Asia Throws Coal a Lifeline

With demand in the United States waning recently, major coal companies here in the States have been bailed out by a burgeoning export market. To date, both Peabody Energy (BTU +0.00%) and Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) witnessed a dramatic uptick in demand from China and India. Helped, not only from increased coal-fueled energy production, but also by one of the coldest winters those two countries have experienced in quite a long time, the U.S. exported a record amount of coal in 2012. Expectations are for this export demand to continue. So, who else will capitalize on this opportunity? Tune in below for Motley Fool materials analyst Taylor Muckerman's take.