Topic: How To Invest

Pat: I own Consol Energy. What is your advice on this stock? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Consol Energy, $36.60, symbol CNX on New York (Shares outstanding: 227.6 million; Market cap: $8.3 billion; www.consolenergy.com), originally known as Consolidated Coal, is a leading U.S. coal producer. The company produced 62.3 million tons of coal in 2011, accounting for 6% of U.S. output. In the three months ended June 30, 2012, the company’s revenue fell 8.4%, to $1.45 billion from $1.59 billion a year earlier. Cash flow fell 50.7%, to $174.4 million, or $0.77 a share, from $353.8 million, or $1.56 a share. Consol’s coal business is suffering as power generators switch to cheaper natural gas, and more stringent regulations have forced older electrical plants to close. This has hurt the price of thermal coal for power generation. The company also produces metallurgical coal for steel production, and slower growth in China has cut the price of this product. Consol’s near-term prospects are weak, but its longer-term outlook is positive. Eventually, thermal coal prices should recover as smaller mines close in response to…