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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):  October 22, 2019 (October 22, 2019)

 

Arch Coal, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware   1-13105   43-0921172
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

CityPlace One
One CityPlace Drive, Suite 300
St. Louis, Missouri 63141

(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (314) 994-2700

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class:   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered:
Common Stock, $.01 par value   ARCH   New York Stock Exchange

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨            Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨            Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (Section 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Section 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicated by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ¨

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.02Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On October 22, 2019, Arch Coal, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release containing its third quarter 2019 financial results. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as exhibit 99.1.

 

The information contained in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. The information in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be incorporated into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 9.01Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)Exhibits

 

The following exhibits are attached hereto and filed herewith.

 

Exhibit
No.
  Description
99.1  Press release dated October 22, 2019.
104  Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL)

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: October 22, 2019 Arch Coal, Inc.
   
  By: /s/ Robert G. Jones
    Robert G. Jones
    Senior Vice President – Law, General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

News from

Arch Coal, Inc.

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

 

Investor Relations

314/994-2897

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Arch Coal, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2019 Results

 

  · Maintained excellent momentum in core coking coal franchise, with strong volumes and effective cost control
  · Signed agreement that will increase High-Vol A reserves at Leer mine by 24 million tons at a cost of around $2.50 per ton; will extend mine life to late 2030s
  · Secured $39 million in credits – via the resolution of a 1970s-era land dispute – that will be used to offset federal royalty obligations
  · Invested $91 million to buy back 1.2 million shares of stock; have now reduced share count by approximately 40 percent since initiating capital return program
  · Committed 1.5 million tons of coking coal for delivery to North American customers in 2020, at an average price of approximately $110 per ton

 

ST. LOUIS, October 22, 2019 – Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE: ARCH) today reported net income of $106.8 million, or $6.34 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2019, compared with net income of $123.2 million, or $6.10 per diluted share, in the prior-year period. The company had adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, accretion on asset retirement obligations, amortization of sales contracts, and non-operating expenses (“adjusted EBITDA”) 1 of $106.6 million in the third quarter of 2019, which includes a $1.5 million non-cash mark-to-market loss associated with the company’s coal-hedging activities. Not included in adjusted EBITDA is a $39.0 million gain resulting from the settlement of a 1970s-era land dispute. This compares to $124.9 million of adjusted EBITDA recorded in the third quarter of 2018, which included a $10.4 million non-cash mark-to-market loss associated with the company’s coal-hedging activities. Revenues totaled $619.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, versus $633.2 million in the prior-year quarter.

 

“During the quarter, Arch again exhibited operational excellence and generated strong cash flows across its operating platform despite a pull-back in coking coal prices,” said John W. Eaves, Arch’s chief executive officer. “Our core Metallurgical segment turned in an excellent cost performance, overcoming elevated costs in the final longwall panel at the Mountain Laurel mine, and our legacy thermal segments generated five times more cash than they expended in capital. In addition, we made significant progress on our ongoing capital return program, investing $91.4 million to buy back nearly 1.2 million shares, bringing total repurchases since May 2017 to nearly 10 million shares, or approximately 40 percent of initial shares outstanding.”

 

 

 

1 Adjusted EBITDA is defined and reconciled in the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP measures” in this release.

 

1

 

 

During the third quarter, Arch returned a total of $98.4 million to shareholders via buybacks and dividends, and has now returned $255.3 million through the first nine months of 2019, which is 18 percent more than during the same period in 2018. All told, Arch has returned $894.8 million to shareholders since launching its capital return program in May 2017. At quarter-end, Arch had board authorization to expend an additional $233.1 million on share buybacks, out of a total authorization of $1.05 billion.

 

“We believe we are in a highly advantageous position to drive long-term, sustainable returns for our shareholders across a wide range of market conditions,” Eaves added. “In coming quarters, we expect to improve further on our first-quartile coking coal cost position; continue to generate cash from our thermal assets well in excess of our capital spending requirements; drive forward with the accelerated build-out of our world-class Leer South growth project; and return additional capital to shareholders.”

 

Capital Allocation Progress and Liquidity Update

 

During the third quarter, Arch repurchased 1,170,000 shares of common stock – representing 4.7 percent of initial shares outstanding – for a total investment of $91.4 million. In the past 10 quarters, Arch has invested a total of $816.9 million to buy back 10.0 million shares.

 

In addition to the buybacks, Arch returned $7.0 million to shareholders through its recurring quarterly dividend. In the past 10 quarters, Arch has returned a total of $77.9 million to shareholders via dividend payments.

 

“As a result of its low-cost position, premium product slate, and strong balance sheet, Arch is well-positioned to generate strong levels of cash flow across a broad range of market conditions,” said John T. Drexler, Arch’s chief financial officer. “Despite softening in coking coal markets during the period, we returned robust levels of capital to shareholders, funded the accelerated build-out of Leer South with internally generated cash, and maintained our iron-clad balance sheet with a net cash position.”

 

Arch ended the quarter with approximately $465.9 million in liquidity – including $351.5 million in cash – and a negative net debt (or net cash) position of $41.5 million.

 

Arch is also announcing board approval of the next quarterly cash dividend payment of $0.45 per common share, which is scheduled to be paid on December 13, 2019 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 29, 2019.

 

Future dividend declarations and share repurchases will be subject to ongoing board review and authorization and will be based on a number of factors, including business and market conditions, Arch’s future financial performance and other capital priorities.

 

2

 

 

Reserve Acquisition at Leer Mine

 

In September, Arch entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 20 million tons of low-cost, high-quality, High-Vol A coking coal reserves directly adjacent to its Leer mine for a purchase price of $52.5 million. This acquisition, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter, will facilitate an increase of nearly 24 million tons in the Leer mine plan.  

 

These incremental reserves — located in the same seam as the Leer longwall — are contiguous to Leer’s existing reserves and accessible underground by the longwall operation without the expenditure of meaningful incremental capital. The purchase price equates to approximately $2.50 per ton, versus an average cash margin at the Leer mine of more than $65 per ton year-to-date in 2019.  The reserve addition is expected to extend the life of Arch’s flagship operation to the late 2030s, with the potential for still further extensions thereafter.

 

“We view this transaction as a highly strategic investment in our Leer reserve base, which is the centerpiece of our core coking coal franchise,” said Paul A. Lang, Arch’s president and chief operating officer.  “The Leer reserves contain some of the highest quality, lowest cost and highest margin steel-making coal in the United States.  We believe that these reserves provide us with a pipeline of proven, low-risk, and low capital-intensity growth projects that should drive increasing earnings and cash generation well into the future.”

 

Successful Resolution of Longstanding Land Dispute

 

During the quarter, Arch recorded a $39.0 million gain stemming from the resolution of a longstanding land dispute with the federal government involving “preference rights lease applications” (PRLAs) in northwestern New Mexico that were secured by the company and its joint venture partner in the 1970s. In the settlement agreement, Arch agreed to relinquish the PRLAs to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in exchange for credits that can be used to offset an equivalent amount of federal royalty obligations. Arch expects to monetize the vast majority of these credits during the 2020 calendar year.

 

“We are pleased to have brought this matter to a successful conclusion,” Lang said. “We commend all the interested parties – and particularly the BLM – for working closely and collaboratively with us to craft a positive outcome for all stakeholders.”

 

Operational Results

 

“During the quarter, our core Metallurgical segment turned in another excellent cost performance and solid margins despite elevated costs in the last longwall panel at Mountain Laurel and a significant step-down in index-based coking coal prices,” Lang said. “Supplementing that strong performance, our two legacy thermal segments achieved solid margins, continued to demonstrate great capital discipline, and generated significant amounts of excess cash that we once again put to good use in both our capital return program and the build-out of Leer South.”

 

3

 

 

    Metallurgical  
    3Q19     2Q19     3Q18  
Tons sold (in millions)     2.1       1.9       1.9  
Coking     1.9       1.6       1.7  
Thermal     0.2       0.3       0.2  
Coal sales per ton sold   $ 98.89     $ 115.87     $ 104.75  
Coking   $ 105.72     $ 131.91     $ 114.89  
Thermal   $ 32.13     $ 29.05     $ 35.35  
Cash cost per ton sold   $ 64.89     $ 62.07     $ 62.54  
Cash margin per ton   $ 34.00     $ 53.80     $ 42.21  

 

Coal sales per ton sold and cash cost per ton sold are defined and reconciled under "Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures."

Mining complexes included in this segment are Beckley, Leer, Mountain Laurel and Sentinel.

 

The Metallurgical segment achieved a per-ton cash margin of $34.00 on the strength of an average per-ton cost of $64.89.

 

“During the quarter, the Leer mine continued its outstanding operating performance, achieving cash costs below $45 per ton,” Lang said. “As expected, Leer completed mining activities in the western portion of its reserve base and – at the end of the third quarter – moved the longwall into a new district where the coal seam is thicker. As previously indicated, we expect a 20-percent increase in Leer’s average seam thickness in future panels. As a result, we expect Leer to maintain and potentially improve upon its strong operational performance in coming quarters.”

 

The Mountain Laurel mine – which is currently mining its final longwall panel – incurred significantly elevated cash costs during the quarter related to mining conditions on the longwall. As previously indicated, Mountain Laurel expects to complete longwall mining near the end of 2019 and to transition to a continuous miner operation thereafter. The transition is expected to translate into modestly lower costs, improved coal quality, and a more consistent operating performance.

 

Looking ahead, Arch is reaffirming its coking coal volume guidance of 6.7 to 7.1 million tons and its cost guidance of $61 to $65 per ton for full year 2019. Arch expects its coking coal price realizations to decline in the fourth quarter due to lower average projected index-based pricing.

 

    Powder River Basin  
    3Q19     2Q19     3Q18  
Tons sold (in millions)     22.2       17.1       21.5  
Coal sales per ton sold   $ 12.02     $ 12.08     $ 12.02  
Cash cost per ton sold   $ 9.77     $ 11.29     $ 9.76  
Cash margin per ton   $ 2.25     $ 0.79     $ 2.26  

 

Coal sales per ton sold and cash cost per ton sold are defined and reconciled under "Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures."

Mining complexes included in this segment are Black Thunder and Coal Creek.

 

4

 

 

In the Powder River Basin, sales volumes for the third quarter totaled 22.2 million tons versus 17.1 million tons in the second quarter of 2019. Per-unit cash costs declined to $9.77 per ton compared to $11.29 per ton in the flood-impacted second quarter. The segment’s per-ton cash margin increased markedly to $2.25 versus the second quarter of 2019.

 

Looking ahead, Arch expects reduced volumes and correspondingly higher unit costs in the fourth quarter. Even with those expected pressures, the company is reducing its per-ton cash cost guidance range to between $10.60 and $10.80 for full year 2019.

 

    Other Thermal  
    3Q19     2Q19     3Q18  
Tons sold (in millions)     2.0       1.9       2.5  
Coal sales per ton sold   $ 39.52     $ 39.09     $ 36.96  
Cash cost per ton sold   $ 31.16     $ 33.62     $ 27.68  
Cash margin per ton   $ 8.36     $ 5.47     $ 9.28  

 

Coal sales per ton sold and cash cost per ton sold are defined and reconciled under "Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures."

Mining complexes included in this segment are Coal-Mac, Viper and West Elk.                

 

In the Other Thermal segment, the average cash margin increased more than 50 percent to $8.36 per ton versus the second quarter of 2019, due primarily to increased longwall production at the West Elk mine.

 

Arch is reiterating its per-ton cash cost guidance for the segment of $29.00 to $33.00 for full year 2019.

 

Progress at Leer South

 

As indicated, Arch is making excellent headway in the development of Leer South. The company continues to expect capex of between $360 million and $390 million to develop the new mine, with more than $100 million of that total coming in 2019. During the third quarter, Arch invested approximately $26.4 million on the build-out, bringing the year-to-date total to $62.6 million.

 

“The development team is making excellent progress and we remain well on track to commence longwall mining in the third quarter of 2021,” Lang said.

 

With the addition of Leer South, Arch expects to expand its High-Vol A output by an incremental 3 million tons; enhance its already advantageous position on the U.S. cost curve; strengthen its coking coal profit margins in virtually any market environment; and cement its position as the leading supplier of High-Vol A coking coal globally.

 

New Coking Coal Commitments for 2020

 

During the quarter, Arch entered into agreements to supply 1.5 million tons of coking coal to North American customers in 2020, at a fixed price of approximately $110 per ton. In addition, Arch committed 1.6 million tons into the seaborne market with an index-based pricing structure, bringing total commitments for 2020 to 3.1 million tons.

 

5

 

 

“As we have stated in the past, we see value in maintaining a meaningful presence in the North American marketplace, and believe we have secured pricing – given current market conditions – that is reflective of the premium quality of our products,” Lang said.

 

Key Market Developments

 

During the quarter, global coking coal markets weakened in response to slowing steel demand, trade-related tensions and concerns over global economic growth. The average price of Arch’s primary product – premium High-Vol A coking coal – declined from an average of nearly $200 per metric ton in the ocean vessel during the year’s first half to under $140 per metric ton at the end of the third quarter, according to Platts.

 

Counterbalancing those concerns to some degree, global coking coal output remains muted. In the United States, several high-cost coking coal mines have idled in recent weeks in response to the lower pricing environment, and U.S. coking coal exports are down 11 percent year-to-date. Australian production is up only modestly and continues to undershoot the peak levels achieved in 2016. Major coking coal producers continue to expend very limited capital on expansion projects.

 

In short, supply and demand appear only modestly out of balance at present, and high-cost production is being taken off line. With its first-quartile U.S. cost structure, Arch is well-positioned to weather the current pull-back.

 

Outlook

 

“We are confident in our well-defined strategy for long-term value creation and growth, and we are pursuing it aggressively,” Eaves said. “We expect several major drivers to elevate shareholder value in coming quarters regardless of market conditions. These drivers include the build-out of our world-class Leer South mine; the transition of our flagship Leer mine into the heart of its reserve base; the completion of our highly synergistic joint venture with Peabody; and the continuation of our capital return program. Coupled with continued, strong operational execution, these drivers should enhance our already strong competitive position in coking coal markets, increase our cash-generating capabilities significantly, and translate into greater value for our shareholders.”

 

6

 

 

    2019     2020  
    Tons     $ per ton     Tons     $ per ton  
Sales Volume (in millions of tons)                                                                
Coking     6.7       -       7.1                                          
Thermal     80.0       -       85.0                                          
Total     86.7       -       92.1                                          
                                                                 
Metallurgical (in millions of tons)                                                                
Committed, Priced Coking North American                     1.5                     $ 121.87       1.5     $ 109.89  
Committed, Unpriced Coking North American                     0.2                               -          
Committed, Priced Coking Seaborne                     3.9                     $ 121.92       -          
Committed, Unpriced Coking Seaborne                     1.1                               1.6          
Total Committed Coking                     6.8                               3.1          
                                                                 
Committed, Priced Thermal Byproduct                     1.0                     $ 32.15                  
Committed, Unpriced Thermal Byproduct                     -                                          
Total Committed Thermal Byproduct                     1.0                                          
                                                                 
Average Metallurgical Cash Cost                           $ 61.00       -     $ 65.00                  
                                                                 
Powder River Basin (in millions of tons)                                                                
Committed, Priced                     75.3                     $ 12.06       43.7     $ 12.27  
Committed, Unpriced                     0.6                               1.5          
Total Committed                     75.9                               45.2          
Average Cash Cost                           $ 10.60       -     $ 10.80                  
                                                                 
Other Thermal (in millions of tons)                                                                
Committed, Priced                     7.5                     $ 38.42       3.7     $ 40.36  
Committed, Unpriced                     0.3                               -          
Total Committed                     7.8                               3.7          
Average Cash Cost                           $ 29.00       -     $ 33.00                  
                                                                 
Corporate (in $ millions)                                                                
D,D&A                           $ 111       -     $ 114                  
ARO Accretion                           $ 19       -     $ 21                  
S,G&A - Cash                           $ 74       -     $ 78                  
S,G&A - Non-Cash                           $ 18       -     $ 20                  
Net Interest Expense                           $ 7       -     $ 9                  
Capital Expenditures                           $ 195       -     $ 205                  
Tax Provision (%)                     Approximately 0%                   

 

Note: The Company is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of its forward-looking non-GAAP Segment cash cost per ton sold financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures without unreasonable efforts due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying with reasonable accuracy significant items required for the reconciliation. The most directly comparable GAAP measure, GAAP cost of sales, is not accessible without unreasonable efforts on a forward-looking basis. The reconciling items include transportation costs, which are a component of GAAP cost of sales. Management is unable to predict without unreasonable efforts transportation costs due to uncertainty as to the end market and FOB point for uncommitted sales volumes and the final shipping point for export shipments. In addition, the impact of hedging activity related to commodity purchases that do not receive hedge accounting and idle and administrative costs that are not included in a reportable segment are additional reconciling items for Segment cash cost per ton sold. Management is unable to predict without unreasonable efforts the impact of hedging activity related to commodity purchases that do not receive hedge accounting due to fluctuations in commodity prices, which are difficult to forecast due to their inherent volatility. These amounts have historically varied and may continue to vary significantly from quarter to quarter and material changes to these items could have a significant effect on our future GAAP results. Idle and administrative costs that are not included in a reportable segment are expected to be between $15 million and $20 million in 2019.

 

7

 

 

A conference call regarding Arch Coal’s third quarter 2019 financial results will be webcast live today at 10 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 a top coal producer for the global steel and power generation industries. Arch operates a streamlined portfolio of large-scale, low-cost mining complexes that produce high-quality metallurgical coals in Appalachia and low-emitting thermal coals in the Powder River Basin and other strategic supply regions. 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 “should,” “appears,” “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 our emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection; from changes in the demand for our coal by the domestic electric generation and steel industries; from legislation and regulations relating to the Clean Air Act and other environmental initiatives; from competition within our industry and with producers of competing energy sources; from our ability to successfully acquire or develop coal reserves; from operational, geological, permit, labor and weather-related factors; from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and other tax reforms; from the effects of foreign and domestic trade policies, actions or disputes; from fluctuations in the amount of cash we generate from operations, which could impact, among other things, our ability to pay dividends or repurchase shares in accordance with our announced capital allocation plan; from our ability to successfully integrate the operations that we acquire; from our ability to complete the joint venture transaction with Peabody Energy in a timely manner, including obtaining regulatory approvals and satisfying other closing conditions; from our ability to achieve expected synergies from the joint venture; from our ability to successfully integrate the operations of certain mines in the joint venture; 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.

 

# # #

 

8

 

 

Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Income Statements

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2019   2018   2019   2018 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Revenues  $619,467   $633,180   $1,744,872   $1,800,824 
                     
Costs, expenses and other operating                    
Cost of sales (exclusive of items shown separately below)   491,004    482,029    1,380,563    1,411,197 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   30,402    31,775    82,199    92,027 
Accretion on asset retirement obligations   5,137    6,992    15,411    20,977 
Amortization of sales contracts, net   (153)   3,241    (77)   9,540 
Change in fair value of coal derivatives and coal trading activities, net   1,530    10,418    (19,851)   22,142 
Selling, general and administrative expenses   24,566    22,909    73,864    73,613 
Costs related to proposed joint venture with Peabody Energy   3,754    -    6,772    - 
Loss on sale of Lone Mountain Processing LLC   -    -    4,304    - 
Preference Rights Lease Application settlement income   (39,000)   -    (39,000)   - 
Other operating income, net   (4,254)   (7,070)   (9,143)   (21,320)
    512,986    550,294    1,495,042    1,608,176 
                     
Income from operations   106,481    82,886    249,830    192,648 
                     
Interest expense, net                    
Interest expense   (4,049)   (5,179)   (12,856)   (15,624)
Interest and investment income   3,709    1,801    7,940    4,626 
    (340)   (3,378)   (4,916)   (10,998)
                     
Income before nonoperating expenses   106,141    79,508    244,914    181,650 
                     
Nonoperating (expenses) income                    
Non-service related pension and postretirement benefit (costs) credits   975    (971)   (2,127)   (2,206)
Net loss resulting from early retirement of debt and debt restructuring   -    -    -    (485)
Reorganization items, net   -    (560)   71    (1,601)
    975    (1,531)   (2,056)   (4,292)
                     
Income before income taxes   107,116    77,977    242,858    177,358 
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes   347    (45,215)   508    (49,125)
                     
Net income  $106,769   $123,192   $242,350   $226,483 
                     
Net income per common share                    
Basic EPS  $6.79   $6.40   $14.61   $11.27 
Diluted EPS  $6.34   $6.10   $13.66   $10.76 
                     
Weighted average shares outstanding                    
Basic weighted average shares outstanding   15,736    19,250    16,591    20,102 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding   16,852    20,208    17,744    21,040 
                     
Dividends declared per common share  $0.45   $0.40   $1.35   $1.20 
                     
Adjusted EBITDA (A)  $106,621   $124,894   $319,439   $315,192 

 

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

 

9

 

 

Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 

   September 30,   December 31, 
   2019   2018 
   (Unaudited)     
Assets          
Current assets          
Cash and cash equivalents  $175,428   $264,937 
Short-term investments   176,056    162,797 
Trade accounts receivable   206,149    200,904 
Other receivables   24,291    48,926 
Inventories   171,543    125,470 
Other current assets   113,502    75,749 
Total current assets   866,969    878,783 
           
Property, plant and equipment, net   889,295    834,828 
           
Other assets          
Equity investments   107,543    104,676 
Other noncurrent assets   70,793    68,773 
Total other assets   178,336    173,449 
Total assets  $1,934,600   $1,887,060 
           
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity          
  Current liabilities          
Accounts payable  $166,129   $128,024 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   161,939    183,514 
Current maturities of debt   11,925    17,797 
Total current liabilities   339,993    329,335 
Long-term debt   292,781    300,186 
Asset retirement obligations   238,440    230,304 
Accrued pension benefits   12,491    16,147 
Accrued postretirement benefits other than pension   78,308    83,163 
Accrued workers’ compensation   174,118    174,303 
Other noncurrent liabilities   93,033    48,801 
Total liabilities   1,229,164    1,182,239 
           
Stockholders' equity          
Common Stock   250    250 
Paid-in capital   734,829    717,492 
Retained earnings   746,928    527,666 
Treasury stock, at cost   (816,882)   (583,883)
Accumulated other comprehensive income   40,311    43,296 
Total stockholders’ equity   705,436    704,821 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $1,934,600   $1,887,060 

 

10

 

 

 

Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2019   2018 
         
   (Unaudited) 
Operating activities          
Net income  $242,350   $226,483 
Adjustments to reconcile to cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   82,199    92,027 
Accretion on asset retirement obligations   15,411    20,977 
Amortization of sales contracts, net   (77)   9,540 
Deferred income taxes   13,680    (22,999)
Employee stock-based compensation expense   17,305    12,161 
Gains on disposals and divestitures   (818)   (54)
Net loss resulting from early retirement of debt and debt restructuring   -    485 
Amortization relating to financing activities   2,757    3,300 
Preference Rights Lease Application settlement income   (39,000)   - 
Changes in:          
Receivables   (4,622)   (5,983)
Inventories   (46,073)   (34,918)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities   1,569    (24,762)
Income taxes, net   32,440    (1,942)
Other   16,932    (8,200)
Cash provided by operating activities   334,053    266,115 
           
Investing activities          
Capital expenditures   (137,396)   (55,742)
Minimum royalty payments   (1,187)   (522)
Proceeds from disposals and divestitures   1,799    512 
Purchases of short term investments   (158,578)   (140,097)
Proceeds from sales of short term investments   146,170    133,400 
Investments in and advances to affiliates, net   (4,810)   (1,817)
Cash used in investing activities   (154,002)   (64,266)
           
Financing activities          
Payments on term loan due 2024   (2,250)   (2,250)
Net payments on other debt   (12,077)   (10,286)
Debt financing costs   -    (1,009)
Net loss resulting from early retirement of debt and debt restructuring   -    (50)
Dividends paid   (22,264)   (23,966)
Purchases of treasury stock   (232,999)   (192,221)
Other   30    10 
Cash used in financing activities   (269,560)   (229,772)
           
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (89,509)   (27,923)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   264,937    273,602 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $175,428   $245,679 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, end of period          
Cash and cash equivalents  $175,428   $245,679 
Restricted cash   -    - 
           
   $175,428   $245,679 

 

11

 

 

Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Schedule of Consolidated Debt

(In thousands)

 

   September 30,   December 31, 
   2019   2018 
   (Unaudited)     
Term loan due 2024 ($292.5 million face value)  $291,524   $293,626 
Other   18,471    30,449 
Debt issuance costs   (5,289)   (6,092)
    304,706    317,983 
Less: current maturities of debt   11,925    17,797 
Long-term debt  $292,781   $300,186 
           
Calculation of net debt          
Total debt (excluding debt issuance costs)  $309,995   $324,075 
Less liquid assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents   175,428    264,937 
Short term investments   176,056    162,797 
    351,484    427,734 
Net debt  $(41,489)  $(103,659)

 

12

 

 

 

Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Operational Performance

(In millions, except per ton data)

 

   Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
   Three Months Ended
June 30, 2019
   Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 
   (Unaudited)       (Unaudited)       (Unaudited)     
Powder River Basin                              
Tons Sold   22.2         17.1         21.5      
                               
Segment Sales  $266.4   $12.02   $207.2   $12.08   $258.3   $12.02 
Segment Cash Cost of Sales   216.4    9.77    193.6    11.29    209.8    9.76 
Segment Cash Margin   49.9    2.25    13.6    0.79    48.5    2.26 
                               
Metallurgical                              
Tons Sold   2.1         1.9         1.9      
                               
Segment Sales  $206.1   $98.89   $219.3   $115.87   $198.5   $104.75 
Segment Cash Cost of Sales   135.2    64.89    117.5    62.07    118.5    62.54 
Segment Cash Margin   70.9    34.00    101.8    53.80    80.0    42.21 
                               
Other Thermal                              
Tons Sold   2.0         1.9         2.5      
                               
Segment Sales  $78.5   $39.52   $74.9   $39.09   $94.1   $36.96 
Segment Cash Cost of Sales   61.9    31.16    64.4    33.62    70.5    27.68 
Segment Cash Margin   16.6    8.36    10.5    5.47    23.6    9.28 
                               
Total Segment Cash Margin  $137.4        $125.9        $152.1      
                               
Selling, general and administrative expenses   (24.6)        (25.2)        (22.9)     
Other   (6.2)        4.9         (4.3)     
                               
Adjusted EBITDA  $106.6        $105.6        $124.9      

 

13

 

 

 

Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of NON-GAAP Measures

(In thousands, except per ton data)

 

Included in the accompanying release, we have disclosed certain non-GAAP measures as defined by Regulation G.

 

The following reconciles these items to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

 

Non-GAAP Segment coal sales per ton sold

 

Non-GAAP Segment coal sales per ton sold is calculated as segment coal sales revenues divided by segment tons sold. Segment coal sales revenues are adjusted for transportation costs, and may be adjusted for other items that, due to generally accepted accounting principles, are classified in “other income” on the consolidated income statements, but relate to price protection on the sale of coal. Segment coal sales per ton sold is not a measure of financial performance in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. We believe segment coal sales per ton sold provides useful information to investors as it better reflects our revenue for the quality of coal sold and our operating results by including all income from coal sales. The adjustments made to arrive at these measures are significant in understanding and assessing our financial condition. Therefore, segment coal sales revenues should not be considered in isolation, nor as an alternative to coal sales revenues under generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Quarter ended September 30, 2019  Powder River
Basin
   Metallurgical   Other
Thermal
   Idle and
Other
   Consolidated 
(In thousands)                    
GAAP Revenues in the consolidated income statements  $269,968   $254,493   $94,052   $954   $619,467 
Less:  Adjustments to reconcile to Non-GAAP Segment coal sales revenue                         
Coal risk management derivative settlements classified in "other income"   -    (506)   (4,533)   -    (5,039)
Coal sales revenues from idled or otherwise disposed operations not included in segments   -    -    -    954    954 
Transportation costs   3,581    48,925    20,080    -    72,586 
Non-GAAP Segment coal sales revenues  $266,387   $206,074   $78,505   $-   $550,966 
Tons sold   22,156    2,084    1,986           
Coal sales per ton sold  $12.02   $98.89   $39.52           

 

Quarter ended June 30, 2019  Powder River
Basin
   Metallurgical   Other
Thermal
   Idle and
Other
   Consolidated 
(In thousands)                    
GAAP Revenues in the consolidated income statements  $210,149   $261,245   $98,205   $623   $570,222 
Less:  Adjustments to reconcile to Non-GAAP Segment coal sales revenue                         
Coal risk management derivative settlements classified in "other income"   -    -    (1,036)   -    (1,036)
Coal sales revenues from idled or otherwise disposed operations not included in segments   -    -    -    623    623 
Transportation costs   2,924    41,963    24,339    -    69,226 
Non-GAAP Segment coal sales revenues  $207,225   $219,282   $74,902   $-   $501,409 
Tons sold   17,149    1,892    1,916           
Coal sales per ton sold  $12.08   $115.87   $39.09           

 

Quarter ended September 30, 2018  Powder River
Basin
   Metallurgical   Other
Thermal
   Idle and
Other
   Consolidated 
(In thousands)                    
GAAP Revenues in the consolidated income statements  $261,927   $236,328   $130,663   $4,262   $633,180 
Less:  Adjustments to reconcile to Non-GAAP Segment coal sales revenue                         
Coal risk management derivative settlements classified in "other income"   -    -    2,522    -    2,522 
Coal sales revenues from idled or otherwise disposed operations not included in segments   -    -    -    4,262    4,262 
Transportation costs   3,592    37,857    34,031    -    75,480 
Non-GAAP Segment coal sales revenues  $258,335   $198,471   $94,110   $-   $550,916 
Tons sold   21,486    1,895    2,546           
Coal sales per ton sold  $12.02   $104.75   $36.96           

 

14

 

 

 

Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of NON-GAAP Measures

(In thousands, except per ton data)

 

 

Non-GAAP Segment cash cost per ton sold

 

Non-GAAP Segment cash cost per ton sold is calculated as segment cash cost of coal sales divided by segment tons sold. Segment cash cost of coal sales is adjusted for transportation costs, and may be adjusted for other items that, due to generally accepted accounting principles, are classified in “other income” on the consolidated income statements, but relate directly to the costs incurred to produce coal. Segment cash cost per ton sold is not a measure of financial performance in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. We believe segment cash cost per ton sold better reflects our controllable costs and our operating results by including all costs incurred to produce coal. The adjustments made to arrive at these measures are significant in understanding and assessing our financial condition. Therefore, segment cash cost of coal sales should not be considered in isolation, nor as an alternative to cost of sales under generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Quarter ended September 30, 2019  Powder River
Basin
   Metallurgical   Other Thermal   Idle and Other   Consolidated 
(In thousands)                    
GAAP Cost of sales in the consolidated income statements  $218,966   $184,149   $81,976   $5,913   $491,004 
Less:  Adjustments to reconcile to Non-GAAP Segment cash cost of coal sales                         
Diesel fuel risk management derivative settlements classified in "other income"   (1,057)   -    -    -    (1,057)
Transportation costs   3,581    48,925    20,080    -    72,586 
Cost of coal sales from idled or otherwise disposed operations not included in segments   -    -    -    3,871    3,871 
Other (operating overhead, certain actuarial, etc.)   -    -    -    2,042    2,042 
Non-GAAP Segment cash cost of coal sales  $216,442   $135,224   $61,896   $-   $413,562 
Tons sold   22,156    2,084    1,986           
Cash cost per ton sold  $9.77   $64.89   $31.16           

 

Quarter ended June 30, 2019  Powder River
Basin
   Metallurgical   Other Thermal   Idle and Other   Consolidated 
(In thousands)                    
GAAP Cost of sales in the consolidated income statements  $195,948   $159,419   $88,749   $6,972   $451,088 
Less:  Adjustments to reconcile to Non-GAAP Segment cash cost of coal sales                         
Diesel fuel risk management derivative settlements classified in "other income"   (612)   -    -    -    (612)
Transportation costs   2,924    41,963    24,339    -    69,226 
Cost of coal sales from idled or otherwise disposed operations not included in segments   -    -    -    4,580    4,580 
Other (operating overhead, certain actuarial, etc.)   -    -    -    2,392    2,392 
Non-GAAP Segment cash cost of coal sales  $193,636   $117,456   $64,410   $-   $375,502 
Tons sold   17,149    1,892    1,916           
Cash cost per ton sold  $11.29   $62.07   $33.62           

 

Quarter ended September 30, 2018  Powder River
Basin
   Metallurgical   Other Thermal   Idle and Other   Consolidated 
(In thousands)                    
GAAP Cost of sales in the consolidated income statements  $214,921   $156,353   $104,516   $6,239   $482,029 
Less:  Adjustments to reconcile to Non-GAAP Segment cash cost of coal sales                         
Diesel fuel risk management derivative settlements classified in "other income"   1,528    -    -    -    1,528 
Transportation costs   3,592    37,857    34,031    -    75,480 
Cost of coal sales from idled or otherwise disposed operations not included in segments   -    -    -    3,174    3,174 
Other (operating overhead, certain actuarial, etc.)   -    -    -    3,065    3,065 
Non-GAAP Segment cash cost of coal sales  $209,801   $118,496   $70,485   $-   $398,782 
Tons sold   21,486    1,895    2,546           
Cash cost per ton sold  $9.76   $62.54   $27.68           

 

15

 

 

Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

(In thousands)

 

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, accretion on asset retirement obligations, amortization of sales contracts and nonoperating expenses. Adjusted EBITDA may also be adjusted for items that may not reflect the trend of future results by excluding transactions that are not indicative of the Company's core operating performance.

 

Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and items excluded from 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. The Company uses adjusted EBITDA to measure the operating performance of its segments and allocate resources to the segments. Furthermore, analogous measures are used by industry analysts and investors to evaluate our operating performance. 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
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2019   2018   2019   2018 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Net income  $106,769   $123,192   $242,350   $226,483 
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes   347    (45,215)   508    (49,125)
Interest expense, net   340    3,378    4,916    10,998 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   30,402    31,775    82,199    92,027 
Accretion on asset retirement obligations   5,137    6,992    15,411    20,977 
Amortization of sales contracts, net   (153)   3,241    (77)   9,540 
Costs related to proposed joint venture with Peabody Energy   3,754    -    6,772    - 
Loss on sale of Lone Mountain Processing LLC   -    -    4,304    - 
Preference Rights Lease Application settlement income   (39,000)   -    (39,000)   - 
Non-service related pension and postretirement benefit costs   (975)   971    2,127    2,206 
Net loss resulting from early retirement of debt and debt restructuring   -    -    -    485 
Reorganization items, net   -    560    (71)   1,601 
                     
Adjusted EBITDA  $106,621   $124,894   $319,439   $315,192 
EBITDA from idled or otherwise disposed operations   2,584    (1,391)   3,151    4,020 
Selling, general and administrative expenses   24,566    22,909    73,864    73,613 
Other   3,855    8,684    (13,038)   14,173 
                     
Segment Adjusted EBITDA from coal operations  $137,626   $155,096   $383,416   $406,998 
                     
Segment Adjusted EBITDA                    
Powder River Basin  $50,153   $48,646   $85,433   $102,639 
Metallurgical   70,814    81,250    264,284    251,649 
Other Thermal   16,659    25,200    33,699    52,710 
                     
Total Segment Adjusted EBITDA  $137,626   $155,096   $383,416   $406,998 

 

16