Natural Resource Partners LP (NYSE:NRP) delivered third-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings of $1.30 per unit, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.40 by 7.1%. However, the bottom line improved from the year-ago quarter’s figure of $1.08.
Total Revenues
In the quarter under review, Natural Resource’s total revenues of $95 million fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $97 million by 2.1%. However, the top line was up by 1.9% compared with the year-ago quarter’s number.
The year-over-year upside was driven by strong metallurgical and thermal coal export demand coupled with stable domestic coal prices.
Natural Resource Partners LP Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Segment Details
The Coal Royalty and Other segment’s revenues slid 0.4% year over year to $49.4 million.
The Construction Aggregates segment’s revenues (excluding gains on asset sales) in the third quarter were $36.6 million, up nearly 5.6% from the prior-year quarter’s level.
Revenues in Soda Ash segment were $8.8 million, down from $9 million in the year-ago quarter.
Highlights of the Release
Total coal production in the reported quarter was 6,032 thousand tons, up from 5,933 thousand tons a year ago. Also, combined average coal royalty revenues per ton were $5.10, up from $4.54 in the preceding year.
Total operating expenses in the quarter under consideration rose 4.7% to $49 million from $46.8 million in the previous year.
Interest expenses declined 12.6% to $17.5 million from $20 million in the year-ago period.
Financial Condition
Natural Resource had cash and cash equivalents of $63.4 million as of Sep 30, 2018, up from $29.8 million as of Dec 31, 2017.
The partnership continues to lower outstanding debt levels. Long-term debt was $716.5 million as of Sep 30, 2018, down from $729.6 million as of Dec 31, 2017.
Cash flow from operating activities in the third quarter was $33.4 million, up from $25.8 million in the same period last year.
Zacks Rank
Natural Resource currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Other Coal Releases
Arch Coal Inc. (NYSE:ARCH) delivered third-quarter 2018 operating earnings of $6.33 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.02 by 109.6%.
Cloud Peak Energy’s (NYSE:CLD) earnings of 16 cents per share in third-quarter 2018 outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 8 cents by 300%.
Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ:ARLP) reported third-quarter 2018 operating earnings of 55 cents per unit, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents by 25.7%.
3 Medical Stocks to Buy Now
The greatest discovery in this century of biology is now at the flashpoint between theory and realization. Billions of dollars in research have poured into it. Companies are already generating revenue, and cures for a variety of deadly diseases are in the pipeline.
So are big potential profits for early investors. Zacks has released an updated Special Report that explains this breakthrough and names the best 3 stocks to ride it.
See them today for free >>
Cloud Peak Energy Inc (CLD): Free Stock Analysis Report
Arch Coal Inc. (ARCH): Free Stock Analysis Report
Natural Resource Partners LP (NRP): Free Stock Analysis Report
Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (ARLP): Free Stock Analysis Report
Original post