Shell again boosted its dividend and share repurchases on Thursday after fourth quarter profits hit their highest in eight years, fuelled by higher oil and gas prices and strong gas trading performance.

LONDON (Reuters) -Shell bossted its dividend and share repurchases on Thursday after its fourth quarter profits soared to $6.4 billion at the end of last year on the back of higher oil and gas prices.

Nokia on Thursday restarted its quarterly dividend and initiated a share buyback programme after reporting fourth-quarter comparable operating earnings above markets estimates as the Finnish telecoms equipment maker kept costs in check.

Shell reported on Thursday a sharp rise in fourth-quarter profits to $6.4 billion, beating forecasts, lifted by soaring oil and natural gas prices as global economic activity picked up.

Facing pressure to curb surging inflation, the Bank of England looks set to raise interest rates again on Thursday and signal further unwinding of its pandemic stimulus, including a gradual reversal of its huge bond-buying plan.

Swisscom named Christoph Aeschlimann as new chief executive on Thursday to succeed Urs Schaeppi when he steps down on June 1 after nine years in the post, the company said as it reported results.