THE OPINION: Analyst James Rollyson said that barring a major global recession, shares of coal companies may soon be worth buying. He pointed to the continued long-term global growth in coal demand and falling U.S. coal production levels.
In addition, he noted that U.S. thermal coal spot prices are currently below cash cost levels and aren't sustainable, while the global metallurgical coal market appears to be hitting bottom.
Rollyson also predicted that natural gas prices will bottom out this year and begin to recover, possibly reversing the previous shift toward natural gas.
But the analyst acknowledged that coal prices and demand remain heavily affected by the European economic situation, demand from emerging markets like China, India and Brazil and U.S. natural gas prices.
COK Price at posting:
21.0¢ Sentiment: LT Buy Disclosure: Held
