Ahead Of The Bell: Coal Markets Face Mixed Outlook

NEW YORK (AP) — Coal markets could face renewed interest from pig iron producers in Asia, but lower shipments from less well-capitalized producers and the negative impact of milder weather on electric generation will likely hurt the industry, said an analyst on Tuesday.

Jefferies analyst Michael Dudas said the Asian basin will provide the best chance for global thermal and coking coal delivery shifts in the next year, but that there is little current appetite for thermal coals into Europe from the US.

Dudas assigns a "Buy" rating to Arch Coal Inc., Consol Energy Inc., James River Coal Co., Massey Energy Co. and Peabody Energy Corp.

Shares of Arch Coal rose 16 cents to $16.90 in premarket trading. Consol shares closed $38.15 on Monday. James River shares closed at $15.86. Shares of Massey rose 29 cents to $27.97 in Tuesday premarket trading. Peabody shares closed at $33.74 on Monday.