DiscoverThe Coal TraderEpisode 3 - Met Cuts, Thermal Signals & Royalty Shock
Episode 3 - Met Cuts, Thermal Signals & Royalty Shock

Episode 3 - Met Cuts, Thermal Signals & Royalty Shock

Update: 2025-09-22
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Description

A big news week in coal. Matt and Joe run the board: thermal is basing, met has bounced, and U.S. power/LNG tailwinds support the setup. They also field listener questions on Coronado and why China’s steel-capacity moves could be coal-price bullish.


Thermal Coal

  • Europe: API2 drifting near the mid-$90s; Newcastle steady around the ~$100-110 range in shoulder season.

  • Asia: China/India imports look strong; China output down M/M, burns up, stockpiles lower. Indonesian 4,200 kcal rose ~$40 → ~$43; CN-destined 5,500 kcal ~ ~$65 → ~$70.

Met Coal

  • Pricing: Off the ~$160/t lows; recent prints high-$180s to ~$197/t.

  • Supply: BHP to shut the Saraji South pit (Queensland) amid royalty headwinds; chatter of other Aussie curtailments. Base case: higher lows/highs into 2026–27 as quality supply tightens.

Policy & Cost Curves

  • Inflation + royalties have lifted global cost floors - what used to be peaks now looks like today’s support.

U.S. Power & Gas

  • Data-center load + new LNG capacity point to firmer gas and better coal dispatch vs prior summers.

Equities & Positioning

  • Watch for M&A overhangs and buyback/clean balance sheet names. Trim strength tactically; accumulate quality on weakness.

Listener Q&A Highlights

  • Coronado (CRN.AX): U.S. assets solid, but Australia remains royalty/price sensitive; path forward hinges on cost work and price relief.

  • China steel capacity: Cutting export-driven capacity can lift steel prices, tighten seaborne met coal, and redirect demand to India.

Stocks mentioned: BTU, ARLP, AMR, HCC, METC, GLEN.L, CNR, HNRG, WHC.AX, YAL.AX, SMR.AX, NRP, BHP


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👉 More commodity market commentary: clearcommodity.net 


Disclaimer For information and discussion only - not investment advice. Do your own research.


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Episode 3 - Met Cuts, Thermal Signals & Royalty Shock

Episode 3 - Met Cuts, Thermal Signals & Royalty Shock

Clear Commodity Network