At the time of writing, the Stanmore share price is down 8.80% to $2.28. That leaves the stock roughly 14% lower over the past week.

The pullback follows a strong period earlier this year, when higher coal prices and supportive sentiment helped drive the shares higher.

Here's what is behind the move.

Ceasefire cools energy trade

The selling has been driven by a shift outside the company itself.

A ceasefire between the United States and Iran has reduced concerns about supply disruptions across global energy markets.

That change has seen money move out of energy stocks, including coal producers, as some of the recent risk premium fades.

Oil prices have already started to ease after trading near recent highs, pointing to a broader reset in the sector.

Coal prices have held up better, but listed producers are still getting caught in the same move.

Coal prices remain elevated over the year

Despite the recent pullback in the share price, the underlying commodity backdrop still looks relatively firm over a longer period.

According to Trading Economics, coking coal is still trading around US$226 per tonne in mid-April. That leaves prices modestly higher over the past month and up close to 19% over the past year.

Demand from steelmakers has also remained steady, particularly across Asia, where metallurgical coal is still widely used.

But it's the gap that stands out. Prices have held up, yet sentiment has shifted quickly, and that is driving the recent volatility in coal stocks.

Recent performance shows the shift

Over the past week, Stanmore shares have fallen close to 14%, giving back part of the gains built earlier in the year.

Even so, the stock remains up roughly 24% over the past 12 months.

The move has tracked what has been happening across energy markets. Oil prices have eased back toward US$93 per barrel as tensions in the Middle East cool, taking some momentum out of the trade.

Foolish bottom line

The ceasefire has taken some urgency from energy prices, and that has been enough to trigger selling after a strong run.

Coking coal prices are still holding up over the year, but the focus has shifted to what comes next for the sector.

Personally, I would stay on the sidelines here.

The stock is moving with macro headlines rather than company updates, and that can change very quickly.

There are cleaner opportunities elsewhere on the ASX where geopolitics is less likely to drive the share price.

The post Why this ASX coal stock is sinking 9% today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In late morning trade on Thursday, the ASX 200 is down 1.3%.

But that's not keeping investors from sending the New Hope Corp Ltd (ASX: NHC) share price up 3% to $5.20.

Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) shares are enjoying an even stronger run, up 3.9% at $9.05 apiece. And the Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) share price is up 5.6% at this same time, with shares changing hands for $7.37 apiece.

We'll also give a shout-out to Stanmore Resources Ltd (ASX: SMR), which isn't technically an ASX 200 coal stock, but it is part of the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO). In either case, Stanmore Resources shares are up 2.5% at $2.87 each.

Why are ASX 200 coal stocks charging higher?

The big Aussie coal miners look to be catching tailwinds on several fronts.

First, the ongoing conflict in the oil-rich Middle East has not only sent oil prices soaring, but global coal prices have also surged. Part of that rise is due to expectations that nations, especially in Europe, may turn to coal-fired power generation amid potential looming gas shortages.

Earlier this week, thermal coal was fetching US$150 per tonne, according to data from Trading Economics. The coal price has since retreated to around US$135 per tonne, which is still up some 25% since the beginning of 2026.

As you'd expect, that's been a boon for investors in ASX 200 coal stocks (and Stanmore). Here's how they've been tracking year to date:

• Whitehaven shares are up 15.8%
• New Hope shares are up 28.9%
• Yancoal shares are up 48.1%
• Stanmore shares are up 20.4%

That performance is exceptionally good, taking into account that the ASX 200 is now down 1.1% in 2026.

What else could be boosting the Aussie coal miners?

Atop the price pressures on oil, gas, and coal amid the ongoing US and Israeli war with Iran, ASX 200 coal stocks also look to be getting a boost with Matt Canavan taking the helm of the National Party yesterday.

Canavan is well known for his pro-coal positions, which include supporting the construction of new coal-fired power stations in Australia.

ASX 200 coal stock gets credit rating boost

Whitehaven is the only one of the coal miners to release any price-sensitive news today.

The ASX 200 coal stock revealed that it had received public credit ratings from S&P, Fitch, and Moody's.

As The Motley Fool reported earlier this morning:

Whitehaven's new credit ratings come as the company looks to refinance its US$1.1 billion acquisition facility. The investment grade ratings on the senior secured debt, in particular, are expected to support better access to global debt capital markets.

The post Why are ASX 200 coal stocks like Whitehaven, Yancoal and New Hope shares smashing the benchmark today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Stanmore Resources report?

• Total revenue fell to US$1.88 billion, down from US$2.40 billion last year, reflecting a 21% drop in average realised sale prices.
• Underlying EBITDA came in at US$385 million, supported by lower FOB cash costs of US$88 per tonne.
• Net loss after tax of US$47 million, down from a profit of US$192 million in FY24.
• Free cash flow of US$296 million, with closing cash of US$212 million.
• A fully franked final dividend of 8.9 US cents per share was declared.
• Net debt finished the year at just US$33 million, with total liquidity of US$482 million.

What else do investors need to know?

Stanmore Resources' record output was achieved despite a challenging first half hampered by severe weather, with strong operational recovery in the second half. The company's major projects, including the Isaac Downs Extension, made regulatory progress, while South Walker Creek and Poitrel mines continued to drive performance.

Management highlighted cost discipline as a key factor in offsetting falling coal prices, with FOB cash costs slightly below the prior year. Operational efficiencies and a return to lower, steady-state capital expenditure supported robust cash generation and ongoing shareholder returns.

What did Stanmore Resources management say?

Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director Marcelo Matos said:

The 2025 full year was another expansionary year for Stanmore, with production increasing following the completion of our recent capital investment program… Stanmore remains uniquely positioned to benefit as an Australian-based pure-play producer.

What's next for Stanmore Resources?

Looking ahead, Stanmore is forecasting a modest step down in consolidated production to 12.8–13.4 million tonnes in FY26, mainly due to changes at the Isaac Plains Complex. The company expects slightly higher FOB cash costs in 2026, reflecting industry-wide pressure from inflation and FX movements, though ongoing operational improvements are expected to mitigate these impacts.

Stanmore intends to maintain its focus on operational efficiency, cost management, and advancing development projects such as the Isaac Downs Extension. It also remains committed to returning capital to shareholders, supported by its strong balance sheet and liquidity.

Stanmore Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Stanmore Resources shares have risen 6%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 9% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Stanmore Resources FY25 earnings: Record output appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Since the start of the year it has risen an impressive 22.08%. 

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 2.36% in the same period. 

However, yesterday this ASX materials stock fell 2.33%. 

This was despite reporting a record December quarter coal production and strong cash generation on January 27.

Investor sell-off  

Stanmore Resources is an Australian coal producer with operations and exploration projects in the Bowen and Surat Basins in central and southern Queensland.

It is one of Australia's largest suppliers of metallurgical coals to global markets with three major assets including the Isaac Plains complex and the Poitrel and South Walker Creek coal mines.

Stanmore also has a 50% ownership stake in the Millennium and Mavis Downs mines.

Its most recent quarterly report included: 

• Record quarterly run-of-mine (ROM) coal production of 6.0 million tonnes (Mt), saleable production of 3.9Mt, and sales of 4.0Mt
• Full-year saleable coal production of 14.0Mt.
• Net debt reduced by US$57 million in Q4
• Total liquidity climbed to US$482 million at 31 December 2025
• Serious Accident Frequency Rate for the year was 0.33, significantly below industry benchmarks
• Average sales price achieved was US$133 per tonne, with a late-quarter rally in coal markets

Despite these results, investors have been trimming their positions in this ASX materials stock over the last couple of days. 

The stock price has dropped almost 4% since Tuesday's open. 

What's Morgans' view?

The team at Morgans have provided fresh guidance for this ASX materials stock following its quarterly results. 

The broker highlighted that Stanmore Resources delivered record quarterly results in 4Q25 across run-of-mine (6.0Mt), saleable product (3.9Mt) and product sales (4.0Mt) whilst dealing with unseasonably high rainfall.

Increased sales helped operational cash flow that saw total cash increase to US$212m and net debt reduced by US$57m to US$33m. 

Morgans said the Isaac Downs site is expected to deliver materially lower output in 2026 as mining progresses deeper into the pit and approaches less economic zones. 

Poitrel's production is also forecast to ease after a standout 2025 performance. 

Based on this guidance, Morgans has downgraded its recommendation to TRIM. 

It also has a revised target price of $2.95ps. 

It would appear based on this target that this ASX materials stock is fully valued, after closing yesterday at $2.93 per share. 

Our target for SMR is set at a discount to NPV to reflect opacity in the short-term coal price outlook.

The post After rising 22% this month, it could be time to sell this booming ASX materials stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Stanmore Resources report?

• Record quarterly run-of-mine (ROM) coal production of 6.0 million tonnes (Mt), saleable production of 3.9Mt, and sales of 4.0Mt
• Full-year saleable coal production reached 14.0Mt, at the mid-point of revised guidance
• Net debt reduced sharply by US$57 million in Q4, finishing the year at US$33 million
• Total liquidity climbed to US$482 million at 31 December 2025
• Serious Accident Frequency Rate for the year was 0.33, significantly below industry benchmarks
• Average sales price achieved was US$133 per tonne, with a late-quarter rally in coal markets

What else do investors need to know?

Stanmore Resources overcame early-year weather disruptions to deliver operational records across all key sites, including South Walker Creek, Poitrel, and Isaac Plains Complex. The company maintained a healthy ROM inventory of 1.5Mt entering the wet season, aiming to enhance resilience against further supply interruptions.

The revolving credit facility was upsized to US$200 million, supporting liquidity and reflecting continued confidence from lenders. Exploration and project development progressed as planned, with approvals for the Isaac Downs Extension and Eagle Downs infrastructure advancing.

What did Stanmore Resources management say?

Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director Marcelo Matos said:

The December quarter marked an exceptional close to the year, with operations delivering record performances across all production metrics. Most impressively, this was achieved safely and despite the first-half challenges from adverse weather, which demonstrated operational agility and flexibility.

What's next for Stanmore Resources?

The company starts 2026 with some challenges after ex-tropical cyclone Koji impacted the Bowen Basin, though management is closely monitoring operational impacts and inventories. Stanmore plans further cost and production optimisations, particularly at the Isaac Plains Complex ahead of its planned transition to the Isaac Downs Extension project.

Shareholders can expect updated full-year financials and 2026 guidance in late February, with a continued focus on maintaining operational safety and disciplined capital management.

Stanmore Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Stanmore Resources shares have risen 15%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 5% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Stanmore Resources delivers record December quarter coal production and strong cash generation appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Stanmore Resources report?

• Group ROM coal production rose to 5.3 million tonnes (Mt), up from 4.9Mt in the June quarter
• Saleable coal production increased by 14% to 3.6Mt
• Record quarterly ROM and saleable output at South Walker Creek
• Net debt reduced from US$99 million at 30 June to US$90 million at 30 September
• Total liquidity stood at US$420 million at quarter end, with all working capital facilities undrawn
• FY25 saleable production guidance range revised to 13.8–14.2Mt, narrowing the upper end to reflect Isaac Plains Complex production

What else do investors need to know?

Stanmore's safety record continues to impress, with a rolling twelve-month serious accident frequency rate of zero. The company noted this strong safety performance is below the industry average, underlining its commitment to workforce wellbeing.

Poitrel and South Walker Creek delivered higher ROM production, offsetting weather-affected output at the Isaac Plains Complex. Year-to-date saleable production at Poitrel is now tracking 8% ahead of last year, supporting a higher full-year guidance range for that site.

During the quarter, Stanmore invested $5.4 million in exploration across multiple projects, including key groundwater and seismic works. The Isaac Downs Extension and Eagle Downs projects continue to progress through their approval and study stages.

What did Stanmore Resources management say?

Commenting on the result, Marcelo Matos, Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director said:

Operations have continued to safely deliver on the full-year recovery plan, with both ROM production and saleable production increasing from the second quarter… For Stanmore, however, we are proud to have continually demonstrated our financial resilience during this challenging period in the commodity price cycle, with cash improving over the quarter and a corresponding reduction in net debt. 

What's next for Stanmore Resources?

Stanmore is looking to a stronger fourth quarter, expecting increased coal mining, washing, and shipments thanks to a lower prime strip ratio and healthy inventories. Full-year saleable production guidance has been slightly narrowed but remains achievable, provided weather conditions remain favourable.

The company is continuing to advance key development projects and maintains its capital expenditure guidance. With total liquidity of US$420 million and no drawn working capital lines, Stanmore says it's well prepared for the ongoing softness in metallurgical coal markets.

Stanmore Resources share price snapshot

Stanmore Resources shares have fallen 23% in the past year, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen around 9% over the same period. 

View Original Announcement

The post Stanmore Resources earnings: Record production and improved net debt appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In morning trade today, shares in the coal miner are changing hands for $2.30 apiece, down 0.8%.

That sees the Stanmore share price up 43.8% since plumbing that 9 April low.

Longer-term, shares remain down 29% over 12 months. Though those losses will have been somewhat mitigated by the 17.1 cents per share in fully franked dividends the ASX 300 energy stock paid out over the full year.

At the current share price, this sees Stanmore Resources trading on a fully franked trailing dividend yield of 7.4%.

Looking to the year ahead, Seneca Financial Solutions' Arthur Garipoli sees the potential for solid ongoing dividend payouts and further share price growth (courtesy of The Bull).

Here's why.

Should you buy the ASX 300 energy stock today?

While 9 April would certainly have been an opportune time to snap up Stanmore Resources shares, Garipoli reiterated his buy recommendation on the ASX 300 energy stock this week.

"This metallurgical coal company recently reported strong production in the 2025 June quarter leading into a solid start to the second half of 2025," Garipoli noted.

As for that passive income potential, he said, "Cost savings are projected to flow through to the bottom line on higher coal tonnages, leading to an uplift in cash flow and potential for a solid dividend."

Garipoli concluded, "SMR is one of the lowest cost producers listed on the ASX. This stock suits investors looking for a turnaround play post a lengthy weak share price that is showing signs of a recovery."

What's the latest from Stanmore Resources?

The ASX 300 energy stock reported its second quarter (Q2 2025) results on 28 July.

The coal miner reported run of mine (ROM) coal production of 4.9 million tonnes for the three months. That was up 15% from the prior quarter amid improving weather conditions and record production from its South Walker Creek mine.

Saleable production came in at 3.2 million tonnes for the quarter.

Stanmore also achieved positive operating cash flows, reporting consolidated cash of US$181 million and net debt of US$99 million as at 30 June. That compares favourably to consolidated cash of US$169 million and net debt of US$146 million the ASX 300 energy stock held as at 31 March.

Commenting on the quarterly results on the day, Stanmore Resources CEO Marcelo Matos said, "We are proud to have recovered strongly from the first quarter, increasing our run-of-mine production by 15% with saleable production remaining stable."

The post Up 44% since April, why this dividend paying ASX 300 energy stock could keep running hot appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That's because S&P Dow Jones Indices has just announced changes in the S&P/ASX Indices that will be effective prior to the open of trading on June 23 following the June quarterly review.

Let's see which ASX 20, ASX 50, ASX 100, and ASX 200 shares are being impacted by the changes.

ASX 20 index

There has been one change to the exclusive ASX 20 index.

That change will see the under pressure James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX) dumped from the index later this month after falling 30% from its 52-week high amid concerns over its proposed acquisition of AZEK Company Inc (NYSE: AZEK).

It will be replaced by supply chain solutions company Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB). Its shares are up over 17% since the start of the year.

ASX 50 index

There was also one change to the illustrious ASX 50 index.

This will see gold miner Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) replace the embattled lithium miner Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) when the ASX 50 index rebalances later this month.

ASX 100 index

S&P Dow Jones Indices will be making two changes to the ASX 100 index at the June quarterly rebalance.

Heading out of the index this month will be uranium miner Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) and fuel retailer Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA).

Their market capitalisations have shrunk over the past 12 months after their shares dropped 53% and 40%, respectively.

Replacing them in the index will be gold miner Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU), which is up 64% since last year, and Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI), which is up more than 50% over the same period.

ASX 200 index

Finally, the benchmark ASX 200 index is making two changes at this quarterly rebalance.

Heading out of the index will be struggling healthcare company Healius Ltd (ASX: HLS) and coal miner Stanmore Resources Ltd (ASX: SMR).

It seems that heavy declines have led to their market capitalisations falling below what is required for inclusion in the benchmark index. Healius shares are down almost 40% and Stanmore Resources shares are down over 40% since this time last year.

Replacing them in the ASX 200 index will be shipbuilder Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) and furniture retailer Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK). Their shares are up 157% and 34%, respectively, over the past 12 months.

The post Here are the ASX 20, ASX 50, ASX 100, and ASX 200 shares being added and kicked out of their indices appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Tuesday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to rebound

The Australian share market is expected to rise on Tuesday after two positive sessions in a row on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is poised to open the day 23 points or 0.27% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones was flat, the S&P 500 climbed 0.1%, and the Nasdaq pushed 0.3% higher. On Friday, all three indices charged higher in response to jobs data.

Quarterly rebalance

Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) and Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK) shares will be on watch on Tuesday after the shipbuilder and furniture retailer were added to the benchmark ASX 200 index at the latest quarterly rebalance. They will be taking the place of healthcare company Healius Ltd (ASX: HLS) and coal miner Stanmore Resources Ltd (ASX: SMR) when the index rebalances on 23 June.

Oil prices rise

It could be a good session for ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) after oil prices rose overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 1.2% to US$65.37 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 0.9% to US$67.09 a barrel. This was driven by optimism over US-China trade talks in London.

Buy Develop Global shares

The team at Bell Potter thinks that Develop Global Ltd (ASX: DVP) shares could be in the buy zone. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating on the miner and underground mining contractor's shares with an improved price target of $5.00 (from $4.00). It said: "DVP has demonstrated impressive execution of workflows to date to enable a timely and within-budget restart of operations at its flagship Woodlawn operation. We expect the successful ramp-up of Woodlawn production by 1H FY26 to drive a transformation in the company's EPS outlook in FY26."

Gold price edges higher

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Regis Resources Limited (ASX: RRL) could have a relatively subdued session after the gold price edged higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up slightly to US$3,347.1 an ounce. Traders were buying gold ahead of the US-China trade talks.

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The fundie said ASX coal stocks were sold off recently due to fears a trade war may hit Aussie exports.

But not all coal stocks are alike. Some are positioned to weather the tariff impact better than others, Blackwattle says.

Let's investigate.

2 ASX 200 coal stocks to buy now

'One of the highest quality mining companies on the ASX': Fundie

Blackwattle holds mid-cap coal stock, Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC), in its Mid Cap Quality Fund.

In a new update, portfolio managers Tim Riordan and Michael Teran said Whitehaven shares fell 9% in April.

This was due to fears that a trade war would significantly impact an already weakening Chinese economy.

They said:

Commodity prices in general were soft in April, and thermal coal was one of the weakest commodities after oil, falling 9% in April.

However, WHC has greater exposure to metallurgical coal, which one was one of the few commodities that rallied in April, increasing 13%.

WHC is tracking at the upper end of production guidance and lower end of cost guidance for FY25.

We continue to see material long-term upside for WHC as an 'improving / enduring quality' business.

The Whitehaven share price is $5.35, down 0.47%, on Tuesday.

The managers said:

We view WHC as one of the highest quality mining companies on the ASX, with strong financials and a capital disciplined management team.

While coal prices have been volatile in recent months, the longer-term supply/demand dynamics remain favourable, and WHC continues to generate free cash flow at current coal prices with a net cash balance sheet.

We back WHC to execute on numerous multi-year internal levers to maintain and improve the business quality beyond commodity prices …

This ASX 200 coal stock is 'extremely cheap': Fundie

Blackwattle holds Stanmore Resources Ltd (ASX: SMR) in its Small Cap Quality Fund.

In a newsletter, portfolio managers Robert Hawkesford and Daniel Broeren said:

Stanmore Resources dropped 8.4% in April, reflecting the introduction of tariffs to many Asian countries that consume Australian metallurgical coal, and a view that they might experience some economic softness.

The Stanmore Resources share price is $1.94, up 0.52% on Tuesday.

The managers said:

The company continues to operate strongly having delivered a strong production result for the March quarter.

Shares in SMR are extremely cheap, and a great entry point as the best resources investments are counter-cyclical.

There has been very little new coal supply coming to the market for many years now, so deficits are likely to be a feature of the market in coming years.

The post 2 ASX 200 coal stocks to buy now despite tariff impact: Expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Then you may wish to run your slide rule over Stanmore Resources Ltd (ASX: SMR).

That's according to Seneca Financial Solutions' Arthur Garipoli, who says the Aussie coal miner's recent share price declines present investors with a "discounted valuation" (courtesy of The Bull).

ASX 200 dividend stock trading at a discount

"This coal producer recently reported a strong result in the 2024 December quarter despite weather impacts and a planned outage," said Garipoli, who has a buy recommendation on the ASX 200 dividend stock.

According to Garipoli:

Full year saleable production of 13.8 million tonnes for full year 2024 exceeded the upper end of the guidance range. Given a two-year capital expenditure campaign is nearing completion, Stanmore is well-positioned to lift earnings and cash flow.

Despite those strong results, Stanmore shares have faced some stiff headwinds over the last 12 months. Up 1.4% in late afternoon trade today at $2.54 a share, the Stanmore Resources share price is down 25% since this time last year.

However, this could offer an attractive entry point.

"The recent share price decline can be attributed to a lower coal price. In our view, it provides investors with an opportunity to buy SMR at a discounted valuation, while benefiting from a historical fully franked dividend yield above 7%," Garipoli said.

Over the past 12 months, the ASX 200 dividend stock has paid out two fully franked dividends totalling 19.5 cents a share. At the current share price, that sees Stanmore Resources trading on a fully franked trailing dividend yield of 7.7%.

What's the latest from Stanmore Resources?

The last price-sensitive news from Stanmore was the miner's December quarter results, released on 28 January, which Garipoli referred to above.

Commenting on those results at the time, Stanmore Resources CEO Marcelo Matos said:

Stanmore concluded a strong 2024 with the saleable production from our three core operating assets exceeding the consolidated guidance range, offsetting lower production from the decision to close Millennium earlier in the year…

Overall, we ended the quarter with healthy levels of product and ROM stockpiles across the portfolio, which should also help de-risk and support 1Q 2025 sales performance

On the balance sheet, the ASX 200 dividend stock ended 2024 with consolidated cash of US$289 million and liquidity of more than US$500 million.

Management noted this provides Stanmore with "strong financial support" to work through all phases of the commodity cycle going forward.

The post The high-yielding ASX 200 dividend stock now trading at a 'discounted valuation' appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

ASX coal shares are, on the whole, doing even better than the broader market.

Take leading coal stock Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC). Whitehaven shares are currently enjoying a hearty 3.85% rise up to $6.32 a share after closing at just $6.10 yesterday.

New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) isn't running quite as hot, with its shares presently up 0.72% at $4.90 each. Saying that, New Hope did get as high as $4.98 this morning (a gain worth 2.47% at the time).

Stanmore Resources Ltd (ASX: SMR) is faring better. At the time of writing, it is up 3.33% to $2.79 a share.

Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) is going the other way though. Yancoal initially shot up this morning, recording a gain worth 1.68% at one point. But investors have subsequently cooled off on this ASX coal share, and have sent it into red territory this afternoon. At present, Yancoal is nursing a 0.46% loss at $6.52 a share.

So why are these ASX coal shares (with the exception of Yancoal) having such a strong session this Wednesday?

Why are ASX coal shares shooting higher today?

Well, it's hard to know for sure. However, a big development out from the United States yesterday might be responsible.

As any investor who was watching the markets yesterday would know, ASX shares tanked on some major news out of China. The world's second-largest economy announced a series of tariff retaliations to the fresh new 10% import tariff levied by the United States this week.

Unlike President Donald Trump's universal 10% tariff on Chinese imports, the Chinese countermeasures are far more targeted. As reported by The Guardian this week, "the Chinese tariffs focus on a range of sectors – big tech, energy, cars, farming, and fashion – but with some specific targets".

Those targets include a 10% levy on American oil entering China and a 15% tariff on liquified natural gas (LNG) and coal.

It's that last part that might just be driving ASX coal shares higher today.

Australia is already a big exporter of coal to China. However, if American coal just became 15% more expensive for Chinese buyers, it might prove to be a windfall for Australian coal exporters.

This might just be what the market is thinking today as it reprices these ASX coal shares higher.

Of course, Trump has proven to be rather indecisive about his tariff policies, as the ups and downs over the now-delayed 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada proved earlier this week.

So, let's see if today's gains in the ASX coal share sector hold over the rest of the week.

The post Why are ASX coal shares having such a cracking run today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This scenario has seen the price of high-quality Australian thermal coal (primarily used to generate energy) tumble to more than three-year lows of US$115 per tonne. That's down some 23% over the past five months. And it's down 74% from highs of around US$440 per tonne back in September 2022.

Coking coal (mostly used for steel production) has seen a similar pullback in prices.

What's happening with the coal price?

The all-time high coal prices recorded in 2022 were spurred by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and led to soaring profits for the miners. This also resulted in outsized dividends from ASX 200 coal stocks like New Hope Corp Ltd (ASX: NHC), Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC), and Stanmore Resources Ltd (ASX: SMR).

In fact, back in mid-2023, we saw Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) stock trading on a supersized trailing dividend yield north of 25%.

But a warm winter in the northern hemisphere and a big boost in production from countries including China, Indonesia and Australia have put a damper on thermal coal prices. Meanwhile, China's struggling property markets have impacted its steel markets and, in turn, hit the coking coal segment.

Commenting on the slumping thermal coal price, Rory Simington, an analyst at Wood Mackenzie, said (quoted by The Australian Financial Review), "The milder winter has seen [coal] stocks rise and prices decline – as well as record levels of both production and imports in November."

As for coking coal, Simington added, "You could argue that weather has impacted the coking coal price as well – in that, the lack of cyclones has meant steady supply from Queensland."

With thermal coal prices down more than 12% since this time last year, here's how the big ASX 200 coal stocks have performed over the 12 months, compared to the 9% gain posted by the benchmark index:

• Whitehaven shares are down 26%
• Yancoal shares are up 9%
• Stanmore Resources shares are down 28%
• New Hope shares are down 9%

Are ASX 200 coal stocks still profitable?

With coal prices forecast to edge only marginally higher over the remainder of 2025, can ASX 200 coal stocks keep on turning a profit?

Well, even at US$115 per tonne (AU$187 per tonne), New Hope's 80% own joint venture, Bengalla Mine, certainly can.

For the three months to 31 October, New Hope reported Free on Board (FOB) cash costs (excluding state royalties) of AU$61.60 per sales tonne at Bengalla.

As for Yancoal, the miner's overall average cash operating costs for the first half of 2024, again excluding government royalties, came in at AU$101 per tonne of coal.

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