News & Media

Arch Coal, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2010 Results

April 19, 2010 at 8:09 AM EDT
  • Adjusted EBITDA expands 14% versus the year-ago quarter
  • Company raises full year 2010 adjusted EPS guidance by 60%
  • 2010 metallurgical coal sales expected to more than triple versus prior year
                   Earnings Highlights
                   -------------------

                                            Quarter Ended
    In $ millions, except per
     share data                        3/31/10      3/31/09
    -------------------------          -------      -------

    Revenues                            $711.9       $681.0
    Income from Operations                32.2         38.6
    Net Income (Loss)(1)                  (1.8)        30.6
    Fully Diluted EPS                    (0.01)        0.21
    -----------------                    -----           --
    Adjusted EBITDA(2)                  $131.4       $115.0



    1/- Net income (loss) attributable to ACI.
    2/- Adjusted EBITDA is defined and reconciled under "Reconciliation
    of Non-GAAP Measures" in this release.


ST. LOUIS, April 19, 2010 -- Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE: ACI) today reported a net loss of $1.8 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2010, compared with net income of $30.6 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, in the prior-year quarter. First quarter 2010 results include the amortization of coal supply agreements acquired in the Jacobs Ranch transaction, which was completed on Oct. 1, 2009. Excluding this non-cash charge, first quarter 2010 adjusted net income was $5.0 million, or $0.03 per diluted share. The company also recorded adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization ("EBITDA") of $131.4 million in the first quarter of 2010, a 14 percent increase versus the first quarter of 2009.

"Effective cost control across all of our operations helped to offset soft domestic steam coal market conditions during the quarter just ended," said Steven F. Leer, Arch's chairman and chief executive officer. "Additionally, strong metallurgical coal markets dramatically increased profitability in our Central Appalachian region in the first quarter compared with a year ago."

First quarter 2010 revenues grew 4.5 percent versus the year-ago quarter on higher sales volume attributed to the addition of Jacobs Ranch. The increase in revenues was offset by higher non-cash costs, higher interest expense and a loss in the company's trading function. Cash flow from operations increased 63 percent over the same time period to reach $93.3 million, while quarterly capital expenditures totaled $32.0 million, the lowest level in six years.

For full year 2010, Arch raised earnings guidance based upon an improving outlook for metallurgical and Powder River Basin coal sales. "Looking ahead, we expect improved results as we progress through 2010, particularly in the year's second half," said Leer. "We will benefit from an improved forward price curve for Powder River Basin coal and as we ramp up metallurgical coal sales in response to robust global steel market conditions."

The company also forecasts steady improvement in domestic steam coal markets during 2010. "A slowly improving industrial economy, more seasonal weather trends and continued coal supply declines, mainly in Central Appalachia, will allow generator stockpile levels to return to more normal levels in the back half of the year," added Leer. "These trends should provide the catalyst for improvement in all of our domestic steam coal operations."

Strategic Investments

During the first quarter, Arch made select investments to expand its reserve position in the northern Powder River Basin and to expand its advanced coal technology portfolio. Specifically, Arch won the state of Montana's coal lease of the Otter Creek Tracts for approximately $86 million, which is payable in one installment in April 2010. With this acquisition, the company now controls approximately 1.5 billion tons in Montana, including the Great Northern Properties coal lease that was secured in November 2009.

Also in the first quarter, Arch announced plans to invest $3 million in ADA-ES, Inc., with $1 million to fund growth opportunities and $2 million as consideration for an exclusive license with ADA to provide environmental benefits for coals mined and marketed by Arch. In addition, Arch made a nominal investment to acquire a 35-percent equity interest in Tenaska's Trailblazer Energy Center. Arch's investment in Trailblazer will be staged over time as the project reaches key milestones, and Arch will act as the long-term fuel supplier for the proposed plant from its Powder River Basin operations in Wyoming.

"We continue to lay the foundation for future organic growth by opportunistically amassing a sizeable reserve position in the northern Powder River Basin," said Leer. "Furthermore, we are advancing our strategy of making small investments in clean energy technologies that make coal use more efficient and cleaner as well as expand markets for coal."

Core Values

Arch's first quarter 2010 lost-time safety incident rate was 0.34 incidents per 200,000 hours worked, on par with the company's record performance in the first quarter of 2009. Arch's environmental compliance record in the first quarter of 2010 also matched its industry-leading performance from the year-ago quarter. In addition, eight subsidiary mines or facilities achieved a perfect record for both safety and environmental compliance in the quarter just ended.

Arch also received several awards in the first quarter of 2010, highlighting its record safety performance during 2009. In particular, Mountain Laurel earned West Virginia's top honor for the best safety performance among the state's large underground coal mines. Furthermore, Wyoming named Black Thunder as the state's safest coal mine and Coal Creek as the state's second safest coal mine for each mine's respective size category. Also, Coal-Mac and Mountain Laurel were awarded West Virginia's Mountaineer Guardian Awards and West Elk was honored with a Colorado state safety award for achievements in employee safety last year.

Additionally, Arch subsidiaries were recognized with several community outreach and environmental stewardship awards in the first quarter of 2010. Specifically, the company's Thunder Basin subsidiary in Wyoming was named the recipient of the 2010 Public Outreach Award by the Interstate Mining Compact Commission (IMCC) for its multi-faceted educational efforts to effectively reach people in the local community, the state and the nation. The West Elk mine received two Colorado state environmental awards for its replacement of a U.S. Forest Service Road and for its proactive methods of reducing wastes. Lastly, Coal-Mac was honored by the state of West Virginia for its exemplary care in creating excellent wildlife habitat and in reducing its environmental impact on the mine's surrounding community.

"We are off to an outstanding start in 2010 in terms of safety and environmental performance, effectively building upon our record-breaking year in 2009," said John W. Eaves, Arch's president and chief operating officer. "While we are proud of our accomplishments and of the external recognition, we remain sharply focused on continuous improvement. Our goal is to operate the world's safest and most environmentally responsible coal mines."

Operational Results

"Our consolidated operating margin per ton expanded 6 percent in the first quarter of 2010 versus the fourth quarter, helped by higher prices and lower costs in Central Appalachia and by continued cost improvement in the Powder River Basin," said Eaves. "Going forward, we expect coal markets to continue strengthening, and we will remain disciplined in managing our controllable costs throughout the year to help further expand our operating margin."

                                        Arch Coal, Inc.
                                  1Q10        4Q09       1Q09
                                  ----        ----       ----

    Tons sold (in millions)        37.5        37.9       30.6
    Average sales price per ton  $17.74      $18.01     $20.94
    Cash cost per ton            $13.45      $13.86     $16.53
    Cash margin per ton           $4.29       $4.15      $4.41
    Total operating cost per ton $15.80      $16.18     $18.90
    Operating margin per ton      $1.94       $1.83      $2.04



    Consolidated results may not tie to regional breakout due to
    rounding.
    Above figures exclude transportation costs billed to customers.
    Operating cost per ton includes depreciation, depletion and
    amortization per ton.
    Amortization of acquired coal supply agreements not included in
    results.
    Amounts reflected in this table exclude certain coal sales and
    purchases which have no effect
    on company results.  For further description of the excluded
    transactions, please refer to
    the supplemental regional schedule that can be found at
    http://investor.archcoal.com.


Consolidated first quarter 2010 operating margin expanded by $0.11 per ton compared with the fourth quarter of 2009. Average sales price declined $0.27 per ton while consolidated operating costs fell by $0.38 per ton over the same time period, primarily reflecting a larger percentage of Powder River Basin production.

                                        Powder River Basin
                                  1Q10        4Q09          1Q09
                                  ----        ----          ----

    Tons sold (in millions)        30.6        30.1          23.1
    Average sales price per ton  $11.64      $11.85        $13.25
    Cash cost per ton             $9.33       $9.42        $10.65
    Cash margin per ton           $2.31       $2.43         $2.60
    Total operating cost per ton $10.79      $10.85        $11.92
    Operating margin per ton      $0.85       $1.00         $1.33



    Above figures exclude transportation costs billed to customers.
    Operating cost per ton includes depreciation, depletion and
    amortization per ton.
    Amortization of acquired coal supply agreements not included in
    results.


In the Powder River Basin, first quarter 2010 volumes increased slightly when compared with the fourth quarter of 2009, reflecting the full integration of Jacobs Ranch into Black Thunder. First quarter 2010 operating margin earned was $0.85 per ton compared with $1.00 per ton in the prior-quarter period. Average sales price declined $0.21 per ton in the first quarter of 2010 versus the prior-quarter period, reflecting a less favorable mix of customer shipments and lower pricing on contracted tons. Operating costs, excluding amortization of acquired coal supply agreements, declined $0.06 per ton over this same time period.

                                           Western Bituminous Region
                                     1Q10            4Q09             1Q09
                                     ----            ----             ----

    Tons sold (in millions)            4.1             4.8               4.0
    Average sales price per
     ton                            $28.97          $29.38            $28.11
    Cash cost per ton               $21.45          $19.47            $25.40
    Cash margin per ton              $7.52           $9.91             $2.71
    Total operating cost per
     ton                            $26.38          $24.28            $30.33
    Operating margin per ton         $2.59           $5.10            ($2.22)



    Above figures exclude transportation costs billed to customers.
    Operating cost per ton includes depreciation, depletion and
    amortization per ton.


In the Western Bituminous region, first quarter 2010 volumes declined roughly 700,000 tons when compared with the fourth quarter of 2009, reflecting weak market conditions and a longwall move in the region. Arch earned $2.59 per ton in operating margin in the region in the first quarter of 2010 compared with $5.10 per ton in the fourth quarter of 2009. Average sales price decreased $0.41 per ton over the same time period, due to a less favorable mix of customer shipments and limited open market sales in the quarter just ended, while operating costs rose by $2.10 per ton, consistent with lower volume levels and a longwall move in the quarter just ended.

                                        Central Appalachia
                                  1Q10        4Q09          1Q09
                                  ----        ----          ----

    Tons sold (in millions)         2.8         3.0           3.5
    Average sales price per ton  $68.43      $61.70        $63.47
    Cash cost per ton            $47.20      $49.31        $45.22
    Cash margin per ton          $21.23      $12.39        $18.25
    Total operating cost per ton $55.57      $56.58        $51.94
    Operating margin per ton     $12.86       $5.12        $11.53



    Above figures exclude transportation costs billed to customers.
    Operating cost per ton includes depreciation, depletion and
    amortization per ton.
    Arch acts as an intermediary on certain pass-through transactions
    that have no effect
    on company results.  In addition, Arch services some legacy sales
    contracts by
    purchasing and supplying third-party coal and records offsetting
    revenue and expenses
    against a reserve established to account for these transactions.
    These transactions are
    not reflected in this table.


In Central Appalachia, Arch earned $12.86 per ton in operating margin during the first quarter of 2010, more than doubling the fourth quarter 2009 performance. Average sales price increased nearly 11 percent over this same time period, reflecting a larger percentage of metallurgical coal shipments and higher pricing on metallurgical coal sales. First quarter 2010 operating costs declined $1.01 per ton versus the prior-quarter period, benefiting from a larger percentage of production from the company's lowest cost mines in the region.

Coal Market Trends

Arch expects coal markets to continue to strengthen throughout 2010. "Key drivers in domestic and international markets are helping to improve this year's outlook for coal markets," said Leer, "and we remain very bullish on coal's long-term fundamentals."

In particular, power demand increased 2.6 percent through the second week of April, according to the Edison Electric Institute, while coal production declined 5.2 percent year-to-date, according to government estimates. Coal production is estimated to be down year-to-date in 2010 in both the eastern and western United States, with Central Appalachia declining 10 percent and the Powder River Basin declining 4 percent, based on current Energy Information Administration data.

Continued regulatory challenges, reserve degradation and soft steam market conditions in Central Appalachia threaten to further reduce production. Arch forecasts 2010 production in that region to decline into the range of 160 million to 170 million tons. In addition, strength in the global steel sector is pulling high-quality steam coal into robust metallurgical coal markets, reducing the available coal supply to Eastern generators. Arch now expects domestic U.S. coal exports to increase by at least 15 million tons versus 2009.

Furthermore, Arch believes that U.S. generator coal stockpile levels have declined by nearly 35 million tons from peak levels in November 2009, and totaled approximately 170 million tons at the end of March. The company also anticipates a smaller build in coal stockpiles during the spring of 2010 compared with prior years. Consequently, Arch believes that generator stockpiles are likely to return to target levels during the second half of 2010.

While U.S. customer stockpiles remain above target, stockpiles at Powder River Basin customers are already near normal levels, according to third-party estimates. Coal stockpiles in Central Appalachia and in the Western Bituminous region remain above the five-year average as industrial demand in these regions has yet to return to pre-recession levels.

Over the longer term, approximately 40 million tons of new, incremental annual coal demand will be generated between 2010 and 2012 as 12 gigawatts of new coal-fueled power plants come online in the U.S. More than 6 gigawatts of new coal plants have already come online since 2008, with nearly 1.5 gigawatts beginning operations during the first quarter of 2010. On a global scale, 220 gigawatts of coal-fueled capacity are expected to come online by 2015, translating into an additional 750 million tons of new annual coal demand.

Production and Sales Contract Portfolio

Arch expects sales volumes from company-controlled operations to be in the 147 million to 155 million ton range for 2010. Sales of metallurgical and pulverized coal injection (PCI) coal - which are included within the company's full year volume guidance range - are now expected to reach 6 million to 7 million tons. To attain the higher metallurgical coal sales range, the company has begun placing its uncommitted metallurgical coal volumes, and plans to shift coal that was previously planned as steam sales into more profitable metallurgical and PCI markets.

"We now expect to more than triple our planned metallurgical coal sales in 2010 versus last year, capitalizing on the strength of global metallurgical coal markets," said Eaves. "In addition, we have plans to expand production of metallurgical grade coal at our Cumberland River complex in Central Appalachia to increase our total metallurgical coal capabilities to approach 8 million tons on an annualized basis, should market conditions warrant."

During the first quarter, Arch committed roughly 1.5 million tons of Central Appalachian coal into metallurgical markets for 2010 delivery, at average netback mine prices in the triple digits. In recent weeks, the company has selectively committed coal into metallurgical markets for 2010 delivery, at netback mine prices in the $140 per short ton to $150 per short ton range.

In the Powder River Basin, Arch signed commitments for its remaining 5 million tons of uncommitted coal for 2010 delivery, at average prices that exceeded the then prevailing applicable forward price curve. The company also signed agreements for less than 5 million tons of coal for 2011 delivery at price premiums to the then prevailing 2011 forward curve.

"The attractive price levels signed during the first quarter should help to expand Arch's future profitability," said Eaves. "At the same time, we remain selective in signing new business to preserve the value of our reserve base and to ensure we obtain satisfactory returns on our capital. We believe this strategy provides the best long-term value for our shareholders."

Based on the company's expected production levels and current sales commitments, Arch has uncommitted volumes of 65 million to 75 million tons in 2011, and uncommitted volumes of 100 million to 110 million tons in 2012. In addition, Arch has approximately 10 million tons of coal committed but not yet priced in 2010 and roughly 20 million tons committed but not yet priced in both 2011 and 2012.

2010 Guidance

Arch has updated its 2010 earnings guidance as follows:

  • Sales volume from company-controlled operations in the 147 million to 155 million ton range, excluding purchased coal from third parties.
  • Earnings per diluted share on a GAAP basis of between $0.87 and $1.26, which includes non-cash amortization of acquired coal supply agreements. Excluding this non-cash charge, adjusted earnings per diluted share would be in the range of $1.00 to $1.40.
  • Adjusted EBITDA in the $700 million to $790 million range.
  • Capital spending in the $315 million to $335 million range, which reflects new reserve additions in Montana and modest spending for increased metallurgical coal production.
  • Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense (excluding non-cash amortization of acquired coal supply agreements) in the $372 million to $380 million range.

"We believe that the long-term outlook for U.S. coal remains bright, and that Arch is well positioned to capitalize on expected growth in global and domestic coal consumption in 2010 and beyond," said Leer. "Our raised earnings guidance this year reflects our confidence in improving coal market fundamentals and in our ability to generate increasing cash flow for the company's stakeholders."

A conference call regarding Arch Coal's first quarter 2010 financial results will be webcast live today at 11 a.m. E.D.T. The conference call can be accessed via the "investor" section of the Arch Coal Web site (http://investor.archcoal.com/).

St. Louis-based Arch Coal is the second largest U.S. coal producer, with revenues of $2.6 billion in 2009. Through its national network of mines, Arch supplies cleaner-burning, low-sulfur coal to U.S. power producers to fuel roughly 8 percent of the nation's electricity. The company also ships coal to domestic and international steel manufacturers as well as international power producers.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" - that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," or "will." Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. For us, particular uncertainties arise from changes in the demand for our coal by the domestic electric generation industry; from legislation and regulations relating to the Clean Air Act and other environmental initiatives; from operational, geological, permit, labor and weather-related factors; from fluctuations in the amount of cash we generate from operations; from future integration of acquired businesses; and from numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. For a description of some of the risks and uncertainties that may affect our future results, you should see the risk factors described from time to time in the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                         Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
                      (In thousands, except per share data)


                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                      March 31,
                                                      ---------
                                                   2010            2009
                                                   ----            ----
                                                     (Unaudited)
    Revenues
      Coal sales                               $711,874        $681,040

    Costs, expenses and other
      Cost of coal sales                        550,750         547,126
      Depreciation, depletion and
       amortization                              88,519          73,269
      Amortization of acquired sales
       contracts, net                            10,753            (228)
      Selling, general and administrative
       expenses                                  27,166          25,114
      Change in fair value of coal
       derivatives and coal trading
       activities, net                            5,877            (528)
      Costs related to acquisition of
       Jacobs Ranch                                   -           3,350
      Other operating income, net                (3,391)         (5,635)
                                                 ------          ------
                                                679,674         642,468


          Income from operations                 32,200          38,572

    Interest expense, net:
      Interest expense                          (35,083)        (20,018)
      Interest income                               338           6,468
                                                    ---           -----
                                                (34,745)        (13,550)
                                                -------         -------


          Income (loss) before income taxes      (2,545)         25,022
    Benefit from income taxes                      (775)         (5,550)
                                                   ----          ------
          Net income (loss)                      (1,770)         30,572
          Less: Net (income) loss attributable
           to noncontrolling interest               (26)              7
                                                                    ---
          Net income (loss) attributable to
           Arch Coal, Inc.                      $(1,796)        $30,579
                                                =======         =======

    Earnings (loss) per common share
    Basic earnings (loss) per common
     share                                       $(0.01)          $0.21
                                                 ======           =====
    Diluted earnings (loss) per common
     share                                       $(0.01)          $0.21
                                                 ======           =====

    Weighted average shares outstanding
      Basic                                     162,372         142,789
                                                =======         =======
      Diluted                                   162,372         142,848
                                                =======         =======

    Dividends declared per common share           $0.09           $0.09
                                                  =====           =====

    Adjusted EBITDA (A) (unaudited)            $131,446        $114,970
                                               ========        ========



    (A) Adjusted EBITDA is defined and reconciled under "Reconciliation
    of Non-GAAP Measures" later in this release.



                        Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                 (In thousands)


                                        March 31,    December 31,
                                              2010           2009
                                              ----           ----
                                      (Unaudited)
    Assets
      Current
       assets
        Cash and cash
         equivalents                       $50,374        $61,138
        Trade
         accounts
         receivable                        238,770        190,738
        Other
         receivables                        31,178         40,632
        Inventories                        243,158        240,776
        Prepaid
         royalties                          42,090         21,085
        Deferred
         income taxes                        3,265              -
        Coal
         derivative
         assets                             14,801         18,807
        Other                              106,776        113,606
                                           -------        -------
                       Total current
                        assets             730,412        686,782
                                           -------        -------

      Property,
       plant and
       equipment,
       net                               3,306,175      3,366,186
                                         ---------      ---------

      Other assets
        Prepaid
         royalties                          82,358         86,622
        Goodwill                           113,701        113,701
        Deferred
         income taxes                      344,040        354,869
        Equity
         investments                        99,924         87,268
        Other                              136,676        145,168
                                           -------        -------
                       Total other
                        assets             776,699        787,628
                                           -------        -------
                       Total assets     $4,813,286     $4,840,596
                                        ==========     ==========

    Liabilities
     and
     Stockholders'
     Equity
      Current
       liabilities
        Accounts
         payable                          $149,243       $128,402
        Coal
         derivative
         liabilities                         2,820          2,244
        Deferred
         income taxes                            -          5,901
        Accrued
         expenses and
         other
         current
         liabilities                       196,177     227,716
        Current
         maturities
         of debt and
         short-term
         borrowings                        243,398     267,464
                                           -------        -------
                       Total current
                        liabilities        591,638        631,727
      Long-term
       debt                              1,540,289      1,540,223
      Asset
       retirement
       obligations                         311,130        305,094
      Accrued
       pension
       benefits                             69,277         68,266
      Accrued
       postretirement
       benefits
       other than
       pension                              45,095      43,865
      Accrued
       workers'
       compensation                         27,990         29,110
      Other
       noncurrent
       liabilities                         113,735         98,243
                                           -------         ------
                       Total
                        liabilities      2,699,154      2,716,528
                                         ---------      ---------

      Redeemable
       noncontrolling
       interest                              8,990          8,962

     Stockholders'
      Equity
        Common stock                         1,643          1,643
        Paid-in
         capital                         1,724,999      1,721,230
        Treasury
         stock, at
         cost                              (53,848)       (53,848)
        Retained
         earnings                          449,515        465,934
        Accumulated
         other
         comprehensive
         loss                              (17,167)       (19,853)
                                           -------        -------
                       Total
                        stockholders'
                        equity           2,105,142      2,115,106
                                         ---------      ---------
                       Total
                        liabilities
                        and
                        stockholders'
                        equity          $4,813,286  $4,840,596
                                        ==========     ==========




                        Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                 (In thousands)


                                                         Three Months Ended
                                                              March 31,
                                                              ---------
                                                          2010           2009
                                                          ----           ----
                                                             (Unaudited)
    Operating activities
    Net income (loss)                                  $(1,770)       $30,572
    Adjustments to reconcile to cash  provided
     by operating activities:
      Depreciation, depletion and amortization          88,519         73,269
      Amortization of acquired sales contracts,
       net                                              10,753           (228)
      Prepaid royalties expensed                         6,599          9,461
      Loss (gain) on dispositions of property,
       plant and equipment                                  17            (54)
      Employee stock-based compensation expense          3,684          3,520
      Changes in:
          Receivables                                  (37,013)        (9,005)
          Inventories                                   (2,382)       (14,202)
          Coal derivative assets and liabilities         5,547         11,298
          Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
           current liabilities                          (6,844)       (37,891)
          Deferred income taxes                            150        (14,440)
          Other                                         26,071          4,827
                                                        ------          -----

        Cash provided by operating activities           93,331         57,127
                                                        ------         ------

    Investing activities
    Capital expenditures                               (31,975)     (191,886)
    Proceeds from dispositions of property,
     plant and equipment                                    95            214
    Purchases of investments and advances to
     affiliates                                        (10,071)        (5,881)
    Additions to prepaid royalties                     (23,340)       (20,315)
    Reimbursement of deposits on equipment                   -          3,209
                                                           ---          -----

        Cash used in investing activities              (65,291)     (214,659)
                                                       -------       --------

    Financing activities
    Net increase (decrease) in borrowings under
     lines of credit and commercial paper
     program                                           (19,324)       137,265
    Net payments on other debt                          (4,742)        (5,363)
    Debt financing costs                                  (200)        (4,449)
    Dividends paid                                     (14,623)       (12,862)
    Issuance of common stock under incentive
     plans                                                  85             58
                                                           ---            ---

        Cash provided by (used in) financing
         activities                                    (38,804)       114,649
                                                       -------        -------

    Decrease in cash and cash equivalents              (10,764)       (42,883)
    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
     period                                             61,138         70,649
                                                        ------         ------

    Cash and cash equivalents, end of period           $50,374        $27,766
                                                       =======        =======




                         Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                        Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
                                  (In thousands)


    Included in the accompanying release, we have disclosed certain non-GAAP
     measures as defined by Regulation G.
    The following reconciles these items to net income and cash flows as
     reported under GAAP.

    Adjusted EBITDA

    Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income attributable to the Company
     before the effect of net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation,
     depletion and amortization and the amortization of acquired sales
     contracts, net.  Adjusted EBITDA may also be adjusted for items that may
     not reflect the trend of future results.

    Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance in accordance
     with generally accepted accounting principles, and items excluded to
     calculate Adjusted EBITDA are significant in understanding and assessing
     our financial condition. Therefore, Adjusted EBITDA should not be
     considered in isolation nor as an alternative to net income, income from
     operations, cash flows from operations or as a measure of our
     profitability, liquidity or performance under generally accepted
     accounting principles. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA presents a useful
     measure of our ability to service and incur debt based on ongoing
     operations. Furthermore, analogous measures are used by industry analysts
     to evaluate operating performance. In addition, acquisition-related
     expenses are excluded to make results more comparable between periods.
     Investors should be aware that our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may
     not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
     The table below shows how we calculate Adjusted EBITDA.






                                                        Three Months Ended
                                                             March 31,
                                                             ---------
                                                         2010            2009
                                                         ----            ----
                                                            (Unaudited)
    Net income (loss)                                 $(1,770)        $30,572
         Income tax benefit                              (775)         (5,550)
         Interest expense, net                         34,745          13,550
         Depreciation, depletion and amortization      88,519          73,269
         Amortization of acquired sales
          contracts, net                               10,753            (228)
         Costs related to acquisition of Jacobs
          Ranch                                             -           3,350
         Net (income) loss attributable to
          noncontrolling interest                         (26)              7
                                                          ---             ---

         Adjusted EBITDA                             $131,446        $114,970
                                                     ========        ========





    Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per common share

    Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per common share are
     adjusted for the after-tax impact of acquisition-related expenses
     and are not measures of financial performance in accordance with
     generally accepted accounting principles.  Adjustments made to arrive
     at these amounts are significant in understanding and assessing our
     financial condition.  Therefore, adjusted net income and adjusted
     diluted earnings per share should not be considered in isolation nor
     as an alternative to net income or diluted earnings per common share
     under generally accepted accounting principles.  We believe that
     adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per common share
     better reflect the trend of future results.






                                         Three Months Ended March 31,
                                         ----------------------------
                                               2010                   2009
                                               ----                   ----
                                                  (Unaudited)
    Net income (loss) attributable to
     Arch Coal                              $(1,796)               $30,579

         Amortization of acquired sales
          contracts, net                     10,753                   (228)
         Costs related to acquisition of
          Jacobs Ranch                            -                  3,350
         Tax impact of adjustments           (3,925)                (1,140)
                                             ------                 ------

    Adjusted net income attributable to
     Arch Coal                               $5,032                $32,561
                                             ======                =======
    Diluted weighted average shares
     outstanding                            162,372                142,848
                                            =======                =======

    Adjusted diluted earnings per share       $0.03                  $0.23
                                              =====                  =====





    Free Cash Flow

    Free cash flow is defined as operating cash flows minus capital
     expenditures and is not a measure of cash flow in accordance with
     generally accepted accounting principles.  We use free cash flow as a
     measure of our ability to make investments, acquisitions and payments to
     our debt and equity security holders.  Free cash flow should not be
     considered in isolation, nor as an alternative to cash flows generated
     from  operations.






                                                  Three Months
                                                      Ended
                                                 March 31, 2010
                                                 --------------
                                                  (Unaudited)

    Cash provided by operating activities                $93,331
    Capital expenditures                                 (31,975)
                                                         -------

    Free cash flow                                       $61,356
                                                         =======






    Reconciliation of  2010 Targets

    Adjusted EBITDA

                                                   Targeted Results
                                                      Year Ended
                                                  December 31, 2010
                                                  -----------------
                                             Low                   High
                                             ---                   ----
                                                   (Unaudited)

    Net income attributable to
     Arch Coal, Inc.                          $141,500               $205,000
         Income tax expense                     13,500                 36,000
         Interest expense, net                 139,000                135,000
         Depreciation, depletion and
          amortization                         372,000                378,000
         Amortization of acquired
          sales contracts, net                  34,000                 36,000
                                                ------                 ------

         Adjusted EBITDA                      $700,000               $790,000
                                              ========               ========

    Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted
     earnings per share

                                                 Targeted Results
                                                    Year Ended
                                                December 31, 2010
                                                -----------------
                                             Low                   High
                                             ---                   ----
                                                   (Unaudited)
    Net income attributable to
     Arch Coal                                $141,500               $205,000

         Amortization of acquired
          sales contracts, net                  34,000                 36,000
         Tax impact of adjustments             (12,410)               (13,140)
                                               -------                -------

    Adjusted net income
     attributable to Arch Coal                $163,090               $227,860
                                              ========               ========
    Diluted weighted average
     shares outstanding                        163,000                163,000
                                               =======                =======

    Adjusted diluted earnings
     per share                                   $1.00                  $1.40
                                                 =====                  =====




SOURCE Arch Coal, Inc.