Shares of U.S.-based thermal coal producers surged after a lower-than-expected building in U.S. natural gas inventories caused a jump in the price of natural gas.
Shares of coal company stocks shot higher Thursday, following the U.S. presidential debate where candidate Mitt Romney expressed his support for the coal industry.
Alpha Natural Resources joined the growing list of U.S. coal companies decreasing production in response to weak market conditions, announcing cuts totaling 4 million tonnes
