Oz met coal drives Peabody earnings lift

摘要

A BIG earnings increase from Australian operations - despite wet weather impacts - helped US-based Peabody Energy to meet overall performance targets, declaring a gross profit (EBITDA) of $512.6m for the Jan-March quarter, up 18.1% from $435.3m a year earlier.A Peabody statement showed Australian operations contributed $295.6m in earnings, up 40.9% year-on-year against $209.6m previously.The contribution would have been higher but for an estimated $41 m in 'weather impacts,' partially offset by higher volumes following last year's takeover of Macarthur Coal.