Investing in coal stocks

The coal industry powers the world. But there are some risks when investing in coal stocks — including the rise of natural gas, government policies and fluctuating demand.

What is coal?

Coal is a rock that’s predominantly made of carbon. Its combustible properties make it useful to burn for fuel, and coal accounts for almost 40% of the world’s electricity generation.

Ten countries produce 90% of the world’s coal, with China, India and the United States leading the pack. Despite a growing climate change movement and calls for green energy, the coal demand is forecasted to remain stable into 2024.

Coal stocks are stocks in any companies that mine and process coal for electricity plants and steel production.

Why invest in coal stocks?

China consumed over 50% of the world’s coal production in 2018, according to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy. While the global coal demand should remain stable through 2024, China’s coal demand is predicted to peak in 2025.

High demand for this fossil fuel is likely to bump coal stock prices in the foreseeable future. So although coal won’t be the dominant energy source that it once was during the Industrial Revolution, it’s not going anywhere yet.

Risks of investing in coal stocks

Coal stocks face three primary obstacles:

1. Government policies. When coal is burned for energy, it produces greenhouse gas emissions. Governments are adopting stronger climate policies to reduce air pollution by slowly phasing out coal power generation.
2. Competition. Renewable energy, including wind, solar power and natural gas, are slowly edging coal out of the market. For example, coal generation is forecasted to drop by more than 5% every year through 2024 in Europe and the United States.
3. Developments in China. Being a coal consumer giant, China strongly influences coal demand. China anticipates consumption to peak in 2025, while the International Energy Agency thinks demand could plateau as soon as 2022. Either way, coal demand will steadily fall as China weans off of coal and implements its cleaner energy strategy.

Coal stocks

Many coal stocks trade on the New York Stock Exchange. But certain stocks, including China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd., are only available over-the-counter or from an international exchange.

• N/A (BHM.AU)

  Historical performance

• South32 (S32.AU)

  Company summary

  South32 Limited operates as a diversified metals and mining company in Australia, India, China, Japan, the Middle East, Mozambique, the Netherlands, Brazil, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Worsley Alumina, Brazil Alumina, Brazil Aluminium, Hillside Aluminium, Mozal Aluminium, Sierra Gorda, Cannington, Hermosa, Cerro Matoso, Illawarra Metallurgical Coal, Australia Manganese, and South Africa Manganese segments. It has a portfolio of assets producing bauxite, alumina, aluminum, copper, silver, lead, zinc, nickel, metallurgical coal, manganese, ferronickel, and other base metals. The company also exports its products. South32 Limited was incorporated in 2000 and is headquartered in Perth, Australia.

  Historical performance

  Stock information

  • Market capitalization: $14131286732
  • P/E ratio: 0
  • PEG ratio: 3.8621
  • Dividend yield: 0.0395%

  Get more detailed information and learn how to buy S32.AU stock

• Origin Energy (ORG.AU)

  Company summary

  Origin Energy Limited, an integrated energy company, engages in the exploration and production of natural gas, electricity generation, wholesale and retail sale of electricity and gas, and sale of liquefied natural gas in Australia and internationally. The company operates through, Energy Markets, Integrated Gas, and Corporate segments. Its exploration and production portfolio includes the Bowen and Surat basins in Queensland; the Browse basin in Western Australia; and the Beetaloo basin in the Northern Territory. The company also generates electricity from coal, wind, pumped water storage, solar, and cogeneration plants; sells electricity, natural gas, and LPG; provides GreenPower and green gas products; and supplies LPG to residentials and businesses. In addition, it offers electric and gas hot water systems; split system air conditioners; ducted and space heating solutions; ducted evaporative cooling systems; and ducted reverse cycle air conditioning systems. Origin Energy Limited was incorporated in 1946 and is based in Barangaroo, Australia.

  Historical performance

  Stock information

  • Market capitalization: $14092075949
  • P/E ratio: 13.34
  • PEG ratio: 0
  • Dividend yield: 0.0509%

  Get more detailed information and learn how to buy ORG.AU stock

• Aurizon (AZJ.AU)

  Company summary

  Aurizon Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates as a rail freight operator in Australia. The company operates through Network, Coal, Bulk, and Other segments. It transports various commodities, including mining, agricultural, industrial, and retail products; and retail goods and groceries across small and big towns, and cities, as well as coal and iron ore. The company also operates and manages the Central Queensland Coal Network that consists of 2,670 kilometers of track network; and provides various specialist services, such as rail design, engineering, construction, management, and maintenance, as well as supply chain solutions. It serves miners, primary producers, and the industry. The company was formerly known as QR National Limited and changed its name to Aurizon Holdings Limited in December 2012. The company was incorporated in 2010 and is headquartered in Fortitude Valley, Australia.

  Historical performance

  Get more detailed information and learn how to buy AZJ.AU stock

• Genesis Energy (GNE.AU)

  Company summary

  Genesis Energy Limited generates, trades in, and sells electricity to residential and business customers in New Zealand. It generates electricity from thermal, hydro, solar, and wind sources. The company operates through Retail, Wholesale, and Kupe segments. The Retail segment supplies energy, including electricity, gas, and LPG to end-users, as well as provides related services. The Wholesale segment engages in the supply of electricity to the wholesale electricity market; supply of gas and LPG to wholesale and retail customers; and purchase and sale of derivatives to fix the price of electricity. The Kupe segment is involved in the exploration, development, and production of gas, oil, and LPG; and supply of gas and LPG to the wholesale segment, as well as light oil. The company's generation asset portfolio comprise the Huntly power station with a generation capacity of 953 MW; Tongariro Power Scheme that comprises three power stations with a generation capacity of 361.8MW; Waikaremoana Power Scheme, which includes three power stations with a generation capacity of 138 MW; Tekapo Power Scheme with a generation capacity of 190 MW; and Hau Nui wind farm with 15 wind turbines. The company was formerly known as Genesis Power Limited and changed its name to Genesis Energy Limited in September 2013. Genesis Energy Limited was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand.

  Historical performance

• Whitehaven Coal (WHC.AU)

  Company summary

  Whitehaven Coal Limited develops and operates coal mines in New South Wales and Queensland. It operates through three segments: Open Cut Operations, Underground Operations, and Coal Trading and Blending. The company produces metallurgical and thermal coal. It operates four mines, including three open cut and one underground located in the Gunnedah Coal Basin in New South Wales. The company sells coal in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Europe, and internationally. Whitehaven Coal Limited was founded in 1999 and is based in Sydney, Australia.

  Historical performance

  Stock information

  • Market capitalization: $6073721692
  • P/E ratio: 2.36
  • PEG ratio: 0
  • Dividend yield: 0.1028%

  Get more detailed information and learn how to buy WHC.AU stock

• Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Ltd (DBI.AU)

  Company summary

  Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Limited owns the lease of and right to operate the Dalrymple Bay terminal, a coal export metallurgical coal facility in Bowen Basin in Queensland. It provides terminal infrastructure and services for producers and consumers of Australian coal exports. The company was incorporated in 2020 and is based in Brisbane, Australia.

  Historical performance

• New Hope Corporation (NHC.AU)

  Company summary

  New Hope Corporation Limited explores for, develops, produces, and processes coal, and oil and gas properties. It operates through three segments: Coal Mining in Queensland, Coal Mining in New South Wales, and Other. The company holds interests in two open cut coal mines that produces thermal coal, which include the New Acland project located in Oakey, Queensland; and the Bengalla mine situated in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. It also holds 849 square kilometers of net oil-producing acreage in nine production projects located in the Cooper-Eromanga Basin. In addition, the company engages in the farming, grazing, and land management activities; and operation of bulk handling facility comprising receiving, storage, and shipping of coal, construction sand and aggregates, chips and pellets, and mineral sands, as well as raw and processed minerals, such as bauxite, manganese, diatomite, etc. Further, it is involved in port operation and handling; logistics; and marketing activities. The company has operations in Japan, China, Taiwan, Chile, Korea, Vietnam, India, Australia, and internationally. The company was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia.

  Historical performance

  Stock information

  • Market capitalization: $4404197767
  • P/E ratio: 4.13
  • PEG ratio: 0
  • Dividend yield: 0.0806%

  Get more detailed information and learn how to buy NHC.AU stock

• Emeco (EHL.AU)

  Company summary

  Emeco Holdings Limited provides heavy earthmoving equipment and mining service solutions in Australia. The company rents trucks, excavators, dozers, loaders, and graders. It is also involved in the maintenance and remanufacturing of various components of heavy earthmoving equipment; mechanical and boilermaker repair services; and sandblasting and painting services. In addition, the company offers fabrication and boiler making; and labor hire and field services, as well as repairs and rebuilds machines. Emeco Holdings Limited was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Perth, Australia.

  Historical performance

  Stock information

  • Market capitalization: $316591595
  • P/E ratio: 7.63
  • PEG ratio: 0
  • Dividend yield: 0.041%

• Stanmore Resources (SMR.AU)

  Company summary

  Stanmore Resources Limited engages in the exploration, development, production, and sale of metallurgical coal in Australia. The company holds interests in the Wards Well, Isaac Plains, Isaac Downs, Isaac South, Clifford, The Range, Mackenzie, Belview, and Lilyvale projects in the Bowen and Surat basins of Queensland, as well as 50% interests in the Millennium and Mavis Downs mine located near Moranbah, Queensland. It also exports metallurgical coal. The company was formerly known as Stanmore Coal Limited and changed its name to Stanmore Resources Limited in May 2021. The company was incorporated in 2008 and is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia. Stanmore Resources Limited operates as a subsidiary of Golden Investments (Australia) Pte. Ltd.

  Historical performance

  Stock information

  • Market capitalization: $3677677867
  • P/E ratio: 3.05
  • PEG ratio: 0
  • Dividend yield: 0%

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Bottom line

Coal stocks could be a solid short-term investing opportunity. Demand should steadily increase in the upcoming years, but keep your eye on renewable energy and natural gas that’s slowly inching toward a bigger piece of the energy pie.

To invest in coal, compare trading platforms to open a brokerage account.

Frequently asked questions

• How does the Paris Agreement affect coal?

  When the agreement was signed in 2015, coal demand was in the middle of a three-year decline. The agreement pushed to phase out coal and caused some investors to pull out of the coal power sector. But in 2017, the global demand for coal rebounded. And the demand expects to remain steady through 2024, according to the International Energy Agency.

• Who are the largest players in the coal industry?

  Some big names include Peabody Energy Corp. (BTU), the largest producer in the US.

• How much coal does Australia produce?

  In 2020, Australia produced and exported over AU$50 billion worth of coal.