Why Cliffs Natural Resources Shares Dropped

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of Cliffs Natural Resources (NYS: CLF) fell as much as 12% today after the company reported earnings.

So what: Revenue fell 10% to $1.6 billion in the second quarter, well below the $1.76 billion analysts had expected. Net income was $258 million, or $1.81 per share, which was better than the $1.77 estimate, but it was down dramatically from $2.94 per share a year ago.

Now what: Falling prices were the driver of this quarter's disappointing results and offset increased volume. The company will also cut production at one of its coal mines because of weak demand, which has crushed coal miners this year. Right now the stock looks like a value, trading at just four times forward earnings estimates, but estimates are falling quickly, and this looks like a value trap to me. I'm going to stay away from this discount and wait for improving results before considering shares.

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The article Why Cliffs Natural Resources Shares Dropped originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Travis Hoium does not have a position in any company mentioned. You can follow Travis on Twitter at @FlushDrawFool, check out his personal stock holdings or follow his CAPS picks at TMFFlushDraw.Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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