Walter Energy
Latest Walter Energy News and Updates
Why survival is for the fittest of US coal producers
Met coal producers are the worst hit in the current energy environment. Based on our analysis so far, we can conclude that the higher the revenue share of met coal, the steeper the stock prices fell in 2014.

Analysts’ Views on Arch Coal Ahead of Its 3Q17 Results
Analysts’ ratings As of October 27, 2017, of the nine analysts covering Arch Coal (ARCH) stock, eight (89%) recommended “buy” or “strong buy,” and one (11%) recommended “hold.” There were no “sell” or “strong sell” ratings. Arch Coal’s price target Arch Coal’s 12-month target price was $94.88 as of October 27, 2017. The target price indicates an upside […]

Why Most Analysts Rate Peabody Energy a ‘Buy’
Of the eight analysts covering Peabody Energy (BTU), six (or 75.0%) have given the company a “buy” rating, and two (or 25.0%) have given it a “hold.”

How Arch Coal Emerged from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
On October 5, 2016, Arch Coal (ARCH) emerged from bankruptcy through successful financial restructuring.

Arch Coal’s Path to Bankruptcy: The Beginning
Factors that led to Arch Coal’s bankruptcy include its financial leverage, a weak export market, inexpensive natural gas prices, and increased environmental scrutiny.

Alpha Natural Resources Sees 1Q15 Debt Fall on Notes Repurchase
Highly leveraged players such as Alpha Natural Resources (ANR) have limited ability to issue new debt if they run out of resources.

Walter Energy Drops 17% on Possibility of Bankruptcy
Walter Energy was the biggest casualty of the day in the coal sector, with a whopping 17% drop in share price to 38 cents.

Appalachian Segment Drives Arch Coal’s 1Q15 Cost Savings
The company showed remarkable cost performance at the Appalachian segment, and the cash costs in this segment were lowest in the last four years.

The US Metallurgical Coal Industry’s Unprecedented Consolidation
Metallurgical coal (or met coal) is used to make coke for iron and steel as well as foundries. Most metallurgical coal produced in the US is exported.

Arch Coal and Alpha Natural Resources reduced to penny stocks
Last week, Alpha Natural Resources (ANR) and Arch Coal (ACI) were reduced to penny stock status. Alpha ended the week at $0.95 and Arch Coal at $0.88.

SunCoke Energy’s presence in the steelmaking process
Coke is used in the iron making process, which in turn is used in the steelmaking process. SunCoke Energy produced 4.2 million tons of coke in 2013.

How does coke fit into the steelmaking process?
Iron ore, steel scrap, and met coal are the main raw materials for steelmaking. SunCoke converts met coal to coke by driving out its impurities.

A quick look at SunCoke Energy’s US operations
SunCoke Energy (SXC) is the largest independent manufacturer of coke, which is used in steelmaking. It runs five coke making plants in the United States.

Falling commodity prices and the prisoner’s dilemma
There’s mistrust in the global commodity markets. From crude oil to met coal and iron ore, producers haven’t cut production. They’re waiting for others to do it first.

Walter Energy: A metallurgical coal producer
Of the 2.9 million tons of coal the company sold in 2Q14, 2.7 million tons, or 92%, was metallurgical coal.
Must-know: An overview of Appalachian coal
The Appalachian coal region is the oldest coal producing region in the U.S.—geologically and commercially. The Appalachian’s coal seams are ~300 million years old. They’re the oldest coal seams in the U.S. Appalachian coal fueled most of the Industrial Revolution after the Civil War in the 19th Century.
Everything you need to know about Peabody Energy
Self-described as the world’s largest private-sector coal company, Peabody Energy (BTU) runs coal operations in the United States and Australia that serve customers in 25 countries.

Must-know: The US coal mining areas and coal specifications
Coal mining in the U.S. can be segregated into three main areas: Appalachia, Interior, and West.

Why underground mines cost higher compared to surface coal mines
Underground mining is more expensive because it’s more capital intensive. Coal companies have to drill more, and use more expensive and complicated machines.