Coal flat-lower as energy prices slide

摘要

Coal markets were near-flat to lower in the week, with still-low generator inventories being rebuilt during the shoulder season of slack electricity demand and surging imports keeping buyer urgency relatively limited. Central Appalachian coal markets slid sharply in the week, with generators showing less urgency for 2005 and 2006 coal needs and rail limitations that are keeping this coal from delivery if they do increase their short-term coal coverage.