CONSOL Energy Inc.

11/05/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/05/2024 06:03

Quarterly Report for Quarter Ending September 30, 2024 (Form 10-Q)

ceix-20240930
Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ______ to ______
Commission file number: 001-38147
CONSOL Energy Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 82-1954058
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
275 Technology Drive Suite 101
Canonsburg, PA 15317-9565
(724) 416-8300
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value CEIX New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☒ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
CONSOL Energy Inc. had 29,394,466 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding at October 25, 2024.
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I. Financial Information
Page
Item 1.
Unaudited Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
5
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023
6
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
8
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
10
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
11
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
30
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
50
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
51
Part II. Other Information
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
51
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
51
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
54
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
55
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
55
Item 5.
Other Information
55
Item 6.
Exhibits
56
Signatures
57
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IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS REFERENCED IN THIS QUARTERLY REPORT
"CONSOL Energy," "we," "our," "us," "our Company" and "the Company" refer to CONSOL Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries;
"Btu" means one British thermal unit;
"CONSOL Marine Terminal" refers to the Company's terminal operations located at the Port of Baltimore, Maryland;
"former parent" refers to CNX Resources Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries;
"Greenfield Reserves and Resources" means those undeveloped reserves and resources owned by the Company in the Northern Appalachian, Central Appalachian and Illinois basins that are not associated with the Pennsylvania Mining Complex or the Itmann Mining Complex;
"Itmann Mining Complex" refers to the Company's Itmann No. 5 metallurgical coal mine and coal preparation plant located in Wyoming County, West Virginia, and surrounding reserves to be processed and sold through the Itmann Mining Complex coal preparation plant; and
"Pennsylvania Mining Complex" or "PAMC" refers to the Bailey, Enlow Fork and Harvey coal mines, the Central Preparation Plant, and related coal reserves, assets and operations located in southwestern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia.
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PART I : FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOL ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Revenue and Other Income: 2024 2023 2024 2023
Coal Revenue $ 462,489 $ 449,618 $ 1,319,738 $ 1,574,096
Terminal Revenue 23,740 22,676 60,288 80,755
Freight Revenue 63,406 68,372 198,888 217,435
Miscellaneous Other Income 25,044 27,852 55,146 40,070
Gain on Sale of Assets 176 1,346 6,960 7,082
Total Revenue and Other Income 574,855 569,864 1,641,020 1,919,438
Costs and Expenses:
Operating and Other Costs 304,134 276,323 885,234 813,546
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 53,329 58,792 165,173 182,871
Freight Expense 63,406 68,372 198,888 217,435
General and Administrative Costs 36,151 37,313 77,669 79,758
Loss on Debt Extinguishment - 662 - 2,725
Interest Expense 4,664 6,645 15,063 24,079
Total Costs and Expenses 461,684 448,107 1,342,027 1,320,414
Earnings Before Income Tax 113,171 121,757 298,993 599,024
Income Tax Expense 17,539 21,032 43,409 100,199
Net Income $ 95,632 $ 100,725 $ 255,584 $ 498,825
Earnings per Share:
Total Basic Earnings per Share $ 3.23 $ 3.15 $ 8.60 $ 14.97
Total Dilutive Earnings per Share $ 3.22 $ 3.11 $ 8.57 $ 14.75
Dividends Declared per Common Share $ 0.25 $ - $ 0.25 $ 2.20
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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CONSOL ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Net Income $ 95,632 $ 100,725 $ 255,584 $ 498,825
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments (Net of tax: ($111), $274, ($332), $822)
385 (901) 1,155 (2,702)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments in Available-for-Sale Securities (Net of tax: ($69), $2, ($28), $15)
238 (6) 95 (49)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) 623 (907) 1,250 (2,751)
Comprehensive Income $ 96,255 $ 99,818 $ 256,834 $ 496,074
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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CONSOL ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
September 30,
2024
December 31,
2023
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 331,674 $ 199,371
Short-Term Investments 84,333 81,932
Accounts and Notes Receivable
Trade Receivables, net 131,492 147,612
Other Receivables, net 13,480 12,765
Inventories 116,632 88,154
Other Current Assets 66,982 71,172
Total Current Assets 744,593 601,006
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, Plant and Equipment 5,701,714 5,552,404
Less - Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 3,792,369 3,649,281
Total Property, Plant and Equipment-Net 1,909,345 1,903,123
Other Assets:
Right of Use Asset - Operating Leases 5,846 14,658
Salary Retirement 51,933 47,246
Other Noncurrent Assets, net 112,400 108,970
Total Other Assets 170,179 170,874
TOTAL ASSETS $ 2,824,117 $ 2,675,003
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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CONSOL ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
September 30,
2024
December 31,
2023
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts Payable $ 145,301 $ 137,243
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt 111,898 11,106
Operating Lease Liability, Current Portion 808 4,769
Other Accrued Liabilities 282,008 290,606
Total Current Liabilities 540,015 443,724
Long-Term Debt:
Long-Term Debt 79,336 181,885
Finance Lease Obligations 4,344 4,182
Total Long-Term Debt 83,680 186,067
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions 201,811 207,908
Pneumoconiosis Benefits 150,628 154,943
Asset Retirement Obligations 208,375 212,621
Workers' Compensation 37,380 39,144
Salary Retirement 20,675 20,808
Operating Lease Liability 5,589 10,385
Deferred Income Taxes 36,579 36,219
Other Noncurrent Liabilities 9,890 19,742
Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities 670,927 701,770
TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,294,622 1,331,561
Stockholders' Equity:
Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value; 62,500,000 Shares Authorized, 29,394,466 Shares Issued and Outstanding at September 30, 2024; 29,910,439 Shares Issued and Outstanding at December 31, 2023
294 299
Capital in Excess of Par Value 538,054 547,861
Retained Earnings 1,138,957 944,342
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (147,810) (149,060)
TOTAL EQUITY 1,529,495 1,343,442
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 2,824,117 $ 2,675,003
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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CONSOL ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands)
Common Stock Capital in Excess of Par Value Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Total Equity
December 31, 2023 $ 299 $ 547,861 $ 944,342 $ (149,060) $ 1,343,442
(Unaudited)
Net Income - - 101,891 - 101,891
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments (Net of ($111) Tax)
- - - 385 385
Investments in Available-for-Sale Securities (Net of $36 Tax)
- - - (126) (126)
Comprehensive Income - - 101,891 259 102,150
Issuance of Common Stock 1 (1) - - -
Repurchases of Common Stock (615,288 Shares)
(6) (11,264) (44,611) - (55,881)
Excise Tax on Repurchases of Common Stock - - (471) - (471)
Employee Stock-Based Compensation - 5,118 11 - 5,129
Shares Withheld for Taxes - (5,551) - - (5,551)
March 31, 2024 $ 294 $ 536,163 $ 1,001,162 $ (148,801) $ 1,388,818
(Unaudited)
Net Income - - 58,061 - 58,061
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments (Net of ($110) Tax)
- - - 385 385
Investments in Available-for-Sale Securities (Net of $5 Tax)
- - - (17) (17)
Comprehensive Income - - 58,061 368 58,429
Issuance of Common Stock 1 (1) - - -
Repurchases of Common Stock (132,063 Shares)
(1) (2,407) (8,589) - (10,997)
Excise Tax on Repurchases of Common Stock - - (82) - (82)
Employee Stock-Based Compensation - 2,237 25 - 2,262
Shares Withheld for Taxes - (27) - - (27)
June 30, 2024 $ 294 $ 535,965 $ 1,050,577 $ (148,433) $ 1,438,403
(Unaudited)
Net Income - - 95,632 - 95,632
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments (Net of ($111) Tax)
- - - 385 385
Investments in Available-for-Sale Securities (Net of ($69) Tax)
- - - 238 238
Comprehensive Income - - 95,632 623 96,255
Excise Tax on Repurchases of Common Stock - - 2 - 2
Employee Stock-Based Compensation - 2,051 201 - 2,252
Shares Withheld for Taxes - 38 - - 38
Dividends on Common Shares ($0.25/share)
- - (7,348) - (7,348)
Dividend Equivalents Earned on Stock-Based Compensation Awards - - (107) - (107)
September 30, 2024 $ 294 $ 538,054 $ 1,138,957 $ (147,810) $ 1,529,495
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Common Stock Capital in Excess of Par Value Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Total Equity
December 31, 2022 $ 347 $ 646,237 $ 668,882 $ (149,640) $ 1,165,826
(Unaudited)
Net Income - - 230,377 - 230,377
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments (Net of $274 Tax)
- - - (901) (901)
Investments in Available-for-Sale Securities (Net of ($64) Tax)
- - - 212 212
Comprehensive Income (Loss) - - 230,377 (689) 229,688
Issuance of Common Stock 3 (3) - - -
Repurchases of Common Stock (1,207,409 Shares)
(11) (22,446) (44,676) - (67,133)
Excise Tax on Repurchases of Common Stock - - (478) - (478)
Employee Stock-Based Compensation - 4,792 - - 4,792
Shares Withheld for Taxes - (12,708) - - (12,708)
Dividends on Common Shares ($1.10/share)
- - (38,287) - (38,287)
Dividend Equivalents Earned on Stock-Based Compensation Awards - - (803) - (803)
March 31, 2023 $ 339 $ 615,872 $ 815,015 $ (150,329) $ 1,280,897
(Unaudited)
Net Income - - 167,723 - 167,723
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments (Net of $274 Tax)
- - - (900) (900)
Investments in Available-for-Sale Securities (Net of $77 Tax)
- - - (255) (255)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) - - 167,723 (1,155) 166,568
Repurchases of Common Stock (1,225,134 Shares)
(12) (22,261) (53,354) - (75,627)
Excise Tax on Repurchases of Common Stock - - (728) - (728)
Employee Stock-Based Compensation - 1,993 - - 1,993
Shares Withheld for Taxes - (38) - - (38)
Dividends on Common Shares ($1.10/share)
- - (37,187) - (37,187)
Dividend Equivalents Earned on Stock-Based Compensation Awards - - (683) - (683)
June 30, 2023 $ 327 $ 595,566 $ 890,786 $ (151,484) $ 1,335,195
(Unaudited)
Net Income - - 100,725 - 100,725
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments (Net of $274 Tax)
- - - (901) (901)
Investments in Available-for-Sale Securities (Net of $2 Tax)
- - - (6) (6)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) - - 100,725 (907) 99,818
Repurchases of Common Stock (1,547,846 Shares)
(15) (28,171) (98,448) - (126,634)
Excise Tax on Repurchases of Common Stock - - (1,265) - (1,265)
Employee Stock-Based Compensation - 1,676 - - 1,676
September 30, 2023 $ 312 $ 569,071 $ 891,798 $ (152,391) $ 1,308,790
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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CONSOL ENERGY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2024 2023
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net Income $ 255,584 $ 498,825
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 165,173 182,871
Gain on Sale of Assets (6,960) (7,082)
Stock-Based Compensation 9,406 8,461
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs 2,812 4,534
Loss on Debt Extinguishment - 2,725
Deferred Income Taxes 360 (837)
Other Adjustments to Net Income (2,183) (2,571)
Changes in Operating Assets:
Accounts and Notes Receivable 15,420 37,670
Inventories (28,461) (32,096)
Other Current Assets 1,844 (4,522)
Changes in Other Assets (1,479) (26,913)
Changes in Operating Liabilities:
Accounts Payable 4,298 7,759
Commodity Derivatives, net Liability - (15,142)
Other Operating Liabilities (8,887) 28,751
Changes in Other Liabilities (51,847) (43,615)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 355,080 638,818
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital Expenditures (137,148) (117,749)
Proceeds from Sales of Assets 7,320 6,240
Investments in Mining-Related Activities (3,582) (5,366)
Proceeds from Sales of Short-Term Investments 44,075 83,924
Purchases of Short-Term Investments (43,265) (162,422)
Other Investing Activity (2,100) (350)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (134,700) (195,723)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Payments on Finance Lease Obligations (8,258) (19,490)
Payments on Term Loan B - (63,590)
Payments on Second Lien Notes - (101,832)
Payments on Other Debt (905) (729)
Shares Withheld for Taxes (5,540) (12,746)
Repurchases of Common Stock (70,879) (277,382)
Debt-Related Financing Fees - (2,810)
Dividends and Dividend Equivalents Paid (8,451) (75,474)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities (94,033) (554,053)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash 126,347 (110,958)
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period 243,268 326,952
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period $ 369,615 $ 215,994
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
Finance Lease $ 3,248 $ 588
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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CONSOL ENERGY INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
NOTE 1-BASIS OF PRESENTATION:
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for future periods.
The Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2023 has been derived from the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements at that date but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. This Form 10-Q report should be read in conjunction with CONSOL Energy Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
All dollar amounts discussed in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for share and per share amounts, and unless otherwise indicated.
Basis of Consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of CONSOL Energy Inc. and its wholly-owned and majority-owned and/or controlled subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2023-09 Income Taxes (Topic 740). The amendments in this update address investor requests for more transparency about income tax information through improvements to income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. The amendments in this update require that public business entities on an annual basis (1) disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation, (2) provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold (if the effect of those reconciling items is equal to or greater than five percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income (or loss) by the applicable statutory income tax rate), (3) disclose the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by federal (national), state, and foreign taxes, (4) disclose the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by individual jurisdictions in which income taxes paid (net of refunds received) is equal to or greater than five percent of total income taxes paid (net of refunds received), (5) disclose income (or loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (or benefit) disaggregated between domestic and foreign, and (6) disclose income tax expense (or benefit) from continuing operations disaggregated by federal (national), state, and foreign. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and should be applied prospectively. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance, but with the exception of the increased disclosures summarized above, does not expect this update to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07 Segment Reporting (Topic 280). The amendments in this update improve financial reporting by requiring disclosure of incremental segment information on an annual and interim basis for all public entities to enable investors to develop more decision-useful financial analyses. Topic 280 requires a public entity to report a measure of segment profit or loss that the chief operating decision maker uses to assess segment performance and make decisions about allocating resources. Topic 280 also requires other specified segment items and amounts, such as depreciation, amortization, and depletion expense, to be disclosed under certain circumstances. The amendments in this update do not change or remove those disclosure requirements. The amendments in this update also do not change how a public entity identifies its operating segments, aggregates those operating segments, or applies the quantitative thresholds to determine its reportable segments. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and should be applied retrospectively. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance, but with the exception of the incremental disclosures related to segment expenses summarized above, does not expect this update to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
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In August 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-05 - Business Combinations-Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic 805-60). The amendments in this update address the accounting for contributions made to a joint venture, upon formation, in a joint venture's separate financial statements. The objectives of the amendments are to (1) provide decision-useful information to investors and other allocators of capital in a joint venture's financial statements and (2) reduce diversity in practice. The amendments in this update do not amend the definition of a joint venture, the accounting by an equity method investor for its investment in a joint venture, or the accounting by a joint venture for contributions received after its formation. The amendments in this update are effective prospectively for all joint venture formations with a formation date on or after January 1, 2025. Existing joint ventures may elect to apply the guidance retrospectively. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance, but does not expect this update to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the reporting period. Dilutive earnings per share are computed similarly to basic earnings per share, except that the weighted average number of shares outstanding is increased to include additional shares from restricted stock units and performance share units, if dilutive. The number of additional shares is calculated by assuming that outstanding restricted stock units and performance share units were released, and that the proceeds from such activities, as applicable, were used to acquire shares of common stock at the average market price during the reporting period.
The table below sets forth the share-based awards that have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive:
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Anti-Dilutive Restricted Stock Units 377 - 458 1,031
Anti-Dilutive Performance Share Units - - - -
377 - 458 1,031
The computations for basic and dilutive earnings per share are as follows:
Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Numerator:
Net Income $ 95,632 $ 100,725 $ 255,584 $ 498,825
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding 29,580,649 31,928,295 29,705,627 33,330,892
Effect of dilutive shares 121,406 464,394 118,962 479,628
Weighted-average diluted shares of common stock outstanding 29,702,055 32,392,689 29,824,589 33,810,520
Earnings per Share:
Basic $ 3.23 $ 3.15 $ 8.60 $ 14.97
Dilutive $ 3.22 $ 3.11 $ 8.57 $ 14.75
As of September 30, 2024, CONSOL Energy has 500,000 shares of preferred stock authorized, none of which are issued or outstanding.
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NOTE 2-REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS:
The following tables disaggregate CONSOL Energy's revenue from contracts with customers by product type and market:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
Domestic Export Total
Power Generation $ 163,769 $ 63,027 $ 226,796
Industrial 2,485 148,980 151,465
Metallurgical 8,200 76,028 84,228
Total Coal Revenue 174,454 288,035 462,489
Terminal Revenue 23,740
Freight Revenue 63,406
Other Revenue 3,797
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers $ 553,432
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
Domestic Export Total
Power Generation $ 169,143 $ 37,134 $ 206,277
Industrial 11,076 169,709 180,785
Metallurgical - 62,556 62,556
Total Coal Revenue 180,219 269,399 449,618
Terminal Revenue 22,676
Freight Revenue 68,372
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers $ 540,666
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
Domestic Export Total
Power Generation $ 515,159 $ 156,013 $ 671,172
Industrial 13,636 420,570 434,206
Metallurgical 31,222 183,138 214,360
Total Coal Revenue 560,017 759,721 1,319,738
Terminal Revenue 60,288
Freight Revenue 198,888
Other Revenue 11,927
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers $ 1,590,841
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Domestic Export Total
Power Generation $ 476,598 $ 270,736 $ 747,334
Industrial 29,814 560,382 590,196
Metallurgical 10,627 225,939 236,566
Total Coal Revenue 517,039 1,057,057 1,574,096
Terminal Revenue 80,755
Freight Revenue 217,435
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers $ 1,872,286
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Coal Revenue
The Company has disaggregated its coal revenue, derived from the PAMC and the Itmann Mining Complex, between domestic and export revenues, as well as between the industrial, power generation and metallurgical markets. Domestic coal revenue tends to be derived from contracts that typically have a term of one year or longer, and the pricing is typically fixed. Historically, export coal revenue tended to be derived from spot or shorter-term contracts with pricing determined closer to the time of shipment or based on a market index; however, the Company has secured several long-term export contracts with varying pricing arrangements. Coal revenue derived from the Itmann Mining Complex consists primarily of metallurgical coal sales, while coal revenue derived from the PAMC services the industrial, power generation and metallurgical markets due to the nature of its coal quality characteristics.
CONSOL Energy's coal revenue is recognized when the performance obligation has been satisfied, and the corresponding transaction price has been determined. Generally, title passes when coal is loaded at the coal preparation facilities, at terminal locations or other customer destinations. The Company's coal contract revenue per ton is fixed or determinable based upon either fixed forward pricing or pricing derived from established indices and adjusted for nominal quality characteristics. Some coal contracts also contain positive electric power price-related adjustments, which represent market-driven price adjustments, in addition to a fixed base price per ton. The Company's coal contracts generally do not allow for retroactive adjustments to pricing after title to the coal has passed and typically do not have significant financing components.
The estimated transaction price from each of the Company's contracts is based on the total amount of consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled under the contract. Included in the transaction price for certain coal supply contracts is the impact of variable consideration, including quality price adjustments, handling services and per ton price fluctuations based on certain coal sales price indices. The estimated transaction price for each contract is allocated to the Company's performance obligations based on relative stand-alone selling prices determined at contract inception. The Company has determined that each ton of coal represents a separate and distinct performance obligation.
While CONSOL Energy does, from time to time, experience costs of obtaining coal customer contracts with amortization periods greater than one year, those costs are generally immaterial. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company did not have any capitalized costs to obtain customer contracts on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company has not recognized any amortization of previously existing capitalized costs of obtaining customer contracts. Further, the Company has not recognized any coal revenue in the current period that is not a result of current period performance.
Terminal Revenue
Terminal revenues are attributable to the Company's CONSOL Marine Terminal and include revenues earned from providing receipt and unloading of coal from rail cars, transporting coal from the receipt point to temporary storage or stockpile facilities located at the Terminal, stockpiling, blending, weighing, sampling, redelivery, and loading of coal onto vessels. Revenues for these services are earned and performance obligations are considered fulfilled as the services are performed.
The CONSOL Marine Terminal does not normally experience material costs of obtaining customer contracts with amortization periods greater than one year. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company did not have any capitalized costs to obtain customer contracts on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company has not recognized any amortization of previously existing capitalized costs of obtaining Terminal customer contracts. Further, the Company has not recognized any Terminal revenue in the current period that is not a result of current period performance.
Freight Revenue
Some of CONSOL Energy's coal contracts require that the Company sell its coal at locations other than its coal preparation plants. The cost to transport the Company's coal to the ultimate sales point is passed through to the Company's customers and CONSOL Energy recognizes the freight revenue equal to the transportation costs when title to the coal passes to the customer.
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Other Revenue
Other revenue consists of revenue generated from carbon products and materials businesses led by CONSOL Innovations LLC, our wholly-owned subsidiary. This revenue is primarily comprised of sales of composite tools that are used in the aerospace industry. Revenues for these products are earned and recognized as the tools are built and progress toward product completion. Additionally, other revenue consists of revenue generated from the processing of third-party coal at the Itmann Mining Complex. Revenues for these services are earned and performance obligations are considered fulfilled as the services are performed. Other revenue is included within Miscellaneous Other Income in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.
Contract Balances
Contract assets, when present, are recorded separately from trade receivables in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and are reclassified to trade receivables as title passes to the customer and the Company's right to consideration becomes unconditional. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of a customer's financial condition and a customer's ability to perform its obligations. CONSOL Energy typically does not have material contract assets that are stated separately from trade receivables since the Company's performance obligations are satisfied as control of the goods or services passes to the customer, thereby granting the Company an unconditional right to receive consideration. Contract liabilities relate to consideration received in advance of the satisfaction of the Company's performance obligations. Contract liabilities are recognized as revenue at the point in time when control of the goods passes to the customer, or over time when services are provided.
NOTE 3-COMPONENTS OF PENSION AND OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT (OPEB) PLANS NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COSTS:
The components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) are as follows:
Pension Benefits Other Post-Employment Benefits
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023
Service Cost $ 302 $ 304 $ 906 $ 913 $ - $ - $ - $ -
Interest Cost 6,431 6,756 19,293 20,270 2,758 3,261 8,274 9,783
Expected Return on Plan Assets (7,991) (9,867) (23,973) (29,602) - - - -
Amortization of Prior Service Credits - - - - (601) (601) (1,804) (1,804)
Amortization of Actuarial Loss (Gain) 1,567 185 4,699 555 (70) - (209) -
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) $ 309 ($2,622) $ 925 ($7,864) $ 2,087 $ 2,660 $ 6,261 $ 7,979
Expenses (credits) related to pension and other post-employment benefits are reflected in Operating and Other Costs in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income are reflected in Operating and Other Costs in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
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NOTE 4-COMPONENTS OF COAL WORKERS' PNEUMOCONIOSIS (CWP) AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COSTS:
The components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost are as follows:
CWP Workers' Compensation
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023
Service Cost $ 746 $ 578 $ 2,239 $ 1,734 $ 1,465 $ 1,400 $ 4,393 $ 4,198
Interest Cost 2,066 2,071 6,198 6,214 572 628 1,717 1,885
Amortization of Actuarial Loss (Gain) 109 (261) 326 (784) (540) (512) (1,620) (1,537)
State Administrative Fees and Insurance Bond Premiums - - - - 464 471 1,393 1,482
Net Periodic Benefit Cost $ 2,921 $ 2,388 $ 8,763 $ 7,164 $ 1,961 $ 1,987 $ 5,883 $ 6,028
Expenses related to CWP and workers' compensation are reflected in Operating and Other Costs in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income are reflected in Operating and Other Costs in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
NOTE 5-INCOME TAXES:
The Company recorded its provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 of $17,539, or 15.5%, and $43,409, or 14.5%, respectively, of earnings before income taxes, based on its annual estimated income tax rate adjusted for discrete items. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21%, primarily due to the tax benefit for excess percentage depletion and foreign derived intangible income. These tax provision amounts also include discrete tax adjustments related to equity compensation and changes to uncertain tax positions.
The provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 of $21,032, or 17.3%,and $100,199, or 16.7%, respectively, of earnings before income taxes was based on the Company's annual estimated income tax rate adjusted for discrete items. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21%, primarily due to the tax benefit for excess percentage depletion and foreign derived intangible income. The tax provision amounts also included discrete tax adjustments primarily related to equity compensation.
The Company is subject to taxation in the United States and certain of its various states, as well as Canada and certain of its various provinces. The Company is subject to examination for the tax periods 2018 through 2023 for federal and state returns.
NOTE 6-CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:
The following table disaggregates CONSOL Energy's cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, which reconciles to the total shown on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
September 30,
2024 2023
Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 331,674 $ 167,586
Restricted Cash - Current(1)
37,941 46,313
Restricted Cash - Non-current - 2,095
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash $ 369,615 $ 215,994
(1) Restricted Cash - Current is included in Other Current Assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
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The components of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are disclosed in Note 6 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 9, 2024.
The Company has invested in marketable debt securities, primarily comprised of highly liquid U.S. Treasury securities. These investments are held in the custody of financial institutions. The securities outstanding at September 30, 2024 are classified as available-for-sale securities and have maturity dates ranging from October 2024 through July 2025, and are classified as current assets accordingly.
The Company's investments in available-for-sale securities are as follows:
September 30, 2024
Gross Unrealized
Amortized Cost Allowance for Credit Losses Gains Losses Fair Value
U.S. Treasury Securities $ 84,107 $ - $ 226 $ - $ 84,333
December 31, 2023
Gross Unrealized
Amortized Cost Allowance for Credit Losses Gains Losses Fair Value
U.S. Treasury Securities $ 81,829 $ - $ 103 $ - $ 81,932
Available-for-sale investments are reported at fair value in the accompanying balance sheet and any unrealized gains or losses are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. Any unrealized gains or losses in the Company's portfolio are a result of normal market fluctuations. Interest and dividends are included in net income when earned.
NOTE 7-CREDIT LOSSES:
Trade receivables are recorded at the invoiced amount. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of a customer's financial condition, the importance of the customer or market for future business and a customer's ability to perform its obligations. Trade receivable balances are monitored against approved credit terms. Credit terms are reviewed and adjusted as considered necessary based on changes to a customer's credit profile. If a customer's credit deteriorates, the Company may reduce credit risk exposure by reducing credit terms, obtaining letters of credit, obtaining credit insurance, or requiring pre-payment for shipments. Other non-trade contractual arrangements consist primarily of overriding royalty agreements and other financial arrangements between the Company and various counterparties.
The Company may be at risk of exposure to credit losses primarily through sales of products and services. The Company's expected loss allowance methodology for accounts receivable is developed using historical collection experience, current and future economic and market conditions and a review of the current status of customers' trade and other accounts receivables. Due to the short-term nature of such receivables, the estimate of the amount of accounts receivable that may not be collected is based on an aging of the accounts receivable balances and the financial condition of customers. Additionally, specific allowance amounts may be necessary from time to time and are established to record the appropriate provision for customers that have a higher probability of default. The Company's monitoring activities include timely account reconciliations, dispute resolution, payment confirmation, and consideration of customers' financial condition and macroeconomic conditions. Balances are written off when determined to be uncollectible.
Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for changes to the assessment of anticipated payment, changes in economic conditions, current industry trends in the markets the Company serves, and changes in the financial health of the Company's counterparties.
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The following table provides a roll-forward of the allowance for credit losses that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of accounts receivable and other non-trade contractual arrangements to present the net amount expected to be collected.
Trade Receivables Other Non-Trade Contractual
Arrangements
Beginning Balance, December 31, 2023 $ 466 $ 7,504
Provision for expected credit losses (131) (54)
Ending Balance, September 30, 2024 $ 335 $ 7,450
NOTE 8-INVENTORIES:
Inventory components consist of the following:
September 30,
2024
December 31,
2023
Coal $ 41,578 $ 17,128
Supplies 75,054 71,026
Total Inventories $ 116,632 $ 88,154
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost of coal inventories is determined by the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method. Coal inventory costs include labor, supplies, equipment costs, operating overhead, depreciation, depletion, amortization and other related costs. The cost of supplies inventory is determined by the average cost method and includes operating and maintenance supplies to be used in the Company's coal operations.
NOTE 9-ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SECURITIZATION:
At September 30, 2024, CONSOL Energy and certain of its U.S. subsidiaries are parties to a trade accounts receivable securitization facility with financial institutions for the sale on a continuous basis of eligible trade accounts receivable. In July 2022, the securitization facility was amended to, among other things, extend the maturity date to July 29, 2025.
Pursuant to the securitization facility, CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, sells trade receivables to CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. CONSOL Marine Terminals LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC sell and/or contribute trade receivables (including receivables sold to CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC by CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC) to CONSOL Funding LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the "SPV"). The SPV, in turn, pledges its interests in the receivables to PNC Bank, N.A., which either makes loans or issues letters of credit on behalf of the SPV. The maximum amount of advances and letters of credit outstanding under the securitization facility may not exceed $100,000.
Loans under the securitization facility accrue interest at a reserve-adjusted market index rate equal to the applicable term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"). Loans and letters of credit under the securitization facility also accrue a program fee and a letter of credit participation fee, respectively, ranging from 2.00% to 2.50% per annum depending on the total net leverage ratio of CONSOL Energy. In addition, the SPV paid certain structuring fees to PNC Capital Markets LLC and pays other customary fees to the lenders, including a fee on unused commitments equal to 0.60% per annum.
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At September 30, 2024, the Company's eligible accounts receivable yielded $57,465 of borrowing capacity. At September 30, 2024, the facility had no outstanding borrowings and $54,977 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving available borrowing capacity of $2,488. At December 31, 2023, the Company's eligible accounts receivable yielded $72,125 of borrowing capacity. At December 31, 2023, the facility had no outstanding borrowings and $72,087 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving available borrowing capacity of $38. Costs associated with the receivables facility totaled $354 and $1,066 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $323 and $1,060 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. The Company has not derecognized any receivables due to its continued involvement in the collections efforts.
NOTE 10-PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:
September 30,
2024
December 31,
2023
Plant and Equipment $ 3,584,192 $ 3,458,655
Coal Properties and Surface Lands 910,310 906,343
Airshafts 511,482 492,806
Mine Development 366,260 366,260
Advance Mining Royalties 329,470 328,340
Total Property, Plant and Equipment 5,701,714 5,552,404
Less: Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 3,792,369 3,649,281
Total Property, Plant and Equipment - Net $ 1,909,345 $ 1,903,123
Coal reserves are either owned in fee or controlled by lease. The duration of the leases vary; however, the lease terms are generally extended automatically to the exhaustion of economically recoverable reserves, as long as active mining continues. Coal interests held by lease provide the same rights as fee ownership for mineral extraction and are legally considered real property interests.
As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, property, plant and equipment includes gross assets under finance leases of $28,269 and $44,622, respectively. Accumulated amortization for finance leases was $19,765 and $31,873 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Amortization expense for assets under finance leases approximated $2,110 and $6,524 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $7,652 and $20,369 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and is included in Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.
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NOTE 11-OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES:
September 30,
2024
December 31,
2023
Subsidence Liability $ 112,678 $ 105,322
Accrued Compensation and Benefits 48,908 73,763
Accrued Other Taxes 10,092 12,276
Accrued Income Taxes 9,569 -
Deferred Revenue 3,775 9,517
Accrued Interest 3,125 6,283
Other 16,851 10,457
Current Portion of Long-Term Liabilities:
Asset Retirement Obligations 33,984 28,571
Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions 19,237 19,327
Pneumoconiosis Benefits 14,496 15,071
Workers' Compensation 9,293 10,019
Total Other Accrued Liabilities $ 282,008 $ 290,606
NOTE 12-LONG-TERM DEBT:
September 30,
2024
December 31,
2023
Debt:
MEDCO Revenue Bonds in Series due September 2025 at 5.75%
$ 102,865 $ 102,865
9.00% PEDFA Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds due April 2028
75,000 75,000
Advance Royalty Commitments (8.80% Weighted Average Interest Rate)
5,922 5,922
Other Debt Arrangements 4,399 1,419
Less: Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs (1,331) (1,686)
186,855 183,520
Less: Amounts Due in One Year* (107,519) (1,635)
Long-Term Debt $ 79,336 $ 181,885
* Excludes current portion of Finance Lease Obligations of $4,379 and $9,471 at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Revolving Credit Facility
In November 2017, CONSOL Energy entered into a revolving credit facility with PNC Bank, N.A. (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). The Revolving Credit Facility has been amended several times, the most recent of which occurred in June 2023. This amendment increased the available revolving commitments from $260,000 to $355,000 and provides for the Company's ability to increase the revolving commitments or issue term loans in an additional amount not to exceed $45,000 and up to an aggregate total amount of $400,000. The maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility is July 18, 2026.
Borrowings under the Company's Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a floating rate that is, at the Company's option, either (i) SOFR plus the applicable SOFR adjustment (as defined therein) depending on the applicable interest period plus an applicable margin or (ii) an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for the Revolving Credit Facility depends on the Company's total net leverage ratio and this rate resets quarterly. Obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed by (i) all owners of the PAMC held by the Company, (ii) any other members of the Company's group that own any portion of the collateral securing the Revolving Credit Facility, and (iii) subject to certain customary exceptions and agreed materiality thresholds, all other existing or future direct or indirect wholly-owned restricted subsidiaries of the Company. The obligations are secured by, subject to certain exceptions (including a limitation of pledges of equity interests in certain subsidiaries and certain thresholds with respect to real
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property), a first-priority lien on (i) the Company's interest in the PAMC, (ii) the equity interests in PA Mining Complex LP held by the Company, (iii) the CONSOL Marine Terminal, (iv) the Itmann Mining Complex and (v) the 1.3 billion tons of Greenfield Reserves and Resources.
The Revolving Credit Facility contains a number of customary affirmative covenants and a number of negative covenants, including (subject to certain exceptions) limitations on (among other things): indebtedness, liens, investments, acquisitions, dispositions, restricted payments and prepayments of junior indebtedness. The Revolving Credit Facility also includes covenants relating to (i) a maximum first lien gross leverage ratio, (ii) a maximum total net leverage ratio, and (iii) a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The maximum first lien gross leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of Consolidated First Lien Debt to Consolidated EBITDA. Consolidated EBITDA, as used in the covenant calculation, excludes non-cash compensation expenses, non-recurring transaction expenses, extraordinary gains and losses, gains and losses on discontinued operations and gains and losses on debt extinguishment. The maximum total net leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness, minus Cash on Hand, to Consolidated EBITDA. The minimum fixed charge coverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Fixed Charges. Consolidated Fixed Charges, as used in the covenant calculation, include cash interest payments, cash payments for income taxes, scheduled debt repayments, Maintenance Capital Expenditures and cash payments related to legacy employee liabilities to the extent in excess of amounts accrued in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA. Under the Revolving Credit Facility, the maximum first lien gross leverage ratio shall be 1.50 to 1.00, the maximum total net leverage ratio shall be 2.50 to 1.00 and the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio shall be 1.10 to 1.00.
The Company's first lien gross leverage ratio was 0.02 to 1.00 at September 30, 2024. The Company's total net leverage ratio was (0.31) to 1.00 at September 30, 2024. The Company's fixed charge coverage ratio was 2.88 to 1.00 at September 30, 2024. The Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under the Revolving Credit Facility as of September 30, 2024.
At September 30, 2024, the Revolving Credit Facility had no borrowings outstanding and $123,873 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $231,127 of unused capacity. At December 31, 2023, the Revolving Credit Facility had no borrowings outstanding and $111,186 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $243,814 of unused capacity. From time to time, CONSOL Energy is required to post financial assurances to satisfy contractual and other requirements generated in the normal course of business. Some of these assurances are posted to comply with federal, state or other government agencies' statutes and regulations. CONSOL Energy sometimes uses letters of credit to satisfy these requirements and these letters of credit reduce the Company's borrowing facility capacity.
The SPV is not a guarantor of the Revolving Credit Facility, and the SPV holds the assets pledged to the lender in the securitization facility. The SPV had total assets of $129,143 and $147,918, comprised mainly of $128,901 and $147,612 trade receivables, net, at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Net income attributable to the SPV was $528 and $235 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $775 and $4,843 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which primarily reflected intercompany fees related to purchasing the receivables, which are eliminated in the Consolidated Financial Statements contained within this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, there were no borrowings or payments under the accounts receivable securitization facility. See Note 9 - Accounts Receivable Securitization for additional information.
PEDFA Bonds
In April 2021, CONSOL Energy borrowed the proceeds received from the sale of tax-exempt bonds issued by the Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority ("PEDFA") in an aggregate principal amount of $75,000 (the "PEDFA Bonds"). The PEDFA Bonds bear interest at a fixed rate of 9.00% for an initial term of seven years. The PEDFA Bonds mature on April 1, 2051 but are subject to mandatory purchase by the Company on April 13, 2028, at the expiration of the initial term rate period. The PEDFA Bonds were issued pursuant to an indenture (the "PEDFA Indenture") dated as of April 1, 2021, by and between PEDFA and Wilmington Trust, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee (the "PEDFA Notes Trustee"). PEDFA made a loan of the proceeds of the PEDFA Bonds to the Company pursuant to a Loan Agreement (the "Loan Agreement") dated as of April 1, 2021 between PEDFA and the Company. Under the terms of the Loan Agreement, the Company agreed to make all payments of principal, interest and other amounts at any time due on the PEDFA Bonds or under the PEDFA Indenture. PEDFA assigned its rights as lender under the Loan Agreement, excluding certain reserved rights, to the PEDFA Notes Trustee. Certain subsidiaries of the Company (the "PEDFA Notes Guarantors") executed a Guaranty Agreement (the "Guaranty") dated as of April 1, 2021 in favor of the PEDFA Notes Trustee, guarantying the obligations of the Company under the Loan Agreement to pay the PEDFA Bonds when and as due. The obligations of the Company under the Loan Agreement and of the PEDFA Notes Guarantors under the Guaranty are secured by second priority liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company and the PEDFA Notes Guarantors. The Loan Agreement and Guaranty incorporate by reference covenants in the Indenture, dated as of November 13, 2017 by and between the Company and UMB Bank, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee and collateral trustee, under
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which the 11.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2025 (the "Second Lien Notes") were issued, including covenants that limited the ability of the Company and certain subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors, to (i) incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock; (ii) create liens to secure indebtedness; (iii) declare or pay dividends on the Company's common stock, redeem stock or make other distributions to the Company's stockholders; (iv) make investments; (v) pay or make dividends, loans or other asset transfers from the Company's restricted subsidiaries; (vi) merge or consolidate, or sell, transfer, lease or dispose of substantially all of the Company's assets; (vii) sell or otherwise dispose of certain assets, including equity interests in subsidiaries; (viii) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (ix) create unrestricted subsidiaries. These covenants were subject to important exceptions and qualifications.
The Company started a capital construction project on the PAMC coarse refuse disposal area in 2017, which is now funded, in part, by the proceeds from the PEDFA Bonds. The Company expects to expend these funds as qualified work is completed. The Company utilized restricted cash in the amount of $5,206 and $12,247 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $8,442 and $16,313 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, for qualified expenses. Additionally, the Company had $261 and $12,177 in restricted cash at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, associated with this financing that will be used to fund future spending on the coarse refuse disposal area.
NOTE 13-COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES:
The Company is subject to various lawsuits and claims with respect to such matters as personal injury, wrongful death, damage to property, exposure to hazardous substances, governmental regulations including environmental remediation, employment and contract disputes and other claims and actions arising out of the normal course of business. The Company accrues the estimated loss for these lawsuits and claims when the loss is probable and reasonably estimable. The Company's estimated accruals related to these pending claims, individually and in the aggregate, are immaterial to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company as of September 30, 2024. It is possible that the aggregate loss in the future with respect to these lawsuits and claims could ultimately be material to the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows; however, such amounts cannot be reasonably estimated. The amount claimed against the Company as of September 30, 2024 is disclosed below when an amount is expressly stated in the lawsuit or claim, which is not often the case.
Fitzwater and Casey Litigation:In 2016, three nonunion retired coal miners sued Fola Coal Company LLC, Consolidation Coal Company ("CCC") and CONSOL of Kentucky Inc. ("COK") (as well as the Company's former parent) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia alleging ERISA violations in the termination of retiree health care benefits (the "Fitzwater Lawsuit"). The Plaintiffs contend they relied to their detriment on oral statements and promises of "lifetime health benefits" allegedly made by various members of management during Plaintiffs' employment and that they were allegedly denied access to Summary Plan Documents that clearly reserved to the Company the right to modify or terminate the Retiree Health and Welfare Plan subject to Plaintiffs' claims. Pursuant to Plaintiffs' amended complaint filed on April 24, 2017, Plaintiffs request that retiree health benefits be reinstated and seek to represent a class of all nonunion retirees who were associated with AMVEST and COK areas of operation. On August 23, 2017, a class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of two nonunion retired coal miners against CCC, COK, CONSOL Buchanan Mining Co., LLC and Kurt Salvatori, the Company's Chief Administrative Officer, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia alleging similar allegations (the "Casey Lawsuit").
On December 1, 2017, the trial court judge in the Fitzwater Lawsuit consolidated the Fitzwater Lawsuit with the Casey Lawsuit (collectively, the "Fitzwater Litigation"). The complaint was amended on March 1, 2018 to add new plaintiffs, add defendant CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC and eliminate defendant CONSOL Buchanan Mining Co., LLC in an attempt to expand the class of retirees. On October 15, 2019, Plaintiffs' supplemental motion for class certification was denied on all counts. On July 15, 2020, Plaintiffs filed an interlocutory appeal with the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on the Order denying class certification. The Fourth Circuit denied Plaintiffs' appeal on August 14, 2020. The District Court held a trial in February 2021 and issued a ruling on September 30, 2024 in favor of two of the eight plaintiffs. On October 15, 2024, Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal of the ruling. As a result of this ruling, the Company has accrued a nominal amount as of September 30, 2024, which is included in Other Accrued Liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet.
United Mine Workers of America 1992 Benefit Plan Litigation:In 2013, Murray Energy and its subsidiaries ("Murray") entered into a stock purchase agreement (the "Murray sale agreement") with the Company's former parent pursuant to which Murray acquired the stock of CCC and certain subsidiaries and certain other assets and liabilities. At the time of sale, the liabilities included certain retiree medical liabilities under the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992 ("Coal Act") and certain federal black lung liabilities under the Black Lung Benefits Act ("BLBA"). Based upon information available, the Company estimates that the annual servicing costs of these liabilities are approximately $10 million to $20 million per year for the next ten years. The annual servicing cost would decline each year since the
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beneficiaries of the Coal Act consist principally of miners who retired prior to 1994. Murray filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2019. As part of the bankruptcy proceedings, Murray unilaterally entered into a settlement with the United Mine Workers of America 1992 Benefit Plan (the "1992 Benefit Plan") to transfer retirees in the Murray Energy Section 9711 Plan to the 1992 Benefit Plan. This was approved by the bankruptcy court on April 30, 2020. On May 2, 2020, the 1992 Benefit Plan filed an action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia asking the court to make a determination whether the Company's former parent or the Company has any continuing retiree medical liabilities under the Coal Act (the "1992 Plan Lawsuit"). The Murray sale agreement includes indemnification by Murray with respect to the Coal Act and BLBA liabilities. In addition, the Company had agreed to indemnify its former parent relative to certain pre-separation liabilities. As of September 16, 2020, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with Murray and withdrew its claims in bankruptcy. On September 11, 2020, the Defendants in the 1992 Plan Lawsuit filed a Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs' Second Amended Complaint which was denied by the Court on March 29, 2022. The Company will continue to vigorously defend any claims that attempt to transfer any of such liabilities directly or indirectly to the Company, including raising all applicable defenses against the 1992 Benefit Plan's suit. With respect to this lawsuit, while a loss is reasonably possible, it is not probable and, as a result, no accrual has been recorded.
United Mine Workers of America 1974 Pension Plan Litigation:On March 7, 2024, the Company's former parent filed a complaint (the "Indemnification Lawsuit") in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware against the Company that stated that the Company's former parent had settled potential claims asserted by the United Mine Workers of America 1974 Pension Plan ("1974 Plan") against the Company's former parent for a total settlement amount of $75,000 to be paid over a five year period, in exchange for a full release by the 1974 Plan of the Company's former parent, the Company and their affiliates. In the Indemnification Lawsuit, the Company's former parent is seeking (i) indemnification from the Company under the 2017 Separation and Distribution Agreement between the Company and its former parent for the $75,000 settlement plus the Company's former parent's alleged legal expenses related to its settlement with the 1974 Plan, (ii) the costs and expenses the Company's former parent incurs in connection with the Indemnification Lawsuit, (iii) pre- and post-judgment interest, (iv) punitive damages and (v) any other relief the court deems just and proper. On May 9, 2024, the Company's former parent filed a Motion for Summary Judgment while the Company filed a brief in opposition of the motion on June 27, 2024, with briefing concluding on July 19, 2024. Oral arguments were held in the third quarter of 2024. The Court has not yet ruled on this motion. The Company does not believe that it has any obligations to indemnify its former parent under the Separation and Distribution Agreement with respect to its former parent's settlement with the 1974 Plan and intends to vigorously defend itself against all claims asserted against it in the Indemnification Lawsuit. With respect to this lawsuit, while a loss is reasonably possible, it is not probable and, as a result, no accrual has been recorded.
The Company and various subsidiaries are defendants in certain other legal proceedings. In the opinion of management, based upon an investigation of these matters and discussion with legal counsel, the ultimate outcome of such other legal proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
The following is a summary, as of September 30, 2024, of the financial guarantees, unconditional purchase obligations and letters of credit to certain third parties. Employee-related financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support the 1992 Benefit Plan and federal black lung and various state workers' compensation self-insurance programs. Environmental financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support various performance bonds related to reclamation and other environmental issues. Other financial guarantees have been extended to support sales contracts, insurance policies, surety indemnity agreements, legal matters, full and timely payments of mining equipment leases, and various other items necessary in the normal course of business. These amounts represent the maximum potential of total future payments that the Company could be required to make under these instruments. Certain letters of credit included in the table below were issued against other commitments included in this table. These amounts have not been reduced for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions. Generally, recoveries under reclamation bonds would be limited to the extent of the work performed at the time of the default. No amounts related to these commitments are recorded as liabilities in the financial statements. The Company's management believes that these commitments will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition.
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Amount of Commitment Expiration per Period
Total Amounts Committed Less Than 1 Year 1-3 Years 3-5 Years Beyond 5 Years
Letters of Credit:
Employee-Related $ 47,446 $ 29,635 $ 17,811 $ - $ -
Environmental 398 398 - - -
Other 131,006 117,606 13,400 - -
Total Letters of Credit $ 178,850 $ 147,639 $ 31,211 $ - $ -
Surety Bonds:
Employee-Related $ 80,210 $ 80,210 $ - $ - $ -
Environmental 528,597 528,597 - - -
Other 4,071 4,071 - - -
Total Surety Bonds $ 612,878 $ 612,878 $ - $ - $ -
The Company regularly evaluates the likelihood of default for all guarantees based on an expected loss analysis and records the fair value, if any, of its guarantees as an obligation in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
NOTE 14-FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
CONSOL Energy determines the fair value of assets and liabilities based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The fair values are based on assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in valuation techniques and the inputs to valuations. The fair value hierarchy is based on whether the inputs to valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources (including SOFR-based discount rates and U.S. Treasury-based rates), while unobservable inputs reflect the Company's own assumptions of what market participants would use.
The fair value hierarchy includes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value as described below.
Level One - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. The Company's Level 1 assets include marketable debt securities, primarily highly liquid U.S. Treasury securities.
Level Two - The fair value of the assets and liabilities included in Level 2 are based on standard industry income approach models that use significant observable inputs, including SOFR-based discount rates and U.S. Treasury-based rates.
Level Three - Unobservable inputs significant to the fair value measurement supported by little or no market activity.
In those cases when the inputs used to measure fair value meet the definition of more than one level of the fair value hierarchy, the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its totality determines the applicable level in the fair value hierarchy.
The financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
Fair Value Measurements at Fair Value Measurements at
September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
Description Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
U.S. Treasury Securities $ 84,333 $ - $ - $ 81,932 $ - $ -
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value for which the fair value option was not elected:
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Long-term debt:The fair value of long-term debt is measured using unadjusted quoted market prices or estimated using discounted cash flow analyses. The discounted cash flow analyses are based on current market rates for instruments with similar cash flows.
The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments for which the fair value option was not elected are as follows:
September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Long-Term Debt (Excluding Debt Issuance Costs) $ 188,186 $ 202,560 $ 185,206 $ 199,591
Certain of the Company's debt is actively traded on a public market and, as a result, constitutes Level 1 fair value measurements. The portion of the Company's debt obligations that is not actively traded is valued through reference to the applicable underlying benchmark rate and, as a result, constitutes Level 2 fair value measurements.
NOTE 15-SEGMENT INFORMATION:
The Company reports segment information based on the "management" approach. The management approach designates the internal reporting used by management to make decisions on and assess performance of the Company's reportable segments. CONSOL Energy presently consists of two reportable segments, the PAMC and the CONSOL Marine Terminal. The PAMC includes the Bailey Mine, the Enlow Fork Mine, the Harvey Mine and a centralized preparation plant. The PAMC segment's principal activities include the mining, preparation and marketing of bituminous coal, sold primarily to industrial end-users, power generators and metallurgical end-users. The CONSOL Marine Terminal provides coal export terminal services through the Port of Baltimore. General and administrative costs are allocated to the Company's segments based on a percentage of resources utilized, a percentage of total revenue and a percentage of total projected capital expenditures. CONSOL Energy's Other segment includes revenue and expenses from various corporate and diversified business activities that are not allocated to the PAMC or the CONSOL Marine Terminal segments. The diversified business activities currently include the Itmann Mining Complex, carbon products and materials businesses led by CONSOL Innovations LLC, the Greenfield Reserves and Resources, closed mine activities, other income, gain on asset sales related to non-core assets, and gain/loss on debt extinguishment. Additionally, interest expense and income taxes, as well as various other non-operated activities, none of which are individually significant to the Company, are also reflected in CONSOL Energy's Other segment and are not allocated to the PAMC and CONSOL Marine Terminal segments.
The Company evaluates the performance of its segments utilizing Adjusted EBITDA and various productivity metrics. Adjusted EBITDA measures the operating performance of the Company's segments and is used to allocate resources to the Company's segments.
Reportable segment results for the three months ended September 30, 2024 are:
PAMC CONSOL Marine Terminal Other, Corporate and Eliminations Consolidated
Coal Revenue $ 439,730 $ - $ 22,759 $ 462,489
Terminal Revenue - 23,740 - 23,740
Freight Revenue 62,219 - 1,187 63,406
Other Revenue - - 3,797 3,797
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers $ 501,949 $ 23,740 $ 27,743 $ 553,432
Adjusted EBITDA $ 173,906 $ 15,917 $ (10,645) $ 179,178
Segment Assets $ 1,778,921 $ 87,602 $ 957,594 $ 2,824,117
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization $ 44,663 $ 1,342 $ 7,324 $ 53,329
Capital Expenditures $ 30,743 $ 2,805 $ 5,840 $ 39,388
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Reportable segment results for the three months ended September 30, 2023 are:
PAMC CONSOL Marine Terminal Other, Corporate and Eliminations Consolidated
Coal Revenue $ 431,090 $ - $ 18,528 $ 449,618
Terminal Revenue - 22,676 - 22,676
Freight Revenue 64,507 - 3,865 68,372
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers $ 495,597 $ 22,676 $ 22,393 $ 540,666
Adjusted EBITDA $ 183,790 $ 14,853 $ (13,135) $ 185,508
Segment Assets $ 1,616,224 $ 83,422 $ 959,869 $ 2,659,515
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization $ 50,663 $ 1,181 $ 6,948 $ 58,792
Capital Expenditures $ 35,404 $ 2,630 $ 3,633 $ 41,667
Reportable segment results for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 are:
PAMC CONSOL Marine Terminal Other, Corporate and Eliminations Consolidated
Coal Revenue $ 1,240,359 $ - $ 79,379 $ 1,319,738
Terminal Revenue - 60,288 - 60,288
Freight Revenue 192,569 - 6,319 198,888
Other Revenue - - 11,927 11,927
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers $ 1,432,928 $ 60,288 $ 97,625 $ 1,590,841
Adjusted EBITDA $ 481,685 $ 37,925 $ (34,141) $ 485,469
Segment Assets $ 1,778,921 $ 87,602 $ 957,594 $ 2,824,117
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization $ 136,607 $ 3,816 $ 24,750 $ 165,173
Capital Expenditures $ 114,744 $ 7,605 $ 14,799 $ 137,148
Reportable segment results for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 are:
PAMC CONSOL Marine Terminal Other, Corporate and Eliminations Consolidated
Coal Revenue $ 1,515,603 $ - $ 58,493 $ 1,574,096
Terminal Revenue - 80,755 - 80,755
Freight Revenue 206,725 - 10,710 217,435
Total Revenue from Contracts with Customers $ 1,722,328 $ 80,755 $ 69,203 $ 1,872,286
Adjusted EBITDA $ 784,819 $ 59,324 $ (36,385) $ 807,758
Segment Assets $ 1,616,224 $ 83,422 $ 959,869 $ 2,659,515
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization $ 152,302 $ 3,513 $ 27,056 $ 182,871
Capital Expenditures $ 99,706 $ 4,329 $ 13,714 $ 117,749
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For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company's reportable segments had revenues from the following customers, each comprising over 10% of the Company's total sales:
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Customer A $ 67,016 $ 69,322 $ 176,844 $ 220,726
Customer B $ 63,473 $ 72,335 $ 172,394 $ 207,746
Reconciliation of Segment Information to Consolidated Amounts:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
PAMC CONSOL Marine Terminal Other Consolidated
Net Income (Loss) $ 129,393 $ 12,966 $ (46,727) $ 95,632
Income Tax Expense - - 17,539 17,539
Interest Expense - 1,516 3,148 4,664
Interest Income (1,795) - (3,221) (5,016)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 44,663 1,342 7,324 53,329
Stock-Based Compensation 1,645 93 313 2,051
Merger-Related Expenses - - 10,979 10,979
Adjusted EBITDA $ 173,906 $ 15,917 $ (10,645) $ 179,178
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
PAMC CONSOL Marine Terminal Other Consolidated
Net Income (Loss) $ 132,442 $ 12,098 $ (43,815) $ 100,725
Income Tax Expense - - 21,032 21,032
Interest Expense - 1,524 5,121 6,645
Interest Income (723) - (3,301) (4,024)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 50,663 1,181 6,948 58,792
Stock-Based Compensation 1,408 50 218 1,676
Loss on Debt Extinguishment - - 662 662
Adjusted EBITDA $ 183,790 $ 14,853 $ (13,135) $ 185,508
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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
PAMC CONSOL Marine Terminal Other Consolidated
Net Income (Loss) $ 341,859 $ 29,118 $ (115,393) $ 255,584
Income Tax Expense - - 43,409 43,409
Interest Expense - 4,555 10,508 15,063
Interest Income (4,408) - (9,737) (14,145)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 136,607 3,816 24,750 165,173
Stock-Based Compensation 7,627 436 1,343 9,406
Merger-Related Expenses - - 10,979 10,979
Adjusted EBITDA $ 481,685 $ 37,925 $ (34,141) $ 485,469
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
PAMC CONSOL Marine Terminal Other Consolidated
Net Income (Loss) $ 627,053 $ 50,981 $ (179,209) $ 498,825
Income Tax Expense - - 100,199 100,199
Interest Expense - 4,576 19,503 24,079
Interest Income (1,644) - (7,758) (9,402)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 152,302 3,513 27,056 182,871
Stock-Based Compensation 7,108 254 1,099 8,461
Loss on Debt Extinguishment - - 2,725 2,725
Adjusted EBITDA $ 784,819 $ 59,324 $ (36,385) $ 807,758
NOTE 16-STOCK AND DEBT REPURCHASES:
In December 2017, CONSOL Energy's Board of Directors approved a program to repurchase, from time to time, the Company's outstanding shares of common stock or its Second Lien Notes. Since the program's inception, the Company's Board of Directors has subsequently amended the program several times. The most recent amendment occurred in April 2023, in which the aggregate limit of the Company's repurchase authority was raised to $1,000,000. The program terminates on December 31, 2024. The Company has suspended share repurchases until the Merger is completed (see Note 17 for additional information).
Under the terms of the program, CONSOL Energy is permitted to make repurchases in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, accelerated repurchase programs or in structured share repurchase programs. CONSOL Energy is also authorized to enter into one or more 10b5-1 plans with respect to any of the repurchases. Any repurchases of common stock or notes are to be funded from available cash on hand or short-term borrowings. The program does not obligate CONSOL Energy to acquire any particular amount of its common stock or notes, and the program can be modified or suspended at any time at the Company's discretion. The program is conducted in compliance with applicable legal requirements imposed by any credit agreement, receivables purchase agreement or indenture.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not make any open market repurchases of its Second Lien Notes in accordance with this program; all remaining outstanding Second Lien Notes were redeemed by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company repurchased and retired 747,351 and 3,980,389 shares of the Company's common stock at an average price of $89.49 and $67.68 per share, respectively.
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NOTE 17-PROPOSED MERGER
On August 20, 2024, the Company, Mountain Range Merger Sub Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("Merger Sub"), and Arch Resources, Inc. ("Arch") entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement"). Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into Arch (the "Merger"), with Arch thereafter being a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, each share of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Arch (the "Arch Class A common stock") and Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Arch (the "Arch Class B common stock" and together with the Arch Class A common stock, the "Arch common stock"), that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (other than shares of Arch common stock held by Arch as treasury shares or shares of Arch common stock held by the Company or Merger Sub immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger and in each case, not held on behalf of third parties and shares of Arch common stock that are owned by any subsidiary of Arch or the Company other than Merger Sub) will be converted automatically into the right to receive, without interest, 1.326 fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company ("CONSOL common stock") (with cash in lieu of fractional shares).
The Merger Agreement imposes certain restrictions on the conduct of the business of the Company until the closing, such as a requirement to operate in the ordinary course of business and limitations on, among other things, dividends, stock repurchases and debt repurchases, subject, in each case, to certain exceptions.
The Merger is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2025, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain customary closing conditions, including approval by the Company's and Arch's stockholders.
The Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights for both the Company and Arch. In the event of a termination of the Merger Agreement under certain specified circumstances, the Company or Arch may be required to pay the other party a termination fee of $82 million or an expense reimbursement of up to $23.5 million.
NOTE 18-SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On October 2, 2024, CONSOL Mining Company LLC, Helvetia Coal Company LLC and Laurel Run Mining Company LLC voluntarily entered into a Post-Mining Discharge Treatment Trust Consent Order and Agreement ("CO&A") with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The CO&A serves as an approved alternative financial assurance mechanism associated with the Company's perpetual water treatment obligations located in Pennsylvania and establishes a Global Water Treatment Trust Fund ("WTTF"). The WTTF is a long-term funding mechanism with an initial value of $74.2 million funded by a combination of cash (approximately $12 million) and surety bonds (approximately $62 million) pledged to the WTTF to fund these obligations over time, reducing the Company's exposure to surety bonds and their collateral requirements. The Company has agreed to a minimum $2 million annual contribution into the WTTF, while reserving the option to pre-pay into the WTTF at any time and with no cap on the pre-payment amount.
On November 5, 2024, CONSOL Energy announced a $0.25/share dividend in an aggregate amount of approximately $7 million, payable on November 26, 2024 to all stockholders of record as of November 15, 2024.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and corresponding notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. In addition, this Form 10-Q report should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements for the three-year period ended December 31, 2023 included in CONSOL Energy Inc.'s Form 10-K, filed on February 9, 2024. This MD&A contains forward-looking statements and the matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. Please see "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements" for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.
All amounts discussed are in millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated. All tons discussed are on a clean coal equivalent basis.
Recent Developments
On August 20, 2024, the Company and Mountain Range Merger Sub Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("Merger Sub"), entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Arch Resources, Inc. ("Arch") which provides for the combination of the Company and Arch in an all-stock merger transaction. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into Arch (the "Merger"), with Arch thereafter being a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each share of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Arch (the "Arch Class A common stock") and Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Arch (the "Arch Class B common stock" and together with the Arch Class A common stock, the "Arch common stock") will be automatically converted into the right to receive, without interest, 1.326 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "CONSOL common stock") (with cash in lieu of fractional shares). Consummation of the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain customary closing conditions, including approval by the Company's stockholders and approval by Arch's stockholders. See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the Merger Agreement and the Merger.
Our Business
We are a leading, low-cost producer of high-quality bituminous coal, focused on the extraction and preparation of coal in the Appalachian Basin due to our ability to efficiently produce and deliver large volumes of high-quality coal at competitive prices, the strategic location of our mines and the industry experience of our management team.
Our most significant tangible assets are the PAMC and the CONSOL Marine Terminal. Coal from the PAMC is valued because of its high energy content (as measured in Btu per pound), relatively low levels of sulfur and other impurities, and strong thermoplastic properties that enable it to be used in metallurgical, industrial and power generation applications. We take advantage of these desirable quality characteristics and our extensive logistical network, which is directly served by both the Norfolk Southern Corporation ("Norfolk Southern") and CSX Transportation Inc. ("CSX") railroads, coupled with the operational synergies afforded by the CONSOL Marine Terminal, to aggressively market our product to a broad base of diverse and strategically selected industrial and metallurgical end users globally. We also continue to support top-performing power plant customers in the eastern United States and abroad.
We are continuing to expand our presence in the metallurgical coal market through our Itmann Mining Complex in West Virginia. The Itmann Preparation Plant was constructed in 2022 and shipped its first train in October 2022. The plant includes a train loadout located on the Guyandotte Class I rail line, which can be served by both Norfolk Southern and CSX.
Our operations, including the PAMC and the CONSOL Marine Terminal, have consistently generated strong free cash flows. As of December 31, 2023, the PAMC controls 583.5 million tons of high-quality Pittsburgh seam reserves, enough to allow for an equivalent of more than 20 years of full-capacity production. As of December 31, 2023, the Itmann Mining Complex includes 28.4 million tons of recoverable coal reserves that are sufficient to support an equivalent of more than 30 years of full-capacity production, based on our current estimates. In addition, we own or control approximately 1.3 billion tons of Greenfield Reserves and Resources, portions of which are located in the Northern Appalachian Basin ("NAPP"), the Central Appalachian Basin ("CAPP") and the Illinois Basin ("ILB"). Our vision is to maximize cash flow generation through the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of our core asset base, while maintaining a strong balance sheet and liquidity, returning capital through share buybacks and/or dividends, and, when prudent, allocating capital toward compelling growth and diversification opportunities.
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Our core businesses consist of our:
Pennsylvania Mining Complex: The PAMC, which includes the Bailey Mine, the Enlow Fork Mine, the Harvey Mine and the Central Preparation Plant, has extensive high-quality coal reserves. We mine our reserves from the Pittsburgh No. 8 Coal Seam, which is a large contiguous formation of high-Btu coal that is ideal for high productivity, low-cost longwall mining operations. The design of the PAMC is optimized to produce large quantities of coal on a cost-efficient basis. We can sustain high production volumes at comparatively low operating costs due to, among other things, our technologically advanced longwall mining systems, logistics infrastructure and safety. All our mines at the PAMC utilize longwall mining, which is a highly automated underground mining technique that produces large volumes of coal at lower costs compared to other underground mining methods.
CONSOL Marine Terminal: Through our subsidiary CONSOL Marine Terminals LLC, we provide coal export terminal services through the Port of Baltimore. The terminal can either store coal or load coal directly into vessels from rail cars. It is also the only major east coast United States coal terminal served by two Class I railroads, Norfolk Southern and CSX.
Itmann Mining Complex: Construction of the Itmann No. 5 Mine, located in Wyoming County, West Virginia, began in the second half of 2019; development mining began in April 2020, and the coal preparation plant commenced shipments in October 2022. The operation continued its ramp up progress in 2023 and 2024 with a focus on mains development and increasing staffing levels, both of which are needed for the long-term viability of the mine. The Company anticipates approximately 900 thousand tons per year of high-quality, low-vol coking coal production from the Itmann No. 5 Mine once it achieves its full run rate, with an anticipated mine life of 30+ years. The preparation plant also includes a rail loadout and the capability for processing up to an additional 750 thousand to 1 million saleable tons annually from third parties and mining of our surrounding reserves. This additional processing revenue provides an avenue of growth for the Company.
These low-cost assets and the diverse markets they serve provide us opportunities to generate cash across a wide variety of demand and pricing scenarios. The three mines at the PAMC operate up to five longwalls, and the production from all three mines is processed at a single, centralized preparation plant, which is connected via conveyor belts to each mine. The Central Preparation Plant, which can clean and process up to 9,000 raw tons of coal per hour, provides economies of scale while also maintaining the ability to segregate and blend coal based on quality. This infrastructure enables us to tailor our production levels and quality specifications to meet market demands. It also results in a highly productive, low-cost operation compared to other NAPP coal mines, with the PAMC averaging 7.50 tons of coal production per employee hour in 2022 and 2023. We believe our substantial capital investment in the PAMC will enable us to maintain high production volumes, low operating costs and a strong safety and environmental compliance record, which we believe are key to supporting stable financial performance and cash flows throughout business and commodity price cycles.
How We Evaluate Our Operations
Our management team uses a variety of financial and operating metrics to analyze our performance. These metrics are significant factors in assessing our operating results and profitability. The metrics include: (i) adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure; (ii) coal production, sales volumes and average coal revenue per ton sold; (iii) cost of coal sold, a non-GAAP financial measure; (iv) cash cost of coal sold, a non-GAAP financial measure; (v) average cash cost of coal sold per ton, an operating ratio derived from non-GAAP financial measures; and (vi) average cash margin per ton sold, an operating ratio derived from non-GAAP financial measures.
We believe that adjusted EBITDA provides a helpful measure of comparing our operating performance with the performance of other companies that have different financing, capital structures and tax rates than ours. We believe cost of coal sold, cash cost of coal sold, average cash cost of coal sold per ton, and average cash margin per ton sold normalize the volatility contained within comparable GAAP measures by adjusting for certain non-operating or non-cash transactions. Each of these non-GAAP metrics are used as supplemental financial measures by management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, industry analysts, lenders and ratings agencies, to assess:
our operating performance compared to the operating performance of other companies in the coal industry, without regard to financing methods, historical cost basis, tax rates or capital structure;
the ability of our assets to generate sufficient cash flow;
our ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures;
the viability of acquisitions and other capital expenditure projects and the returns on investment of various investment opportunities; and
the attractiveness of capital projects and acquisitions and the overall rates of return on alternative investment opportunities.
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These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered an alternative to operating and other costs, net income, or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures exclude some, but not all, items that affect measures presented in accordance with GAAP, and these measures and the way we calculate them may vary from those of other companies. As a result, the items presented below may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We evaluate our cost of coal sold and cash cost of coal sold on an aggregate basis by segment, and our average cash cost of coal sold per ton on a per-ton basis. Cost of coal sold includes items such as direct operating costs, royalty and production taxes, direct administration costs, and depreciation, depletion and amortization costs on production assets. Cost of coal sold excludes any indirect costs and other costs not directly attributable to the production of coal. The cash cost of coal sold includes cost of coal sold less depreciation, depletion and amortization costs on production assets. We define average cash cost of coal sold per ton as cash cost of coal sold divided by tons sold. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to cost of coal sold, cash cost of coal sold and average cash cost of coal sold per ton is operating and other costs.
The following table presents a reconciliation for the PAMC segment of cash cost of coal sold, cost of coal sold and average cash cost of coal sold per ton to operating and other costs, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, on a historical basis, for each of the periods indicated (in thousands, except per ton information).
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Operating and Other Costs $ 304,134 $ 276,323 $ 885,234 $ 813,546
Less: Other Costs (Non-Production and non-PAMC) (58,882) (41,379) (167,286) (122,937)
Cash Cost of Coal Sold $ 245,252 $ 234,944 $ 717,948 $ 690,609
Add: Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (PAMC Production) 40,606 47,210 126,125 141,351
Cost of Coal Sold $ 285,858 $ 282,154 $ 844,073 $ 831,960
Total Tons Sold (in millions) 6.8 6.1 18.7 19.2
Average Cost of Coal Sold per Ton $ 41.79 $ 46.04 $ 45.18 $ 43.28
Less: Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs per Ton Sold 5.94 7.68 6.75 7.25
Average Cash Cost of Coal Sold per Ton $ 35.85 $ 38.36 $ 38.43 $ 36.03
We evaluate our average cash margin per ton sold on a per-ton basis. We define average cash margin per ton sold as average coal revenue per ton sold, net of average cash cost of coal sold per ton. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to average cash margin per ton sold is total coal revenue.
The following table presents a reconciliation for the PAMC segment of average cash margin per ton sold to total coal revenue, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, on a historical basis, for each of the periods indicated (in thousands, except per ton information).
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Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Total Coal Revenue (PAMC Segment) $ 439,730 $ 431,090 $ 1,240,359 $ 1,515,603
Operating and Other Costs 304,134 276,323 885,234 813,546
Less: Other Costs (Non-Production and non-PAMC) (58,882) (41,379) (167,286) (122,937)
Cash Cost of Coal Sold $ 245,252 $ 234,944 $ 717,948 $ 690,609
Total Tons Sold (in millions) 6.8 6.1 18.7 19.2
Average Coal Revenue per Ton Sold $ 64.28 $ 70.34 $ 66.39 $ 78.85
Less: Average Cash Cost of Coal Sold per Ton 35.85 38.36 38.43 36.03
Average Cash Margin per Ton Sold $ 28.43 $ 31.98 $ 27.96 $ 42.82
We define adjusted EBITDA as (i) net income (loss) plus income taxes, interest expense and depreciation, depletion and amortization, as adjusted for (ii) certain non-cash items, such as stock-based compensation and loss on debt extinguishment and (iii) certain one-time transactions, such as merger-related expenses. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to adjusted EBITDA is net income (loss).
The following tables present a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, on a historical basis, for each of the periods indicated (in thousands).
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
PAMC CONSOL Marine Terminal Other Consolidated
Net Income (Loss) $ 129,393 $ 12,966 $ (46,727) $ 95,632
Add: Income Tax Expense - - 17,539 17,539
Add: Interest Expense - 1,516 3,148 4,664
Less: Interest Income (1,795) - (3,221) (5,016)
Earnings (Loss) Before Interest & Taxes (EBIT) 127,598 14,482 (29,261) 112,819
Add: Depreciation, Depletion & Amortization 44,663 1,342 7,324 53,329
Earnings (Loss) Before Interest, Taxes and DD&A (EBITDA) $ 172,261 $ 15,824 $ (21,937) $ 166,148
Adjustments:
Add: Stock-Based Compensation $ 1,645 $ 93 $ 313 $ 2,051
Add: Merger-Related Expenses - - 10,979 10,979
Total Pre-tax Adjustments 1,645 93 11,292 13,030
Adjusted EBITDA $ 173,906 $ 15,917 $ (10,645) $ 179,178
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Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
PAMC CONSOL Marine Terminal Other Consolidated
Net Income (Loss) $ 132,442 $ 12,098 $ (43,815) $ 100,725
Add: Income Tax Expense - - 21,032 21,032
Add: Interest Expense - 1,524 5,121 6,645
Less: Interest Income (723) - (3,301) (4,024)
Earnings (Loss) Before Interest & Taxes (EBIT) 131,719 13,622 (20,963) 124,378
Add: Depreciation, Depletion & Amortization 50,663 1,181 6,948 58,792
Earnings (Loss) Before Interest, Taxes and DD&A (EBITDA) $ 182,382 $ 14,803 $ (14,015) $ 183,170
Adjustments:
Add: Stock-Based Compensation $ 1,408 $ 50 $ 218 $ 1,676
Add: Loss on Debt Extinguishment - - 662 662
Total Pre-tax Adjustments 1,408 50 880 2,338
Adjusted EBITDA $ 183,790 $ 14,853 $ (13,135) $ 185,508
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
PAMC CONSOL Marine Terminal Other Consolidated
Net Income (Loss) $ 341,859 $ 29,118 $ (115,393) $ 255,584
Add: Income Tax Expense - - 43,409 43,409
Add: Interest Expense - 4,555 10,508 15,063
Less: Interest Income (4,408) - (9,737) (14,145)
Earnings (Loss) Before Interest & Taxes (EBIT) 337,451 33,673 (71,213) 299,911
Add: Depreciation, Depletion & Amortization 136,607 3,816 24,750 165,173
Earnings (Loss) Before Interest, Taxes and DD&A (EBITDA) $ 474,058 $ 37,489 $ (46,463) $ 465,084
Adjustments:
Add: Stock-Based Compensation $ 7,627 $ 436 $ 1,343 $ 9,406
Add: Merger-Related Expenses - - 10,979 10,979
Total Pre-tax Adjustments 7,627 436 12,322 20,385
Adjusted EBITDA $ 481,685 $ 37,925 $ (34,141) $ 485,469
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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
PAMC CONSOL Marine Terminal Other Consolidated
Net Income (Loss) $ 627,053 $ 50,981 $ (179,209) $ 498,825
Add: Income Tax Expense - - 100,199 100,199
Add: Interest Expense - 4,576 19,503 24,079
Less: Interest Income (1,644) - (7,758) (9,402)
Earnings (Loss) Before Interest & Taxes (EBIT) 625,409 55,557 (67,265) 613,701
Add: Depreciation, Depletion & Amortization 152,302 3,513 27,056 182,871
Earnings (Loss) Before Interest, Taxes and DD&A (EBITDA) $ 777,711 $ 59,070 $ (40,209) $ 796,572
Adjustments:
Add: Stock-Based Compensation $ 7,108 $ 254 $ 1,099 $ 8,461
Add: Loss on Debt Extinguishment - - 2,725 2,725
Total Pre-tax Adjustments 7,108 254 3,824 11,186
Adjusted EBITDA $ 784,819 $ 59,324 $ (36,385) $ 807,758
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Results of Operations: Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
Revenue and Other Income
Three Months Ended September 30,
(in millions) 2024 2023 Variance
Coal Revenue - PAMC $ 440 $ 431 $ 9
Coal Revenue - Itmann Mining Complex 23 19 4
Terminal Revenue 24 23 1
Freight Revenue 63 68 (5)
Miscellaneous Other Income 25 28 (3)
Gain on Sale of Assets - 1 (1)
Total Revenue and Other Income $ 575 $ 570 $ 5
Revenues from Contracts with Customers
On a consolidated basis, coal revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $463 million, which consisted of $440 million from the Pennsylvania Mining Complex and $23 million from the Itmann Mining Complex. The $463 million of coal revenue was sold into the following markets: $227 million into power generation, $152 million into industrial, and $84 million into metallurgical. The Company had consolidated coal revenue of $450 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, which consisted of $431 million from the Pennsylvania Mining Complex and $19 million from the Itmann Mining Complex. The $450 million of coal revenue was sold into the following markets: $206 million into power generation, $181 million into industrial, and $63 million into metallurgical. See "Operational Performance" for further information about segment results.
The Company's Terminal revenue consists of fees charged for coal loaded at the CONSOL Marine Terminal, which is located in the Port of Baltimore, Maryland, and provides access to international coal markets. Terminal revenues are generated from providing transloading services from rail to vessel or barge, temporary storage or stockpile facilities, as well as blending, weighing, and sampling. Terminal revenues were $24 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $23 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. See "Operational Performance - CONSOL Marine Terminal Analysis" for further information about segment results.
The Company recognizes freight revenue as the amount billed to customers for transportation costs incurred. This revenue is based on the weight of coal shipped, negotiated freight rates and method of transportation, primarily rail, used by the customers to which the Company contractually provides transportation services to move its coal from the mine to the ultimate sales point. Freight revenue is completely offset by freight expense. Freight revenue and freight expense were both $63 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $68 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Miscellaneous Other Income
Miscellaneous other income was $25 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $28 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The change is due to the following items:
Three Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023 Variance
Contract Assessments $ 8 $ 16 $ (8)
Royalty Income - Non-Operated Coal 7 2 5
Interest Income 5 4 1
Carbon Products and Materials 2 - 2
Other Income 3 6 (3)
Miscellaneous Other Income $ 25 $ 28 $ (3)
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Contract assessment income was primarily the result of penalties and fees levied against customers that did not meet the purchase obligations under their contracts with the Company. This amount also includes partial contract buyouts that involved negotiations with customers to reduce coal quantities that they otherwise were obligated to purchase under contracts in exchange for payment of certain fees to the Company and did not impact forward contract terms.
Royalty income increased as a result of additional leased coal volumes related to overriding royalty agreements or coal reserve leases between the Company and third-party operators.
Carbon products and materials revenue increased due to additional investments in December 2023 in coal-to-product businesses led by CONSOL Innovations LLC, our wholly-owned subsidiary.
Operating and Other Costs
On a consolidated basis, operating and other costs were $304 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $276 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Operating and other costs increased in the period-to-period comparison due to the following items:
Three Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023 Variance
Operating Costs - PAMC $ 245 $ 235 $ 10
Operating Costs - Itmann Mining Complex 33 21 12
Operating Costs - Terminal 7 7 -
Employee-Related Legacy Liability Expense 6 3 3
Coal Reserve Holding Costs 2 3 (1)
Closed and Idle Mines 1 1 -
Other 10 6 4
Operating and Other Costs $ 304 $ 276 $ 28
Operating costs for the Pennsylvania Mining Complex include items such as direct operating costs, royalties and production taxes and direct administration costs. In the period-to-period comparison, operating costs - PAMC increased $10 million, primarily due to additional production volumes in the current quarter, as the PAMC increased its operating schedules during the third quarter of 2024 to meet additional demand. See "Operational Performance - PAMC Analysis" for further information on segment operating costs.
Operating costs for the Itmann Mining Complex primarily consist of costs related to produced tons sold and costs incurred to purchase third-party metallurgical coal to blend with Itmann coal. Operating costs - Itmann Mining Complex include items such as direct operating costs, royalties and production taxes and direct administration costs. The $12 million increase in operating costs - Itmann Mining Complex was primarily due to an increase in the volume of produced and purchased coal as the operations continued to ramp up toward full run-rate production.
Operating costs - Terminal primarily consist of costs related to throughput tons at the CONSOL Marine Terminal, which remained consistent in the period-to-period comparison. See "Operational Performance - CONSOL Marine Terminal Analysis" for further information on segment operating costs.
Employee-related legacy liability expense increased $3 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to the impact of changes in actuarial assumptions made at the beginning of each year. See Note 3 - Components of Pension and Other Post-Employment Benefit (OPEB) Plans Net Periodic Benefit Costs and Note 4 - Components of Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP) and Workers' Compensation Net Periodic Benefit Costs in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information.
Other costs consist of items that are not related to the Company's mining or terminal operations. Other costs increased $4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to $2 million of additional costs related to businesses led by CONSOL Innovations LLC, particularly the production of composite tools used in the aerospace industry, as well as other expenses incurred in the current quarter across various categories, none of which were individually material.
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Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
On a consolidated basis, depreciation, depletion and amortization costs were $53 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $59 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The $6 million decrease was primarily due to additional assets becoming fully-depreciated in the period-to-period comparison.
General and Administrative Costs
On a consolidated basis, general and administrative costs were $36 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $37 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The $1 million decrease in the period-to-period comparison was primarily related to decreased incentive-based compensation expense incurred in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. This was partially offset by transaction costs related to the Merger.
Interest Expense
On a consolidated basis, interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, was $5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The $2 million decrease in the period-to-period comparison was primarily due to less debt outstanding, as the Company fully retired its Second Lien Notes in July 2023.
Operational Performance: Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
CONSOL Energy presently consists of two reportable segments, the PAMC and the CONSOL Marine Terminal. The PAMC includes the Bailey Mine, the Enlow Fork Mine, the Harvey Mine and a centralized preparation plant. The PAMC segment's principal activities include the mining, preparation and marketing of bituminous coal, sold primarily to industrial end-users, metallurgical end-users and power generators. The segment also includes general and administrative activities and interest expense, as well as various other activities assigned to the PAMC segment, but not included in the cost components on a per unit basis. The CONSOL Marine Terminal segment provides coal export terminal services through the Port of Baltimore. The segment also includes general and administrative activities and interest expense, as well as various other activities assigned to the CONSOL Marine Terminal segment.
The Company evaluates the performance of its segments utilizing Adjusted EBITDA and various productivity metrics. Adjusted EBITDA measures the operating performance of the Company's segments and is used to allocate resources to the Company's segments. The following table presents results by reportable segment for each of the periods indicated.
Three Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023 Variance
PAMC
Total Tons Produced (in millions) 7.2 6.1 1.1
Total Tons Sold (in millions) 6.8 6.1 0.7
Average Coal Revenue per Ton Sold $ 64.28 $ 70.34 $ (6.06)
Average Cash Cost of Coal Sold per Ton(1)
$ 35.85 $ 38.36 $ (2.51)
Average Cash Margin per Ton Sold(1)
$ 28.43 $ 31.98 $ (3.55)
Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands)(1)
$ 173,906 $ 183,790 $ (9,884)
CONSOL Marine Terminal
Throughput Tons (in millions) 4.7 4.3 0.4
Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands)(1)
$ 15,917 $ 14,853 $ 1,064
(1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure, and average cash cost of coal sold per ton and average cash margin per ton sold are operating ratios derived from non-GAAP financial measures. See "How We Evaluate Our Operations - Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures"above for an explanation and reconciliation of these amounts to the nearest GAAP measures.
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PAMC ANALYSIS:
Coal Production
The table below presents total tons produced (in thousands) from the Pennsylvania Mining Complex for the periods indicated:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Mine 2024 2023 Variance
Bailey 2,951 2,115 836
Enlow Fork 2,623 2,206 417
Harvey 1,622 1,814 (192)
Total 7,196 6,135 1,061
Coal production was 7.2 million tons for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 6.1 million tons for the three months ended September 30, 2023. During the second quarter of 2024, operations at the CONSOL Marine Terminal were paused due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which in turn led to reduced operating schedules at the PAMC mines. During the current quarter, the PAMC worked diligently to increase its operating schedules to meet market demand, which resulted in the increased production in the period-to-period comparison.
Coal Operations
Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $174 million, compared to $184 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to a $6.06 decrease in average coal revenue per ton sold, partially offset by a 0.7 million increase in tons sold and a $2.51 decrease in the average cash cost of coal sold per ton. The decrease in average coal revenue per ton sold was primarily due to weaker API2 prices quarter-over-quarter, which put downward pressure on the Company's realizations in the third quarter of 2024. The PAMC placed 4.2 million tons of coal, or 61% of its total tons sold, into the export market in the three months ended September 30, 2024. Comparatively, in the three months ended September 30, 2023, the PAMC placed 3.7 million tons of coal, or 60% of its total tons sold, into the export market.
Cash cost of coal sold was $245 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $235 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in the cash cost of coal sold was primarily due to increased production tons in order to meet market demand. The average cash cost of coal sold per ton decreased in the period-to-period comparison due to higher sales tons to absorb fixed costs on a per ton basis compared to the prior-year period.
CONSOL MARINE TERMINAL ANALYSIS:
Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $16 million, compared to $15 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Throughput volumes at the CONSOL Marine Terminal were 4.7 million tons for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 4.3 million tons for the three months ended September 30, 2023. CONSOL Marine Terminal revenue was $24 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $23 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
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Results of Operations: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Revenue and Other Income
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions) 2024 2023 Variance
Coal Revenue - PAMC $ 1,240 $ 1,516 $ (276)
Coal Revenue - Itmann Mining Complex 80 58 22
Terminal Revenue 60 81 (21)
Freight Revenue 199 217 (18)
Miscellaneous Other Income 55 40 15
Gain on Sale of Assets 7 7 -
Total Revenue and Other Income $ 1,641 $ 1,919 $ (278)
Revenues from Contracts with Customers
On a consolidated basis, coal revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $1,320 million, which consisted of $1,240 million from the Pennsylvania Mining Complex and $80 million from the Itmann Mining Complex. The $1,320 million of coal revenue was sold into the following markets: $671 million into power generation, $434 million into industrial, and $215 million into metallurgical. The Company had consolidated coal revenue of $1,574 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, which consisted of $1,516 million from the Pennsylvania Mining Complex and $58 million from the Itmann Mining Complex. The $1,574 million of coal revenue was sold into the following markets: $747 million into power generation, $590 million into industrial, and $237 million into metallurgical. See "Operational Performance" for further information about segment results.
The Company's Terminal revenue consists of fees charged for coal loaded at the CONSOL Marine Terminal, which is located in the Port of Baltimore, Maryland, and provides access to international coal markets. Terminal revenues are generated from providing transloading services from rail to vessel or barge, temporary storage or stockpile facilities, as well as blending, weighing, and sampling. Terminal revenues were $60 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $81 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. See "Operational Performance - CONSOL Marine Terminal Analysis"for further information about segment results.
The Company recognizes freight revenue as the amount billed to customers for transportation costs incurred. This revenue is based on the weight of coal shipped, negotiated freight rates and method of transportation, primarily rail, used by the customers to which the Company contractually provides transportation services to move its coal from the mine to the ultimate sales point. Freight revenue is completely offset by freight expense. Freight revenue and freight expense were both $199 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $217 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Miscellaneous Other Income
Miscellaneous other income was $55 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $40 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The change is due to the following items:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023 Variance
Royalty Income - Non-Operated Coal $ 16 $ 7 $ 9
Interest Income 14 9 5
Contract Assessments 11 16 (5)
Carbon Products and Materials 7 - 7
Other Income 7 8 (1)
Miscellaneous Other Income $ 55 $ 40 $ 15
Royalty income increased as a result of additional leased coal volumes related to overriding royalty agreements or coal reserve leases between the Company and third-party operators.
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Interest income increased primarily due to the Company's investment in marketable debt securities, comprised of highly liquid U.S. Treasury securities.
Contract assessment income was primarily the result of penalties and fees levied against customers that did not meet the purchase obligations under their contracts with the Company. This amount also includes partial contract buyouts that involved negotiations with customers to reduce coal quantities that they otherwise were obligated to purchase under contracts in exchange for payment of certain fees to the Company and did not impact forward contract terms.
Carbon products and materials revenue increased due to additional investments in December 2023 in coal-to-product businesses led by CONSOL Innovations LLC, our wholly-owned subsidiary.
Operating and Other Costs
On a consolidated basis, operating and other costs were $885 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $814 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Operating and other costs increased in the period-to-period comparison due to the following items:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023 Variance
Operating Costs - PAMC $ 718 $ 691 $ 27
Operating Costs - Itmann Mining Complex 103 71 32
Operating Costs - Terminal 20 20 -
Employee-Related Legacy Liability Expense 17 9 8
Coal Reserve Holding Costs 5 8 (3)
Closed and Idle Mines 4 4 -
Other 18 11 7
Operating and Other Costs $ 885 $ 814 $ 71
Operating costs for the Pennsylvania Mining Complex include items such as direct operating costs, royalties and production taxes and direct administration costs. In the period-to-period comparison, operating costs - PAMC increased $27 million, primarily due to additional costs associated with ongoing inflationary pressures. See "Operational Performance - PAMC Analysis"for further information on segment operating costs.
Operating costs for the Itmann Mining Complex primarily consist of costs related to produced tons sold and costs incurred to purchase third-party metallurgical coal to blend with Itmann coal. Operating costs - Itmann Mining Complex include items such as direct operating costs, royalties and production taxes and direct administration costs. The $32 million increase in operating costs - Itmann Mining Complex was primarily due to an increase in the volume of produced and purchased coal as the operations continued to ramp up toward full run-rate production.
Operating costs - Terminal primarily consist of costs related to throughput tons at the CONSOL Marine Terminal, and these costs remained consistent in the period-to-period comparison. Despite reduced throughput activity due to restricted access to the CONSOL Marine Terminal during the first half of the second quarter of 2024, the team accelerated its annual summer maintenance during this time to allow for the ability to load and ship vessels during the railroads' and mining operations' planned summer shutdown period. See "Operational Performance - CONSOL Marine Terminal Analysis" for further information on segment operating costs.
Employee-related legacy liability expense increased $8 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to the impact of changes in actuarial assumptions made at the beginning of each year. See Note 3 - Components of Pension and Other Post-Employment Benefit (OPEB) Plans Net Periodic Benefit Costs and Note 4 - Components of Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP) and Workers' Compensation Net Periodic Benefit Costs in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information.
Other costs consist of items that are not related to the Company's mining or terminal operations. Other costs increased $7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to $6 million of additional costs related to businesses led by CONSOL Innovations LLC, particularly the production of composite tools used in the aerospace industry, as well as other expenses incurred in both periods across various categories, none of which were individually material.
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Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
On a consolidated basis, depreciation, depletion and amortization costs were $165 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $183 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The $18 million decrease was primarily due to additional assets becoming fully-depreciated and a decrease in the Company's asset retirement obligation expense in the period-to-period comparison.
General and Administrative Costs
On a consolidated basis, general and administrative costs were $78 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $80 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The $2 million decrease in the period-to-period comparison was primarily related to decreased incentive-based compensation expense incurred in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This was partially offset by transaction costs related to the Merger.
Interest Expense
On a consolidated basis, interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, was $15 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $24 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The $9 million decrease in the period-to-period comparison was primarily due to less debt outstanding, as the Company fully retired its Term Loan B and Second Lien Notes in 2023.
Operational Performance: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
CONSOL Energy presently consists of two reportable segments, the PAMC and the CONSOL Marine Terminal. The PAMC includes the Bailey Mine, the Enlow Fork Mine, the Harvey Mine and a centralized preparation plant. The PAMC segment's principal activities include the mining, preparation and marketing of bituminous coal, sold primarily to industrial end-users, metallurgical end-users and power generators. The segment also includes general and administrative activities and interest expense, as well as various other activities assigned to the PAMC segment, but not included in the cost components on a per unit basis. The CONSOL Marine Terminal segment provides coal export terminal services through the Port of Baltimore. The segment also includes general and administrative activities and interest expense, as well as various other activities assigned to the CONSOL Marine Terminal segment.
The Company evaluates the performance of its segments utilizing Adjusted EBITDA and various productivity metrics. Adjusted EBITDA measures the operating performance of the Company's segments and is used to allocate resources to the Company's segments. The following table presents results by reportable segment for each of the periods indicated.
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023 Variance
PAMC
Total Tons Produced (in millions) 19.3 19.5 (0.2)
Total Tons Sold (in millions) 18.7 19.2 (0.5)
Average Coal Revenue per Ton Sold $ 66.39 $ 78.85 $ (12.46)
Average Cash Cost of Coal Sold per Ton(1)
$ 38.43 $ 36.03 $ 2.40
Average Cash Margin per Ton Sold(1)
$ 27.96 $ 42.82 $ (14.86)
Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands)(1)
$ 481,685 $ 784,819 $ (303,134)
CONSOL Marine Terminal
Throughput Tons (in millions) 11.5 14.2 (2.7)
Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands)(1)
$ 37,925 $ 59,324 $ (21,399)
(1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure, and average cash cost of coal sold per ton and average cash margin per ton sold are operating ratios derived from non-GAAP financial measures. See "How We Evaluate Our
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Operations - Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures"above for an explanation and reconciliation of these amounts to the nearest GAAP measures.
PAMC ANALYSIS:
Coal Production
The table below presents total tons produced (in thousands) from the Pennsylvania Mining Complex for the periods indicated:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Mine 2024 2023 Variance
Bailey 8,073 8,171 (98)
Enlow Fork 7,184 6,936 248
Harvey 4,024 4,398 (374)
Total 19,281 19,505 (224)
Coal production was 19.3 million tons for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 19.5 million tons for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The PAMC's coal production decreased in the period-to-period comparison. Vessel access to, and export capability from, the CONSOL Marine Terminal was restricted on March 26, 2024 after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed. As a result, the operating schedules at the PAMC mines were reduced during the first half of the second quarter of 2024. However, operating schedules were increased in the third quarter of 2024 to meet market demand, which partially offset some of the tonnage lost while operations at the CONSOL Marine Terminal were paused.
Coal Operations
Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $482 million, compared to $785 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to a $12.46 decrease in average coal revenue per ton sold, as well as a 0.5 million decrease in tons sold and a $2.40 increase in the average cash cost of coal sold per ton. The decrease in average coal revenue per ton sold was primarily due to weaker API2 and natural gas prices year-over-year, which put downward pressure on the Company's realizations in 2024, and higher incremental transportation costs. These transportation costs were incurred due to the Company's utilization of an alternative port because access to the CONSOL Marine Terminal was suspended as a result of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. In addition, after a modest rebound in the fourth quarter of 2023, demand for the Company's product in the power generation markets was muted during the first quarter of 2024 due to mild winter weather which caused weaker commodity prices both domestically and globally. These downward pressures were partially offset by stronger PJM West day ahead power prices in the second and third quarters of 2024, specifically due to the warmer-than-normal temperatures in the PJM region. Despite the reduced export capability as a result of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse that occurred on March 26, 2024, the PAMC placed 10.7 million tons of coal, or 57% of its total tons sold, into the export market in the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Comparatively, in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the PAMC placed 11.8 million tons of coal, or 61% of its total tons sold, into the export market.
Cash cost of coal sold was $718 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $691 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in the cash cost of coal sold and average cash cost of coal sold per ton was primarily due to ongoing inflationary pressures on supplies, maintenance costs and contractor labor costs compared to the prior-year period, as well as lower sales tons to absorb fixed costs on a per ton basis in the period-to-period comparison.
CONSOL MARINE TERMINAL ANALYSIS:
Vessel access to, and export capability from, the CONSOL Marine Terminal was restricted on March 26, 2024 after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed. Management worked diligently to minimize the disruption to our business and address direct and indirect impacts to the Company and its operations, including moving coal through an alternative port on the East Coast of the United States, accelerating domestic shipments and managing ongoing expenditures. On May 20, 2024, a limited access channel in the Chesapeake Bay was opened to commercial vessel traffic and coal shipments to international markets resumed from the CONSOL Marine Terminal. The permanent 700-foot wide, 50-foot deep channel was fully restored and opened to normal operations on June 10, 2024.
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As a result of the bridge collapse, throughput volumes and revenue from those volumes were interrupted until May 20, 2024. The Company used this downtime to perform several maintenance projects originally scheduled to occur during the summer shutdown period. Accordingly, adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $38 million, compared to $59 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Throughput volumes at the CONSOL Marine Terminal were 11.5 million tons for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 14.2 million tons for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. CONSOL Marine Terminal revenue was $60 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $81 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
CONSOL Energy's potential sources of liquidity include cash generated from operations, cash on hand, short-term investments of U.S. Treasury securities, borrowings under the revolving credit facility and securitization facility (which are discussed below), and, if necessary, the ability to issue additional equity or debt securities. The Company believes that cash generated from these sources, without needing to issue additional equity or debt securities, will be sufficient to meet its short-term working capital requirements, long-term capital expenditure requirements, and debt servicing obligations, as well as to provide required letters of credit.
In 2023, the Company amended its revolving credit facility to achieve additional financial flexibility by increasing the capacity of the facility and easing certain restrictive covenants, specifically around investments and shareholder returns. These covenants were simplified to better align with the significantly improved credit profile of the business and are now leverage and liquidity-based moving forward. The Company was successful in securing incremental commitments in the amount of $95 million, which includes commitments from multiple new lenders to the facility and upsized commitments from 60% of existing lenders. The revolving credit facility now has a borrowing capacity of $355 million and provides for the Company's ability to increase the revolving commitments or issue term loans in an additional amount not to exceed $45 million and up to an aggregate total amount of $400 million.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company generated cash flows from operating activities of approximately $355 million and utilized a portion of operating cash flows to repurchase outstanding shares of the Company's common stock. Our total liquidity as of September 30, 2024 was comprised of the following:
(in millions) September 30, 2024
Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 332
Short-Term Investments 84
416
Securitization Facility - Current Availability 57
Revolving Credit Facility - Current Availability 355
Less: Letters of Credit Outstanding (179)
Total Liquidity $ 649
Events that negatively impact our overall financial condition and liquidity could result in our inability to comply with our credit facility's financial covenants. This could limit our access to our credit facilities if we are unable to obtain waivers from our lenders or amend the credit facilities. Additionally, access to capital remains challenging for the Company's industry as a result of banking, institutional and investor environmental, social and governance ("ESG") requirements and limitations, which tend to discourage investment in coal and other fossil fuel companies. However, the Company expects to maintain adequate liquidity through its operating cash flow, cash and cash equivalents on hand, and short-term investments, as well as its revolving credit facility and securitization facility, to fund its working capital needs and capital expenditures in the short-term and long-term.
Uncertainty in the financial markets brings additional potential risks to CONSOL Energy. These risks include a reduction of our ability to raise capital in the equity markets, less availability and higher costs of additional credit and potential counterparty defaults. Overall market disruptions, including as a result of recent or additional bank failures, high interest rates and sustained high inflation, may impact the Company's collection of trade receivables. As a result, CONSOL Energy regularly monitors the creditworthiness of its customers and counterparties and manages credit exposure through payment terms, credit limits, prepayments and security.
Over the past few years, the insurance and surety markets have been increasingly challenging, particularly for coal companies. We have experienced rising premiums, reduced coverage and/or fewer providers willing to underwrite policies and surety bonds. Terms have generally become more unfavorable, including increases in the amount of collateral required to secure surety bonds. However, more recently, we have seen insurance rates stabilize and even decrease on certain lines
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of coverage, as new insurance carriers have entered the market. Further cost burdens on our ability to maintain adequate insurance and bond coverage may adversely impact our operations, financial position and liquidity.
CONSOL Energy participates in the United Mine Workers of America (the "UMWA") Combined Benefit Fund and the UMWA 1992 Benefit Plan for which benefits are reflected in the Company's consolidated financial statements when paid. These benefit arrangements may result in additional liabilities that are not recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2024. The various multi-employer benefit plans are discussed in Note 17-Other Employee Benefit Plans in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. CONSOL Energy's total contributions under the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992 were $2 million and $3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Based on available information at December 31, 2023, CONSOL Energy's aggregate obligation for the UMWA Combined Benefit Fund and 1992 Benefit Plan is estimated to be approximately $33 million. CONSOL Energy also uses a combination of surety bonds, corporate guarantees and letters of credit to secure its financial obligations for employee-related, environmental, performance and various other items which are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2024. Management believes these items will expire without being funded. See Note 13-Commitments and Contingent Liabilities in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional details of the various financial guarantees that have been issued by CONSOL Energy.
Cash Flows (in millions)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023 Change
Cash Provided by Operating Activities $ 355 $ 639 $ (284)
Cash Used in Investing Activities $ (135) $ (196) $ 61
Cash Used in Financing Activities $ (94) $ (554) $ 460
Cash provided by operating activities decreased $284 million in the period-to-period comparison, primarily due to the overall decrease in earnings at the PAMC and the CONSOL Marine Terminal and other working capital changes that occurred throughout both periods. The decrease in PAMC and CONSOL Marine Terminal earnings was partially due to the decrease in average PAMC coal revenue per ton sold, as well as the financial impact of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
Cash used in investing activities decreased $61 million in the period-to-period comparison, primarily due to a net investment of approximately $78 million in U.S. Treasury securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Capital expenditures increased $19 million primarily due to additional equipment-related expenditures and rebuilds during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The Company's capital expenditures are set forth below.
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023 Change
Equipment Purchases and Rebuilds $ 63 $ 50 $ 13
Building and Infrastructure 50 41 9
Solid Waste Disposal Project 14 20 (6)
IS&T Infrastructure 3 1 2
Other 7 6 1
Total Capital Expenditures $ 137 $ 118 $ 19
Cash used in financing activities decreased $460 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily driven by a $206 million decrease in share repurchases. Cash outflows related to CONSOL Energy share repurchases totaled $71 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $277 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The change in the period-to-period comparison is also due to a $174 million decrease in net payments on indebtedness. Payments totaling $163 million were made toward the Company's outstanding Term Loan B and Second Lien Notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, which were fully paid off in the second quarter of 2023 and the third quarter of 2023, respectively. Additionally, dividend payments decreased $67 million year-over-year.
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Revolving Credit Facility
In November 2017, CONSOL Energy entered into a revolving credit facility with PNC Bank, N.A. (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). The Revolving Credit Facility has been amended several times, the most recent of which occurred in June 2023. This amendment increased the available revolving commitments from $260 million to $355 million and provides for the Company's ability to increase the revolving commitments or issue term loans in an additional amount not to exceed $45 million and up to an aggregate total amount of $400 million. The maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility is July 18, 2026.
Borrowings under the Company's Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a floating rate that is, at the Company's option, either (i) SOFR plus the applicable SOFR adjustment (as defined therein) depending on the applicable interest period plus an applicable margin or (ii) an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for the Revolving Credit Facility depends on the Company's total net leverage ratio and this rate resets quarterly. Obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed by (i) all owners of the PAMC held by the Company, (ii) any other members of the Company's group that own any portion of the collateral securing the Revolving Credit Facility, and (iii) subject to certain customary exceptions and agreed materiality thresholds, all other existing or future direct or indirect wholly-owned restricted subsidiaries of the Company. The obligations are secured by, subject to certain exceptions (including a limitation of pledges of equity interests in certain subsidiaries and certain thresholds with respect to real property), a first-priority lien on (i) the Company's interest in the Pennsylvania Mining Complex, (ii) the equity interests in PA Mining Complex LP held by the Company, (iii) the CONSOL Marine Terminal, (iv) the Itmann Mining Complex, and (v) the 1.3 billion tons of Greenfield Reserves and Resources.
The Revolving Credit Facility contains a number of customary affirmative covenants and a number of negative covenants, including (subject to certain exceptions) limitations on (among other things): indebtedness, liens, investments, acquisitions, dispositions, restricted payments and prepayments of junior indebtedness.
The Revolving Credit Facility also includes financial covenants, including (i) a maximum first lien gross leverage ratio, (ii) a maximum total net leverage ratio, and (iii) a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The maximum first lien gross leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of Consolidated First Lien Debt to Consolidated EBITDA. Consolidated EBITDA, as used in the covenant calculation, excludes non-cash compensation expenses, nonrecurring transaction expenses, extraordinary gains and losses, gains and losses on discontinued operations and gains and losses on debt extinguishment. The maximum total net leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness, minus Cash on Hand, to Consolidated EBITDA. The minimum fixed charge coverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Fixed Charges. Consolidated Fixed Charges, as used in the covenant calculation, include cash interest payments, cash payments for income taxes, scheduled debt repayments, Maintenance Capital Expenditures and cash payments related to legacy employee liabilities to the extent in excess of amounts accrued in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA. Under the Revolving Credit Facility, the maximum first lien gross leverage ratio shall be 1.50 to 1.00, the maximum total net leverage ratio shall be 2.50 to 1.00 and the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio shall be 1.10 to 1.00.
The Company's first lien gross leverage ratio was 0.02 to 1.00 at September 30, 2024. The Company's total net leverage ratio was (0.31) to 1.00 at September 30, 2024. The Company's fixed charge coverage ratio was 2.88 to 1.00 at September 30, 2024. Accordingly, the Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under the Revolving Credit Facility as of September 30, 2024.
The Revolving Credit Facility contains customary events of default, including with respect to a failure to make payments when due, cross-default and cross-judgment default and certain bankruptcy and insolvency events.
At September 30, 2024, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and the facility is currently only used for providing letters of credit, with $124million of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $231 million of unused capacity. From time to time, CONSOL Energy is required to post financial assurances to satisfy contractual and other requirements generated in the normal course of business. Some of these assurances are posted to comply with federal, state or other government agencies' statutes and regulations. CONSOL Energy sometimes uses letters of credit to satisfy these requirements and these letters of credit reduce the Company's borrowing facility capacity.
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Securitization Facility
At September 30, 2024, CONSOL Energy and certain of its U.S. subsidiaries are parties to a trade accounts receivable securitization facility with financial institutions for the sale on a continuous basis of eligible trade accounts receivable. In July 2022, the securitization facility was amended to, among other things, extend the maturity date to July 29, 2025.
Pursuant to the securitization facility, CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, sells trade receivables to CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. CONSOL Marine Terminals LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC sell and/or contribute trade receivables (including receivables sold to CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC by CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC) to CONSOL Funding LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the "SPV"). The SPV, in turn, pledges its interests in the receivables to PNC Bank, N.A., which either makes loans or issues letters of credit on behalf of the SPV. The maximum amount of advances and letters of credit outstanding under the securitization facility may not exceed $100 million.
Loans under the securitization facility accrue interest at a reserve-adjusted market index rate equal to the applicable term SOFR rate. Loans and letters of credit under the securitization facility also accrue a program fee and a letter of credit participation fee, respectively, ranging from 2.00% to 2.50% per annum depending on the total net leverage ratio of CONSOL Energy. In addition, the SPV paid certain structuring fees to PNC Capital Markets LLC and pays other customary fees to the lenders, including a fee on unused commitments equal to 0.60% per annum.
The agreements comprising the securitization facility contain various customary representations and warranties, covenants and default provisions which provide for the termination and acceleration of the commitments and loans under the securitization facility in certain circumstances including, but not limited to, failure to make payments when due, breach of representation, warranty or covenant, certain insolvency events or failure to maintain the security interest in the trade receivables, and defaults under other material indebtedness. CONSOL Energy guarantees the performance of the obligations of CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC, CONSOL Marine Terminals LLC and CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC under the securitization, and will guarantee the obligations of any additional originators or successor servicer that may become party to the securitization. However, neither CONSOL Energy nor its affiliates will guarantee collectability of receivables or the creditworthiness of obligors thereunder.
At September 30, 2024, eligible accounts receivable yielded $57 million of borrowing capacity. At September 30, 2024, the facility had no outstanding borrowings and approximately $55 million of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $2 million of unused capacity. Costs associated with the receivables facility were less than $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024. The Company has not derecognized any receivables due to its continued involvement in the collections efforts.
Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority Bonds
In April 2021, CONSOL Energy borrowed the proceeds received from the sale of tax-exempt bonds issued by PEDFA in an aggregate principal amount of $75 million (the "PEDFA Bonds"). The PEDFA Bonds bear interest at a fixed rate of 9.00% for an initial term of seven years. The PEDFA Bonds mature on April 1, 2051 but are subject to mandatory purchase by the Company on April 13, 2028, at the expiration of the initial term rate period. The PEDFA Bonds were issued pursuant to an indenture (the "PEDFA Indenture") dated as of April 1, 2021, by and between PEDFA and Wilmington Trust, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee (the "PEDFA Notes Trustee"). PEDFA made a loan of the proceeds of the PEDFA Bonds to the Company pursuant to a Loan Agreement (the "Loan Agreement") dated as of April 1, 2021 between PEDFA and the Company. Under the terms of the Loan Agreement, the Company agreed to make all payments of principal, interest and other amounts at any time due on the PEDFA Bonds or under the PEDFA Indenture. PEDFA assigned its rights as lender under the Loan Agreement, excluding certain reserved rights, to the PEDFA Notes Trustee. Certain subsidiaries of the Company (the "PEDFA Notes Guarantors") executed a Guaranty Agreement (the "Guaranty") dated as of April 1, 2021 in favor of the PEDFA Notes Trustee, guarantying the obligations of the Company under the Loan Agreement to pay the PEDFA Bonds when and as due. The obligations of the Company under the Loan Agreement and of the PEDFA Notes Guarantors under the Guaranty are secured by second priority liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company and the PEDFA Notes Guarantors. The Loan Agreement and Guaranty incorporate by reference covenants in the Indenture, dated as of November 13, 2017, by and between the Company and UMB Bank, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee and collateral trustee, under which the Second Lien Notes were issued, including covenants that limited the ability of the Company and certain subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors, to (i) incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock; (ii) create liens to secure indebtedness; (iii) declare or pay dividends on the Company's common stock, redeem stock or make other distributions to the Company's stockholders; (iv) make investments; (v) pay or make dividends, loans or other asset transfers from the Company's restricted subsidiaries; (vi) merge or consolidate, or sell, transfer, lease or dispose of substantially all of the Company's assets; (vii)
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sell or otherwise dispose of certain assets, including equity interests in subsidiaries; (viii) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (ix) create unrestricted subsidiaries. These covenants were subject to important exceptions and qualifications.
Material Cash Requirements
CONSOL Energy expects to make payments of $120 million on its long-term debt obligations, including interest, in the next 12 months if it does not successfully refinance the MEDCO revenue bonds, which have an outstanding balance of $103 million. Refer to Note 13 - Long-Term Debt of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for additional information concerning material cash requirements in future years.
CONSOL Energy expects to make payments of $6 million on its operating and finance lease obligations, including interest, in the next 12 months. Refer to Note 14 - Leases of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for additional information concerning material cash requirements in future years.
CONSOL Energy expects to make payments of $48 million on its employee-related long-term liabilities in the next 12 months. Refer to Note 15 - Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans and Note 16 - Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis and Workers' Compensation of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for additional information concerning material cash requirements in future years.
CONSOL Energy believes it will be able to satisfy these material requirements with cash generated from operations, cash on hand, short-term investments, borrowings under the revolving credit facility and securitization facility, and, if necessary, cash generated from its ability to issue additional equity or debt securities.
Debt
At September 30, 2024, CONSOL Energy had total long-term debt and finance lease obligations of $197 million outstanding, including the current portion of $112 million. This long-term debt consisted of:
An aggregate principal amount of $103 million of industrial revenue bonds, which were issued to finance the CONSOL Marine Terminal, which bear interest at 5.75% per annum and mature in September 2025. Interest on the industrial revenue bonds is payable on March 1 and September 1 of each year. Payment of the principal and interest on the notes is guaranteed by CONSOL Energy.
An aggregate principal amount of $75 million of PEDFA Bonds, which were issued to finance the ongoing expansion of the coal refuse disposal area at the Central Preparation Plant, which bear interest at 9.00% per annum for an initial term of seven years and mature in April 2051. Interest on the PEDFA Bonds is payable on February 1 and August 1 of each year.
An aggregate principal amount of $9 million of finance leases with a weighted average interest rate of 6.62%.
Advanced royalty commitments of $6 million with a weighted average interest rate of 8.80% per annum.
An aggregate principal amount of $4 million of other debt arrangements.
At September 30, 2024, CONSOL Energy had no borrowings outstanding and approximately $124 million of letters of credit outstanding under the $355 million senior secured Revolving Credit Facility. At September 30, 2024, CONSOL Energy had no borrowings outstanding and approximately $55 million of letters of credit outstanding under the $100 million securitization facility.
Stock and Debt Repurchases
In December 2017, CONSOL Energy's Board of Directors approved a program to repurchase, from time to time, the Company's outstanding shares of common stock or its Second Lien Notes. Since the program's inception, the Company's Board of Directors has subsequently amended the program several times. The most recent amendment occurred in April 2023, in which the aggregate limit of the Company's repurchase authority was raised to $1 billion. The program terminates on December 31, 2024. The Company has suspended share repurchases until the Merger is completed (see Note 17 - Proposed Merger in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information).
Under the terms of the program, CONSOL Energy is permitted to make repurchases in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, accelerated repurchase programs or in structured share repurchase programs. CONSOL Energy is also authorized to enter into one or more 10b5-1 plans with respect to any of the repurchases. Any repurchases of common stock or notes are to be funded from available cash on hand or short-term borrowings. The program does not obligate
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CONSOL Energy to acquire any particular amount of its common stock or notes, and the program can be modified or suspended at any time at the Company's discretion. The program is conducted in compliance with applicable legal requirements imposed by any credit agreement, receivables purchase agreement or indenture.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company repurchased and retired 747,351 shares of the Company's common stock at an average price of $89.49 per share.
Total Equity and Dividends
Total equity attributable to CONSOL Energy was $1,529 million at September 30, 2024 and $1,343 million at December 31, 2023. See the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional details.
The declaration and payment of dividends by CONSOL Energy is at the discretion of CONSOL Energy's Board of Directors. The Revolving Credit Facility includes certain covenants limiting the Company's ability to declare and pay dividends. In addition, under the Merger Agreement, the Company is permitted to pay quarterly dividends of no more than $0.25 per share to its stockholders during the pendency of the Merger.
On November 5, 2024, CONSOL Energy announced a $0.25/share dividend in an aggregate amount of approximately $7 million, payable on November 26, 2024 to all stockholders of record as of November 15, 2024.
Critical Accounting Estimates
CONSOL Energy prepares its financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. There have been no material changes to the Company's critical accounting estimates from the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from results expressed in or implied by our forward-looking statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. The forward-looking statements may include projections and estimates concerning the timing and success of specific projects and our future production, revenues, income and capital spending. When we use the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would," or their negatives, or other similar expressions, the statements which include those words are usually forward-looking statements. When we describe strategy that involves risks or uncertainties, we are making forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q; we disclaim any obligation to update these statements unless required by securities law, and we caution you not to rely on them unduly. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. These risks, contingencies and uncertainties relate to, among other matters, the following:
deterioration in economic conditions (including continued inflation) or changes in consumption patterns of our customers may decrease demand for our products, impair our ability to collect customer receivables and impair our ability to access capital;
volatility and wide fluctuation in coal prices based upon a number of factors beyond our control;
the effects pandemics may have on our business and results of operations and on the global economy;
an extended decline in the prices we receive for our coal affecting our operating results and cash flows;
significant downtime of our equipment or inability to obtain equipment, parts or raw materials;
decreases in the availability of, or increases in the price of, commodities or capital equipment used in our coal mining operations;
our reliance on major customers, our ability to collect payment from our customers and uncertainty in connection with our customer contracts;
our inability to acquire additional coal reserves or resources that are economically recoverable;
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the availability and reliability of transportation facilities and other systems that deliver our coal to market and fluctuations in transportation costs;
a loss of our competitive position;
foreign currency fluctuations that could adversely affect the competitiveness of our coal abroad;
the risks related to the fact that a significant portion of our production is sold in international markets and our compliance with export control and anti-corruption laws;
coal users switching to other fuels in order to comply with various environmental standards related to coal combustion emissions;
the impact of current and future regulations to address climate change, the discharge, disposal and clean-up of hazardous substances and wastes and employee health and safety on our operating costs as well as on the market for coal;
the risks inherent in coal operations, including being subject to unexpected disruptions caused by adverse geological conditions, equipment failure, delays in moving out longwall equipment, railroad derailments, security breaches or terroristic acts and other hazards, delays in the completion of significant construction or repair of equipment, fires, explosions, seismic activities, accidents and weather conditions;
the risks associated with operating primarily in a single geographic area;
failure to obtain or renew surety bonds or insurance coverages on acceptable terms;
the effects of coordinating our operations with oil and natural gas drillers and distributors operating on our land;
our inability to obtain financing for capital expenditures on satisfactory terms;
the effect of new or existing laws or regulations or tariffs and other trade measures;
our inability to find suitable acquisition targets or integrating the operations of future acquisitions into our operations;
obtaining, maintaining and renewing governmental permits and approvals for our coal operations;
the effects of asset retirement obligations, employee-related long-term liabilities and certain other liabilities;
the effects of global conflicts on commodity prices and supply chains;
uncertainties in estimating our economically recoverable coal reserves;
the outcomes of various legal proceedings, including those which are more fully described herein;
defects in our chain of title for our undeveloped reserves or failure to acquire additional property to perfect our title to coal rights;
the risk of our debt agreements, our debt and changes in interest rates affecting our operating results and cash flows;
information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss resulting from a terrorist attack or cyber incident;
the potential failure to retain and attract qualified personnel of the Company;
failure to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting;
the effects of our securities being excluded from certain investment funds as a result of increased ESG practices;
uncertainty with respect to the Company's common stock, potential stock price volatility and future dilution;
uncertainty regarding the timing and value of any dividends we may declare;
uncertainty as to whether we will repurchase shares of our common stock or outstanding debt securities;
inability of stockholders to bring legal action against us in any forum other than the state courts of Delaware;
the ability to obtain the requisite approvals for the Merger;
the risk that an event, change or other circumstances could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement;
the risk that a condition to closing of the Merger may not be satisfied on a timely basis or at all;
the length of time necessary to close the proposed Merger;
the risk that the businesses of the Company and Arch will not be integrated successfully after the closing of the Merger;
the risk that the anticipated benefits of the Merger may not be realized or may take longer to realize than expected;
the risk of litigation related to the proposed Merger; and
other unforeseen factors.
The above list of factors is not exhaustive or necessarily in order of importance. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include those discussed under "Risk Factors" elsewhere in this report and the other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company's exposures to market risk have not materially changed since December 31, 2023. Please see these quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk in Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk," of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
CONSOL Energy, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including CONSOL Energy's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's "disclosure controls and procedures," as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, CONSOL Energy's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of September 30, 2024 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by CONSOL Energy in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and includes controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by CONSOL Energy in such reports is accumulated and communicated to CONSOL Energy's management, including CONSOL Energy's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
During the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there were no changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal controls over financial reporting.
It should be noted that any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system will be met. In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events.
PART II: OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Our operations are subject to a variety of risks and disputes normally incidental to our business. As a result, we may, at any given time, be a defendant in various legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. However, we are not currently subject to any material litigation, except as disclosed in Note 13 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part 1, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, incorporated herein by this reference.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this quarterly report, including the risk factors set forth below relating to the Merger, you should carefully consider the factors described in "Part 1 - Item 1A. Risk Factors" of CONSOL Energy's 2023 Form 10-K, as updated by any subsequent Form 10-Qs. These described risks are not the only risks the Company faces. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to CONSOL Energy or that the Company currently deems to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect CONSOL Energy's business, financial condition and/or operating results.
The Merger may not be completed, and the Merger Agreement may be terminated in accordance with its terms.
The Merger is subject to a number of conditions that must be satisfied or waived prior to the completion of the Merger. These conditions may not be satisfied or waived in a timely manner or at all, and, accordingly, the Merger may be delayed or may not be completed.
In addition, if the Merger is not completed by August 20, 2025 (which date may be extended to November 20, 2025 in certain circumstances), either the Company or Arch may choose not to proceed with the Merger by terminating the Merger Agreement, and the parties can mutually decide to terminate the Merger Agreement at any time, before or after stockholder approval. In addition, the Company and Arch may elect to terminate the Merger Agreement in certain other circumstances as described in the Merger Agreement.
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The Merger Agreement limits the Company's ability to pursue alternatives to the Merger, may discourage other companies from trying to acquire the Company and, in specified circumstances, could require the Company to pay Arch a termination fee.
The Merger Agreement contains provisions that may discourage a third party from submitting a competing proposal that might result in greater value to the Company's stockholders than the Merger, or may result in a potential acquirer of the Company proposing to pay a lower per share price to acquire the Company than it might otherwise have proposed to pay. These provisions include a general prohibition on the Company soliciting or, subject to certain exceptions relating to the exercise of fiduciary duties by the Company's Board of Directors, entering into discussions with any third party regarding any competing proposal. Further, even if the Company's Board of Directors withholds, withdraws, qualifies or modifies its recommendation to stockholders with respect to the Company's merger-related stockholder proposals, unless the Merger Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, the Company will still be required to submit such proposals to a vote by the Company's stockholders. The Merger Agreement further provides that under specified circumstances, the Company may be required to pay Arch a cash termination fee of $82 million.
Failure to complete the Merger could negatively impact the price of shares of CONSOL common stock, as well as the Company's future businesses and financial results.
The Merger Agreement contains a number of conditions that must be satisfied or waived prior to the completion of the Merger. There can be no assurance that all of the conditions to the completion of the Merger will be satisfied or waived. If these conditions are not satisfied or waived, the Merger will not be completed.
If the Merger is not completed for any reason, including the failure to receive the required approvals of the Company's stockholders or Arch's stockholders, the Company's businesses and financial results may be adversely affected and, without realizing any of the benefits of having completed the Merger, the Company would be subject to a number of risks, including as follows:
the Company may experience negative reactions from the financial markets, including negative impacts on the market price of CONSOL common stock;
the Company and its subsidiaries may experience negative reactions from their respective customers, distributors, suppliers, vendors, landlords, joint venture participants and other third parties with whom they do business, which in turn could affect the Company's marketing operations or their ability to compete for new business or obtain renewals in the marketplace more broadly;
the Company may experience negative reactions from employees;
the Company will still be required to pay certain significant costs relating to the Merger, such as legal, accounting, financial advisor and printing fees; and
the Company will have expended time and resources that could otherwise have been spent on the Company's existing businesses and the pursuit of other opportunities that could have been beneficial to the Company, and the Company's ongoing business and financial results may be adversely affected.
Uncertainties associated with the Merger may cause a loss of management personnel and other key employees of the Company and Arch, which could adversely affect the future business and operations of the combined company following the Merger or, in the event the Merger is not completed, the Company.
Each of the Company and Arch depends on the experience and industry knowledge of its officers and other key employees to execute its business plans. The success of the combined company after the Merger will depend in part on its ability to retain key management personnel and other key employees. Current and prospective employees of the Company and Arch may experience uncertainty about their roles within the combined company following the Merger or other concerns regarding the timing and completion of the Merger or the operations of the combined company following the Merger, any of which may have an adverse effect on the ability of the Company and Arch to retain or attract key management and other key personnel. If the Company or Arch is unable to retain personnel, including the Company's or Arch's key management, who are critical to the future operations of the companies, the Company and Arch could face disruptions in their operations, loss of existing customers, loss of key information, expertise or know-how and unanticipated additional recruitment and training costs. In addition, the loss of key Company and Arch personnel could diminish the anticipated benefits of the Merger. No assurance can be given that the combined company following the Merger will be able to retain or attract key management personnel and other key employees of the Company and Arch to the same extent that the Company and Arch have previously been able to retain or attract their own employees. These same risks apply to the ability of the Company to retain its key management personnel and other key employees, in the event the Merger is not completed.
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The business relationships of the Company and Arch may be subject to disruption due to uncertainty associated with the Merger, which could have a material effect on the business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations of the Company or the combined company following the Merger.
Parties with which the Company or Arch do business may experience uncertainty associated with the Merger, including with respect to current or future business relationships with the Company, Arch or the combined company following the Merger. The Company's and Arch's business relationships may be subject to disruption as customers, distributors, suppliers, vendors, landlords, joint venture participants and other third parties with whom they do business may attempt to delay or defer entering into new business relationships, negotiate changes in existing business relationships or consider entering into business relationships with parties other than the Company, Arch or the combined company following the Merger. These disruptions could have a material and adverse effect on the business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations of the Company, regardless of whether the Merger is completed, as well as a material and adverse effect on the combined company's ability to realize the expected cost savings and other benefits of the Merger. The risk, and adverse effects, of any disruption could be exacerbated by a delay in completion of the Merger or termination of the Merger Agreement.
The Merger Agreement subjects the Company to restrictions on its business activities prior to the effective time of the Merger.
The Merger Agreement restricts the Company from entering into certain corporate transactions and taking other specified actions without the consent of Arch, and generally requires the Company to continue its operations in the ordinary course through the completion of the Merger. These restrictions could be in place for an extended period of time if completion of the Merger is delayed and could prevent the Company from pursuing attractive business opportunities that may arise prior to the completion of the Merger.
The Company is expected to incur significant costs in connection with the Merger and integration of the two companies, which may be in excess of those anticipated by the Company.
The Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur a number of non-recurring costs associated with negotiating and completing the Merger and combining the operations of the two companies. These expenses have been, and will continue to be, substantial. The substantial majority of non-recurring expenses will consist of transaction costs related to the Merger and include, among others, employee retention costs, fees paid to financial, legal and accounting advisors, severance and benefit costs, filing fees and debt restructuring costs. Many of these costs will be borne by the Company even if the Merger is not completed.
The Company will also incur transaction costs related to formulating and implementing integration plans, including facilities and systems consolidation costs and employment-related costs. Expectations that the combined company will offset integration-related costs over time by the elimination of duplicative costs, as well as the realization of other efficiencies related to the integration of the businesses, may not be achieved in the near term, or at all. The costs described above, as well as other unanticipated costs and expenses, could adversely affect the financial condition, cash flows and operating results of the combined company following the completion of the Merger.
Litigation relating to the Merger, if any, could result in an injunction preventing the completion of the Merger and/or substantial costs.
Securities class action lawsuits and derivative lawsuits are often brought against public companies that have entered into acquisition, merger or other business combination agreements like the Merger Agreement. Even if such a lawsuit is without merit, defending against these claims can result in substantial costs and divert management time and resources. An adverse judgment could result in monetary damages, which could have a negative impact on the Company's and Arch's respective liquidity and financial condition. Lawsuits that may be brought against the Company, Arch or their respective directors could also seek, among other things, injunctive relief or other equitable relief, including a request to rescind parts of the Merger Agreement already implemented and to otherwise enjoin the parties from consummating the Merger. One of the conditions to the closing of the Merger is that no injunction by any governmental entity having jurisdiction over the Company, Arch or Merger Sub has been entered and continues to be in effect and no law has been adopted, in either case, that prohibits the closing of the Merger. Consequently, if a plaintiff is successful in obtaining an injunction prohibiting completion of the Merger, that injunction may delay or prevent the Merger from being completed within the expected timeframe or at all, which may adversely affect the Company's and Arch's respective business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. In addition, either the Company or Arch may terminate the Merger Agreement if any governmental entity having jurisdiction over the Company, Arch or Merger Sub has issued any order, decree, ruling or injunction permanently prohibiting the closing of the Merger that has become final and non-appealable or if any law has been adopted that permanently prohibits the closing of the Merger, so long as the Company's or Merger Sub's (in the case of a termination by the Company) or Arch's (in the case of a termination by Arch) failure to fulfill any material covenant or
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agreement under the Merger Agreement has not been the cause of, materially contributed to or resulted in such order, decree, ruling, injunction or other action.
There can be no assurance that any of the defendants would be successful in the outcome of any potential future lawsuits. The defense or settlement of any lawsuit or claim that remains unresolved at the time the Merger is completed may adversely affect the combined company's business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
If the Merger is completed, the failure to integrate the businesses and operations of the Company and Arch successfully in the expected time frame may adversely affect the combined company's future results.
The Company and Arch have operated and, until the completion of the Merger, will continue to operate independently. If the Merger is completed, their respective businesses may not be integrated successfully. It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of key Company employees or key Arch employees; the loss of customers, service providers, vendors or other business counterparties, the disruption of either company's or both companies' ongoing businesses, inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies, potential unknown liabilities and unforeseen expenses, delays or regulatory conditions associated with and following completion of the Merger; or higher-than-expected integration costs and an overall post-completion integration process that takes longer than originally anticipated.
In addition, at times the attention of certain members of either company's or both companies' management and resources may be focused on completion of the Merger and the integration of the businesses of the two companies and diverted from day-to-day business operations or other opportunities that may be beneficial, which may disrupt each company's ongoing operations and the operations of the combined company.
Furthermore, if the Merger is completed, the board of directors and executive leadership of the combined company will consist of former directors from each of the Company and Arch and former executive officers from each of the Company and Arch, respectively. Combining the boards of directors and management teams of each company into a single board and a single management team could require the reconciliation of differing priorities and philosophies.
If the Merger is completed, the combined company may fail to realize all of the anticipated benefits of the Merger.
The success of the Merger, if it is completed, will depend, in part, on the Company's ability to realize the anticipated benefits and cost savings from combining the Company's and Arch's businesses and operational synergies. The anticipated benefits and cost savings of the Merger may not be realized fully or at all, may take longer to realize than expected, or could have other adverse effects that the Company does not currently foresee, in which case, among other things, the Merger may not be accretive to free cash flow and may not generate significant discretionary cash flow to return to stockholders via share buybacks or other means. Some of the assumptions that the Company has made, such as the achievement of the anticipated benefits related to the geographic, commodity and asset diversification and the expected size, scale, inventory and financial strength of the combined company, may not be realized if the Merger is completed. The integration process may result in the loss of key employees, the disruption of ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies. In addition, there could be potential unknown liabilities and unforeseen expenses associated with the Merger that could adversely impact the combined company.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
There were no repurchases of the Company's equity securities during the three months ended September 30, 2024. In December 2017, CONSOL Energy's Board of Directors approved a program to repurchase, from time to time, the Company's outstanding shares of common stock or its 11.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2025. Since the inception of the program, CONSOL Energy Inc.'s Board of Directors has amended the program on several separate occasions. As a result of such amendments, the Company may now repurchase up to $1 billion of its stock and debt until December 31, 2024. As of November 5, 2024, approximately $310 million remained available under the stock and debt repurchase program. The Company has suspended share repurchases until the Merger is completed.
Limitation on Payment of Dividends
The Revolving Credit Facility includes certain covenants limiting the Company's ability to declare and pay dividends. In addition, under the Merger Agreement, the Company is permitted to pay quarterly dividends of no more than $0.25 per share to its stockholders during the pendency of the Merger.
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ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
The information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.104) is included in Exhibit 95 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans
Our executive officers and directors may from time to time enter into plans or arrangements for the purchase or sale of our Common Stock that are intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a "Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" or "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement," as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibits Description Method of Filing
2.1
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated August 20, 2024, among CONSOL Energy Inc., Mountain Range Merger Sub Inc. and Arch Resources, Inc. † Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K (File No. 001-38147) filed on August 21, 2024
Waiver, Acknowledgement and Amendment, dated August 20, 2024, by and between CONSOL Energy Inc. and James A. Brock Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K (File No. 001-38147) filed on August 21, 2024
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Filed herewith
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Filed herewith
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Furnished herewith
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Furnished herewith
95
Mine Safety and Health Administration Safety Data Filed herewith
101
Interactive Data File (Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024, furnished in Inline XBRL)
Filed herewith
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL) Contained in Exhibit 101
† Schedules (or similar attachments) have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. CONSOL hereby undertakes to furnish supplementally copies of any of the omitted schedules upon request by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CONSOL ENERGY INC.
November 5, 2024 By: /s/ JAMES A. BROCK
James A. Brock
Director, Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
November 5, 2024 By: /s/ MITESHKUMAR B. THAKKAR
Miteshkumar B. Thakkar
Chief Financial Officer and President
(Principal Financial Officer)
November 5, 2024 By: /s/ JOHN M. ROTHKA
John M. Rothka
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
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