Also a top contributor, CONSOL (NYSE:CNX) (+43%; +1.7%), the natural gas and Appalachian coal company, continued its positive momentum from the first quarter which saw the addition of new directors, the elevation of Will Thorndike to Chairman, and the sale of the metallurgical coal assets at a price accretive to our value. In 2Q, CONSOL reduced its coal and gas operating costs greater than expected, delivered free cash flow and guided for positive free cash flow, the remainder of the year. The company also had its borrowing base reaffirmed at $2 billion. Recent transactions confirmed the value of CONSOL’s high quality natural gas reserves and acreage. Our capablemanagement partners continue to focus the company on its core natural gas assets while pursuing the monetization of non-core assets, with the goal of separating its coal company from its exploration and production business.
From Longleaf Partners' second quarter 2016 fund commentary.
