What Peabody Energy Corp. told the SEC could break it.

Peabody's thermal-coal demand depends on the continued operation of U.S. coal-fired power plants, which face EPA rules that — if they survive legal challenge — would force costly compliance or accelerated retirement: the EPA determined the 'best system of emission reduction' for long-term-operating coal-fired steam EGUs to be carbon capture and sequestration with 90% CO2 capture, and separately finalized a MATS rule sharply tightening filterable PM limits (0.030 to 0.010 lb/MMBtu). Several of these rules are being challenged in the D.C. Circuit and are subject to repeal efforts, but as finalized they pressure the utility customer base for Peabody's thermal coal.

“With respect to existing fossil fuel-fired steam EGUs (primarily coal-fired) the EPA determined that the BSER that is adequately demonstrated is carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) with 90% capture of CO 2 emissions.”

As a seaborne thermal and metallurgical coal exporter (Seaborne segments ~51% of coal-supply-agreement revenue), Peabody is exposed to geopolitical reordering of global coal trade: sanctions on Russian coal imports — following the European ban after the Russia-Ukraine conflict — continued to influence both thermal and metallurgical coal trade flows in 2025, shifting the competitive map among exporting countries (Australia, U.S., Russia, Canada, Mongolia, Mozambique).

“In 2025 global metallurgical coal trade flows were influenced by sanctions imposed on Russian coal imports.”

Roughly 27% of Peabody's 2025 revenue came from metallurgical coal sold to the global steel industry, so its earnings are levered to steel demand and to governmental policies affecting steelmaking. A downturn in steel production or policy/regulatory changes reducing met-coal demand would directly cut a quarter of Peabody's revenue.

“The Company also produces metallurgical coal for the global steel industry, which accounted for approximately 27% and 25% of its revenue in 2025 and 2024, respectively. Changes in governmental policies, regulations and steel industry conditions, including steel demand, could reduce demand for the Company's metallurgical coal.”

Peabody's core revenue is exposed to thermal-coal price volatility, which is driven by competition from natural gas (low gas prices displace coal in power generation), China's coal supply reforms, and Northern Hemisphere winter re-stocking. As a producer, swings in the seaborne thermal-coal price directly move revenue, earnings and the value of its coal reserves.

“Looking forward, seaborne thermal coal prices may remain volatile based on the outcomes of China's supply reforms, winter re-stocking activity in the Northern Hemisphere and volatility in global natural gas markets which can impact global thermal coal markets.”