Coal could grab brief gains after a dismal 2020

摘要

The coal mining industry is poised for a temporary reprieve in 2021 after hobbling through a year that saw demand dry up, numerous bankruptcies and widespread layoffs, analysts say. Underpinning coal's troubles were competition from natural gas and the continued rise of wind and solar power. But natural gas prices shot up in recent months, potentially providing the coal industry an opening to make up for some losses from 2020. Still, any bounce back is expected to be short-lived, as coal in the energy sector will continue to be overtaken by renewable sources.