Warrior Met Coal Sees Production Surge; Materion Updates Earnings Forecast; Contango To Acquire HighGold And More: Thursday's Top Mining Stories
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 02 2024
0mins
Should l Buy HCC?
Source: Benzinga
- Warrior Met Coal HCC: Reported Q1 results with net income of $137 million, sales of $503.512 million, and adjusted EBITDA of $200.2 million.
- Materion MTRN: Reported Q1 results with net sales of $385.3 million, net income of $13.4 million, and updated full-year earnings forecast.
- Contango ORE CTGO: Will acquire HighGold Mining in a court-approved transaction valued at about $37 million.
- ArcelorMittal AMSYF: Reported Q1 results with a 5% increase in steel shipments, rise in EBITDA to $2 billion, and net income of $0.9 billion.
- Benzinga Mining: Acts as a bridge between mining companies and retail investors, offering connections through licensing@benzinga.com.
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Analyst Views on HCC
Wall Street analysts forecast HCC stock price to fall
7 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 90.640
Low
72.00
Averages
83.00
High
100.00
Current: 90.640
Low
72.00
Averages
83.00
High
100.00
About HCC
Warrior Met Coal, Inc. is a producer and exporter of steelmaking coal, also known as hard coking coal (HCC), operating longwall operations in its underground mines based in Alabama. The Company’s two operating mines, Mine No. 4 and Mine No. 7, and Blue Creek are located approximately 300 miles from its export terminal at the Port of Mobile in Alabama. The Company sells its coal to a diversified customer base of blast furnace steel producers, primarily located in Europe, South America and Asia. The Company’s HCC, mined from the Southern Appalachian region of the United States, is characterized by low-to-high volatile matter (VM) and high coke strength after reaction (CSR). Mine No.7 operates two longwalls, while Mine No.4 runs a single longwall. Mine No. 4 and Mine No. 7 are located approximately 20 miles east of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and 30 miles southwest of Birmingham, Alabama.
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.
Warrior Met Coal Reports Record Q4 2025 Earnings and Production
- Production Capacity Boost: Warrior Met Coal achieved a record production volume of 10.2 million short tons and sales volume of 9.6 million short tons in Q4 2025, demonstrating strong performance despite weak market conditions for steelmaking coal.
- Cost Structure Optimization: The early 8-month startup of the Blue Creek longwall led to an adjusted EBITDA of $93 million in Q4, a 75% increase from the same quarter in 2024, while cash costs per short ton decreased from $120 to $94, significantly enhancing profitability.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: The company expects sales volumes to increase by over 30% and production volumes by over 20% in 2026, driven by the ongoing contributions from the Blue Creek mine, indicating a strong competitive position in the market.
- Shareholder Return Plans: Management plans to initiate cash returns to shareholders soon, including higher fixed quarterly dividends and potential special cash dividends, reflecting confidence in future cash flows and commitment to shareholder value.
See More
Trump Signs Executive Order for Coal Purchases
- Coal Procurement Directive: President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Defense to purchase electricity from coal-fired power plants, aiming to support the struggling coal industry and enhance national energy security through military procurement of significant coal supplies.
- Funding for Upgrades: The Energy Department will allocate $175 million to upgrade six coal plants across Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia, aiming to improve operational efficiency and environmental compliance of these facilities.
- Closure Delay Announcement: The Tennessee Valley Authority announced plans to delay the closure of two older coal-fired plants in Tennessee, indicating government support for the coal industry, which may impact the future energy landscape.
- Industry Outlook Analysis: While coal generation rose approximately 13% year-over-year, the International Energy Agency projects that U.S. coal consumption will decline by 6% annually through 2030, reflecting a gradual shift towards renewable energy and natural gas alternatives.
See More
Warrior Met Coal Set to Announce Q4 Earnings
- Earnings Announcement Date: Warrior Met Coal is set to release its Q4 earnings on February 12 after market close, with a consensus EPS estimate of $0.59, reflecting a substantial year-over-year increase of 293.3%, which could positively impact the stock price.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: The anticipated revenue for Q4 is $383.02 million, representing a year-over-year growth of 28.8%, indicating strong performance in the coal market that may bolster investor confidence and drive stock price appreciation.
- Historical Performance Review: Over the past two years, Warrior Met Coal has beaten EPS estimates 75% of the time and revenue estimates 75% of the time, suggesting a consistent performance that could attract more investor interest and enhance market trust in the company.
- Upward Revision Trends: In the last three months, there have been three upward revisions for both EPS and revenue estimates with no downward adjustments, reflecting analysts' optimistic outlook on the company's future performance, which may lead to stock price increases following the earnings release.
See More
UBS Upgrades Warrior Met Coal to Buy with $108 Target
- Rating Upgrade: UBS upgraded Warrior Met Coal from Neutral to Buy, raising the price target from $100 to $108, indicating the company is entering an inflection point with compelling returns and margins.
- Project Progress: Analysts expect Warrior to deliver double-digit returns in H2 2026 as the Blue Creek steelmaking coal project ramps up, with further upside from a second longwall and rising coal prices not yet reflected in the market.
- Conservative Guidance: Warrior is expected to provide conservative guidance for its 2026 outlook in two weeks, but analysts see upside to 2026-27 consensus estimates supported by elevated prices and operational performance.
- Future Growth Potential: As Warrior delivers saleable tons at Blue Creek in H2 2026, investors will witness strong margins and returns outlook, leading analysts to anticipate further upside in share prices ahead of growth considerations for 2027 and beyond.
See More
Wall Street's Latest Ratings and Price Target Adjustments
- IBM Rating Reaffirmed: Bank of America raised IBM's price target from $335 to $340, driven by strong performance in infrastructure, transaction processing, and data growth, indicating the company's sustained competitiveness in the tech sector.
- Meta's Strong Performance: Bank of America reiterated its buy rating on Meta, citing a robust Q4 beat and a notably stronger Q1 outlook, highlighting the company's strong growth potential in the social media market.
- Tesla Competitive Risks: BMO downgraded First Solar to market perform due to competitive pressures from Tesla, particularly as the latter rapidly scales clean energy manufacturing capacity, which may impact First Solar's market positioning.
- Disney's Attractiveness: Deutsche Bank reiterated its buy rating on Disney, believing the current P/E multiple is at a historical trough, combined with a healthy multi-year earnings growth outlook, making it an attractive investment opportunity.
See More
Ramaco Resources (METC) Upgraded to Buy by Jefferies with $30 Price Target
- Rating Upgrade: Jefferies upgraded Ramaco Resources from Hold to Buy with a $30 price target, indicating a clear upside risk to consensus met coal price forecasts, which could drive the stock higher.
- Geopolitical Impact: The ongoing escalation of geopolitical risks related to critical minerals is viewed positively for Ramaco's stock, potentially boosting investor confidence and attracting more capital inflows.
- Performance Dependency: Significant upside in Ramaco's shares is contingent upon rising met coal prices and operational performance, alongside the successful development of the Brook Mine rare earth elements project to unlock long-term growth potential.
- Industry Outlook: Jefferies analysts express optimism for coal miners, reiterating Buy ratings on Warrior Met Coal, Core Natural Resources, and Peabody Energy, reflecting confidence in the overall sector and potential investment opportunities.
See More
Warrior Met Coal Reports Record Q4 2025 Earnings and Production
- Production Capacity Boost: Warrior Met Coal achieved a record production volume of 10.2 million short tons and sales volume of 9.6 million short tons in Q4 2025, demonstrating strong performance despite weak market conditions for steelmaking coal.
- Cost Structure Optimization: The early 8-month startup of the Blue Creek longwall led to an adjusted EBITDA of $93 million in Q4, a 75% increase from the same quarter in 2024, while cash costs per short ton decreased from $120 to $94, significantly enhancing profitability.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: The company expects sales volumes to increase by over 30% and production volumes by over 20% in 2026, driven by the ongoing contributions from the Blue Creek mine, indicating a strong competitive position in the market.
- Shareholder Return Plans: Management plans to initiate cash returns to shareholders soon, including higher fixed quarterly dividends and potential special cash dividends, reflecting confidence in future cash flows and commitment to shareholder value.
See More
Trump Signs Executive Order for Coal Purchases
- Coal Procurement Directive: President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Defense to purchase electricity from coal-fired power plants, aiming to support the struggling coal industry and enhance national energy security through military procurement of significant coal supplies.
- Funding for Upgrades: The Energy Department will allocate $175 million to upgrade six coal plants across Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia, aiming to improve operational efficiency and environmental compliance of these facilities.
- Closure Delay Announcement: The Tennessee Valley Authority announced plans to delay the closure of two older coal-fired plants in Tennessee, indicating government support for the coal industry, which may impact the future energy landscape.
- Industry Outlook Analysis: While coal generation rose approximately 13% year-over-year, the International Energy Agency projects that U.S. coal consumption will decline by 6% annually through 2030, reflecting a gradual shift towards renewable energy and natural gas alternatives.
See More
Warrior Met Coal Set to Announce Q4 Earnings
- Earnings Announcement Date: Warrior Met Coal is set to release its Q4 earnings on February 12 after market close, with a consensus EPS estimate of $0.59, reflecting a substantial year-over-year increase of 293.3%, which could positively impact the stock price.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: The anticipated revenue for Q4 is $383.02 million, representing a year-over-year growth of 28.8%, indicating strong performance in the coal market that may bolster investor confidence and drive stock price appreciation.
- Historical Performance Review: Over the past two years, Warrior Met Coal has beaten EPS estimates 75% of the time and revenue estimates 75% of the time, suggesting a consistent performance that could attract more investor interest and enhance market trust in the company.
- Upward Revision Trends: In the last three months, there have been three upward revisions for both EPS and revenue estimates with no downward adjustments, reflecting analysts' optimistic outlook on the company's future performance, which may lead to stock price increases following the earnings release.
See More
UBS Upgrades Warrior Met Coal to Buy with $108 Target
- Rating Upgrade: UBS upgraded Warrior Met Coal from Neutral to Buy, raising the price target from $100 to $108, indicating the company is entering an inflection point with compelling returns and margins.
- Project Progress: Analysts expect Warrior to deliver double-digit returns in H2 2026 as the Blue Creek steelmaking coal project ramps up, with further upside from a second longwall and rising coal prices not yet reflected in the market.
- Conservative Guidance: Warrior is expected to provide conservative guidance for its 2026 outlook in two weeks, but analysts see upside to 2026-27 consensus estimates supported by elevated prices and operational performance.
- Future Growth Potential: As Warrior delivers saleable tons at Blue Creek in H2 2026, investors will witness strong margins and returns outlook, leading analysts to anticipate further upside in share prices ahead of growth considerations for 2027 and beyond.
See More
Wall Street's Latest Ratings and Price Target Adjustments
- IBM Rating Reaffirmed: Bank of America raised IBM's price target from $335 to $340, driven by strong performance in infrastructure, transaction processing, and data growth, indicating the company's sustained competitiveness in the tech sector.
- Meta's Strong Performance: Bank of America reiterated its buy rating on Meta, citing a robust Q4 beat and a notably stronger Q1 outlook, highlighting the company's strong growth potential in the social media market.
- Tesla Competitive Risks: BMO downgraded First Solar to market perform due to competitive pressures from Tesla, particularly as the latter rapidly scales clean energy manufacturing capacity, which may impact First Solar's market positioning.
- Disney's Attractiveness: Deutsche Bank reiterated its buy rating on Disney, believing the current P/E multiple is at a historical trough, combined with a healthy multi-year earnings growth outlook, making it an attractive investment opportunity.
See More
Ramaco Resources (METC) Upgraded to Buy by Jefferies with $30 Price Target
- Rating Upgrade: Jefferies upgraded Ramaco Resources from Hold to Buy with a $30 price target, indicating a clear upside risk to consensus met coal price forecasts, which could drive the stock higher.
- Geopolitical Impact: The ongoing escalation of geopolitical risks related to critical minerals is viewed positively for Ramaco's stock, potentially boosting investor confidence and attracting more capital inflows.
- Performance Dependency: Significant upside in Ramaco's shares is contingent upon rising met coal prices and operational performance, alongside the successful development of the Brook Mine rare earth elements project to unlock long-term growth potential.
- Industry Outlook: Jefferies analysts express optimism for coal miners, reiterating Buy ratings on Warrior Met Coal, Core Natural Resources, and Peabody Energy, reflecting confidence in the overall sector and potential investment opportunities.
See More
