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Arch Coal, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2008 Results

Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:02am EDT
Earnings per share increase 180% from the year-ago quarter
    ST. LOUIS, April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

                          Earnings Highlights
                                                       Quarter Ended
     In $ millions, except per share data         3/31/08        3/31/07

     Revenues                                     $699.4         $571.3
     Income from Operations                        116.5           50.9
     Net Income                                     81.1           28.7
     Fully Diluted EPS                              0.56           0.20
     Adjusted EBITDA(1)                           $189.5         $108.5

     1/- Adjusted EBITDA is defined and reconciled under "Reconciliation of
     Non-GAAP Measures" in this release.



    Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE: ACI) today reported first quarter 2008 net income
of $81.1 million, or $0.56 per fully diluted share, compared with $28.7
million, or $0.20 per fully diluted share, in the first quarter of 2007.
Income from operations more than doubled to $116.5 million, and adjusted
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA")
increased 75 percent over the prior-year period.  The company also recorded
consolidated revenues of $699.4 million in the first quarter of 2008, an
increase of 22 percent over the prior-year period.
    "Arch Coal executed a strong financial performance during the first
quarter, with meaningful expansion in revenues, earnings per share and
adjusted EBITDA," said Steven F. Leer, Arch's chairman and chief executive
officer.  "We had substantial contributions from each of our operating
regions, earning record EBITDA of $189.5 million for the company.  In
particular, our Central Appalachian region had a standout performance --
attaining more than a fourfold increase in per-ton operating margin versus the
first quarter of 2007.  We also recognized incremental earnings in the quarter
from our expanded strategic trading, brokerage and asset optimization
function."
    "Our first quarter 2008 results represent one of the best quarterly
performances in Arch's history as a public entity," continued Leer.  "We plan
to build upon these exceptional results as the year progresses.  We believe
Arch's national footprint, competitive asset base and access to robust global
and domestic coal markets have positioned the company to earn substantial
returns in 2008 and beyond."
    Arch Delivers Strong Operational Results
    "Our mines delivered strong results during the quarter just ended,
reflecting higher price realizations and a continued focus on cost control
across our key basins in the face of commodity cost pressures as well as
higher sales-sensitive costs," said John W. Eaves, Arch's president and chief
operating officer.  "The addition of the new Mountain Laurel complex to Arch's
diverse asset base has been particularly significant, as evidenced by the
outstanding performance in the company's Central Appalachian region during the
first quarter."
    "As we progress throughout the year, we will continue to diligently focus
on managing our controllable costs, emphasize process improvement initiatives
and maximize revenue from our strategic unpriced volume position to enhance
margins at our operations," continued Eaves.

                                              Arch Coal, Inc.
                                     1Q08           4Q07           1Q07

     Tons sold (in millions)         34.3           33.7           31.4
     Average sales price per ton   $18.49         $17.48         $16.85
     Cash cost per ton             $13.05         $12.60         $12.93
     Cash margin per ton            $5.44          $4.88          $3.92
     Total operating cost per ton  $15.17         $14.60         $14.74
     Operating margin per ton       $3.32          $2.88          $2.11

     Consolidated results may not tie to regional breakout due to rounding.
     Above figures exclude transportation costs billed to customers.
     Operating cost per ton includes depreciation, depletion and amortization
     per ton.
     Arch acts as an intermediary on certain pass-through transactions that
     have no effect on company results. In addition, Arch services some legacy
     sales contracts by purchasing and supplying third-party coal and records
     offsetting revenue and expenses against a reserve established to account
     for these transactions. These transactions are not reflected in this
     table. A supplemental regional schedule for all quarters beginning with
     FY06 can be found at http://investor.archcoal.com.


   Consolidated average sales price per ton increased 6 percent in the first
quarter of 2008 compared with the fourth quarter of 2007, reflecting higher
average price realizations across all regions.  Consolidated per-ton operating
costs increased 4 percent over the same time period, with nearly half of the
increase being driven by higher sales-sensitive costs.  Arch's first quarter
2008 consolidated per-ton operating margin expanded by 15 percent over the
prior-quarter period.
    Consolidated sales volumes in the first quarter of 2008 increased 9
percent compared with the first quarter of 2007.  Volumes in the first quarter
of 2007 were reduced by an unplanned belt outage and weather-related shipment
challenges in Arch's Powder River Basin segment.  Average sales price per ton
increased 10 percent in the first quarter of 2008, benefiting from stronger
coal market conditions than in the year-ago quarter.  Arch's first quarter
2008 consolidated per-ton operating margin increased 57 percent compared with
the first quarter of 2007, driven by expanded margins in the company's Central
Appalachian and Western Bituminous regions.

                                                  Powder River Basin
                                         1Q08           4Q07           1Q07

     Tons sold (in millions)             25.8            25.1           23.2
     Average sales price per ton       $11.15          $10.71         $10.47
     Cash cost per ton                  $8.79           $8.25          $8.02

     Cash margin per ton                $2.36           $2.46          $2.45
     Total operating cost per ton       $9.93           $9.40          $9.19
     Operating margin per ton           $1.22           $1.31          $1.28

     Above figures exclude transportation costs billed to customers.
     Operating cost per ton includes depreciation, depletion and amortization
     per ton.


    In the Powder River Basin, first quarter 2008 sales volumes increased
modestly compared with the fourth quarter of 2007.  Average sales price per
ton increased $0.44 in the first quarter of 2008 when compared with the prior-
quarter period, due to higher pricing on contract and market index-priced
tons.  Operating costs increased $0.53 per ton over this same time period,
reflecting higher planned maintenance, commodity and sales-sensitive costs.
Arch's Powder River Basin operations contributed $1.22 per ton in operating
margin in the first quarter of 2008 compared with $1.31 per ton in the prior-
quarter period.

                                             Western Bituminous Region
                                        1Q08           4Q07           1Q07

     Tons sold (in millions)               5.0            4.6            4.8
     Average sales price per ton        $26.76         $24.84         $24.77
     Cash cost per ton                  $15.92         $13.89         $16.07
     Cash margin per ton                $10.84         $10.95          $8.70
     Total operating cost per ton       $20.17         $17.71         $19.56
     Operating margin per ton            $6.59          $7.13          $5.21

     Above figures exclude transportation costs billed to customers.
     Operating cost per ton includes depreciation, depletion and amortization
     per ton.


    In the Western Bituminous region, first quarter 2008 sales volumes
increased 9 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2007, driven by
increased shipments from Arch's Utah operations.  First quarter 2008 average
sales price per ton increased $1.92 when compared with the prior-quarter
period, reflecting the roll-off of lower-priced sales contracts.  While solid,
the increase in price realization was muted to some degree by a less favorable
mix of customer shipments during the quarter just ended.  Operating costs
increased $2.46 per ton over the same time period, due to higher
sales-sensitive and commodity-related costs as well as higher depreciation,
depletion and amortization expense.  First quarter 2008 per-ton operating
costs also reflect the impact of a longwall move at the West Elk mine in
Colorado.  By contrast, the region's fourth quarter 2007 results do not
reflect the impact of any longwall moves, and represent an exceptionally
strong performance from a cost perspective.  Arch's Western Bituminous
operations contributed $6.59 per ton in operating margin in the first quarter
of 2008 compared with $7.13 per ton in the prior-quarter period.

                                              Central Appalachia
                                      1Q08           4Q07           1Q07

     Tons sold (in millions)            3.5            4.0            3.4
     Average sales price per ton     $60.73         $51.48         $48.87
     Cash cost per ton               $40.45         $38.37         $41.64
     Cash margin per ton             $20.28         $13.11          $7.23
     Total operating cost per ton    $46.71         $43.58         $45.44
     Operating margin per ton        $14.02          $7.90          $3.43

     Above figures exclude transportation costs billed to customers.
     Operating cost per ton includes depreciation, depletion and amortization
     per ton.

     Arch acts as an intermediary on certain pass-through transactions that
     have no effect on company results. In addition, Arch services some legacy
     sales contracts by purchasing and supplying third-party coal and records
     offsetting revenue and expenses against a reserve established to account
     for these transactions. These transactions are not reflected in this
     table.


    In Central Appalachia, first quarter 2008 sales volumes declined 13
percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2007 due to lower brokerage
activity.  First quarter 2008 average sales price per ton improved by $9.25
when compared with the prior-quarter period, reflecting more than a 50 percent
increase in metallurgical coal volume as well as higher pricing on
metallurgical and steam coal sales during the quarter just ended.  Per-ton
operating costs increased $3.13 over the same time period, driven by higher
sales-sensitive and commodity-related costs as well as higher depreciation,
depletion and amortization expense.  Arch's Central Appalachian operations
contributed $14.02 per ton in operating margin during the first quarter of
2008 compared with $7.90 per ton in the prior-quarter period.
    Arch Earns Key Awards in the First Quarter
    During the first quarter of 2008, two operations from Arch's Central
Appalachian region received Mountaineer Guardian Awards for outstanding 2007
safety performances from the West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety
and Training.
    Also during the first quarter, the West Elk mine in Arch's Western
Bituminous region earned two Colorado state awards for its outstanding
environmental achievements in 2007.  West Elk was recognized for operating
more than eight years without a state environmental violation, and was honored
for its environmentally sound engineering practices as well as its
contributions to the state's Pollution Prevention Program.
    Furthermore, Arch Coal, Inc. was recently named one of the nation's most
trustworthy companies by Forbes magazine based on the company's sound
accounting practices and transparency in financial reporting.  Arch ranked as
one of the top 15 large-cap companies -- and as the sole U.S. coal company --
on the Trustworthy 100 List.
    "We continue to enhance Arch's reputation as a responsible energy company
through outstanding achievements in the company's three key pillars of
performance -- safety, environmental stewardship and superior financial
performance," said Leer. "We believe these core values strengthen investor
confidence and ultimately increase shareholder value."
    Strength in Global Coal Markets Positively Influencing Domestic Coal
Markets
    Growing international coal demand, along with persistent challenges in
augmenting global coal production, infrastructure and transportation networks,
has led to a shift in worldwide seaborne coal trade flows.  Constrained global
coal supply has allowed the United States to become a more significant
supplier of metallurgical and steam coal into the Atlantic and, in some cases,
Pacific basins.
    According to the 2007 B.P. Statistical Review of World Energy, coal has
been the world's fastest growing fuel source during the past five years.  Arch
expects the growth in coal demand to continue, primarily driven by expanding
economies in coal-consuming Asian nations and in the United States.  In 2008,
Arch estimates that global coal demand will outstrip supply by 25 million to
35 million metric tonnes, and expects this supply deficit to grow through
2010.
    Continued strength in the international coal marketplace is positively
influencing domestic coal markets as well.  Arch estimates that U.S. coal
imports could decline as much as 10 million tons this year due to supply
disruptions and increased competition for those tons.  The company also
expects U.S. coal exports in 2008 to increase by another 20 million tons over
last year's strong market levels.
    "In 2008, we expect supply tightness in the eastern United States to
trigger a meaningful reduction in generator stockpiles by year-end," said
Leer.  "This tightness already has begun to manifest itself in terms of rising
eastern coal index prices and declining eastern stockpile levels.  We believe
these trends will translate into increased demand for western coal,
particularly during the second half of the year."
    U.S. coal market trends are favorable to date in 2008.  According to
statistics compiled by the Edison Electric Institute, U.S. electric generation
increased nearly 1.0 percent year-to-date through the second week of April,
driven by seasonal weather trends and better-than-expected industrial demand.
Based on internal estimates, Arch also believes that year-to-date coal
consumption for electric generation has grown at an even faster rate than
overall electric power demand.
    On the supply side, the Energy Information Administration estimates that
domestic coal production increased 3.1 percent through the second week of
April 2008, with Powder River Basin production, which is lower in heat
content, offsetting declines in Central Appalachia.   Looking ahead, Arch
continues to expect significant geologic and regulatory challenges in Central
Appalachia to constrain production in this region, despite higher coal index
price trends.
    As of March 31, 2008, Arch estimates that U.S. generators held
approximately a 52-day supply in coal stockpiles.  Arch expects total
stockpile levels to decline as the year progresses.  Additionally, the company
believes that increased stockpiles partially reflect an effort by generators
to increase inventories as a hedge against future supply disruptions.
    Arch also estimates that 16.5 gigawatts of new coal-fueled capacity are
now under construction in the United States, and will be phased in during the
next four years.  This build-out will require nearly 59 million tons of new
annual coal supply, with 75 percent of the forecasted supply needed before the
end of 2010.  Another 8 gigawatts of new coal-fueled plants are estimated to
be in advanced stages of development, equating to roughly 25 million tons of
additional incremental annual coal demand.  Arch expects the majority of these
plants to be built within the next five years.
    "We believe that the U.S. coal market is transitioning from a national
market to an integrated global coal supply network," said Leer.  "With our
highly competitive mine portfolio, we expect to capitalize on these positive
secular global trends."
    Arch Selectively Adds to Sales Contract Portfolio, Expands Terminal
Capacity
    Pricing for international metallurgical and steam coal has been robust in
2008, and has positively influenced pricing in domestic coal markets.  Coal
index pricing across Arch's key operating basins has risen dramatically, with
prices for 2009 delivery up more than 35 percent for Central Appalachian steam
coal, nearly 50 percent for Western Bituminous coal and roughly 15 percent for
Powder River Basin coal since the beginning of the year.
    In Central Appalachia, Arch committed significant volumes into
international and domestic metallurgical coal markets for 2008 and 2009
delivery, at average netback mine prices in the triple digits.  Recent
metallurgical coal sales have approached the benchmark prices set in the Asian
market, on a quality adjusted basis.  In addition, Arch committed substantial
steam coal volumes for 2008 and 2009 delivery, at pricing that averaged more
than a 40-percent premium to the company's average realized price in the
region during the first quarter of 2008.
    In the Western Bituminous region, Arch signed selective sales commitments
for 2008 and 2009 delivery, at prices that significantly exceeded average 2009
coal index price levels of $38 per ton in the region.  Arch anticipates coal
demand to exceed supply from this basin during the next several years, and has
chosen to date to maintain an open position on a portion of the company's
production in this region through 2010.
    In the Powder River Basin, Arch signed sales commitments for several
million tons of coal for 2008 and 2009 delivery at average prices that are
more than 50 percent above Arch's average realized price in the region during
the first quarter of 2008.
    Currently, Arch has unpriced coal volumes of between 8 million and 13
million tons in 2008, more than one-third of which is already committed but
not yet priced.  Arch also has unpriced volumes of between 75 million and 85
million tons for 2009 delivery, and between 95 million and 105 million tons
for 2010 delivery.
    "We've been successful in locking up a substantial portion of our
metallurgical and steam coal sales opportunities in Central Appalachia given
the strong pricing environment," said Eaves.  "We've also strategically chosen
to leave a small portion unhedged in 2008 -- and substantially more unpriced
in 2009 including most of our metallurgical-quality coal -- to capitalize on
continued pricing strength."
    "Arch will continue to pursue a market-driven strategy, which allows us to
layer in new sales contracts across all basins once a sufficient return on our
valuable coal reserves is achieved," continued Eaves.  "However, we will
remain selective in contracting, and will leave our low-cost reserves in place
for future development if expected returns prove insufficient.  We believe
this strategy provides the best long-term value for our shareholders."
    Additionally, affirming the company's ongoing favorable international coal
market expectations, Arch has signed an agreement to increase its ownership
interest in Dominion Terminal Associates, a coal export terminal with annual
throughput capacity of 20 million tons, located in Newport News, Va.  The
transaction will increase Arch's percentage interest in the storage-to-vessel
coal transloading facility from 17.5 percent to roughly 22 percent.
    "Given anticipated global coal supply shortfalls over the next several
years, we believe the additional throughput capacity provided by the
transaction will prove advantageous for the company," said Eaves.
    Arch Raises 2008 Guidance
    Based on the company's current expectations regarding the future direction
of coal markets, Arch has raised its 2008 guidance for the full year as
follows:
    -- Earnings per fully diluted share are expected to be in the $2.40 to
       $2.80 range.

    -- Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the $745 million to $845 million
       range.

    -- Sales volumes from company controlled operations are expected to remain
       in the 135 million to 140 million ton range, excluding purchased coal
       from third parties.

    -- Capital spending is projected to remain in the $310 million to $340
       million range, excluding reserve additions.

    -- Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense is expected to be in
       the $285 million to $295 million range.

    -- Arch's full year 2008 effective income tax rate is projected to be
       between 9 percent and 15 percent.


    "We expect our company to deliver a record earnings performance in 2008,"
stated Leer.  "Our raised guidance range reflects pricing gains in the
international and domestic metallurgical coal marketplace, anticipated strong
operating performances in our Central Appalachian and Western Bituminous
regions as well as continued solid execution in our Powder River Basin
operations."
    "Arch is strategically prepared to respond to evolving coal market
dynamics," said Leer.  "We believe our size, strategic asset base, low-cost
operational profile and strong balance sheet will provide ample opportunities
for the company to enhance shareholder value over the next several years."
    "With crude oil and natural gas prices trading at record levels," added
Leer, "it is imperative that America's vast coal reserves remain an essential
part -- and play an increasingly important role -- in the nation's domestic
energy mix.  Over the longer-term, Arch is well-positioned to supply
affordable, reliable and vital energy to America for decades to come."
    A conference call regarding Arch Coal's first quarter 2008 financial
results will be webcast live today at 11 a.m. E.D.T.  The conference call can
be accessed via the "investor" section of the Arch Coal Web site
(www.archcoal.com ).
St. Louis-based Arch Coal is one of the nation's largest coal producers,
with revenues of $2.4 billion in 2007.  The company's core business is
providing U.S. power generators with cleaner-burning, low-sulfur coal for
electric generation.  Through its national network of mines, Arch supplies the
fuel for roughly 6 percent of the electricity generated in the United States.
    Forward-Looking Statements:  This press release contains "forward-looking
statements" - that is, statements related to future, not past, events.  In
this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future
business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "expects,"
"anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," or "will."  Forward-
looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different
degrees, uncertain.  For us, particular uncertainties arise from changes in
the demand for our coal by the domestic electric generation industry; from
legislation and regulations relating to the Clean Air Act and other
environmental initiatives; from operational, geological, permit, labor and
weather-related factors; from fluctuations in the amount of cash we generate
from operations; from future integration of acquired businesses; and from
numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those
of a political, economic, business, competitive or regulatory nature.  These
uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different
than those expressed in our forward-looking statements.  We do not undertake
to update our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
For a description of some of the risks and uncertainties that may affect our
future results, you should see the risk factors described from time to time in
the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                       Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
                    (In thousands, except per share data)

                                                      Three Months Ended
                                                           March 31,
                                                    2008              2007
                                                          (Unaudited)
    Revenues
      Coal sales                                  $699,350          $571,349

    Costs, expenses and other
      Cost of coal sales                           514,404           449,330
      Depreciation, depletion and
       amortization                                 73,042            57,620
      Selling, general and administrative
       expenses                                     25,680            18,987
      Change in fair value of coal
       derivatives                                 (30,558)           (1,063)
      Other operating (income) expense,
       net                                             332            (4,388)
                                                   582,900           520,486


          Income from operations                   116,450            50,863

    Interest expense, net:
      Interest expense                             (20,488)          (17,258)
      Interest income                                  425               671
                                                   (20,063)          (16,587)

    Non-operating expense                                -              (902)
          Income before income taxes                96,387            33,374
    Provision for income taxes                      15,240             4,650
          Net income                               $81,147           $28,724

    Earnings per common share
    Basic earnings per common share                  $0.57             $0.20
    Diluted earnings per common share                $0.56             $0.20

    Weighted average shares outstanding
      Basic                                        143,497           142,176
      Diluted                                      144,596           143,786

    Dividends declared per common share              $0.07             $0.06

    Adjusted EBITDA (A)                           $189,492          $108,483

    (A) Adjusted EBITDA is defined and reconciled under "Reconciliation of
        Non-GAAP Measures" later in this release.



                        Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                 (In thousands)

                                                  March 31,       December 31,
                                                    2008              2007
    Assets                                       (Unaudited)
      Current assets
        Cash and cash equivalents                  $13,234            $5,080
        Trade receivables                          242,186           229,965
        Other receivables                           16,495            19,724
        Inventories                                196,166           177,785
        Prepaid royalties                           24,113            22,055
        Deferred income taxes                       35,134            18,789
        Coal derivative assets                      45,393             7,743
        Other                                       44,352            40,004

                    Total current assets           617,073           521,145

      Property, plant and equipment, net         2,634,351         2,463,638

      Other assets
        Prepaid royalties                          113,265           105,106
        Goodwill                                    40,032            40,032
        Deferred income taxes                      278,834           296,559
        Equity investments                          82,929            82,950
        Other                                       83,855            85,169
                                                   598,915           609,816
               Total assets                     $3,850,339        $3,594,599

    Liabilities and stockholders' equity
      Current liabilities
        Accounts payable                          $168,680          $150,026
        Accrued expenses                           178,156           188,875
        Coal derivative liabilities                  8,053                 -
        Current maturities of debt and
         short-term borrowings                     390,387           217,614
               Total current liabilities           745,276           556,515
      Long-term debt                             1,058,696         1,085,579
      Asset retirement obligations                 223,648           219,991
      Accrued postretirement benefits
       other than pension                           60,354            59,181
      Accrued workers' compensation                 40,712            41,071
      Other noncurrent liabilities                 109,063           100,576
               Total liabilities                 2,237,749         2,062,913

      Stockholders' equity
        Preferred stock                                  -                 1
        Common stock                                 1,444             1,436
        Paid-in capital                          1,364,462         1,358,695
        Retained earnings                          244,383           173,186
        Accumulated other comprehensive
         income (loss)                               2,301            (1,632)
               Total stockholders' equity        1,612,590         1,531,686

               Total liabilities and
                stockholders' equity            $3,850,339        $3,594,599



                        Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                 (In thousands)

                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                            March 31,
                                                     2008              2007
                                                          (Unaudited)
    Operating activities
    Net income                                     $81,147           $28,724
    Adjustments to reconcile to cash
     provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation, depletion and
       amortization                                 73,042            57,620
      Prepaid royalties expensed                     8,863             4,025
      Gain on dispositions of property,
       plant and equipment                            (399)             (151)
      Employee stock-based compensation
       expense                                       3,634             1,171
      Changes in:
          Receivables                               (8,752)           29,701
          Inventories                              (18,381)          (10,174)
          Coal derivative assets and
           liabilities                             (29,597)           (1,063)
          Accounts payable and accrued
           expenses                                 16,025           (57,363)
          Deferred income taxes                       (811)            4,249
          Other                                      8,958            26,446

        Cash provided by operating
         activities                                133,729            83,185

    Investing activities
    Capital expenditures                          (244,491)         (254,812)
    Proceeds from dispositions of
     property, plant and equipment                     422               405
    Purchases of investments and advances
     to affiliates                                    (812)           (3,881)
    Additions to prepaid royalties                 (19,079)          (19,010)
    Reimbursement of deposit on equipment                -            13,492

        Cash used in investing activities         (263,960)         (263,806)

    Financing activities
    Net proceeds from commercial paper
     and net borrowings on lines of credit         150,646           199,400
    Net payments on other debt                      (4,414)           (4,031)
    Dividends paid                                 (10,010)           (8,634)
    Issuance of common stock under
     incentive plans                                 2,163               125

        Cash provided by financing
         activities                                138,385           186,860

    Increase in cash and cash equivalents            8,154             6,239
    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning
     of period                                       5,080             2,523

    Cash and cash equivalents, end of
     period                                        $13,234            $8,762



                       Arch Coal, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                     Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
                    (In thousands, except per share data)

    Included in the accompanying release, we have disclosed certain non-GAAP
measures as defined by Regulation G. The following reconciles these items to
net income as reported under GAAP.
    Adjusted EBITDA:

    Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income before the effect of net interest
    expense; income taxes; our depreciation, depletion and amortization;
    expenses resulting from early extinguishment of debt; and other
    non-operating expenses.

    Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance in accordance
    with generally accepted accounting principles, and items excluded to
    calculate Adjusted EBITDA are significant in understanding and assessing
    our financial condition. Therefore, Adjusted EBITDA should not be
    considered in isolation nor as an alternative to net income, income from
    operations, cash flows from operations or as a measure of our
    profitability, liquidity or performance under generally accepted
    accounting principles. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA presents a useful
    measure of our ability to service and incur debt based on ongoing
    operations. Furthermore, analogous measures are used by industry analysts
    to evaluate operating performance. Investors should be aware that our
    presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled
    measures used by other companies. The table below shows how we calculate
    Adjusted EBITDA.


                                                        Three Months Ended
                                                             March 31,
                                                     2008              2007
                                                           (Unaudited)
    Net income                                     $81,147           $28,724
         Income tax expense                         15,240             4,650
         Interest expense, net                      20,063            16,587
         Depreciation, depletion and
          amortization                              73,042            57,620
         Non-operating expense                           -               902

         Adjusted EBITDA                          $189,492          $108,483



    Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income -- 2008 Targets

                                                         Targeted Results
                                                           Year Ended
                                                        December 31, 2008
                                                     Low                High
                                                          (Unaudited)
    Net income                                    $348,000           $406,000
         Income tax expense                         34,000             71,000
         Interest expense, net                      78,000             73,000
         Depreciation, depletion and
          amortization                             285,000            295,000

         Adjusted EBITDA                          $745,000           $845,000

SOURCE  Arch Coal, Inc.

Deck S. Slone, Vice President, Investor Relations and Public Affairs,
+1-314-994-2717



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