With new information that came in, the Guardian was able to spotlight hitherto unknown avoidance schemes by the big banks, particularly those in the process of being helped by state funds. The series revealed the tax stratagems of many of Britain's corporate household names. It documented brands shifted offshore by Diageo, Shell, and drug companies AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline.
July 28th, 2009:
Royal Dutch Shell tax avoidance
Greenpeace study finds oil companies may be doomed
Shell has the highest exposure of the majors to the tar sands and is most at risk from a decline in demand.
BP Profit Declines on Plunging Oil, Refining Margins
Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Europes biggest oil producer, may say July 30 that adjusted earnings fell 69 percent to $2.42 billion, a survey of 17 analysts showed.