North America coal short-term outlook June 2020: Coal demand finally rebounds

The trend in declining coal consumption that started late summer 2019 has finally reversed direction. June coal generation numbers are a decided improvement on the year to date trend. While Jan through May 2020 coal generation was 34% less than 2019, June 2020 is projected to be only 19% less than one year ago. Gas prices are low for now but the lack of investment in new development will eventually push gas prices higher by the end of the year leading to a modest recovery in coal prices. International markets, too, are expected to begin to recover as economies open up.