Coal Prices Surge Following Strikes in Iran.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 02 2026
0mins
Source: Barron's
Impact on Oil and Gas Markets: The conflict in Iran has significantly disrupted the global market for oil and natural gas.
Effect on Coal Markets: Although coal is not directly affected by the conflict, it is still experiencing notable impacts due to the overall market instability.
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Analyst Views on CNR
Wall Street analysts forecast CNR stock price to rise
5 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 86.900
Low
100.00
Averages
117.40
High
158.00
Current: 86.900
Low
100.00
Averages
117.40
High
158.00
About CNR
Core Natural Resources, Inc. is a producer of metallurgical and high calorific value thermal coals for the global marketplace. The Company has a logistical network that is anchored by ownership positions in two East Coast marine export terminals, providing access to seaborne markets. Its segments include High CV Thermal, Metallurgical, PRB and Baltimore Marine Terminal. The High CV Thermal segment consists of its Pennsylvania Mining Complex and the West Elk mine located in Colorado. The Metallurgical segment consists of the Company's Leer, Leer South, Beckley, Mountain Laurel and Itmann coal mines in West Virginia. The PRB segment consists of its Black Thunder and Coal Creek surface mining complexes located in Wyoming. The Baltimore Marine Terminal segment provides coal export terminal services through the Port of Baltimore. It has served various industries and markets, including steel & construction, industrial applications & power generation, and aerospace & advanced materials.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Coal Prices Surge to Highest Level Since November 2024
- Price Surge: Coal prices have surged to $150 per ton, a 9.3% increase, due to the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz caused by the Middle East war, significantly impacting the global energy market's supply-demand balance.
- Shift to Alternatives: Analysts indicate that many countries may substitute coal for natural gas in power generation as soaring costs drive this trend, particularly in the Asian market where dependency on gas is high.
- Key Exporters: Indonesia and Australia account for 48% and 18% of global thermal coal exports, respectively, positioning these countries to benefit from increased coal demand in the current market environment.
- Market Dynamics: While the Strait of Hormuz does not significantly affect global coal trade, the growing reliance of Europe on Middle Eastern LNG could enhance coal's substitutability, potentially driving up stock prices for related companies like Glencore.
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Qatar LNG Production Halt Drives Surge in Thermal Coal Prices
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- Supply Chain Strain: Qatar's Ras Laffan complex accounts for approximately 20% of global LNG supply and has never gone fully offline in its 30-year history, leading to urgent fuel-switching needs across the electricity sector as natural gas markets are severely impacted by the ongoing conflict in Iran.
- Increased Fuel Substitution: Countries like Pakistan, which relies almost entirely on Qatari LNG, along with India and Bangladesh, are likely to substitute coal for natural gas in their power plants as costs soar due to the war, highlighting the shift in energy sourcing strategies.
- Reliability of Coal: Despite its severe pollution issues, coal's reliability is viewed as a significant advantage in the current energy crisis, as it can be stored on-site in sufficient quantities to last for weeks or months, ensuring a stable power supply amidst fluctuating renewable energy availability.
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Coal Prices Surge Following Strikes in Iran.
Impact on Oil and Gas Markets: The conflict in Iran has significantly disrupted the global market for oil and natural gas.
Effect on Coal Markets: Although coal is not directly affected by the conflict, it is still experiencing notable impacts due to the overall market instability.
See More
Coal Prices Surge to Highest Level Since November 2024
- Price Surge: Coal prices have surged to $150 per ton, a 9.3% increase, due to the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz caused by the Middle East war, significantly impacting the global energy market's supply-demand balance.
- Shift to Alternatives: Analysts indicate that many countries may substitute coal for natural gas in power generation as soaring costs drive this trend, particularly in the Asian market where dependency on gas is high.
- Key Exporters: Indonesia and Australia account for 48% and 18% of global thermal coal exports, respectively, positioning these countries to benefit from increased coal demand in the current market environment.
- Market Dynamics: While the Strait of Hormuz does not significantly affect global coal trade, the growing reliance of Europe on Middle Eastern LNG could enhance coal's substitutability, potentially driving up stock prices for related companies like Glencore.
See More
Flat Footed LLC Fully Liquidates Matson Stake
- Stake Liquidation: Flat Footed LLC fully liquidated its 314,076-share stake in Matson during Q4 2026, resulting in a $30.96 million decrease in the position's quarter-end value, highlighting the impact of market fluctuations on its investment portfolio.
- Market Performance: As of February 17, 2026, Matson's shares were priced at $165.05, reflecting a 12.1% increase over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 2.27 percentage points, indicating its relative strength in the shipping industry.
- Financial Overview: Matson's latest financial metrics reveal a TTM revenue of $3.34 billion and a net income of $444.8 million, with a dividend yield of 0.91%, suggesting a solid revenue stream and profitability.
- Industry Outlook: While global freight markets stabilize, Matson must focus on cargo demand in its domestic trade lanes and customers' willingness to pay for expedited shipping services to sustain profitability and competitive positioning.
See More
Flat Footed LLC Fully Liquidates Matson Stake
- Position Liquidation: Flat Footed LLC sold its entire stake of 314,076 shares in Matson during Q4, resulting in an estimated trade size of $30.96 million, which led to a 3.4% decrease in its reported AUM.
- Market Dynamics Impact: This transaction reflects not only the liquidation of Flat Footed LLC's holdings but also the impact of Matson's stock price fluctuations, resulting in a quarter-end position value of zero, down from 3.8% of the fund's AUM in the previous quarter.
- Industry Competitiveness: Matson, a leading provider of ocean transportation and logistics services, focuses on domestic U.S. trade lanes, particularly in Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam, benefiting from the protection of the Jones Act, which limits foreign competition.
- Future Outlook: While Matson benefited from strong trans-Pacific demand and premium pricing during the pandemic, its profitability will depend on continued cargo demand in domestic trade lanes and customers' willingness to pay for expedited shipping as global freight markets stabilize.
See More
Qatar LNG Production Halt Drives Surge in Thermal Coal Prices
- Coal Price Surge: Thermal coal prices have jumped significantly due to Qatar's suspension of production at the world's largest LNG export hub following an Iranian drone strike, with Newcastle coal futures rising 8.6% to $128.70/ton, marking the highest price since December 2024.
- Supply Chain Strain: Qatar's Ras Laffan complex accounts for approximately 20% of global LNG supply and has never gone fully offline in its 30-year history, leading to urgent fuel-switching needs across the electricity sector as natural gas markets are severely impacted by the ongoing conflict in Iran.
- Increased Fuel Substitution: Countries like Pakistan, which relies almost entirely on Qatari LNG, along with India and Bangladesh, are likely to substitute coal for natural gas in their power plants as costs soar due to the war, highlighting the shift in energy sourcing strategies.
- Reliability of Coal: Despite its severe pollution issues, coal's reliability is viewed as a significant advantage in the current energy crisis, as it can be stored on-site in sufficient quantities to last for weeks or months, ensuring a stable power supply amidst fluctuating renewable energy availability.
See More
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Price Increase Announcement: Canadian National Railway has raised its target price to $130 from $115.
Market Impact: This adjustment reflects the company's positive outlook and potential growth in the railway sector.
See More
Coal Prices Surge Following Strikes in Iran.
Impact on Oil and Gas Markets: The conflict in Iran has significantly disrupted the global market for oil and natural gas.
Effect on Coal Markets: Although coal is not directly affected by the conflict, it is still experiencing notable impacts due to the overall market instability.
See More
