Coal Mining Stocks Jump On Watch After Optimistic Analyst Prediction: Energy Business Update

Certain coal mining stocks did quite well Friday, following an optimistic prediction for the industry from analyst Michael S. Dudas at Sterne Agee, who said that next year should see improvement if demand increases and prices become more competitive (which has happened since prices for natural gas have moved closer to $4 per 1,000 cubic feet). Shares on watch include Arch Coal (NYSE:ACI), James River Coal Company (NASDAQ:JRCC), Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE:BTU), Walter Energy (NYSE:WLT), and Alpha Natural Resources (NYSE:ANR).

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