Can We Expect More of the Same From the Kings of Coal This Quarter?

To those who have sizable investments in U.S. coal, you have a much stronger stomach than I. Of all the major coal players, only Peabody Energy has recorded a profit over the previous four quarters, but it too could see 2013 fall into the red if the numbers it reports on January 31st are what analysts expect them to be.

Those hoping for a turnaround in coal prices and production will probably need to wait a bit longer before seeing any major changes. Prices for coal across the U.S. have barely budged since the last quarter, which is devastating for companies like Alpha Natural Resources , where costs to produce coal in the Central Appalachia are still greater than the price it can be sold for. Find out what else could hold coal back in the near future by tuning into the video below.

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The article Can We Expect More of the Same From the Kings of Coal This Quarter? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Tyler Crowe has no position in any stocks mentioned. You can follow him at Fool.com under the handle TMFDirtyBird, on Google+, or on Twitter, @TylerCroweFool. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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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