Southeastern Asset Management Comments on CONSOL Energy

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Apr 14, 2016

CONSOL Energy (NYSE:CNX) (+43%; +1.3%), the Appalachian coal and natural gas company that was among top detractors in 2015, added meaningfully to first quarter results. Management adjusted to lower commodity prices by adopting significant cost controls and expects positive free cash flow (FCF) in 2016. Early in the quarter, CONSOL announced it was lowering capex by more than 50% from previous guidance. The company also reduced operating expenses, effectively decreasing its Debt/ Operating Cash Flow ratio from 3.8 to 3.6. As we continued our constructive dialogue with management regarding asset monetization, CONSOL announced the addition of three new board members, two of whom we suggested. Additionally, Will Thorndike, whom we previously recommended as a board member, replaced Brett Harvey as Chairman. Shortly thereafter, CONSOL sold its Buchanan mine and other met coal assets for $420 million to a private equity-backed firm. The sale was accretive to the value of CONSOL, and management is pursuing additional asset sales.

From Southeastern Asset Management's Q1 2016 shareholder letter.