New York, Jan 6, 2026, 14:00 EST — Regular session
- Peabody Energy shares rise about 6% in afternoon trading after a sharp intraday swing
- Industry report flags tighter Powder River Basin coal supply as some retirements slip into 2026
- Traders now look to Jan. 13 EIA outlook and Peabody’s next earnings update for pricing signals
Peabody Energy Corp shares were up 6.2% at $32.53 in afternoon trading on Tuesday. The stock opened at $31.19 and traded between $30.61 and $33.36.
An Argus report on Tuesday said Powder River Basin (PRB) coal prices could rise further in 2026 as producers face constraints on boosting output while demand holds steady, after some coal-fired units slated to retire in 2025 stayed online into early 2026 under Department of Energy emergency orders. Argus assessed prompt-quarter PRB shipments at $14.95 a short ton (2,000 pounds) for the week ended Jan. 2, and said the two biggest PRB producers, Peabody and Core Natural Resources, had nearly all of their expected 2026 production already under contract. Peabody chief commercial officer Malcolm Roberts said on an Oct. 30 call he was “definitely” confident about running at maximum capacity in the PRB, while CEO Jim Grech said extra tonnage would hinge on customer commitments and “price signals.” Argus Media
Prompt-quarter coal refers to near-term deliveries and often influences what utilities pay when they seek extra supply outside annual contracts. When uncontracted tons are scarce, miners can gain leverage in negotiations, especially during periods of grid stress.
Moves across U.S.-listed coal names were mixed. Alliance Resource Partners rose 2.6% and Warrior Met Coal gained 1.4%, while Ramaco Resources slipped 1.1%.
Peabody, one of the biggest U.S. coal miners, sells thermal coal used to generate electricity and metallurgical coal used to make steel, and also operates mines in Australia.
The rally has pushed Peabody closer to its 52-week high of $35.99, after rebounding sharply from a 52-week low of $9.61.
But the longer-term demand picture remains contested, and coal prices can swing with weather and natural gas costs. The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecast in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook that domestic coal consumption would fall about 5% in 2026, and it is set to publish its next update on Jan. 13.
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