Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat. Could I have your views on Western Canadian Coal? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Western Canadian Coal, $3.95, symbol WTN on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 323.1 million; Market cap: $1.3 billion), produces metallurgical coal, which is used in steelmaking. The company exports most of its coal, primarily to Asia. In the three months ended December 31, 2009, Western Canadian Coal earned $0.09 a share. That was down 69% from $0.29 a share a year earlier, but well above the nil per share that analysts were expecting. Metallurgical coal prices are volatile, and depend on the highly cyclical global steel industry. That adds to Western Canadian Coal’s risk. Even so, China and India are making more steel, which should raise long-term demand for metallurgical coal. As well, metallurgical coal prices could rise as much as 30% to 40% this year due to a recovering economy. Western Canadian Coal is okay to hold, but only for aggressive investors. investors. …