Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Arch Resources (ARCH) Q3 Loss Wider Than Expected, Sales Top

Read MoreHide Full Article

Arch Resources Inc. (ARCH - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2020 operating loss of $1.87 per share, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $1.58. In the year-ago quarter, the company reported earnings of $4.03 per share.

Total Revenues

Total revenues amounted to $382.3 million, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $357 million by 7.1%.

Segment Details

In the Metallurgical segment, the company sold 1.7 million tons of coal, down 10.5% from the prior-year figure of 1.9 million tons. It recorded cash margins of $6.26 per ton compared with $34 in the year-ago quarter, primarily due to lower sales price.

During the quarter, the Powder River Basin segment’s cash margin per ton was $2.38 versus $2.25 in the prior-year period. The company sold 14.3 million tons, down from the year-ago figure of 22.2 million tons. This segment benefited from a more favorable balance between production and shipping rates, along with solid cost control.

In the Other Thermal segment, its cash margin was ($2.96) per ton versus $8.36 in the prior-year period. This segment experienced negative margins, principally due to ongoing weakness in domestic thermal markets.

Arch Coal Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Arch Coal Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Arch Coal Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Arch Coal Inc. Quote

Highlights of the Release

During the third quarter, Arch Resources invested $45.8 million in the Leer South mine development, and expects to pump capital between $360 million and $390 million into the project for its completion. As of Sep 30, 2020, the company invested $256 million in the project. It is on track to commence longwall operations at the mine in third-quarter 2021. When fully operational, the mine is expected to produce up to 4 million tons of High-Vol A coking coal annually for sale in global metallurgical markets.

During the quarter, the company decided to terminate the thermal coal joint venture with Peabody Energy after the U.S. District Court's ruling to block the transaction. After extensive consideration and discussion, Arch and Peabody have agreed to discontinue legal efforts, given the significant investment of time, resources and expense that would be required to conduct an appeal. This is definitely a setback for the company as it is trying hard to cope with lower demand and drop in per ton prices of coal.

During the quarter, Arch Resources secured commitments totaling 1.7 million tons for delivery to North American customers in 2021, at an average fixed price of more than $90 per ton. Of the total, 1.3 million tons were High-Vol A quality that garnered more than $93 per ton.

Financial Highlights

Cash and cash equivalents as of Sep 30, 2020 were $156.7 million compared with $153.1 million at 2019-end.

Long-term debt as of Sep 30, 2020 was $368.3 million compared with $290.1 million at 2019-end.

Cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of 2020 was $55.9 million compared with $334.1 million in the year-ago period.

Guidance

Arch Resources had 6.1 million tons and 3.7 million tons of coking coal volume committed for 2020 and 2021, respectively. Power River Basin segment had 54 million tons and 45.8 million tons of volumes committed for 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Zacks Rank

Arch Resources currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Upcoming Releases

CONSOL Coal Resources LP is set to report third-quarter 2020 results on Nov 5. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings is pegged at 23 cents per unit.

CONSOL Energy Inc. (CEIX - Free Report) is slated to report third-quarter 2020 results on Aug 10. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings is pegged at $1.87 per share.

SunCoke Energy (SXC - Free Report) is scheduled to report third-quarter 2020 results on Nov 6. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s bottom line is pegged at a loss of 2 cents per share.

Breakout Biotech Stocks with Triple-Digit Profit Potential

The biotech sector is projected to surge beyond $775 billion by 2024 as scientists develop treatments for thousands of diseases. They’re also finding ways to edit the human genome to literally erase our vulnerability to these diseases.

Zacks has just released Century of Biology: 7 Biotech Stocks to Buy Right Now to help investors profit from 7 stocks poised for outperformance. Our recent biotech recommendations have produced gains of +50%, +83% and +164% in as little as 2 months. The stocks in this report could perform even better.

See these 7 breakthrough stocks now>>


Unique Zacks Analysis of Your Chosen Ticker


Pick one free report - opportunity may be withdrawn at any time


SunCoke Energy, Inc. (SXC) - $25 value - yours FREE >>

Arch Resources Inc. (ARCH) - $25 value - yours FREE >>

Consol Energy Inc. (CEIX) - $25 value - yours FREE >>

Published in