ST. LOUIS, Feb. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE: ACI) today reported a net loss of $295 million, or $1.39 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2012.  Excluding acquired sales contract amortization, goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges, other non-operating expenses and the related tax impacts of these items, Arch's fourth quarter 2012 adjusted net loss was $89 million, or $0.42 per diluted share.  In the fourth quarter of 2011, Arch reported adjusted net income of $62 million, or $0.29 per diluted share.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120727/CG47668LOGO)

Revenues totaled $968 million and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization ("EBITDA") was $71 million for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2012.  Excluding a one-time $58 million charge related to a customer contract obligation, fourth quarter 2012 adjusted EBITDA would have been $130 million.

"Arch continued to successfully execute its operational strategy and made progress on a number of fronts in the fourth quarter while weathering challenging coal market conditions," said John W. Eaves, Arch's president and chief executive officer.  "Our Western Bituminous Region delivered a record cash margin performance, and our other regions generated positive cash flow even while running at significantly reduced volume levels.  In addition, we shipped 3 million tons overseas in the fourth quarter, capping a record year for company exports."

Annual Highlights

For full year 2012, Arch reported an adjusted net loss of $77 million, or $0.36 per share.  Revenues totaled $4.2 billion on coal sales of 141 million tons in 2012 compared with $4.3 billion in revenues on coal sales of 155 million tons in the prior year.  Adjusted EBITDA was $688 million in 2012 versus $921 million in 2011.

"Arch achieved several notable milestones while managing through a tough 2012," said Eaves. "First, we delivered another strong performance in our core values of employee safety and environmental stewardship.  Second, the company's exports rose to a record 13.6 million tons in 2012, demonstrating its growing presence in the seaborne coal trade.  Third, we further improved our operational efficiency through the consolidation of operations, strong cost control at active operations and significant reductions in capital spending.  Lastly, we further bolstered our liquidity to $1.4 billion, positioning Arch to weather near-term market headwinds and emerge from this cycle as an even stronger producer."

"Looking ahead, we are seeing signs that a coal market rebound is possible in the second half of 2013," added Eaves.  "At Arch, we are running our operations in a manner that will enable us to capitalize on the rebound as it occurs.  We are proactively responding to increased interest for Western Bituminous coal after several years of weakness.  We are also making progress in realigning our asset portfolio in Appalachia – and expect our competitive position to be further enhanced as the Leer longwall starts up in the third quarter of 2013.  In the Powder River Basin, we are continuing to focus on controlling costs as we manage our operations at significantly reduced production levels."

Financial Items

In the fourth quarter of 2012, Arch recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $231 million related to the company's goodwill and intangible assets, primarily due to the decline in benchmark metallurgical coal prices versus 2011.  These charges have no impact on Arch's liquidity and cash flow from operations and do not impact the company's ongoing business operations.  Arch also recorded a $58 million charge in the fourth quarter to reflect the rejection of a customer supply contract by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the assumption of the contract obligation by Arch.  Accordingly, Arch accrued for the full present value of the contract in 2012. 

Also in the fourth quarter, Arch issued a $375 million senior unsecured note and an incremental $250 million secured term loan.  The company also maintains borrowing capacity under a $350 million revolving credit facility and a $250 million asset securitization program.  As of Dec. 31, 2012, Arch had total available liquidity of $1.4 billion, of which $1.0 billion was in cash and short-term interest-bearing securities.  Debt outstanding at the end of 2012, net of cash and investments, totaled $4.1 billion, and the company's net debt-to-capital ratio was 59 percent. 

"Arch proactively completed several financing initiatives last year that fortified our cash position, relaxed restrictive financial covenants until late 2015 and eliminated debt maturities until 2016," said John T. Drexler, Arch's senior vice president and chief financial officer.  "This strategy has provided Arch with ample financial flexibility to overcome market headwinds."

Core Values

Arch maintained its leading position in the U.S. coal industry for safety performance and environmental compliance during 2012.  Arch's 2012 lost-time safety rate was three times better than the national coal industry average, ranking the company first among its major diversified U.S. coal industry peers for the seventh consecutive year.  In addition, Arch received a total of 17 national and state safety awards and honors in 2012, including the prestigious Sentinels of Safety award.

Arch also excelled in environmental stewardship in 2012, earning a total of seven environmental awards at the national, state and regional levels for its efforts in reclaiming land and safeguarding wildlife.  Included among these honors, Arch became the first mining company to receive the Conservation Legacy Award from the National Museum of Forest Service History last year.  The company's 2012 environmental compliance rate again ranked among the best of its major U.S. coal industry peers.  Furthermore, five of Arch's operations and facilities attained A Perfect Zero – that is, operating with zero reportable injuries and zero environmental violations – during 2012. 

"I'm extremely proud of our employees for remaining keenly focused on living our core values as well as garnering two dozen external awards and honors in 2012," said Paul A. Lang, Arch's executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Operational Results

"Arch continued to execute solid cost control – with fourth quarter 2012 consolidated cash costs declining versus the third quarter and reaching their lowest level of the year," said Lang.  "In particular, our Western Bituminous Region finished 2012 with a record fourth quarter performance, which helped offset anticipated cost increases in the Powder River Basin.  For the full year, our operations met – and in some cases exceeded – our expectations, despite the challenging coal market environment that prevailed during 2012."

Arch earned $4.77 per ton in consolidated cash margin in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared with $5.41 per ton in the third quarter.  Consolidated sales price per ton in the fourth quarter decreased 5 percent versus the third quarter, primarily reflecting lower prices on export and market-based domestic sales.  Consolidated cash costs per ton declined nearly 4 percent over the same time period, due to lower costs in several operating regions and a larger percentage of lower-cost tons in the company's overall volume mix.   

For full year 2012, Arch recorded a consolidated cash margin of $5.41 per ton versus $6.63 per ton in the prior year.  Sales volume in 2012 fell by nearly 15 million tons compared with 2011, as the company elected to reduce production and close mines in response to weak coal market conditions.  Consolidated sales price per ton rose slightly over the same time period, but was offset by an increase in per-ton cash costs due to operating at reduced volume levels.

In the Powder River Basin, Arch recorded a cash margin of $1.54 per ton in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared with $2.87 per ton in the third quarter.  Fourth quarter sales price declined $0.67 per ton versus the third quarter, in part due to lower prices on export sales.  Cash costs increased $0.66 per ton over the same time period, mainly reflecting anticipated higher maintenance expense.

For full year 2012, Arch earned a cash margin of $2.42 per ton in the Powder River Basin versus $3.13 per ton in 2011.  While sales price per ton was flat in 2012 versus the prior year, sales volume declined 11 percent as the company idled equipment until coal market fundamentals improve.  Cash costs per ton increased 6.7 percent over the same time period, as the impact of operating at reduced volume levels was somewhat offset by successful efforts to control costs in the region. 

In Appalachia, fourth quarter 2012 cash margin per ton decreased 9 percent compared with the third quarter.  Sales volumes in the fourth quarter fell nearly 11 percent versus the third quarter, as Arch elected to idle incremental higher-cost production at the Cumberland River and Vindex mining complexes.  Sales price per ton declined slightly over the same time period, due to lower pricing on thermal coal sales.  As anticipated, fourth quarter 2012 cash costs per ton increased slightly versus the third quarter, reflecting the company's ongoing realignment of its portfolio in the region toward metallurgical assets.

For full year 2012, Arch earned a cash margin of $15.60 per ton in Appalachia versus $23.72 per ton in 2011.  Thermal sales volumes declined nearly 7 percent in 2012 compared with 2011, while metallurgical sales were flat at 7.5 million tons.  Sales price per ton decreased 2 percent over the same time period, driven by lower pricing on metallurgical sales.  Cash costs per ton in 2012 increased 9.5 percent versus 2011, due to the impact of lower volume levels and mine closures, as well as a larger percentage of metallurgical coal in the company's regional volume mix.

In the Western Bituminous Region, Arch earned a record cash margin of $18.68 per ton in the fourth quarter of 2012 versus $11.56 per ton in the third quarter.  Volumes in the fourth quarter declined moderately compared with the third quarter.  Of note, the longwall at Skyline resumed operation in late October, while the longwall at Dugout Canyon was idled after completing its final panel in the Gilson seam.  Sales price per ton increased 5 percent over the same time period, reflecting a favorable mix of customer shipments.  Cash costs per ton in the fourth quarter declined more than 20 percent, partially driven by incremental production from Dugout Canyon's longwall when compared with the third quarter.

For full year 2012, cash margin per ton in the Western Bituminous Region improved 15 percent versus 2011.  Sales volumes in 2012 declined 8 percent year over year, while sales price per ton remained flat versus 2011.  Cash costs per ton declined 7.5 percent over the same time period, benefiting from solid cost control at the company's operations in the region.

Market Trends

While coal markets remain under pressure, there are positive indications of a potential recovery in demand and pricing over the course of 2013.  Among them:

• In 2013, Arch expects U.S. power producers to increase output at coal-fueled power plants – as higher natural gas prices relative to last year make western U.S. coals an increasingly competitive resource for electricity generation.  Internal forecasts suggest U.S. coal consumption in 2013 will rise by as much as 50 million tons versus last year.

• Improved performance in China's manufacturing sector, resilient steel utilization rates in North America and economic stabilization in eastern and, in some cases, western Europe all point to higher steel output, and stronger metallurgical coal demand, in 2013.  At the same time, global metallurgical production curtailments have reached nearly 35 million metric tonnes annualized.  These supply and demand trends should lead to better balance in metallurgical markets as the year progresses.

• Colder winter temperatures in major coal-burning regions of Asia, as well as coal's competitive advantage versus other power generation fuels in Europe, should help support U.S. coal exports in 2013.  Seaborne coal demand remains strong, and the company continues to field interest from overseas customers for both metallurgical and thermal coals.  Arch believes 2013 U.S. coal exports should remain at elevated levels, albeit likely lower than in 2012.

• Continued rationalization of high-cost domestic supply, coupled with improved U.S. coal burn, will result in further liquidation of coal stockpiles at U.S. power generators in 2013.  According to government data, U.S. coal production declined nearly 80 million tons in 2012, with the rate of decline accelerating in the fourth quarter.  Production from Central Appalachia declined 36 million tons in 2012, and ended the year below 150 million tons.

"We are beginning to see signs of a recovery in coal markets after a very challenging 2012," said Eaves. "Assuming normal weather trends prevail – and economic activity continues to accelerate – we see global coal supply and demand balancing over the course of 2013, setting the stage for improved market fundamentals."  

Company Outlook

Arch has established production targets for 2013, and expects sales from company-controlled operations of between 133 million and 144 million tons for the full year.  Included in this range are projected sales of 8 million to 9 million tons of metallurgical coal.  At expected volume levels, Arch is nearly 90 percent committed on thermal sales for 2013.  Given the below-capacity production levels set for 2013, Arch currently anticipates that cash costs per ton in each of its operating regions will be similar to 2012 levels.

"On the thermal side of our business, we have layered in some sales to run our mines efficiently in 2013, but have elected to continue operating at reduced volume levels at this time," said Lang.  "We have also maintained some sales leverage where we believe opportunities will present themselves over the course of 2013.  On the metallurgical side, we have strong commitments from our North American customer base, and we have some of our higher-quality coals still available to capture potential upside in an improving seaborne marketplace." 

Capital expenditures totaled $395 million in 2012, which was $145 million less than in 2011 and $25 million less than the company's projected spend.  For 2013, Arch expects capital spending to be at or below $350 million, which includes $100 million for the completion of the Leer metallurgical mine in Appalachia and $80 million for reserve additions.  The remaining capital expenditures will pertain to maintenance and efficiency projects.

"We expect 2013 to be a rebalancing year for global and domestic coal markets, and our current guidance range reflects this assumption," said Eaves.  "Coal price increases are likely to follow what we expect will be improving coal supply and demand trends.  As such, we believe our performance in the second half of 2013 is likely to be stronger than in the first half."

"Looking ahead, we will focus on what we can control – costs, capital spending and sales commitments," added Eaves.  "While we can't predict exactly when demand will accelerate, we are well positioned to deliver improved results when it does.  As market fundamentals strengthen, we expect a favorable impact on sales volumes and pricing in future periods."

A conference call regarding Arch Coal's fourth quarter and full year 2012 financial results will be webcast live today at 11 a.m. Eastern time.  The conference call can be accessed via the "investor" section of the Arch Coal website (http://investor.archcoal.com).

U.S.-based Arch Coal, Inc. is one of the world's top coal producers for the global steel and power generation industries, serving customers in 25 countries on five continents.  Its network of mining complexes is the most diversified in the United States, spanning every major coal basin in the nation.  The company controls a 5.5-billion-ton reserve base of high-quality metallurgical and thermal coals, with access to all major railroads, inland waterways and a growing number of seaborne trade channels.  For more information, visit www.archcoal.com.  

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.

SOURCE Arch Coal, Inc.

Jennifer Beatty, Vice President, Investor Relations, +1-314-994-2781