Equinor ASA - ADR

Strong Financial Performance: Equinor reported a robust adjusted operating income of $8.6 billion before tax for Q1, with an IFRS net income of $2.6 billion. Cash flow from operations was also strong at $7.4 billion, reflecting the effectiveness of gas production in Norway and the US at higher prices.

Empire Wind Challenges: The company is currently facing a "stop work order" from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regarding the Empire Wind project. The order is viewed as unlawful by Equinor, and they are considering legal action. The book value of Empire Wind currently stands at $2.5 billion, posing significant risks if halted, including possible repayments and guarantees totaling $1.5-$2 billion across the group.

Dividend and Buyback Commitment: Equinor plans to maintain its capital distribution target of $9 billion for the year, including a cash dividend of $0.37 per share and share buybacks of up to $1.265 billion. This reflects a strong commitment to returning capital to shareholders despite market uncertainties.