Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE: ARCH) reported Q4 EPS of ($0.57), $0.34 worse than the analyst estimate of ($0.23). Revenue for the quarter came in at $549.48 million versus the consensus estimate of $496.68 million.

"Arch wrapped up a strong 2019 financial performance with solid fourth quarter results, even as it executed a major operational transition at its Mountain Laurel metallurgical mine and despite lower metallurgical pricing," said John W. Eaves, Arch's chief executive officer. "Excluding Mountain Laurel, Arch's metallurgical portfolio achieved costs below $60 per ton for the quarter – including another mid-$40 per-ton cost performance at the Leer mine – and delivered cash margins from its coking coal segment in excess of $30 per ton."

"We are proud of the great progress we've made in returning capital to shareholders since initiating our capital return program in May 2017." Eaves said. "With the recent pullback in metallurgical prices, we expect to allocate most of our excess cash in 2020 to the accelerated build-out of Leer South, which promises to greatly enhance the long-term, cash-generating capabilities of our metallurgical portfolio."

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