LEXINGTON, Ky., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ramaco Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ: METC) Chairman and CEO Randall Atkins is scheduled to appear for an interview Thursday, April 10, with Stuart Varney on Fox Business Channel. The interview is currently scheduled to appear at roughly 11:25am ET on the Varney & Co. program. During his appearance, Atkins expects to discuss President Donald Trump's recent executive orders regarding coal and the outstanding support the president has shown to the U.S. coal industry, a ...

Core Insights - High-quality dividend stocks have historically outperformed non-payers, with an annualized return of 9.17% compared to 4.27% over the past 50 years [3] - The current market conditions, including a correction in major indices, make dividend stocks an attractive investment option [4] Group 1: Annaly Capital Management - Annaly Capital Management offers a yield of 13.79%, averaging around 10% over the last two decades, and has declared approximately $27 billion in dividends since its IPO in 1997 [5] - The company is sensitive to interest rate changes, with recent increases in the federal funds rate impacting its net interest margin and book value [6] - The Federal Reserve's current rate-easing cycle may benefit Annaly, allowing it to adjust its asset portfolio for better profitability [7] - Annaly's portfolio primarily consists of agency securities, which provide a safety net and allow for leverage to enhance profitability [8] - With improving yield-curve conditions and historical performance during declining interest rates, Annaly's financial metrics are expected to improve [9] Group 2: Realty Income - Realty Income has a yield of 5.56% and has increased its dividend for 110 consecutive quarters, positioning it well for long-term growth despite recession concerns [11] - The company's portfolio includes 15,621 commercial real estate properties, with 91% being resilient to economic downturns [12] - Realty Income's lessees are primarily brand-name businesses, ensuring consistent traffic and rental income even during economic challenges [12] - The company has a low percentage of lessees failing to pay rent, and its funds from operations are predictable [13] - Realty Income's shares are currently trading at a 22% discount to their five-year average cash flow multiple, indicating potential value [14] Group 3: Alliance Resource Partners - Alliance Resource Partners offers a yield of 10.26%, which has been sustainable despite the industry's challenges [15] - The company has successfully locked in volume and price commitments, ensuring consistent cash flow [17] - Alliance Resource has maintained a conservative approach to production expansion, resulting in a low net debt of $221.4 million [18] - The diversification into oil and natural gas royalties allows the company to benefit from price increases in these commodities [19] - The stock is valued at approximately 8.5 times forward-year earnings, presenting a solid investment opportunity [19]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2024, consolidated revenue was $94.8 million, down from $104.8 million in Q3 and $119.2 million in the prior year period [19] - The net loss for Q4 was $215.8 million, compared to a net income of $1.6 million in Q3 and a net loss of $10.2 million in the prior year period, primarily due to a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $215 million related to the Sunrise coal subsidiary [20] - Operating cash flow increased to $38.9 million in Q4 from an operating cash used of $12.9 million in Q3 [20] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 was $6.2 million, down from $9.6 million in Q3 [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Electric sales in Q4 were $69.7 million, down from $71.7 million in Q3 and up from $37.1 million in the prior year period [19] - Coal sales were $23.4 million in Q4, down from $31.7 million in Q3 and $91.7 million in the prior year period, reflecting a strategic reduction in coal production [19] - Hallador Power generated 1,160,000 megawatt hours in Q4, a 5% increase from 1,100,000 megawatt hours in Q3 [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The forward energy and capacity sales position increased to $685.7 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $616.9 million at the end of Q3 [21] - Total forward sales book as of December 31, 2024, was $1.6 billion, up from $1.4 billion at the end of Q3 [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is transitioning from a traditional coal producer to a vertically integrated power producer, aligning with market trends favoring the IPP model [6] - Strategic partnerships are being pursued, including a non-binding term sheet with a global data center developer, which is expected to drive long-term value [6][7] - The company is actively evaluating additional strategic transactions to expand electric operations and enhance scale [14][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted the ongoing trend of retiring dispatchable generation in favor of non-dispatchable resources, which could enhance the value of Hallador Power [8] - The company anticipates favorable pricing trends for power sales in 2025 and beyond, driven by data center development efforts [10][12] - Management expressed optimism about capturing higher prices and energy volumes in the future, despite current market volatility [13] Other Important Information - The company completed its annual impairment analysis, resulting in a non-cash long-lived asset impairment charge of $215.1 million [9] - Capital expenditures for 2024 totaled $53.4 million, with expectations of approximately $66 million for 2025 [20][21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Regulatory and review process with the grid operator - Management highlighted multiple access requests from developers, indicating a favorable environment for potential sales [24][25] Question: Remaining items before a definitive agreement - Management indicated that while progress has been made, a deal is not finalized until signed, with an exclusivity agreement in place until June [27] Question: Co-firing requirements and capital intensity - Current laws require coal-fired plants to co-fire with natural gas by 2032, and feasibility studies are underway [29] Question: Acquisition of generating assets - Management is exploring opportunities across various states, emphasizing a case-by-case evaluation of potential acquisitions [33][44] Question: Pricing expectations for deals - Management expects to maintain a premium to forward curves due to increasing demand from data centers and hyperscalers [51] Question: Capacity payments in long-term agreements - Capacity payments are expected to cover fixed costs of the plant, estimated at around $60 million [62]

Ramaco Resources (METC) Q4 2024 Earnings Call March 11, 2025 09:00 AM ET Company Participants Jeremy Sussman - Executive VP & CFORandall Atkins - Founder, Chairman & CEOChristopher Blanchard - Executive Vice President of Mine Planning and DevelopmentJason Fannin - EVP & CCO Conference Call Participants Nick Giles - Senior Research AnalystChris LaFemina - Equity Research AnalystNathan Martin - Senior Research Analyst Operator note that this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference ove ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a fourth quarter net income of $7.6 million and a full year net income of $33.7 million, marking a significant recovery from a net loss of $44 million in the previous year [7][23] - Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter increased to $9 million, a 27% rise from $7.1 million in the same quarter of 2023, while full year adjusted EBITDA surged 116% year-over-year to $59.4 million [7][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Coal Mining segment saw adjusted EBITDA more than quadruple from 2023, with Mississippi Lignite Mining Company receiving $13.6 million in business interruption insurance income [10][11] - North American Mining reported a fourth quarter operating profit of $800,000, recovering from a $600,000 operating loss in the prior year, driven by reduced operating expenses [25] - Minerals Management's fourth quarter operating profit improved to $7.2 million from $2.5 million in 2023, primarily due to the absence of an impairment charge that affected the previous year's results [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates solid customer demand in the Coal Mining segment for 2025, although a reduction in contractually determined per-ton sales price is expected to offset some improvements [29][30] - North American Mining is expected to deliver improved results in 2025, particularly in the second half of the year, based on stable customer demand [31] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its portfolio and diversifying its operations, with a budget of up to $20 million annually for investments aimed at long-term stable cash flow generation [19] - The company is optimistic about its trajectory and believes that 2025 will be a pivotal year as legacy businesses stabilize and new ventures gain traction [21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's trajectory and business prospects entering 2025, citing favorable macroeconomic trends and increasing demand for electricity [27][28] - The company is preparing to terminate its defined benefit pension plan in 2024, which is expected to eliminate future volatility from pension obligations [32] Other Important Information - The company ended the year with approximately $73 million in cash and $99.5 million in debt, with $99 million available under its revolver [34][35] - In 2024, the company paid $6.6 million in dividends and repurchased approximately 317,000 shares of its Class A Common Stock for $9.9 million [35] Q&A Session Summary Question: On the coal business, the results seem better than they initially appeared due to a $6 million inventory write-down - Management confirmed that inventory write-downs were taken, impacting the EBITDA calculation [38] Question: Is the $10 million EBITDA a reasonable baseline for next year? - Management indicated that while adjustments can be made, the sales price for the coal segment is expected to be lower next year due to contractual terms [41][42] Question: What is the outlook for MLMC volumes? - Management noted that while there were outages affecting volumes, they expect improvements moving forward [46][47] Question: How does the company view the pricing reset and inflation impacts? - Management explained that the pricing formula is complex and tied to various indices, which can lead to fluctuations [60][62] Question: Is there conservatism in the guidance for Mineral Management? - Management acknowledged a conservative approach in their projections for pricing and volume production [64] Question: What is the cash flow outlook for 2025? - Management expects working capital to be a source of cash in 2025, with favorable changes anticipated in trade receivables [105][111]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2024, total revenues were $2.4 billion, adjusted EBITDA was $714.2 million, net income was $360.9 million, and earnings per unit were $2.77 [5] - Q4 2024 total revenues were $590.1 million, down from $625.4 million in Q4 2023, primarily due to lower coal and oil and gas prices, reduced coal sales volumes, and lower transportation revenues [5][6] - Net income for Q4 2024 was $16.3 million compared to $115.4 million in Q4 2023, reflecting lower coal sales volumes and realized prices [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total coal production in Q4 2024 was 6.9 million tons, a decrease of 12.4% compared to Q4 2023, while coal sales volumes decreased by 2.3% to 8.4 million tons [7][8] - In the Illinois Basin, coal sales volumes increased by 2.8% compared to Q4 2023 due to increased volumes from specific mines [7] - Royalty segment revenues in Q4 2024 were $48.5 million, down 8.6% compared to Q4 2023, reflecting lower realized oil and gas commodity pricing [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The average coal sales price per ton for the full year 2024 was $63.38, close to the record level of $64.17 achieved in 2023 [6] - The total coal sales price per ton in Q4 2024 was $59.97, a decrease of 1% year-over-year and 5.7% sequentially [7] - The company anticipates coal sales volumes in 2025 to be in the range of 32.25 to 34.25 million tons, with over 78% of these volumes committed and priced [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to run two production units at MC Mining for all of 2025 to reduce operating costs [8] - Strategic capital improvements were executed at several mines, and the company remains committed to investing in its oil and gas minerals business [12][19] - The company expects improved coal production costs to counterbalance lower market prices, maintaining coal segment margins near 2024 levels [20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about gradually improving market fundamentals and the potential for increased domestic sales in 2025 [15][21] - The company highlighted the importance of coal in meeting growing electricity demand and the strategic need for grid reliability [21][22] - Management noted that the new administration's policies are expected to support the continued operation of coal generation assets [23] Other Important Information - The company generated free cash flow of $383.5 million in 2024 after investing $410.9 million in coal operations [12] - The company declared a quarterly distribution of $0.70 per unit for Q4 2024, unchanged from the previous quarter [13] - The fair value of the company's digital assets was approximately $45 million at year-end 2024, positively impacting net income [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of recent tariffs on ARLP's business - Management indicated uncertainty regarding the impact of tariffs, suggesting that recent announcements appear to be more about negotiation than creating a tariff war [28][30] Question: Confidence in reaching domestic shipment goals - Management expressed confidence in reaching the 30 million ton goal for domestic shipments, with ongoing conversations expected to conclude soon [32][33] Question: Pricing expectations for 2024 - Management noted that pricing is influenced by supply and demand dynamics, with potential upside if weather conditions are favorable [61][62] Question: Changes in the oil and gas segment - Management acknowledged increased competition for acquiring new properties but remains focused on opportunities in the Permian Basin [84][85]