U.S. Coal Producers Look Forward to a Better 2010

SUGAR LAND--February 1, 2010--Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Coal producers Arch Coal Incorporated (NYSE:ACI) (St. Louis, Missouri) and International Coal Group (NYSE:ICO) (ICG) (Scott Depot, West Virginia) recently reported earnings and financial activity for the 2009 fiscal year. ICG operates mines in northern and central Appalachia, while Arch operates in Central Appalachia, the Western Bituminous Region and the Powder River Basin. Both companies primarily supply coal to the power and metals industries. Earnings for ICG were up significantly for 2009, while those of Arch fell sharply. Both companies experienced declines in sales volumes, but expressed the idea that 2010 would bring positive changes to the coal industry.