BTU

Energy

Peabody Energy Corporation · Coal · $3B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
39.3
Below Average

Peabody Energy Corporation scores 39.3/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Energy Sector
BTU
39.3
Sector avg
43.5
Quality
Weak
Moat
Weak
Growth
Neutral
Risk
Good
Valuation
Attractive

What is Peabody Energy Corporation?

Peabody Energy Corporation is one of the largest private-sector coal companies in the world, supplying thermal and metallurgical coal to electricity generators, industrial facilities, and steel manufacturers across multiple continents.

Peabody mines, prepares, and sells coal through four operating segments: Seaborne Thermal Mining, Seaborne Metallurgical Mining, Powder River Basin Mining, and Other U.S. Thermal Mining. The company serves electric utilities with thermal coal for power generation and steel manufacturers with metallurgical coal grades including hard coking, semi-hard coking, semi-soft coking, and pulverized coal injection coal. It also participates in direct and brokered trading of coal and freight-related contracts.

Founded in 1883, Peabody Energy is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.

  • Thermal coal supply to electric utilities and industrial facilities
  • Metallurgical coal for global steel manufacturing
  • Seaborne coal exports to Asia-Pacific markets
  • Powder River Basin sub-bituminous coal mining
  • Coal and freight contract trading services

Is BTU a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates BTU as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful structural challenges across several key pillars.

The Risk pillar stands out as a relative bright spot, suggesting the company's near-term financial stability is more resilient than its overall score implies. Valuation is rated Attractive, meaning the stock may be priced below what its fundamentals would typically command — a potential point of interest for contrarian-minded investors.

Both the Quality and Moat pillars score Weak, pointing to limited competitive differentiation and below-average business quality metrics — a combination that warrants careful consideration in a structurally challenged sector.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does BTU pay dividends?

Yes — Peabody Energy Corporation pays a dividend.

Peabody Energy pays a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among coal producers navigating a volatile commodity cycle. The dividend reflects management's intent to return capital to shareholders during periods of stronger cash generation. Investors should monitor commodity price trends, as coal-sector dividends can be sensitive to swings in seaborne and domestic coal markets.

When does BTU report earnings?

Peabody Energy reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.

Results tend to move with seaborne and domestic coal prices, export volumes, and operational costs across its U.S. and Australian mining segments. The Growth pillar is rated Neutral, suggesting neither a strong expansion trend nor a sharp contraction in recent periods.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Peabody Energy's investor relations page directly.

BTU Price History

+325.2% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Peabody Energy Corporation?

$
Today it would be worth
$77,257
That's a +673% total return, or +50.5% annualized.

Based on Peabody Energy Corporation's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

BTU Long-term Outlook

Peabody's fundamental outlook is shaped by the interplay between global energy demand, steel production cycles, and the long-term energy transition away from coal. The Neutral Growth rating suggests the business is holding relatively steady rather than expanding, while the Attractive Valuation label indicates the market may already be pricing in significant headwinds. The Good Risk rating provides some reassurance around near-term financial durability, but the Weak Moat limits confidence in sustained long-run earnings power.

Growth drivers

  • Continued demand for metallurgical coal from Asian steel producers
  • Seaborne thermal coal demand in energy-constrained emerging markets
  • Operational cost discipline across U.S. and Australian mining segments

Key risks

  • Accelerating global energy transition reducing long-term thermal coal demand
  • Commodity price volatility compressing margins in low-price environments
  • Regulatory and environmental pressures on coal mining operations

BTU vs Peers

Peabody Energy operates in a concentrated sector alongside several other publicly traded coal producers, each with distinct geographic and product-mix profiles.

ARLPBTU scores lower
Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.

Alliance Resource Partners focuses primarily on Illinois Basin and Appalachian thermal coal, operating as a master limited partnership with a historically strong distribution track record.

AMRBTU scores higher
Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc.

Alpha Metallurgical Resources concentrates almost exclusively on metallurgical coal for steelmaking, giving it a more focused exposure to global steel demand cycles than Peabody's diversified portfolio.

CNRBTU scores higher
Core Natural Resources, Inc.

Core Natural Resources brings a broad natural resources footprint, differentiating itself through asset diversity beyond pure-play coal exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Peabody Energy do?

Peabody Energy mines and sells thermal and metallurgical coal across the United States and Australia. It supplies electric utilities with thermal coal for power generation and steel manufacturers with various grades of metallurgical coal. The company also trades coal and freight contracts in seaborne markets, with significant export volumes directed toward Asia-Pacific customers.

Does BTU pay dividends?

Yes, Peabody Energy pays a regular dividend. The company has chosen to return capital to shareholders through dividend payments, which is notable in a commodity-driven sector where cash flows can be uneven. Investors should review the current dividend policy on Peabody's investor relations page, as coal-sector payouts can change with market conditions.

When does BTU report earnings?

Peabody Energy reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed companies. Specific upcoming earnings dates are not confirmed in our data source. For the most accurate and up-to-date schedule, check Peabody Energy's official investor relations page or a financial calendar service.

Is BTU a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates BTU as Below Average, driven by Weak Quality and Moat scores. However, the Valuation pillar is rated Attractive and Risk is rated Good, which may appeal to investors comfortable with commodity-sector exposure. The complete pillar breakdown is available to Pro members for a more detailed view.

Is BTU overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for BTU is rated Attractive, suggesting the stock is not considered overvalued relative to its fundamentals within our scoring framework. Coal stocks can trade at depressed multiples due to sector-wide sentiment, which may contribute to this rating. View the full valuation analysis by signing up for UQS Pro.

How does BTU compare to its competitors?

Peabody Energy is one of the largest diversified coal producers, with both thermal and metallurgical operations across the U.S. and Australia. Peers like Alpha Metallurgical Resources focus more narrowly on met coal, while Alliance Resource Partners concentrates on domestic thermal markets. Each carries a distinct risk and growth profile depending on commodity mix and geography.

What is BTU's market cap bracket?

Peabody Energy is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in a segment of the market that typically offers more liquidity than small-cap names but less institutional coverage than large-cap peers. Mid-cap coal producers can experience amplified price swings relative to broader energy indices during commodity cycles.

Who founded Peabody Energy?

Peabody Energy was founded in 1883, making it one of the oldest coal companies in the United States. Detailed founding history, including the names of its original founders, is widely available through public historical records and the company's own corporate history materials.

Is BTU a long-term quality investment?

As a long-term quality indicator, BTU's UQS profile presents a mixed picture. The Weak Moat and Weak Quality scores suggest limited structural advantages that could sustain returns over a full market cycle. The Attractive Valuation may offer a margin of safety, but long-term investors should weigh the structural headwinds facing the coal sector carefully.

What is the main competitive advantage of Peabody Energy?

Peabody's scale and geographic diversification — spanning both U.S. domestic markets and seaborne export channels into Asia — provide operational breadth that smaller producers lack. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, indicating that these advantages may not translate into durable pricing power or above-average returns relative to sector peers.

What sector does BTU belong to?

Peabody Energy belongs to the Energy sector, specifically within the coal mining sub-industry. It is exposed to both thermal coal markets — tied to global electricity demand — and metallurgical coal markets, which move with steel production cycles. Explore other [Energy sector stocks](/sector/energy) rated by UQS Score.

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Pro Analysis

BTU — Score History

3035404550Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 24 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 21, 202639.18.314.045.171.791.7-0.1
May 14, 202639.28.314.045.171.792.2+0.1
May 12, 202639.18.314.045.171.791.90.0
May 11, 202639.18.314.045.171.791.7+0.2
May 10, 202638.98.914.045.171.789.7+0.7
May 9, 202638.29.414.040.871.789.8-0.8
May 8, 202639.09.214.045.171.789.90.0
May 7, 202639.08.314.045.171.791.2-1.5
Apr 26, 202640.513.114.045.171.593.3+0.2
Apr 24, 202640.312.814.045.171.592.2+0.1

BTU — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

8.3/100 (25%)

Peabody Energy Corporation currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Weak

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityWeak

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityWeak

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityWeak

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsWeak

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationModerate

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

45.1/100 (20%)

Peabody Energy Corporation shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthWeak

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookStrong

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

71.7/100 (15%)

Peabody Energy Corporation maintains a reasonable risk profile with manageable debt levels.

Financial LeverageStrong

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityStrong

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioModerate

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

92.8/100 (15%)

Peabody Energy Corporation appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.

Earnings YieldStrong

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowStrong

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorModerate

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

14/100 (25%)

Peabody Energy Corporation operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for BTU.

Score Composition

Quality
8.3×25%2.1
Growth
45.1×20%9.0
Risk
71.7×15%10.8
Valuation
92.8×15%13.9
Moat
14.0×25%3.5
Total
39.3Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the BTU UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Peabody Energy Corporation is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Peabody Energy Corporation's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Peabody Energy Corporation is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.