Britain-based oil company Shell on Thursday reported that its first-quarter income before tax fell to $11.04 billion from last year’s $14.35 billion – and also said it has started repurchasing shares. Income attributable to shareholders declined to $7.36 billion from last year’s $8.71 billion. Earnings per share were $1.13, down from $1.25 a year ago. Adjusted Earnings per share were $1.20, compared to $1.39 in the prior year. Analysts on average expected the company to report earnings of $1.86 per share. Analysts’ estimates typically exclude special items. Adjusted EBITDA was $18.71 billion, …