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Jonathan Brallier and Matthew Donahue. Company Overview. Company Overview. Peabody Energy Corporation is the largest private sector coal company in the world
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Company Overview • Peabody Energy Corporation is the largest private sector coal company in the world • Sold 248 million tons of coal in 2006 and generated $5.6 billion in revenues, accounting for approximately 10% of all United States electricity used in 2006 • Majority of revenues come from sales to U.S. electricity generators, which use coal for 50% of all production • Held IPO in May 2001 and joined the S&P 500 in November of 2006 • Has majority interests in 40 coal operations throughout the U.S. and Australia, and minority interest in a Venezualian mine 3
Company Overview • Operations also include marketing, brokering, and trading coal worldwide • Traded almost 80 million tons of coal in 2006 • Created an international trading group in 2006 • Recently added operations offices in Europe and Beijing to further its global reach 4
Risk Factors • Unexpected termination of long term contracts • Approximately 90% of revenue comes from long-term supply arrangements, the durations of which vary from one to 19 years • Contracts often have detailed provisions that require Peabody to meet certain quality and service expectations • Failure to meet these requirements can lead to severe economic consequences 10
Risk Factors • Soured relationships with major suppliers • Over 20% of revenue comes from the company’s five largest customers • Leverage could lead to financial stress • Peabody has approximately $1.4 billion in debt and about $500 million more in available credit • Peabody hedges commodity price risk by using long-term contracts for coal sales 11
Risk Factors • The company also hedges commodities used in production through fixed price contracts and derivatives • As the end of 2005, the company had fixed price contracts for 68.9 million gallons of diesel fuel • The company uses forward contracts, swaps, and options to hedge currency and interest rate fluctuations 12
Recent News 13
Recent News • Mild weather has led to decreased demand for coal • Companies have been forced to decrease production this year due to high inventory levels and poor demand • Recent steam coal prices have hovered around $40 per ton, compared to last year’s price of $56 • Coal from the Powder River Basin is slightly over $7 per ton, versus $21 from last year 14
Recent News • CEO Gregory Boyce recently told reporters that Peabody is “managing [its] U.S. production and capital to match demand” • Reduced capacity will help reduce costs, thus strengthening sluggish revenues • Merrill Lynch analyst David Lipschitz expects weak industry wide earnings for the first half of 2007 until production cuts take effect 15
SWOT Analysis • Non-union mines account for 86% of production • About 90% of revenues come from long term contracts, thus mitigating price fluctuations • Ability to grow organically as well as through strategic acquisition opportunities • Development of integrated information system, expected to be fully operational by mid-2007, that will streamline international operations in finance, marketing, materials, human resources, sales, production, etc. • Safetey record, measured by accident frequency rates, exceeded the industry average by 38% Strengths 17
SWOT Analysis • #1 market position in U.S. does not leave much room for growth domestically • Central Appalachia’s coal reserve is of declining quality • High sulfur levels in Illinois Basin coal and high mercury levels in Powder River Basin coal Weaknesses 18
SWOT Analysis • Recently established an office in Beijing to pursue new markets and growth opportunities • Participation in emerging technologies such as Btu conversion, a process that turns coal into natural gas, liquid, or hydrogen Opportunities 19
SWOT Analysis • Current litigation related to one of the company’s largest supply agreements • Current litigation could cost Peabody several billion dollars; however, the company claims to “have recorded adequate reserves for these liabilities and that there is no individual case pending that is likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition” (2006 10-k) • Continual reform of industry regulations and standards regarding safety and waste Threats 20
Industry Overview • Coal generates over 50% of electric power and provides 85% of fossil fuel reserves in the United States • Coal supply is reliable and relatively inexpensive compared to other energy sources • Investments in the industry are an excellent hedge against inflation and downturns in the market • Decreasing labor costs and low unionization will benefit shareholders • Paul Forward, formerly of Legg Mason, projects demand growth at 3% per year, with prices increasing at 4.6% per year 22
Industry Overview • Coal is not as “clean” as other alternative energy sources, such as wind or solar power • Democratic control could lead to restrictions on production • History has shown that coal performs better under republican administrations, and vice versa • Increasing surface mining restrictions • Air pollution legislation often calls for increased capital requirements, thus draining operating profits 23
Relevant Investor Information • Quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share yields a weak 0.6% 28
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Recommendation • Moderate Buy • Analyst Paul Forward recommends Buy • Yahoo Finance - 7 Strong Buys, 9 Buys, 4 Holds • MoneyCentral - 7 Strong Buys, 3 Moderate Buys, 3 Holds, 1 Moderate Sell • Reuters - 6 Buy, 9 Outperform, 5 Hold 35