Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different coal prices published by EIA?

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) publishes various coal prices:

  • Spot price is the price for a one-time open market transaction for immediate delivery purchased on the spot at current market rates.
  • Nymex futures price are prices on contracts on the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) for the delivery of a specified quantity of a commodity at a specified time and place in the future.
  • Mine sales price is calculated from the free on board (FOB) value of coal at the coal mine without any insurance or freight transportation charges added.
  • Captive sales price is the FOB sale price for coal used by the producing company or sold to affiliated or parent companies.
  • Open market sales price is the price of coal sold on the open market to companies other than the reporting company's parent company or a subsidiary of the parent company.

Learn more:
Coal price data

Last reviewed: August 3, 2016


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