- Arch Coal (ACI +8.9%) opens sharply higher after reporting a smaller than expected Q4 loss as it cut costs to $16.46/ton from $18.10/ton in the prior-year quarter.
- ACI says it is suspending its annual dividend to preserve current levels of liquidity, although Cowen analysts say the suspension will save only ~$2M/year.
- ACI says it had available liquidity of ~$1.2B at year-end 2014.
- Expects costs in the Powder River Basin and Appalachian region, which account for most of its coal production, to fall in 2015, reflecting an improved rail performance, the impact of lower diesel prices and a full year of steady production at its low-cost Leer mine in West Virginia.
- ACI also says it expects capital spending of $145M-$160M in 2015, roughly flat vs. 2014's $147M in capex.
- Forecasts FY 2015 coal sales of 130M-143M tons after selling 134.4M tons in 2014 and 35.2M tons in Q4 (+9% Y/Y).
- Other coal names also are higher: ANR +7.8%, BTU +5.6%, CLD +2.3%, WLB +2.6%, WLT +9.4%, CNX +1.7%, RNO +4.3%.