Core Natural Resources, Inc. (CNR)
NYSEEnergyCoalSnapshot 2026-09-04
$99.62+2.25%
Close 2026-09-04 · 1-day change
NYSEEnergyCoalSnapshot 2026-09-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · CNR
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within energy on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-09-04.
The screen ranks CNR against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 3 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 2 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Energy names rated neutral grew net income 57% of the time over the next year (vs 56% for the rest of the cohort, n=2314).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
A guidance track record builds as the company issues and delivers on guidance.
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Continue capital return program targeting return of around 75% of free cash flow, primarily via share repurchases and quarterly dividends.
Stated as a priority in 4 of last 4 quarters. Core has returned approximately 80% of its free cash flow to stockholders since program inception in February 2025, with free cash flow growing from $27.0 million in 2025-Q4 to $148 million in 2026-Q2. The company continues to deliver on this capital return framework, investing $63 million in share repurchases in 2026-Q2 and maintaining a $0.10 per share quarterly dividend. The trajectory is delivering against the stated capital return commitment.
“Core's capital return framework targets the return to stockholders of around 75 percent of free cash flow 1 , with the significant majority of that return directed to share repurchases complemented b…”
“Core’s capital return framework targets the return to stockholders of around 75 percent of free cash flow 1 , with the significant majority of that return directed to share repurchases complemented b…”
“In February 2025, Core announced a new capital return framework targeting the return to stockholders of around 75 percent of free cash flow 1 , with the significant majority of that return directed t…”
“Core’s capital return framework targets the return to stockholders of around 75 percent of free cash flow 1 , with the significant majority of that return directed to share repurchases complemented b…”
Focus on growing revenue and coal sales volumes across key segments including high calorific value thermal and metallurgical coals.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Revenue grew from $1.084 billion in 2026-Q1 to $1.141 billion in 2026-Q2, with High C.V. Thermal segment sales increasing from 7.7 million to 8.4 million tons and metallurgical coking coal sales rising from 2.1 million to 2.3 million tons. Management secured 16 million tons of new sales commitments in 2026-Q2. The trajectory is delivering on revenue growth and sales volume expansion.
Continue disciplined capital expenditure program targeting $325 to $375 million for fiscal year 2026.
Stated as a priority in 4 of last 4 quarters. Capital expenditures guidance for 2026 remains at $325 to $375 million. Actual capital expenditures were $73.1 million in 2026-Q1 and $101.9 million in 2026-Q2, consistent with the annual guidance range. The trajectory shows disciplined capital spending aligned with management's stated target.
Drive operational excellence to improve operating income and reduce cash cost of coal sold per ton across key segments.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Operating income improved significantly from $32.7 million in 2026-Q1 to $155.8 million in 2026-Q2. Cash cost per ton in the High C.V. Thermal segment decreased from $42.56 to $38.58, and in the Metallurgical segment from $92.35 to $85.65 over the same period. Management's focus on operational excellence is delivering improved cost performance and operating income.
Implement planned executive succession with expanded roles for key leaders to support company growth and strategy execution.
Newly stated in 2026-Q3. Management announced the internal promotion of Nathan Tucker to CFO and expanded responsibilities for President Mitesh Thakkar to include day-to-day oversight of primary operating functions. This succession plan supports leadership continuity and strategic execution. No financial metrics apply.
Over the trailing year it converted 1.45x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Energy names rated neutral grew net income 40% of the time over the next year (vs 46% for the rest of the cohort, n=1319).
Not enough signal yet.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the broad stock market, the US dollar, long-term interest rates, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, Fed net liquidity (low R² over the window).
12 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by executive changes. Historically, Energy names rated stable grew net income 59% of the time over the next year (vs 56% for the rest of the cohort, n=627).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-09-04.
“Marketing team secured 16 million tons of new sales commitments for delivery in future periods.”
“Metallurgical segment achieved a significant, quarter-over-quarter increase in sales margins, underpinned by a substantial step-down in its cash cost of coal sold per ton.”
“Marketing team signed commitments for delivery in 2026 and future years totaling more than 38 million tons.”
“Capital Expenditures $325 - $375 million projected for 2026.”
“Capital Expenditures $325 - $375 million projected for 2026.”
“Capital Expenditures $260 - $290 million projected for 2025.”
“Capital Expenditures $300 - $330 million projected for 2025.”
“Drives significant per-ton cost and operating margin improvements in marquee high c.v. thermal and metallurgical segments.”
“Metallurgical segment achieved a significant, quarter-over-quarter increase in sales margins, underpinned by a substantial step-down in its cash cost of coal sold per ton.”
“Core expects strong and improving free cash flow generation in 2026, supported by an improved cost performance in our key operating segments.”
“Core announced internal promotion of Nathan Tucker to CFO and expanded role for Mitesh Thakkar to oversee operations, marketing, logistics, and long-term strategy.”