Coal Stocks: The Other Fuel

Coal Stocks: The Other Fuel

1. Coal is the largest single source of fuel in the world for the generation of electricity.
2. 75%of coal is used for the production of electricity.
3. The USA consumes about one billion tons of coal each year
4. China and India use about 1.7 billion tons annually
5. Coal is the fastest growing energy source in the world
6. China was the top producer of coal with almost one-third world share
7. US is the second largest producer of coal
8. The largest exporter of coal is Australia.
9. Coal is found on all continents except Antarctica.
10. There is enough coal to provide the entire planet with all of its energy for 155 years, 285 years, or 600 years, depending on what source you use.

Anglo American PLC (AAUK), which trades on NASDAQ, is one of the largest mining companies in the world, with mining operations in the Americas, Australia, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Their mining operations included Coal, along with Gold, Platinum, Diamonds and other types of metals and minerals. The stock has a forward P/E of 11.6.

Arch Coal Inc. (ACI) mines and sells low sulfur coal, with 2.9 billion tons of coal reserves and mining operations in Colorado, Kentucky, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The P/E is 23 and the PEG is 1.66. The company generates a yield of 0.8%.

Alpha Natural Resources Inc. (ANR) is a producer of steam and metallurgical coal, with 548.6 million tons of coal reserves. The stock has a P/E of 12.6 and a PEG of 1.85.

CONSOL Energy Inc. (CNX) mines and sells steam coal primarily to electric power generators. It is also in the business of producing metallurgical coal. The P/E is 23, the PEG is 1.68, and the yield is 0.6%.

Foundation Coal Holdings Inc. (FCL) extracts, cleans, and sells coal to electric utilities, steel producers, and other industrial companies. The PE is 77.8 and a PEG of 1.34. The yield is 0.5%.

International Coal Group, Inc. (ICO) produces, processes, and sells steam and metallurgical coal. The stock has a forward P/E of 28.9.

James River Coal Co. (JRCC) mines, processes, and sells bituminous, steam, and industrial-grade coal. The company is generating negative earnings. Net loss for the quarter was 46 cents per share, down from a profit of \ 8 cents per share, for the first quarter 2006.

Massey Energy Co. (MEE) produces, processes, and sells steam and metallurgical grade bituminous coal. The P/E is 31.2 and the PEG is 0.49. The yield is 0.6%.

National Coal Corp. (NCOC) mines, processes, and sells bituminous steam coal. The company has had negative earnings. Net loss for the period ended March 31, 2007 decreased 22% to $6.0 million versus a $7.7 million loss for the same period last year.

Peabody Energy Corp. (BTU) owns 40 coal operations in the United States and Australia, with about 10.2 billion tons in reserves.. This St. Louis, Missouri based company has been around since 1883. The stock has a P/E of 24 and a PEG of 1.04. It pays a small dividend of 0.5%.

Westmoreland Coal Co. (WLB) produces and sells coal from surface mines to electric utilities. The net income applicable to common shareholders $0.96 per diluted common share for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 versus $0.60 per diluted common share for the same quarter last year.

Yanzhou Coal Mining Co. Ltd. (YZC) This Chinese company mines and sells coal in China and Australia. The stock has a P/E of 34.7. The stock yields 1.5% and has paid dividends annually for nine years.

Author does not own any of the above.

By Fred Fuld for Stockerblog.com.