NCOC National Coal Corp (MM)

National Coal Corp. (Nasdaq: NCOC):

• Third quarter revenues from Tennessee operations increased 19.0% to $22.1 million, up from $18.6 million during the year-ago quarter.
• Tons of coal sold increased 5.9% to 286,447 tons up from 270,515 tons during the year-ago quarter.
• The average price per ton increased 15.2% to $75.00 from $65.08 in the same year-ago quarter.
• For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, net cash flows provided by operating activities improved and are reported at $6.6 million, versus a negative $3.6 million during the year-ago period.

National Coal Corp. (Nasdaq: NCOC), a Central and Southern Appalachian coal producer, reports that for the three months ended September 30, 2009, it achieved total revenues of $22.1 million based primarily on the sale of 286,447 tons of coal. In the same prior-year period, National Coal generated revenues of $18.6 million primarily through the sale of 270,515 tons of coal.

For the three months ended September 30, 2009, National Coal reported a net loss of $663,950 versus a net loss of $8.4 million during the year-ago quarter. The net loss of $663,950 consists of a loss from continuing operations of $4.5 million or a loss of $0.13/share, and income from discontinued operations net of tax of $3.9 million or earnings of $0.11/share, which includes a gain on disposal of discontinued operations of $23.5 million. The net loss of $8.4 million during the year ago-quarter consists of a loss from continuing operations of $4.5 million or a loss of $0.14/share, and a loss from discontinued operations net of tax of $3.8 million or a loss of $0.11/share.

“Despite a number of economic challenges our results continue to strengthen and show improvement, most dramatically in our reduced loss and our improved cash flow,” says Daniel A. Roling, President and CEO of National Coal Corp. “As we look forward to the future we are mindful that even though our anticipated tons to be sold are less than originally contracted, we have not seen any further deterioration since mid summer. We continue to see opportunities for investing in our Tennessee operations and are planning to be well positioned to benefit when the market improves.”

During the three months ended September 30, 2009, the average selling price for coal sold from the Company’s Tennessee operations increased 15.2% from $65.08 per ton sold during the 2008 period to $75.00 per ton sold during the 2009 period, while tons sold also increased 5.9% from 270,515 tons in 2008 to 286,447 tons in 2009. During 2008, the Company successfully renegotiated several of its existing coal supply agreements resulting in an increased selling price per ton helping generate additional revenues from those contracts for its Tennessee operations in 2009.

The Company also reported a positive EBITDA of $3.5 million versus a negative EBITDA of $4.8 million reported in the year-ago quarter.

At September 30, 2009, the Company had available liquidity of $10.1 million, consisting of $6.0 million available under a short-term revolving credit facility and cash and cash equivalents of approximately $4.1 million. Cash flows provided by (used in) the Tennessee operations were $2.9 million and $(6.2) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. “We are currently in discussions to extend the maturity date of our revolving credit facility, which is scheduled to mature on December 15, 2009,” said Roling. “We expect to conclude these negotiations within the next several weeks.”

Roling explains the Company’s cash flow improvements, “Our ability to generate cash has been bolstered by better pricing. As I have said before, the integrity of our contracts has allowed us to move forward in this extremely challenging economic environment.”

In addition, the Company was successful during the quarter in securing a bonding program for its reclamation bonds with an insurance company permitting the release of approximately $4.4 million of restricted cash. Management continues to work towards better utilization of all its assets.

The Company produced 201,121 tons of coal during the quarter, a decrease of 24.0% versus the year ago quarter and a decrease of 14% from the prior quarter. The decline in production reflects both the weaker industry conditions and the Company’s continuing efforts to control costs, especially in the current economic environment. On a quarter-to-quarter basis, total tons decreased 14%, while total production costs declined only 4.5%, resulting in higher per ton costs. Management anticipates further improvements in its costs in the fourth quarter.

Outlook

Year-to-date the Company invested approximately $5.5 million in equipment and mine development in its Tennessee operations and for the balance of the year, management expects to incur approximately $0.6 million to maintain existing assets in Tennessee. “Due to the continued weak demand for coal and the uncertainty of the economic recovery we have lowered our anticipated capital expenditures for the balance of the year. However, looking forward significant opportunity exists to increase production at the appropriate time to meet a recovery in demand for coal,” explains Roling.

Total domestic coal consumption has declined significantly – about 11.5% – so far this year, which will make it two years in a row for lower coal demand. This lower demand is being driven by a decline in electricity generation, which has declined about 4% through late October, following a decline of 3.9% during 2008. Given that almost 93% of all coal consumed in the Untied States is used to generate electricity, this fall off in demand for electricity has had a direct impact on coal demand. Year-to-date total coal production has declined about 7.5% while Appalachian production has declined 8.2%.

Roling says his opinion of the industry’s future is bullish. ”Looking forward, I believe a recovery in economic activity will stimulate demand for both electricity and coal. Increases in consumption through 2010, even slight increases, should help reduce coal stockpile levels in the electric utility sector to more normal levels. With that said, I believe it is highly likely an improving economy will result in increased demand for energy, especially coal, among utilities, industrial customers, and steel companies resulting in a much stronger operating environment for coal producers.”

About National Coal Corp.

Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., National Coal Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiary, National Coal Corporation, is engaged in coal mining in East Tennessee. Currently, National Coal employs about 325 people. National Coal sells steam coal to electric utilities and industrial companies in the Southeastern United States. For more information and to sign-up for instant news alerts visit www.nationalcoal.com.

Information about Forward Looking Statements

This release contains “forward-looking statements” that include information relating to future events and future financial and operating performance. Examples of forward looking-statements include anticipated benefits of capital improvements and new mines, the anticipated reduction in future periods of costs associated with lower production in the current period, the Company’s negotiation of an extension of the maturity date of its revolving credit facility, and an anticipated strengthening coal market in the future. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by which, that performance or those results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time they are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to: (i) the worldwide demand for coal; (ii) the price of coal; (iii) the price of alternative fuel sources; (iv) the supply of coal and other competitive factors; (v) the costs to mine and transport coal; (vi) the ability to obtain new mining permits; (vii) the costs of reclamation of previously mined properties; (viii) the risks of expanding coal production; (ix) the ability to bring new mining properties on-line on schedule; (x) industry competition; (xi) our ability to continue to execute our growth strategies; and (xii) general economic conditions. These and other risks are more fully described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including the Company’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which should be read in conjunction herewith for a further discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

  NATIONAL COAL CORP. CALCULATION OF EBITDA (Unaudited)                

EBITDA is defined as net loss plus (i) other (income) expense, net, (ii) interest expense, (iii) depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization minus (iv) interest income, (v) income tax benefits, and (vi) income from joint ventures. We present Adjusted EBITDA, including stock compensation expense and discontinued operations, net of tax, to enhance understanding of our operating performance. We use Adjusted EBITDA as a criterion for evaluating our performance relative to that of our peers, including measuring our cost effectiveness and return on capital, assessing our allocations of resources and production efficiencies and making compensation decisions. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is an operating performance measure that provides investors and analysts with a measure of our operating performance and permits them to evaluate our cost effectiveness and production efficiencies relative to competitors. In addition, our management uses Adjusted EBITDA to monitor and evaluate our business operations. However, Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, determined in accordance with GAAP, as indicators of cash flows. The following reconciles our net loss to Adjusted EBITDA:

        Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2009   2008   2009   2008 Net loss $ (663,950 ) $ (8,389,873 ) $ (14,899,936 ) $ (27,562,983 ) Other (income) expense, net (39,324 ) (23,653 ) (63,944 ) 1,831,526 Interest income (65,175 ) (180,143 ) (222,281 ) (572,460 ) Interest expense 1,910,496 1,616,725 5,037,908 5,626,763 Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion 2,392,606     2,141,220     7,528,951     7,035,844   EBITDA 3,534,653 (4,835,724 ) (2,619,302 ) (13,641,310 ) Stock compensation expense 421,661 535,353 1,126,961 980,654 Discontinued operations, net of tax (3,872,741 )   3,841,312     1,485,157     8,153,317   Adjusted EBITDA $ 83,573     $ (459,059 )   $ (7,184 )   $ (4,507,339 )       National Coal Corp. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)   September 30, 2009 December 31, 2008   Assets Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,060,409 $ 3,908,469 Restricted cash 1,374,643 - Accounts receivable, net 1,227,488 474,351 Inventory 3,722,220 2,957,654 Prepaid and other current assets 1,312,315 1,282,777 Current assets of discontinued operations -   9,751,877   Total Current Assets 11,697,075 18,375,128   Property, plant, equipment and mine development, net 42,389,955 43,674,758 Deferred financing costs 859,974 1,238,267 Restricted cash 7,543,608 11,338,137 Other non-current assets 1,469,247 1,562,901 Long-term assets of discontinued operations -   71,620,026   Total Assets $ 63,959,859   $ 147,809,217       Liabilities and Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 13,280,165 $ 6,188,085 Accrued expenses 2,654,284 880,632 Borrowings under short-term line of credit 4,000,000 - Current maturities of long - term debt 1,586,361 2,336,191 Current installments of obligations under capital leases 1,676,217 1,886,251 Current portion of asset retirement obligations 145,282 145,282 Deferred revenue - 1,241,840 Current liabilities of discontinued operations -   11,735,695   Total Current Liabilities 23,342,309 24,413,976   Long - term debt, less current maturities, net of discount 41,538,006 41,892,645 Obligations under capital leases, less current installments 175,549 1,314,188 Asset retirement obligations, less current portion 4,087,145 3,763,720 Deferred revenue 1,116,042 1,303,655 Other non-current liabilities 1,942,037 2,138,235 Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations -   67,492,063   Total Liabilities 72,201,088   142,318,482     Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity: Common Stock, $.0001 par value; 80 million shares authorized; 34,379,889 and 34,184,824 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively 3,437 3,418 Additional paid - in capital 115,938,899 114,770,946 Accumulated deficit (124,183,565 ) (109,283,629 ) Total Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity (8,241,229 ) 5,490,735   Total Liabilities and Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity $ 63,959,859   $ 147,809,217     The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2008 was derived from Audited Financials.   See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.   National Coal Corp. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)           For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2009   2008 2009   2008 Revenues: Coal sales $ 21,483,618 $ 17,604,657 $ 62,325,476 $ 49,084,206 Other revenues 637,181     976,683   2,400,759     2,340,838   Total revenues 22,120,799     18,581,340   64,726,235     51,425,044     Operating expenses: Cost of coal sales (exclusive of depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion) 20,028,882 16,457,270 58,295,500 48,735,619 Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion) 608,274 840,599 2,316,948 1,985,087 Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion 2,392,606 2,141,220 7,528,951 7,035,844 General and administrative 1,821,731     2,277,883   5,247,932     6,192,331   Total operating expenses 24,851,493     21,716,972   73,389,331     63,948,881     Loss from continuing operations (2,730,694 )   (3,135,632 ) (8,663,096 )   (12,523,837 )   Other income (expense): Interest expense (1,910,496 ) (1,616,725 ) (5,037,908 ) (5,626,763 ) Interest income 65,175 180,143 222,281 572,460 Other 39,324     23,653   63,944     (1,831,526 ) Other income (expense), net (1,805,997 ) (1,412,929 ) (4,751,683 ) (6,885,829 )             Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (4,536,691 ) (4,548,561 ) (13,414,779 ) (19,409,666 )   Income tax benefit -     -   -     -     Loss from continuing operations (4,536,691 ) (4,548,561 ) (13,414,779 ) (19,409,666 )   Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes 3,872,741     (3,841,312 ) (1,485,157 )   (8,153,317 )   Net loss (663,950 ) (8,389,873 ) (14,899,936 ) (27,562,983 )   Preferred stock dividend -     (40,328 ) -     (120,106 )   Net loss attributable to common shareholders $ (663,950 )   $ (8,430,201 ) $ (14,899,936 )   $ (27,683,089 )   Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations - basic and diluted $ (0.13 )   $ (0.14 ) $ (0.40 )   $ (0.64 )   Earnings (loss) per common share from discontinued operations - basic and diluted $ 0.11     $ (0.11 ) $ (0.04 )   $ (0.26 )   Earnings (loss) per common share - basic and diluted $ (0.02 )   $ (0.25 ) $ (0.44 )   $ (0.90 )   Weighted average common shares outstanding 34,009,439     33,139,355   33,987,742     30,688,851       See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.   National Coal Corp. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)       For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 2008   Operating Activities Net loss $ (14,899,936 ) $ (27,562,983 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax 1,485,157 8,153,317 Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion 7,528,951 7,035,844 Amortization of deferred financing costs 688,438 381,246 Amortization of debt discount 500,323 523,942 Gain on disposal of assets (74,789 ) (632 ) Loss on sale of Straight Creek properties - 413,843 Loss on extinguishment of debt - 1,676,840 Settlement of asset retirement obligations (41,469 ) (70,925 ) Stock option expense 1,126,961 980,654 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (753,137 ) 647,650 Inventory (940,665 ) (348,851 ) Prepaid and other current assets 678,192 (44,206 ) Other non - current assets 158,155 825,000 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 8,865,730 1,251,687 Deferred revenue (1,241,840 ) (187,614 ) Other non - current liabilities (196,198 ) 115,219   Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations 2,883,873 (6,209,969 ) Net cash flows provided by operating activities from discontinued operations 3,676,903   2,608,789   Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities 6,560,776 (3,601,180 )   Investing Activities Capital expenditures (5,445,127 ) (5,967,415 ) Proceeds from sale of Straight Creek properties - 10,711,399 Decrease in restricted cash 2,419,886 5,034,465 Additions to prepaid royalties (64,500 ) (470,319 ) Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities from continuing operations (3,089,741 ) 9,308,130 Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations (2,153,052 ) (1,815,251 ) Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (5,242,793 ) 7,492,879   Financing Activities Proceeds from issuance of common and preferred stock - 10,863,256 Proceeds from stock option exercises - 1,037,125 Proceeds under short-term line of credit 5,000,000 - Repayments of short-term line of credit (1,000,000 ) - Repayments of long-term debt (2,347,374 ) (12,540,290 ) Repayments of obligations under capital leases (1,555,560 ) (342,351 ) Payments for deferred financing costs (439,258 ) (13,040 ) Payment of deferred dividends -   (114,216 ) Net cash flows used in financing activities from continuing operations (342,192 ) (1,109,516 ) Net cash flows used in financing activities from discontinued operations (823,851 ) (1,400,960 ) Net cash flows used in financing activities (1,166,043 ) (2,510,476 ) Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 151,940 1,381,223 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 3,908,469   9,854,351   Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 4,060,409   $ 11,235,574     Supplemental Cash Flow Information Cash paid during the year for interest from continuing operations $ 2,810,643 $ 4,094,437 Cash paid during the year for interest from discontinued operations 555,806 8,346,143 Non-cash investing and financing activities from continued operations: Series A cumulative convertible preferred stock converted to common stock $ - $ 3,346,650 Preferred stock effective dividends - 131,712 Preferred stock dividends converted to common stock - 120,107 10.5% Senior Secured Notes exchanged for common stock - 12,735,848 Financed equipment acquisitions 34,852 1,579,938 Equipment acquired through obligations under capital leases 336,000 952,131 Asset retirement obligations incurred, acquired or recosted - 158,300 Common stock issued for mineral rights - 5,000,000 Non-cash investing and financing activities from discontinued operations: Financed equipment acquisitions $ 42,848 $ 1,866,386 Asset retirement obligations incurred, acquired or recosted 324,332 1,820,917 Interest and fees paid in-kind or financed 2,100,000 - Equipment acquired through obligations under capital leases - 181,050   See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.