2022 was tough on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), but ASX energy stocks – and coal shares in particular – bucked the trend.
The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) soared nearly 40% between the final close of 2021 and the end of 2022. That's compared to the ASX 200's 5.5% tumble.
The sector's strong performance came on the back of surging energy commodities – a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Indeed, Newcastle coal futures lifted above US$450 a tonne to reach a new record in 2022, bolstering producers' bottom lines.
But which ASX 200 coal shares posted the biggest gains last year? Let's take a look.
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3 ASX 200 coal shares that outperformed all others in 2022
The Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) share price outperformed not only all fellow ASX 200 coal stocks in 2022, but every other ASX 200 share as well.
After closing 2021 trading at $2.61, the stock rocketed to end 2022 at $9.42 — an incredible 261% rise.
That was despite floods impacting production at the company's New South Wales open-cut mines.
in August, Whitehaven posted a record $1.95 billion profit for the 2022 financial year and a 1,396% year-on-year increase in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA).
The New Hope Corporation Limited (ASX: NHC) share price also took off in 2022, rising from $2.23 on 31 December 2021 to $6.36 12 months later – a 185% gain.
In September, it also posted a whopping profit for the last financial year. Its profit rose nearly 1,140% to $983 million year-on-year, while its underlying EBITDA came in around 330% higher at $1.58 billion.
Finally, coal mining stock Coronado Global Resources Inc (ASX: CRN) takes out the bronze spot, coming in as 2022's third best-performing ASX 200 coal share.
After ending 2021 at $1.24, the company's share price shot up to close last year at $1.99 – a 60.5% improvement.
The ears of dividend fans were likely pricked by this stock last year. It posted two ordinary dividends and three special dividends over the period, totalling approximately 59.75 cents per share.
Some of those payouts related to the whopping US$849 million of EBITDA it posted for the six months ended 30 June – a 3,200% year-on-year improvement.
