Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) a coal company, closed at $35.68. BTU is expected to report Q2 EPS in late July. BTU June option implied volatility is at 62, July is at 61; below its 26-week average of 74, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Massey Energy (NYSE: MEE) closed at $24.70. MEE June option implied volatility is at 84; July is at 78; below its 26-week average of 91; according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price fluctuations.

Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) closed at $18.82. ACI June and July option implied volatility of 68 is below its 26-week average of 83 according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

Options Update: Coal companies' volatility low on higher energy prices originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) closed at $18.50 Friday. ACI January and February option implied volatility of 87 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Massey Energy (NYSE: MEE), a coal miner, closed at $16.19 Friday. MEE is scheduled to report Q4 EPS in the February option cycle. MEE February option implied volatility of 108 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price fluctuations.

Consol Energy (NYSE: CNX) closed at $32.15 Friday. CNX has two principle business units: coal and gas. CNX February option implied volatility of 90 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Alpha Natural (NYSE: ANR), an Appalachian coal producer, closed at $18.38 Friday. ANR February option implied volatility of 107 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU), a coal company, closed at $25.06 Friday. BTU is expected to report Q4 EPS in late January. January and February option implied volatility of 97 is above its 26-week average of 89, according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

Options Update: Coal producers volatility flat; shares at low end of range originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Wachovia upgraded Progressive (NYSE: PGR) to Market Perform from Underperform based on modest signs of improvement in underwriting trends.
  
• Lehman upgraded Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) to Overweight from Equal Weight based on strong core trends and a potential announcement of digital service partners into its May 28 investor day.
  
• Credit Suisse upgraded Public Service Enterprise Group (NYSE: PEG) to Outperform from Neutral based on earnings growth through utility investment, valuation, upside from U.S. CO2 policy.

• Precision Drilling (NYSE: PDS) was raised to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital.
  
• Hertz Global (NYSE: HTZ) was upgraded at Soleil to Buy from Hold.
  
• Calyon upgraded Foundation Coal (NYSE: FCL) and Arch Coal (ACI) to Add from Neutral.

Analyst upgrades: PGR, NFLX, PDS, HTZ, FCL and PEG originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 May 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) is fired up from its first quarter earnings; the results were well above analysts expectations," notes Joseph Hargett.

And with 13.5 million shares of the stock sold short, the analyst with Schaeffer's Research explains, "Shorts account for about 9.5% of the stock's float, which could result in a short squeeze." Here is his review.

"Net income nearly tripled to $81.1 million, or 56 cents per share. Revenue for the auarter rose to $699.4 million from $571.3 million. For the year, Arch Coal lifted its earnings estimate to a range of $2.40 to $2.80 per share, versus Wall Street's consensus view for $2.43 per share.

"Digging into the report, the company noted that profit margins were particularly wide in the Central Appalachia region, while higher prices for coal and cost controls also contributed to the results. Arch noted that the average sales price per ton rose 9.7% to $18.49 from $16.85, while the cash cost per ton rose less than 1% to $13.05 from $12.93.

Continue reading Arch Coal (ACI): All fired up

Arch Coal (ACI): All fired up originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 01 May 2008 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Arch Coal (ACI) profit triples in first-quarter on higher prices

Arch Coal (ACI) profit triples in first-quarter on higher prices originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) is engaged in mining, processing, and marketing coal. The company produces about 130 million tons a year from more than 20 mines in the western US and central Appalachia. It has proven and probable reserves of about 2.9 billion tons. The low-ash coal used to fire electric utility boilers accounts for most of the company's revenues. The firm provides the fuel for approximately 6% of the electricity generated in the United States. It also supplies steel producers and industrial facilities.

Arch affirmed FY08 earnings guidance, earlier in the week. Management said it expected EPS of $2.00-$2.50, versus Street consensus of $2.42. The CEO noted that U.S. coal requirements are expected to soar this year, ensuring that prices will remain strong.

Continue reading Arch Coal (ACI): Share price consolidates in bullish 'flag'

Arch Coal (ACI): Share price consolidates in bullish 'flag' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Goldman downgraded the coal sector to Cautious from Neutral, citing valuations and expectations for lower coal prices. The firm downgraded CONSOL Energy (NYSE: CNX) Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) to Neutral from Buy and Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) to Sell from Neutral.
  
• Lehman downgraded independent refiners, including Alon USA Energy (NYSE: ALJ), to Negative from Neutral and continues to believe that 2H07 marked an inflection point for U.S. refiners, which are transitioning from a multiyear up-cycle into a new downtrend.
  
• Alexion Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ALXN) was lowered to Market Perform from Outperform at Wachovia following the company's Q4 results, as they believe management's revenue guidance represents a best-case scenario.

• Lehman lowered Bayer (OTC: BAYRY) to Equal Weight from Overweight and Whole Foods (NASDAQ: WFMI) to Underweight from Equal Weight.

Analyst downgrades: Coal sector, independent refiners and ALXN originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 15 Feb 2008 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) is engaged in mining, processing, and marketing coal. The company produces about 130 million tons a year from more than 20 mines in the western US and central Appalachia. It has proven and probable reserves of about 2.9 billion tons. The low-ash coal used to fire electric utility boilers accounts for most of the firm's revenues. Arch provides the fuel for approximately 6% of the electricity generated in the United States. It also supplies steel producers and industrial facilities.

The company pleased investors last week, when it reported Q4 EPS of 56 cents and revenues of $644.4 million. Analysts had been looking for 47 cents and $641.1 million. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $2.00-$2.50, versus Street consensus of $2.43. Friedman Billings and Lehman Brothers subsequently reiterated "outperform" and "overweight" recommendations, respectively. JP Morgan upgraded the issue to "overweight". Price targets of $70-$72 were declared.

Continue reading Arch Coal (ACI): Shares forming bullish 'flag'

Arch Coal (ACI): Shares forming bullish 'flag' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Skyrocketing oil boosts the alt fuels originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 26 Oct 2007 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Matrix downgraded shares of Papa John's (NASDAQ: PZZA) to Hold from Strong Buy to reflect minimal improvement to fundamentals and negative free cash flow trends.

• Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ: WYNN) was downgraded to Peer Perform from Outperform based on valuation as the firm believes shares fully reflect solid Las Vegas & Macau fundamentals and the company's development pipeline.

• SourceForge (NASDAQ: LNUX) was cut to Underperform from Market perform at JMP Securities, with a $3 target, following the disappointing results.

• Merrill Lynch downgraded Cathay Pacific (OTC: CPCAY) to Sell from Buy on valuation.

• Arthur J. Gallagher (NYSE: AJG) was cut to Underperform from Peer Perform at Bear Stearns as they believe margin expansion will be lower than expected, softening insurance pricing will impact organic growth, and cites managements acquisition desires over aggressive repurchases...

• PolyMedica (NASDAQ: PLMD) was downgraded to Hold from Buy.

• Merrill downgraded Polo Ralph Lauren (NYSE: RL) to Neutral from Buy.

• Morgan Stanley cut Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) to Underwieght from Overweight.

• JP Morgan downgraded Sonic (NASDAQ: SONC) to Neutral from Overweight.

Analyst downgrades 8-29-07: ACI, PZZA, RL and WYNN originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Merrill cut Novartis (NYSE: NVS) to Neutral from Buy based on a lack of near-term catalysts. Credit Suisse downgraded shares of the company to Underperform from Neutral on expectations of slowing sales growth in 2H07.

• JMP Securities downgraded Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) to Market Perform from Outperform based on valuation and lower estimates.

• JP Morgan cut Total S.A. (NYSE: TOT) to Neutral from Overweight on valuation.

• Syniverse (NYSE: SVR) was cut to Strong Sell from Sell at Matrix USA as competition in North America is creating a cut in Network Services and Number Portability Services revenue.

• Kindred Healthcare (NYSE: KND) was cut to Underperform from Market Perform at Wachovia based on valuation...

• DaVita (NYSE: DVA) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Deutsche Bank.

• Citigroup downgraded the coal sector, including Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI), Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) and Foundation Coal (NYSE: FCL) to Hold from Buy.

• Credit Suisse downgraded ACA Capital Holdings (NYSE: ACA) to Neutral from Outperform.

Analyst downgrades 7-18-07: ACA, INTC, NVS and TOT originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 18 Jul 2007 11:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cramer's coal picks in the energy sector originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 20:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Citigroup downgraded shares of eFunds Corp (NYSE: EFD) to Sell from Hold to reflect an unfavorable risk/reward as they see little upside if the company sells itself and significant downside due to recent operational issues if the company is not sold.

• Goldman cut Halliburton Co (NYSE: HAL) to Neutral from Buy based on valuation.

• Bear Stearns cut Coventry Health (NYSE: CVH) to Peer Perform from Outperform based on valuation.

• BMO Capital downgraded Fording Canadian Coal Trust (NYSE: CFG) to Underperform from Market Perform on valuation...

• UBS cut US Steel Group (NYSE: X) to Reduce from Neutral based on valuation.
  

• Goldman downgraded the coal sector, citing the potential for fundamentals to disappoint. The firm downgraded Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) to Sell from Buy, Foundation Coal Holdings (NYSE: FCL) to Sell from Neutral, and Alpha Natural Resources (NYSE: ANR) to Neutral from Buy.

• Matrix cut CBRL Group (NASDAQ: CBRL) to Sell from Hold.

• CE Unterberg downgraded Atheros Communications (NASDAQ: ATHR) to Market Perform from Buy.

Analyst downgrades 6-18-07: CVH, EFD, HAL and X originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE:GD) was the only noteworthy company initiated today; Caris initiated the military equipment-maker with an Average rating based on valuation.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• Merriman initiated Bankrate Inc. (NASDAQ:RATE) with a Buy rating; the firm said Bankrate has a number of attractive assets and competitive strengths that include a high level of direct-to-site traffic, high quality traffic, pricing leverage and strong management.
• Deutsche Bank started Color Kinetics Inc. (NASDAQ:CLRK) with a Buy rating and $23 target, as it believes Color Kinetics is an attractive play on the rapid adoption of LEDs.
• HSBC initiated Peabody Energy Corp. (NYSE:BTU) and Arch Coal Inc. (NYSE:ACI) with Overweight ratings.

Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).

Analyst initiations 12-5-06: General Dynamics with Average originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Dec 2006 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cramer says ... ACI & MEE could get bought out originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 27 Sep 2006 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.