CONSOL Energy (NYSE:CNX) (+19%; +1.1%), the natural gas and Appalachian coal company, added to the Fund’s return. CEO Nick Deluliis and the board, led by Chairman Will Thorndike, continued to pursue monetization of assets with the goal of ultimately separating the coal and gas businesses. Following the disposition of its metallurgical coal assets in the first half of the year, CONSOL sold its high-cost Miller Creek and Fola mines to a privately owned buyer who valued them higher than we did. The company also lowered costs across all segments and delivered positive free cash flow once again. Higher coal and gas prices drove strong returns at CONSOL’s holdings in coal master limited partnership (MLP) CNXC and midstream pipeline MLP CNNX. Sales of other companies’ exploration and production assets in Appalachia highlighted the value of CONSOL’s assets.
Southeastern Asset Management's Longleaf Partners third quarter 2016 commentary.
