Peabody Energy Corp (BTU)

Here's a way to play the energy category that lowers your risk. Coal is priced way below natural gas and, because it's in plentiful supply, many utilities are switching over to coal to lower their cost of acquiring energy. In addition, there are several new technologies for reducing the environmental disadvantages of coal and progress is being made towards improving rail services to the coal industry--all of which is giving the entire industry a long-term lift. BTU is the largest coal company with exposure to production in many locations--including Australia, which gives BTU acess to fast-growing Asian markets. I bought some at 35 and 37 and recommend it in the upper 30's. I think it can get back into the 50s, on projected earnings of 3.08 for '07.

The environmentalists have stopped the construction of nuclear plants in the USA and will continue to do so despite nuclear power being our best solution for power as it has been in France. Similary they have also stopped the construction of new hydroelectric plants. Oil will probably reach peak possible production in 15-20 years and availablity will decline thereafter regarless of price. The price of oil and natural gas have already made coal more than a viable power alternative. Pollution technology has progressed to the point that coal can produce power more cleanly than some types of oil. Whereas the MidEast is the major repository of oil on this planet, the USA possessed the largest coal reserves in the world. Peabody [BTU] is the largest coal company in the world with holdings in politically stable countries: the US and Australia. Since hysteria will prevent us from building nuclear power plants, coal will be our next best alternative for the future.

Coal is a volume driven business with improved tech for performance & environmental impact on the horizon. Peabody Energy is the very biggest & best of breed in USA and among the top dogs globally with signifant Australian holdings w/good access to Chinese market. Back here they are a major player in Wyoming with huge reserves of premiunm grade product that's relatively very easy access.

Australian mining reserves in the Pilbara, which is 15x the size of Switzerland, are massive. The Chinese are pouring millions into the Australian economy in an effort to secure natural resources for the future. The resources game is going to emerge in the coming decades as more and more critical; soft power in the form of resources will provide more power to NGOs, companies like Peabody and countries like Australia who have an early play and a strong hand in this.

Coal is a disgustingly pollutant fuel and not one I, as an environmentally-conscious consumer, like. But the reality is that the #1 coal producer in the world is only destined to go up with increasing support for big businesses and a redefinition of the global economic landscape.

P/E is above what I would like at 37 but the truth is that world demand for coal will justify this price in the long haul.

Largest coal producer in the world. Cola has a reserve life on earth of 200+ years. When oil is gone coal will still be burning. Coal to Gas is going to be a play and BTU will be there to supply the coal.

The US is the Saudi Arabia of coal. Coal will figure more prominately in America's energy future with new developments in clean-burning coal-fired electrical generating plants, coal gasification, and coal to liquid fuels. Peabody Energy is also expanding it's international market by investing in Australia and China.

Coal. Got cheap on coal price drop. Many new uses coming on line like coal gasification and coal to liquid for getting off the middleeast oil. USAF tried it and got great result. They mine mostly in cheap pits and are huge player.

largest and best position US Coal Company. Good exposure to low-sulfur western coal. Good future prospects given likely hood of coal power planet investments and coal to liquid technology

Now that the Chinese stock market is in tune again with New York and that it is going down, oil and metals won't be able to keep moving higher.

Buy coal, you have to be crazy not to, and hold it long. This country has alot of it, mostly controlled by Peabody, which is learning how to make profits vertically by building power plants to burn its coal. My kids are young, but their kids are going to own this stock that I'm buying today.

Given $70/bbl oil, this energy play is raking in the net income right now. Even at $40/bbl oil, coal will be profitable.

My father sold Peabody coal in the 40's through 70's. It was and is a reputable company. It's had steady growth for the last two years that I've had it. With decades of product left and new ways of burning coal while reducing emissions, it's not going to be obsolete any time soon.

largest coal mining out fit. 10% of all coal sold to utilities for turning out electricity in U.S. 3% in the world. 2007 sold out booking now for 2008/9.. large btu differential between oil and coal assures sales to continue strong.

BTU price is near its low. Coal is still needed to power the electicity plants and we are not getting any more energy efficient. Yes oil has come down, but this can flare up at any time. If you want to own coal, you want to own BTU.

America is sitting on top of an enormous resource in coal. It'll take many years before solar power, wind power, geothermal power, etc. makes a meaningful impact. And which of those will become the predominant alternative energy source?

Both Peabody Energy (BTU) and Arch Coal (ACI) have extensive fields in the coal rich Powder River Basin. Morningstar mentions that the PRB contains some of the easiest-to-mine coal in the world. With thick, uniform beds lying near the surface, miners can extract coal at 20% the cost of their Central Appalachian peers. Moreover, PRB coals contain very little sulfur, which causes acid rain, making them even more attractive to utilities trying to meet strict emission standards.

If push comes to shove, America will take the easy road for short to long-term self-sustaining energy and that means instant gratification through coal.

Alternative energy and clean energy are the future.

From an environmental stand point, I am not too crazy about coal. With growing population wanting to get away from high gasoline prices and foreign dependence, it seems that coal-to-liquid technologies are a good place to look. Also a potential Air Force contract down the road won't hurt this company either.

This is the pure coal play. As gas prices rise and oil gets less abundant then coal will be the only answer for our energy needs.

Price Pressure on Oil!