Royal Dutch Shell plc CEO Ben van Beurden came out swinging on Thursday against activist calls to break up the company to improve financial and environmental performance.

Van Beurden and CFO Jessica Uhl helmed a conference call to discuss the third quarter results. Shell’s strategy has come under fire from climate activists and courts, but it increasingly is facing scrutiny from investors.

The latest threat is by hedge fund Third Point LLC, which reportedly has taken a $750 million stake. It wants Shell split into at least two businesses. One would house the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) assets and the growing renewables arm. The other would hold the legacy oil and gas portfolio. 

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