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Core Natural Resources, Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 6 raised, 1 lowered, 5 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Adjusted EBITDA reaches $324 million: Adjusted EBITDA $323.6 million in Q2 compared to $179.9 million in Q1, an 80 percent increase Source
  • Operating cash flow doubles to $250 million: Operating cash flow reached $250.4 million in Q2 versus $119.4 million in Q1, demonstrating strong underlying cash generation Source
  • Thermal volumes up 9 percent: High C.V. thermal sales 8.4 million tons, up 9 percent from 7.7 million in Q1, with all-in cash margin per ton rising to $19.53 from $16.30 Source
  • Cash cost per ton drops 9 percent: Cash cost improved to $38.58 per ton from $42.56 in Q1, reflecting operational excellence and cost control Source
  • Coking volume rises 8 percent: Metallurgical coking coal sales 2.3 million tons, up 8 percent from 2.1 million in Q1, with thermal byproduct stable at 0.3 million tons Source
  • Cash cost per ton drops 7 percent: Metallurgical cash cost fell to $85.65 per ton from $92.35, a 7 percent improvement driving margin expansion to $28.48 from $19.68 Source
  • Full limit recovery totals $155 million: Leer South insurance claim settled at full limit recovery of $154.5 million total, with $88.1 million received in Q2 and $37.9 million in July Source
  • Capital returns reach $360 million: Since February 2025 program inception, Core returned $360.1 million total including $329.2 million share buybacks of 4.3 million shares plus dividends, representing 7.9 percent of shares outstanding Source
  • Program exceeded 75 percent FCF target: Since inception Core returned approximately 80 percent of free cash flow to shareholders versus stated target of 75 percent, demonstrating commitment to capital returns Source

“Given Core's step-change in operational execution, strong cash balance, incremental cash proceeds from insurance settlements, projected drawdown of coal inventories, and an improving shipping outlook in the Powder River Basin, we believe the stage is set for even stronger capital returns - and an accelerated reduction in share count - in the year's second half.”

Mitesh Thakkar, President and Chief Financial Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
High C.V. thermal coal sales volume Sourcefull year 202631.5-33.0 million tonsRaised from 30.0-32.0 million tons
Metallurgical coking coal sales volume Sourcefull year 20268.8-9.4 million tonsRaised from 8.6-9.4 million tons
Powder River Basin coal sales volume Sourcefull year 202647.0-50.0 million tonsKept
Metallurgical committed priced coking volume and price Sourcefull year 20266.0 million tons at $120.86 per tonRaised from 3.8 million tons at $122.40 per ton
High C.V. thermal committed priced volume and price Sourcefull year 202630.9 million tons at $58.00 per tonRaised from 28.5 million tons at $57.85 per ton
Metallurgical cash cost of coal sold per ton Sourcefull year 2026$86.00-$91.00 per tonLowered from $88.00-$94.00 per ton
High C.V. thermal cash cost of coal sold per ton Sourcefull year 2026$39.00-$40.50 per tonRaised from $38.00-$39.50 per ton
Powder River Basin cash cost of coal sold per ton Sourcefull year 2026$13.25-$13.75 per tonRaised from $13.00-$13.50 per ton
Capital expenditures Sourcefull year 2026$325-$375 millionKept
Depreciation, depletion and amortization Sourcefull year 2026$600-$650 millionKept
Cash basis general and administrative costs Sourcefull year 2026$85-$100 millionKept
Cash tax rate Sourcefull year 20260%-5%Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Leer South insurance claim settled at full limit of $154.5 million total recovery Source
  • New: Secured 16 million tons of new sales commitments at advantageous prices Source

Quarterly earnings and cash surge

  • Adjusted EBITDA reaches $324 million: Adjusted EBITDA $323.6 million in Q2 compared to $179.9 million in Q1, an 80 percent increase Source
  • Operating cash flow doubles to $250 million: Operating cash flow reached $250.4 million in Q2 versus $119.4 million in Q1, demonstrating strong underlying cash generation Source

Thermal segment performance strengthens

  • Thermal volumes up 9 percent: High C.V. thermal sales 8.4 million tons, up 9 percent from 7.7 million in Q1, with all-in cash margin per ton rising to $19.53 from $16.30 Source
  • Cash cost per ton drops 9 percent: Cash cost improved to $38.58 per ton from $42.56 in Q1, reflecting operational excellence and cost control Source

Metallurgical margins expand sharply

  • Coking volume rises 8 percent: Metallurgical coking coal sales 2.3 million tons, up 8 percent from 2.1 million in Q1, with thermal byproduct stable at 0.3 million tons Source
  • Cash cost per ton drops 7 percent: Metallurgical cash cost fell to $85.65 per ton from $92.35, a 7 percent improvement driving margin expansion to $28.48 from $19.68 Source

Powder River Basin faces seasonal pressure

  • Volume depressed by spring seasonality: PRB sales 10.2 million tons in Q2 down from 11.9 million in Q1 due to seasonally depressed spring shipment levels Source
  • Cost inflation from lower absorption: Cash cost increased 9 percent to $14.85 per ton from $13.64 due to lower fixed cost absorption and higher fuel costs during seasonal weakness Source

Leer South insurance settlement finalized

  • Full limit recovery totals $155 million: Leer South insurance claim settled at full limit recovery of $154.5 million total, with $88.1 million received in Q2 and $37.9 million in July Source

Shareholder returns accelerate

  • Capital returns reach $360 million: Since February 2025 program inception, Core returned $360.1 million total including $329.2 million share buybacks of 4.3 million shares plus dividends, representing 7.9 percent of shares outstanding Source
  • Program exceeded 75 percent FCF target: Since inception Core returned approximately 80 percent of free cash flow to shareholders versus stated target of 75 percent, demonstrating commitment to capital returns Source

Market and forward positioning

  • Near-term thermal demand softness expected to ease: U.S. thermal coal demand pressured in Q2 by moderate temperatures, low gas prices, and customer stockpiles, but management expects improving dynamics in back half 2026 Source
  • 16 million tons of new commitments secured: Marketing team secured 16 million tons of new sales commitments across all segments for future delivery at prices expected to support advantageous margins Source

Coming up, per management

  • PRB segment improvement expected in H2: Management expects substantial improvement in Powder River Basin sales volumes and unit costs in year's second half following Q2 seasonal weakness Source
  • Accelerated capital return execution signaled: Company signals further acceleration of share repurchases and capital returns in H2 2026 based on insurance proceeds, inventory reduction, and improved cash generation Source
  • Q3 dividend declared at $0.10 per share: Board declared quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share payable September 18, 2026 to record holders August 31 Source

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Metallurgical coal markets remain fragile due to two years of global hot metal output contraction with uncertain recovery timing Source
  • Demand: U.S. thermal coal demand pressured by moderate temperatures, low natural gas prices, and elevated customer stockpiles creating near-term uncertainty Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management expects PRB segment to recover from Q2 seasonal weakness with improved volumes and unit costs in back half Source
  • On track: Board declared Q3 dividend at $0.10 per share consistent with stated sustaining dividend policy Source

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point carries a quote that is checked word for word against the filing; a point whose quote is not found is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.