Arch Coal, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2018 Results

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE: ARCH) today reported net income of $86.1 million, or $4.44 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared with net income of $81.3 million, or $3.64 per diluted share, in the prior-year period. The company earned adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, accretion on asset retirement obligations, and non-operating expenses ("adjusted EBITDA") (1 )of $122.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, which includes a $13.0 million non-cash mark-to-market gain associated with the company's coal-hedging activities. This compares to $97.8 million of adjusted EBITDA recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017. Revenues totaled $651.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, representing a 16 percent increase from the prior-year quarter.

For the full year, Arch recorded net income of $312.6 million, or $15.15 per fully diluted share, compared to $238.5 million, or $9.84 per fully diluted share, in 2017. Adjusted EBITDA totaled $437.8 million, including a $9.1 million non-cash mark-to-market charge associated with the company's coal-hedging activities, compared to $419.7 million in adjusted EBITDA in 2017.

"Arch capped off 2018 with yet another outstanding quarterly performance," said John W. Eaves, Arch's chief executive officer. "Once again, we delivered substantial levels of free cash flow as we capitalized on continued strength in global coking coal markets and resurgent demand for Powder River Basin coal. At the same time, we returned $96 million to shareholders under our capital return program, and today announced the commencement of a transformational mine development project that we believe sets the stage for even greater value creation in the future. As we progress through 2019, we are exceptionally well-positioned to meet the modest, ongoing capital needs of the business; drive robust, continued progress on our capital return program; and fund the 2019 development work on the exciting, new Leer South mine."

Leer South will be similar to Arch's Leer mine in virtually every respect, and is expected to produce three million tons of High-Vol A coking coal annually from the same 200-million-ton reserve base as Leer. "With the addition of Leer South, Arch will greatly enhance its portfolio of world-class coking coal assets, and cement our position as the premier global producer of High-Vol A coking coal," Eaves said. Arch currently anticipates the total capital needs of Leer South to be between $360 million and $390 million, of which $90 million is expected to be spent in 2019.

Arch concurrently issued a separate news release and presentation - available on the company's website at archcoal.com - with additional details and commentary on the Leer South project.

Capital Allocation Progress

During the fourth quarter, Arch repurchased 1 million shares of common stock, representing 4 percent of the shares outstanding in May 2017 when the capital return program was launched, at a total investment of $88.7 million. Since the program's inception, Arch has invested a total of $584 million to buy back 7.2 million shares of stock, representing 29 percent of the initial shares outstanding. To date, Arch's board of directors has authorized the expenditure of up to $750 million for share buybacks, leaving $166 million remaining under the current authorization.

"The repurchase of nearly 29 percent of our shares outstanding in a period of just seven quarters underscores the substantial, durable and ongoing cash-generating potential of our portfolio of top-tier assets," said John T. Drexler, Arch's chief financial officer. "With $428 million of cash and $498 million of total liquidity at year-end, coupled with our anticipation for strong cash flow generation in 2019, we expect to have the capability to continue to buy back shares at comparable rates to 2018 should we deem that prudent, even as we use internally generated cash to fund the 2019 development work on Leer South."

Along with the buybacks, Arch returned an additional $7.3 million to shareholders through its recurring quarterly dividend, bringing total dividend payments since May 2017 to $56 million. All told, Arch has now returned approximately $640 million to shareholders via share buybacks and dividends over the course of the past seven quarters.

Looking ahead, the board has approved a 12.5 percent increase in the recurring quarterly dividend, bringing the quarterly cash dividend payment to $0.45 per share. Since launching the capital return program in May 2017, Arch has now increased the quarterly dividend rate twice, by a total of nearly 30 percent.

"Given our continued strong cash generation and positive long-term outlook for the business, we view this as an appropriate time to further reward our shareholders with an increase in the quarterly dividend," Drexler said.

The next quarterly cash dividend payment of $0.45 per common share is scheduled to be paid on March 15, 2019 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 5, 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.

Liquidity Update

"We are continuing to increase liquidity - which approached $500 million at year-end 2018 - and further strengthen our already strong balance sheet in order to support both our capital return program and our exciting, new Leer South development," Drexler said.

In keeping with this effort, Arch successfully amended its inventory-only, asset-based lending facility during the fourth quarter, increasing the size of the facility from $40 million to $50 million. This increase - when combined with the actions taken in the third quarter to increase availability on the company's accounts receivable securitization facility - resulted in $65 million of unused borrowing capacity at year-end 2018. Including Arch's cash balance of $428 million, total liquidity at year-end was $498 million. Additionally, in January 2019, Arch successfully replaced a $60 million letter of credit related to self-insurance obligations with surety bonds, freeing up an additional $60 million of borrowing capacity.

"While we are focused on maintaining a significant percentage of cash as part of our total liquidity strategy, these achievements should free up availability in our borrowing facilities of $80 million to $120 million," Drexler said. "This capacity can be used to support our ongoing capital requirements and the 2019 development work at Leer South, while still enabling us to return capital to shareholders at a comparable rate to 2017 and 2018 should we opt to do so."

In addition, during the course of 2019, Arch expects to convert to cash a significant percentage of the $52 million tax benefit recognized in 2018. As previously noted, Arch expects to have no cash taxes for the next 10 years or more.

Operational Results

"Arch turned in another strong operating performance in the fourth quarter, led by record coking coal shipments, strong pricing and near-record margins in our Metallurgical segment," said Paul A. Lang, Arch's president and chief operating officer. "In addition, our Powder River Basin operations delivered another strong shipping quarter, as our Black Thunder mine capitalized on a rebound in spot market activity and increased train availability stemming from lingering, weather-related challenges elsewhere in the basin."

                               
        
        Metallurgical


                           
     
          4Q18               
     
       3Q18  
     
      4Q17





           Tons
            sold
            (in
            millions)                2.1                       1.9         1.8


                    Coking           1.9                       1.7         1.5


                   Thermal           0.2                       0.2         0.3


           Coal
            sales
            per
            ton
            sold                 $121.53                   $104.75      $90.82


                    Coking       $130.49                   $114.89     $101.76


                   Thermal        $37.83                    $35.35      $25.92


     Cash
      cost
      per
      ton
      sold                        $74.84                    $62.54      $59.50


           Cash
            margin
            per
            ton                   $46.69                    $42.21      $31.32



                            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.

"We shipped a company-record 1.9 million tons of coking coal during the fourth quarter and achieved a robust average margin of $46.69 per ton in the Metallurgical segment, which was up 11 percent versus the already-strong average margin achieved in the previous quarter," Lang said. "Segment costs were up markedly due primarily to higher maintenance costs related to the accelerated timing of several repair projects, but those accelerated expenditures should deliver a corresponding benefit in 2019. In addition, we had a longwall move at Leer and encountered some thinner-than-expected coal at the Sentinel mine during the quarter, but progressed out of the affected area in late January."

Looking ahead, Lang indicated that Arch's average Metallurgical coal cost for full-year 2019 should be in the $61 to $66 per ton range, as the anticipated progression into thicker coal at the Leer mine more than offsets inflationary pressures on costs for supplies and materials. Lang indicated that coking coal sales volumes are projected to be between 6.6 million and 7.0 million tons during 2019, with first quarter volumes being significantly lower than ratable due to longwall moves at both the Leer and Mountain Laurel mines, accelerated shipments in the fourth quarter of 2018, and the impact of the seasonal closure of Great Lakes shipping channels on North American shipments. As a result, first quarter 2019 per-ton coking coal costs are likely to be comparable to those reported in the fourth quarter of 2018, and then to come into line with guidance as the year progresses.

                                          Powder River Basin


                                        4Q18                  3Q18  4Q17





     Tons sold (in millions)            19.5                   21.5   19.5


     Coal sales per ton sold          $11.88                 $12.02 $12.32


     Cash cost per ton sold           $10.66                  $9.76 $10.78


                  Cash margin per ton  $1.22                  $2.26  $1.54



                            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.

In the Powder River Basin, sales volumes totaled 19.5 million tons, which was significantly higher than anticipated due to continued, strong spot sales and healthy overall shipment levels associated with the persistent impact of heavy rains elsewhere in the basin during the year's second half. The realized price per ton declined modestly in the fourth quarter, while costs were in line with annual guidance.

Also during the quarter, Arch finalized a previously announced revision to the mining and reclamation plan at its Black Thunder mine that resulted in a $96 million reduction, on a discounted basis, in the company's asset retirement obligation (ARO), and corresponding asset, on its balance sheet. The revised plan provides for accelerated mine reclamation during the ordinary mining process, and is not expected to increase operating costs.

Looking ahead, Arch expects to produce 70 million to 80 million tons of coal at its Black Thunder mine in 2019 as it intensifies its focus on the higher-quality segment of the Powder River Basin market, which continues to attract a premium over the 8400 Btu segment well in excess of historical averages. Correspondingly, Arch plans to operate its Coal Creek mine at a much-reduced level in 2019 given the continued weak pricing for 8400 Btu coal.

                                      
     
           Other Thermal


                                            4Q18               3Q18  4Q17





     Tons sold (in millions)                 2.3                 2.5    2.3


     Coal sales per ton sold              $34.89              $36.96 $35.43


     Cash cost per ton sold               $28.76              $27.68 $24.88


                  Cash margin per ton      $6.13               $9.28 $10.55



                            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, sales volumes declined 8 percent versus the previous quarter due in part to a longwall move at the West Elk mine in the fourth quarter. In addition, average realizations declined 6 percent due to a smaller percentage of high-quality Coal-Mac coal in the overall sales mix. Cash costs increased modestly as well - again due principally to mix issues. Export business represented nearly 50 percent of Other Thermal volumes shipped during the fourth quarter, as Arch continued to take advantage of the strong international market conditions that prevailed for much of the year. Lower shipment levels at West Elk in the first quarter of 2019 are expected to result in compressed margins in the Other Thermal segment during the first quarter of 2019.

Key Market Developments

Despite concerns about global economic conditions, Arch believes that global coking coal markets remain in healthy balance - underpinned by the ongoing strength of global steel demand, cost inflation in key coking coal supply regions, and overall supply tightness associated with years of under-investment in new coking coal and logistics capacity.

While coking coal prices retraced in December and early January - as they have numerous times during the current upcycle - they appear to be stabilizing once again in the face of renewed buying activity and a new spate of supply disruptions.

In China, the government has resumed an intensive program of safety checks and is taking steps to restrict production at small, inefficient coal mines following several, tragic incidents at Chinese coking coal mines. In Australia, the largest supplier to the seaborne coking coal market by far, exports continue to lag pre-cyclone levels due in part to a fragile logistics chain, extensive and ongoing port maintenance, and continuing mine disruptions.

Meanwhile, Indian hot metal production continues to expand at a rapid pace, increasing approximately 40 percent over the past five years to more than 70 million tons. As a result, Arch expects India to supplant China and Japan as the world's largest importer of seaborne coking coal in the near future.

Looking ahead, Arch expects coking coal markets to remain strong throughout 2019. At the same time, Arch believes that rising production costs are shifting the longer term clearing price for coking coal higher.

In thermal markets, U.S. demand has strengthened in recent months due to rapidly normalizing stockpile levels at power generators and cold winter weather in recent weeks. That demand pull has spurred stronger shipment levels while inducing higher levels of both spot and term business.

During the fourth quarter, Arch placed 1.3 million tons of coking coal for delivery in 2019 - primarily at market-based pricing - bringing total commitments for the year to 5.8 million tons.

On the thermal side, Arch committed another 17 million tons of Powder River Basin coal for delivery in 2019, bringing total annual commitments to 58.4 million tons, comprised of 56.6 million tons at a fixed average price of $12.13 per ton and 1.8 million tons at market-based pricing. Buying activity has continued at a brisk pace, with Arch having placed significant additional, incremental volumes since 2019 began.

"We continued to augment and strengthen our committed book of sales during the fourth quarter, and believe we are in an exceptionally strong position entering 2019," Lang said. "At year-end 2018, we had placed 85 percent of our coking coal business with a strong and increasingly diverse global customer base. In addition, including the business transacted to date in 2019, we have locked in both volume and price on nearly 85 percent of our projected thermal output."

Outlook

"We are excited about Arch's exceptional, long-term prospects for value creation and growth," Eaves said. "In 2019, we expect to put our strong, internally generated free cash flow and ample liquidity to work in driving robust, ongoing progress on our capital return program, while simultaneously funding the highly promising Leer South growth project. We fully expect Leer South to deliver exceptional returns and a rapid payback, and to replicate the great success of our world-class Leer mine. With Leer South, Arch will enhance its already enviable position on the U.S. cost curve, strengthen its coking coal profit margins in any market environment, and cement its position as the leading supplier of High-Vol A coking coal globally."

                                                                                                    2019



                                                                             
              Tons   
     $ per ton



                                    Sales Volume

                                                          (in millions of
                                       tons)

    ---


       Coking                                                                             6.6                7.0


                     Thermal                                                              80.0               85.0

    ---


       Total                                                                             86.6               92.0




                                    Metallurgical

                                                           (in millions of
                                        tons)

    ---

        Committed, Priced
         Coking North
         American*                                                                                           0.7                      $119.45


        Committed, Unpriced
         Coking North
         American                                                                                            1.0


        Committed, Priced
         Coking Seaborne                                                                                     0.2                      $115.37


                     Committed, Unpriced
                      Coking Seaborne                                                                        3.9

    ---

        Total Committed
         Coking                                                                                              5.8




        Committed, Priced
         Thermal Byproduct                                                                                   0.8                       $32.64


                     Committed, Unpriced
                      Thermal Byproduct

    ---

        Total Committed
         Thermal Byproduct                                                                                   0.8




        Average Metallurgical
         Cash Cost                                                                                                  
       $61.0 - $66.0




                                    Powder River Basin

                                                                (in millions
                                             of tons)

    ---

        Committed, Priced                                                                                   56.6                       $12.13


                     Committed, Unpriced                                                                     1.8

    ---

        Total Committed                                                                                     58.4


        Average Cash Cost                                                                                         
       $10.70 - $11.00






                                    Other Thermal


                                                         (in millions of
                                      tons)

    ---

        Committed, Priced                                                                                    6.5                       $40.53


                     Committed, Unpriced                                                                     1.2

    ---

        Total Committed                                                                                      7.7


        Average Cash Cost                                                                                         
       $29.00 - $33.00




                                    Corporate

                                                       (in $ millions)

    ---


       D,D&A                                                                           $115.0             $120.0


        ARO Accretion                                                                    $19.0              $21.0


        S,G&A -cash                                                                      $74.0              $78.0


        S,G&A - non-cash                                                                 $18.0              $20.0


        Net Interest Expense                                                             $10.0              $15.0


        Capital Expenditures                                                            $170.0             $190.0


        Tax Provision (%)                                                    Approximately 0%

    ---

A conference call regarding Arch Coal's fourth quarter and full year 2018 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 "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 and steel industries; from legislation and regulations relating to the Clean Air Act and other environmental initiatives; 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 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.



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

                                   
              
                Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                               
              
                Condensed Consolidated Income Statements


                                 
              
                (In thousands, except per share data)






                                                                                  Three Months Ended December 31,                 Twelve Months Ended December 31,

                                                                                                                                                          ---

                                                                            2018                      2017                   2018                               2017

                                                                                                                                                              ---

                                                          
              (Unaudited)   
              (Unaudited)         
     (Unaudited)




                   Revenues                                             $650,963                  $560,244             $2,451,787                         $2,324,623





     
                Costs, expenses and other operating



          Cost of sales                                                 514,005                   450,699              1,925,202                          1,839,993


           Depreciation, depletion and
            amortization                                                  27,536                    27,928                119,563                            122,464


           Accretion on asset retirement
            obligations                                                    6,993                     7,383                 27,970                             30,209


           Amortization of sales
            contracts, net                                                 1,567                    11,082                 11,107                             53,985


           Change in fair value of coal
            derivatives and coal trading
            activities, net                                             (13,024)                    4,477                  9,118                              7,222


           Selling, general and
            administrative expenses                                       26,687                    23,444                100,300                             87,952


           Gain on sale of Lone Mountain
            Processing, Inc.                                                                          277                                                 (21,297)


           Other operating (income)
            expense, net                                                     709                  (16,163)              (20,611)                          (30,241)

                                                                                                                                                              ---

                                                                         564,473                   509,127              2,172,649                          2,090,287

                                                                                                                                                              ---



           Income from operations                                         86,490                    51,117                279,138                            234,336





     
                Interest expense, net


           Interest expense                                              (4,847)                  (5,505)              (20,471)                          (26,905)


           Interest and investment
            income                                                         2,156                       560                  6,782                              2,649


                                                                         (2,691)                  (4,945)              (13,689)                          (24,256)

                                                                                                                                                              ---



      Income before nonoperating
       expenses                                                           83,799                    46,172                265,449                            210,080





     
                Nonoperating expenses


           Non-service related pension
            and postretirement benefit
            costs                                                          (996)                    (166)               (3,202)                           (1,940)


           Net loss resulting from early
            retirement of debt and debt
            restructuring                                                                                                 (485)                           (2,547)


           Reorganization items, net                                        (60)                      494                (1,661)                           (2,398)

                                                                                                                                                              ---

                                                                         (1,056)                      328                (5,348)                           (6,885)

                                                                                                                                                              ---



      Income before income taxes                                          82,743                    46,500                260,101                            203,195


      Benefit from income taxes                                          (3,351)                 (34,771)              (52,476)                          (35,255)

                                                                                                                                                              ---



                        Net income                                       $86,094                   $81,271               $312,577                           $238,450






     
                Net income per common share



     Basic EPS                                                            $4.69                     $3.75                 $15.90                             $10.05




     Diluted EPS                                                          $4.44                     $3.64                 $15.15                              $9.84






     
                Weighted average shares outstanding


      Basic weighted average shares
       outstanding                                                        18,344                    21,653                 19,663                             23,725

                                                                                                                                                              ===

      Diluted weighted average
       shares outstanding                                                 19,396                    22,333                 20,629                             24,240

                                                                                                                                                              ===



      Dividends declared per common
       share                                                               $0.40                     $0.35                  $1.60                              $1.05





                   Adjusted EBITDA (A)
                    (Unaudited)                                         $122,586                   $97,787               $437,778                           $419,697




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

                           
              
                Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                        
              
                Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets


                                    
              
                (In thousands)






                                          
              
                December 31,    
       
     December 31,


                                                                           2018                   2017



                                                  
              (Unaudited)



     
                Assets



     
                Current assets


           Cash and cash
            equivalents                                                $264,937               $273,387


           Short-term investments                                       162,797                155,846


           Trade accounts
            receivable                                                  200,904                172,604


           Other receivables                                             48,926                 29,771


           Inventories                                                  125,470                128,960


           Other current assets                                          75,749                 70,426



           Total current assets                                         878,783                830,994




                   Property, plant and
                    equipment, net                                      834,828                955,948





     
                Other assets


           Equity investments                                           104,676                106,107


           Other noncurrent assets                                       68,773                 86,583



                Total other assets                                      173,449                192,690




     Total assets                                                   $1,887,060             $1,979,632






     
                Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity



     
                     Current liabilities


          Accounts payable                                             $128,024               $134,137


          Accrued expenses and
           other current
           liabilities                                                  183,514                184,161


          Current maturities of
           debt                                                          17,797                 15,783



            Total current
             liabilities                                                329,335                334,081


          Long-term debt                                                300,186                310,134


          Asset retirement
           obligations                                                  230,304                308,855


          Accrued pension benefits                                       16,147                 14,036


          Accrued postretirement
           benefits other than
           pension                                                       83,163                102,369


          Accrued workers'
           compensation                                                 174,303                184,835


          Other noncurrent
           liabilities                                                   48,801                 59,457



            Total liabilities                                         1,182,239              1,313,767





     
                Stockholders' equity


           Common Stock                                                     250                    250


           Paid-in capital                                              717,492                700,125


           Retained earnings                                            527,666                247,232


           Treasury stock, at cost                                    (583,883)             (302,109)


           Accumulated other
            comprehensive income                                         43,296                 20,367



             Total stockholders'
              equity                                                    704,821                665,865



      Total liabilities and
       stockholders' equity                                          $1,887,060             $1,979,632


             
              
                Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries


      
              
                Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


                      
              
                (In thousands)






                                                                                         Twelve Months Ended December 31,



                                                                                    2018               2017

                                                                                                       ---

                                                                  
              (Unaudited)



       
                Operating activities



       Net income                                                              $312,577           $238,450



       Adjustments to reconcile to cash provided by operating activities:


             Depreciation, depletion and amortization                            119,563            122,464


             Accretion on asset retirement obligations                            27,970             30,209


             Amortization of sales contracts, net                                 11,107             53,985



            Prepaid royalties expensed                                              134              2,905



            Deferred income taxes                                                18,701           (21,965)


             Employee stock-based compensation expense                            17,519             10,437


             Gains on disposals and divestitures                                   (625)          (24,327)


             Net loss resulting from early retirement of
              debt and debt restructuring                                            485              2,547


             Amortization relating to financing activities                         4,179              3,736



            Changes in:



                 Receivables                                                   (22,903)             8,370



                 Inventories                                                      3,490           (19,626)


                  Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
                   current liabilities                                          (14,208)            17,173



                 Income taxes, net                                             (46,970)           (6,834)



            Other                                                              (13,056)          (21,050)


                   Cash provided by operating activities                         417,963            396,474





       
                Investing activities



            Capital expenditures                                               (95,272)          (59,205)



            Minimum royalty payments                                              (584)           (5,296)


             Proceeds from disposals and divestitures                              1,083             12,920


             Purchases of short term investments                               (143,328)         (258,948)


             Proceeds from sales of short term investments                       136,630            190,064


             Investments in and advances to affiliates, net                      (2,481)          (10,173)

                                                                                                       ---

             Cash used in investing activities                                 (103,952)         (130,638)





       
                Financing activities


             Proceeds from issuance of term loan due 2024                              -           298,500


             Payments to extinguish term loan due 2021                                 -         (325,684)



            Payments on term loan due 2024                                      (3,000)           (2,250)



            Net payments on other debt                                          (6,077)             (694)



            Debt financing costs                                                (1,257)          (10,149)


             Net loss resulting from early retirement of
              debt and debt restructuring                                           (50)           (2,360)



            Dividends paid                                                     (31,269)          (24,369)



            Purchases of treasury stock                                       (280,871)         (301,512)



            Other                                                                 (152)             (138)

                                                                                                       ---

                 Cash used in financing activities                             (322,676)         (368,656)

                                                                                                       ---



        Decrease in cash and cash equivalents,
         including restricted cash                                               (8,665)         (102,820)


        Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted
         cash, beginning of period                                               273,602            376,422

                                                                                                       ---



        Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted
         cash, end of period                                                    $264,937           $273,602

                                                                                                       ===




       
                Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, end of period



            Cash and cash equivalents                                          $264,937           $273,387



            Restricted cash                                                           -               215

                                                                                                       ---



                                                                                $264,937           $273,602

                                                                                                       ===

                    
        
           Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                     
        
           Schedule of Consolidated Debt


                       
         
                (In thousands)




                         
         
                December 31,    
         
     December 31,


                                                     2018                    2017



                            
              (Unaudited)




     Term loan due
      2024 ($294.8
      million face
      value)                                     $293,626                $296,435


     Other                                         30,449                  36,514


     Debt issuance
      costs                                       (6,092)                (7,032)



                                                  317,983                 325,917


     Less: current
      maturities of
      debt                                         17,797                  15,783


     Long-term debt                              $300,186                $310,134





     Calculation of
      net debt


     Total debt
      (excluding
      debt issuance
      costs)                                     $324,075                $332,949


     Less liquid
      assets:


     Cash and cash
      equivalents                                 264,937                 273,387


     Short term
      investments                                 162,797                 155,846



                                                  427,734                 429,233


     Net debt                                  $(103,659)              $(96,284)


                                                           
              
                Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                                
              
                Operational Performance


                                                          
              
                (In millions, except per ton data)






                                       Three Months Ended                Three Months Ended                           Three Months Ended
                            December 31, 2018                September 30, 2018                            December 31, 2017



                          
             (Unaudited)                                                         
              (Unaudited)                     
     (Unaudited)



     Powder River Basin


      Tons Sold                                      19.5                                                                            21.5                         19.5




      Segment Sales                                $231.9                             $11.88                                        $258.3  $12.02                $239.9 $12.32


      Segment Cash Cost
       of Sales                                     208.1                              10.66                                         209.8    9.76                 209.9  10.78



      Segment Cash Margin                            23.8                               1.22                                          48.5    2.26                  30.0   1.54





     Metallurgical


      Tons Sold                                       2.1                                                                             1.9                          1.8




      Segment Sales                                $253.8                            $121.53                                        $198.5 $104.75                $164.1 $90.82


      Segment Cash Cost
       of Sales                                     156.3                              74.84                                         118.5   62.54                 107.5  59.50



      Segment Cash Margin                            97.4                              46.69                                          80.0   42.21                  56.6  31.32





     Other Thermal


      Tons Sold                                       2.3                                                                             2.5                          2.3




      Segment Sales                                 $81.6                             $34.89                                         $94.1  $36.96                 $80.1 $35.43


      Segment Cash Cost
       of Sales                                      67.3                              28.76                                          70.5   27.68                  56.3  24.88



      Segment Cash Margin                            14.3                               6.13                                          23.6    9.28                  23.9  10.55




      Total Segment Cash
       Margin                                      $135.6                                                                          $152.1                       $110.4




      Selling, general
       and administrative
       expenses                                    (26.7)                                                                         (22.9)                      (24.4)



     Other                                          13.7                                                                           (4.3)                        11.8





      Adjusted EBITDA                              $122.6                                                                          $124.9                        $97.8


                                                                                                          
              
                Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                                                                        
              
                Reconciliation of NON-GAAP Measures


                                                                                                         
              
                (In millions, 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 December 31,
                                   2018                            
              
                Powder River         
              
                Metallurgical         
              
                Other Thermal    
              
                Idle and Other    
     
     Consolidated
                                                                                   Basin

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ---


     (In thousands)




      GAAP Revenues in the
       consolidated income
       statements                                                                                $236,014                                         $302,915                                    $106,887                                    $5,146                $650,962


      Less:  Adjustments to reconcile to Non-GAAP Segment coal sales
       revenue


           Coal risk management
            derivative settlements
            classified in "other
            income"                                                                                     -                                                                                      3,516                                                            3,516


           Coal sales revenues from
            idled or otherwise
            disposed operations not
            included in segments                                                                        -                                                                                                                               5,146                   5,146


           Transportation costs                                                                     4,142                                           49,077                                      21,732                                                           74,951


      Non-GAAP Segment coal
       sales revenues                                                                            $231,872                                         $253,838                                     $81,639          
              $                   -               $567,349

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ---


     Tons sold                                                                                    19,521                                            2,089                                       2,340


      Coal sales per ton sold                                                                      $11.88                                          $121.53                                      $34.89






                                  Quarter ended September 30,
                                   2018                            
              
                Powder River         
              
                Metallurgical         
              
                Other Thermal    
              
                Idle and Other    
     
     Consolidated
                                                                                   Basin

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ---


     (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






                                  Quarter ended December 31,
                                   2017                            
              
                Powder River         
              
                Metallurgical         
              
                Other Thermal    
              
                Idle and Other    
     
     Consolidated
                                                                                   Basin

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ---


     (In thousands)




      GAAP Revenues in the
       consolidated income
       statements                                                                                $244,191                                         $195,661                                    $109,100                                   $11,292                $560,244


      Less:  Adjustments to reconcile to Non-GAAP Segment coal sales
       revenue


           Coal risk management
            derivative settlements
            classified in "other
            income"                                                                                     -                                                                                        182                                                              182


           Coal sales revenues from
            idled or otherwise
            disposed operations not
            included in segments                                                                        -                                                                                                                              11,292                  11,292


           Transportation costs                                                                     4,306                                           31,545                                      28,771                                                           64,622


      Non-GAAP Segment coal
       sales revenues                                                                            $239,885                                         $164,116                                     $80,147          
              $                   -               $484,148

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ---


     Tons sold                                                                                    19,473                                            1,807                                       2,262


      Coal sales per ton sold                                                                      $12.32                                           $90.82                                      $35.43

                                                                                                           
              
                Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                                                                          
              
                Reconciliation of NON-GAAP Measures


                                                                                                          
              
                (In millions, 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 December 31,
                                   2018                            
              
                Powder River          
              
                Metallurgical         
              
                Other Thermal     
              
                Idle and Other      
     
     Consolidated
                                                                                   Basin

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ---


     (In thousands)




      GAAP Cost of sales in the
       consolidated income
       statements                                                                                $212,434                                          $205,390                                      $89,040                                     $7,141                 $514,005


      Less:  Adjustments to reconcile to Non-GAAP Segment cash cost of
       coal sales


           Diesel fuel risk management
            derivative settlements
            classified in "other
            income"                                                                                   120                                                                                                                                                             120


           Transportation costs                                                                     4,142                                            49,077                                       21,732                                                             74,951


           Cost of coal sales from
            idled or otherwise
            disposed operations not
            included in segments                                                                        -                                                                                                                                  4,746                    4,746


           Other (operating overhead,
            certain actuarial, etc.)                                                                    -                                                                                                                                  2,395                    2,395


      Non-GAAP Segment cash cost
       of coal sales                                                                             $208,172                                          $156,313                                      $67,308           
              $                   -                $431,793

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ===


     Tons sold                                                                                    19,521                                             2,089                                        2,340


      Cash cost per ton sold                                                                       $10.66                                            $74.84                                       $28.76






                                  Quarter ended September 30,
                                   2018                            
              
                Powder River          
              
                Metallurgical         
              
                Other Thermal     
              
                Idle and Other      
     
     Consolidated
                                                                                   Basin

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ---


     (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






                                  Quarter ended December 31,
                                   2017                            
              
                Powder River          
              
                Metallurgical         
              
                Other Thermal     
              
                Idle and Other      
     
     Consolidated
                                                                                   Basin

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ---


     (In thousands)




      GAAP Cost of sales in the
       consolidated income
       statements                                                                                $214,006                                          $139,059                                      $85,038                                    $13,119                 $451,222


      Less:  Adjustments to reconcile to Non-GAAP Segment cash cost of
       coal sales


           Diesel fuel risk management
            derivative settlements
            classified in "other
            income"                                                                                 (229)                                                                                                                                                          (229)


           Transportation costs                                                                     4,306                                            31,545                                       28,771                                                             64,622


           Cost of coal sales from
            idled or otherwise
            disposed operations not
            included in segments                                                                        -                                                                                                                                 11,405                   11,405


           Other (operating overhead,
            certain actuarial, etc.)                                                                    -                                                                                                                                  1,714                    1,714


      Non-GAAP Segment cash cost
       of coal sales                                                                             $209,929                                          $107,514                                      $56,267           
              $                   -                $373,710

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ===


     Tons sold                                                                                    19,473                                             1,807                                        2,262


      Cash cost per ton sold                                                                       $10.78                                            $59.50                                       $24.88

                     
              
                Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                    
              
                Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures


                   
              
                (In thousands, except per share data)





     
                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 December 31,                                        Twelve Months Ended December 31,

                                                                                                                                                 ---

                                                     2018                2017                           2018                                           2017

                                                                                                                                                     ---

                                                            
              (Unaudited)



     Net income                                  $86,094             $81,271                       $312,577                                       $238,450


      Benefit from income taxes                   (3,351)           (34,771)                      (52,476)                                      (35,255)


      Interest expense, net                         2,691               4,945                         13,689                                         24,256


      Depreciation, depletion
       and amortization                            27,536              27,928                        119,563                                        122,464


      Accretion on asset
       retirement obligations                       6,993               7,383                         27,970                                         30,209


      Amortization of sales
       contracts, net                               1,567              11,082                         11,107                                         53,985


      Gain on sale of Lone
       Mountain Processing, Inc.                                         277                                                                     (21,297)


      Non-service related
       pension and
       postretirement benefit
       costs                                          996                 166                          3,202                                          1,940


      Net loss resulting from
       early retirement of debt
       and debt restructuring                                                                          485                                          2,547


      Reorganization items, net                        60               (494)                         1,661                                          2,398

                                                                                                                                                     ---




     Adjusted EBITDA                            $122,586             $97,787                       $437,778                                       $419,697


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SOURCE Arch Coal, Inc.