levels alongside an S.O.S button for emergencies. You’ll also have two options to recharge its battery – either via a wall outlet or connecting up to its 60W solar input maximum to take advantage of the sun’s rays.

Other Anker power bank station deals:

If you want to browse the brand’s lineup of SOLIX power stations that offer far more backup support for your camping sites, road trips, and home backup – be sure to check out the 57% off discounts happening during its Spring Sale running through March 31, including the amazing launch deals on the new F3800 Plus power station that have been extended and the newly added EverFrost 2 Electric Cooler discounts, among others.

Hiboy S2 Pro electric scooter

Hiboy’s S2 Pro e-scooter with regenerative brakes falls to $425 in Big Spring savings

As part of its Big Spring Sale, Amazon is now offering the Hiboy S2 Pro Electric Scooter for $424.99 shipped. You’ll usually find it sitting at a $650 rate here at Amazon while it carries a higher $736 tag direct from Hiboy, though we have been seeing it keep down at $450 throughout 2025 so far. While it has fallen lower in price in the past, especially during Christmas sales, you’re looking at the best rate we’ve tracked so far in the new year, with today’s deal putting $225 back in your pocket while equipping you with a reliable means to get through your commutes as the spring weather blooms.

An affordable means to enjoy your commutes around town, to school, and more, Hiboy’s S2 Pro e-scooter has been given an 11.6Ah battery for up to 25 miles of travel on a single charge while the 500W hub motor provides top speeds of 19 MPH. Momentum is even recycled to help extend that travel time thanks to the downhill and regenerative braking here, recharging the battery whenever you activate braking or coast down hills/slopes. It’s also been built with an IPX4 water-resistant design, complete with the folding body you’d expect of a scooter, as well as an LED headlight, taillight, and sidelights. You’ll have access to the full array of smart controls via its companion app too, allowing you to adjust settings and even remote lock the scooter when it’s not in use.

Other Hiboy Big Spring Sale deals:

Husqvarna Power Axe 350i 42V 18-inch Cordless Chainsaw kit

Husqvarna’s Power Axe 350i 42V 18-inch cordless chainsaw kit falls to $384

Amazon is offering the Husqvarna Power Axe 350i 42V 18-inch Cordless Chainsaw Kit for $383.99 shipped. Coming down off its usual $480 price tag, we don’t usually see too many discounts on this brand’s equipment, with it keeping up at its MSRP for most of 2025 so far, with one previous discount in January taking things to $449. While we have seen it go as low as $335 in 2023, over the last year it’s mostly kept above $399, with today’s deal being a 20% markdown that cuts $96 off the going rate, landing it among the lowest prices we have tracked – $49 above the all-time low.

Coming with an included battery and charger, which is rare as Husqvarna more often discounts its tool-only deals over kits and combo packages, the Power Axe chainsaw is a lightweight 18-inch model that houses a brushless motor for “more durability, high efficiency, and quiet operation.” It’s been given the brand’s X-cut chain that retains its sharpness for longer periods, as well as a tool-less tensioning system so you can make slack adjustments faster and without much effort. Its power can even be ramped up by 25% in its boost mode with a simple press of a button. You’ll also be able to switch out the battery for other tools in the brand’s 40V ecosystem.

Other notable Husqvarna electric lawn care deals:

Best New Year EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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SEC will keep $50 million of Ripple fine and refund the rest to wrap case, legal officer says

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SEC will keep  million of Ripple fine and refund the rest to wrap case, legal officer says

Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty Images

Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission have reached an agreement to end their long-running legal battle. Following last week’s news that the SEC would drop its appeal without conditions, Ripple has now agreed to withdraw its cross-appeal, Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty said on X Tuesday.

The SEC will retain $50 million of the previously imposed $125 million fine — funds already held in an escrow account, Alderoty said. The remaining balance will be returned to Ripple.

Additionally, Alderoty said the agency will request that the court lift the standard injunction currently in place.

The resolution remains subject to a formal commission vote, finalization of legal documentation, and standard court procedures. Once completed, the case will be closed in full.

A spokesperson for the SEC declined to comment or confirm the details of the deal.

This agreement marks the end of a closely watched, four-year legal battle that began in December 2020, when the SEC accused Ripple of conducting an unregistered securities offering through sales of XRP. The case became a key test of how U.S. securities laws apply to digital assets during the tenure of outgoing SEC Chair Gary Gensler.

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Its conclusion also signals a broader shift in Washington’s approach to crypto regulation.

Since President Donald Trump began his second term in January, the SEC has scaled back its enforcement efforts, dropping civil lawsuits against exchanges Coinbase and Kraken and signaling a potential resolution in its fraud case against crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun.

The trend points to a more conciliatory regulatory posture, one that seeks to balance investor protection with support for innovation in the digital asset space.

Watch: Trump announces U.S. strategic crypto reserve including bitcoin, solana, XRP and more

Trump announces U.S. strategic crypto reserve including bitcoin, solana, XRP and more

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Tesla announces launch in Saudi Arabia

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Tesla announces launch in Saudi Arabia

Tesla has announced an upcoming launch of its electric vehicles in Saudi Arabia with a launch event planned in April in Riyadh.

Tesla posted on its website an event called “Tesla Opening in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” planned for April 10.

The automaker wrote in the description:

You and your family are warmly invited to our launch event at the Bujairi Terrace on April 10.

Explore our global bestselling lineup and step into a world powered by solar energy, sustained by batteries, and driven by electric vehicles.
Experience the future of autonomous driving with Cybercab, and meet Optimus, our humanoid robot, as we showcase what’s next in AI and robotics.

Our team will be on hand to answer any questions you have about Tesla ownership, home charging and more.

While Tesla has been selling vehicles in the Middle East for years, Saudi Arabia is a new market for the American automaker.

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Saudi Arabia has an annual passenger vehicle market of about 700,000 new vehicles.

The majority of those vehicles are SUVs.

Toyota owns about 30% of the market, followed closely by Hyundai/Kia at 25%, and Chinese brands have entered the market and have quickly taken about 10-15%.

Considering the kingdom is best known for its oil production, you can imagine that they are not big buyers of electric vehicles.

The EV market is tiny, with only a few thousand vehicles delivered in 2024, but it is expected to change with the government now offering tax exemptions, subsidies, and the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

It explains why Tesla is now entering the market.

Lucid Motors has also famously entered the Saudi Arabian auto market and even deployed a factory in the country, encouraged by its main investors: the Kingdom’s sovereign investment fund.

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