Coal companies here in the United States have had a rough go of it over the past 18-24 months due to natural gas, warm winters, and EPA regulations. Many of them are hoping for a pickup in their international business to carry them through this domestic lull.
With a senior analyst at the International Energy Agency claiming that Europe could be at the beginning of a "Golden Age of coal," along with Chinese and Indian projections for higher needs of the fossil fuel, these markets could help turn the tide for Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) and competitors like Peabody Energy (BTU +0.00%) and Alpha Natural Resources (NYSE: ANR). To help ensure that it is ready for this change in focus, the U.S. is expecting a significant increase in export capacity on all coasts.
For more specifics, check out the video below in which energy analyst Taylor Muckerman discusses why this dynamic shift is likely to take place.
