Also previously mentioned, CONSOL Energy (CNX, Financial), the Appalachian coal and natural gas company, was down 76% in 2015 after falling 19% in the fourth quarter as the company missed operating cash flow (OCF) estimates amidst declining coal and gas prices. Management is adjusting to lower commodity prices and adopted significant cost controls under zero-based budgeting while still growing natural gas production. We filed a 13-D during the third quarter to discuss with third parties as well as management and the board a potential monetization or separation of the valuable Marcellus and Utica gas assets. This has been a constructive process since filing, and we appraise these assets at worth demonstrably more than CONSOL’s total equity capitalization. CONSOL’s exploration and production (E&P) business is unique, with low cost reserves given the company’s fee ownership of many acres. CONSOL announced in the fourth quarter that its thermal coal business, which enjoys a low cost position, had contracted for 93% of production for 2016 at a confirmed price of $50-55 per ton, providing near-term downside coal business risk mitigation. Multiple directors recently purchased shares.
From Longleaf Partners Fund 4th quarter commentary.
