Warrior Met Coal, Inc. (HCC) AI Stock Analysis
HCC AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchWarrior Met Coal, Inc. (HCC) produces and exports non-thermal metallurgical coal used primarily by blast furnace steel producers worldwide. Following three consecutive years of annual revenue contraction through FY2025, the company delivered 71.3% year-over-year revenue expansion in its latest quarter ending June 30, 2026. The company maintains a solid liquidity position with $86.7M in net cash and a current ratio of 3.93.
- Market cap
- $4.75B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $1.68B
- P/E
- 21.6x fwd 16.2x
- 1Y return
- 35.6% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $109.17 21.4% vs last close
Bull case
- Quarterly revenue advanced 71.3% year-over-year in the period ended June 30, 2026, driven by a 1447.8% surge in quarterly earnings.
- The company holds $86.7M in net cash with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10 and a healthy current ratio of 3.93.
- Analysts project full-year FY2026 EPS to surge 508.9% to $6.64 alongside consensus price target upside of 21.4%.
Bear case
- Free cash flow was negative in both FY2024 at -$89.8M and FY2025 at -$91.0M as annual capital expenditures reached $320.3M.
- Annual revenue declined for three straight years from $1.74B in FY2022 to $1.31B in FY2025, compressing operating margin from 46.1% to 3.5%.
- Valuation metrics trade at a premium to peers, including a forward P/E of 16.2x compared to the US-listed Basic Materials peer median of 13.4x.
What Warrior Met Coal does
Warrior Met Coal, Inc. specializes in the production and export of non-thermal metallurgical coal essential for the steel industry. Headquartered in Brookwood, Alabama, the company operates two underground mines located strategically in Alabama. It primarily sells its high-quality metallurgical coal to blast furnace steel producers across Europe, South America, and Asia. In addition to coal production, Warrior Met Coal extracts natural gas as a byproduct of its mining activities, diversifying its revenue streams. Established in 2015, the company has 1,485 employees and serves as a major supplier across the international steel manufacturing supply chain.
Growth and profitability
Over the five-year period from FY2020 to FY2025, revenue grew at a CAGR of 10.8%, peaking at $1.74B in FY2022 before dropping to $1.31B in FY2025. Annual net income fell from $641.3M in FY2022 to $57.0M in FY2025, reducing net margin from 36.9% to 4.4%. Operating margin contracted from 46.1% in FY2022 to 3.5% in FY2025, while diluted earnings per share declined to $1.09. However, the quarter ended June 30, 2026, marked a sharp rebound, as quarterly revenue increased 71.3% year-over-year and quarterly earnings grew 1447.8%. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue totaled $1.68B with a profit margin of 13.0%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, Warrior Met Coal held $322.5M in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $235.8M, resulting in net cash of $86.7M. The debt-to-equity ratio stood at 0.10 alongside shareholders' equity of $2.29B and total assets of $2.90B. Operating cash flow in FY2025 was $229.2M, while free cash flow was -$91.0M due to capital expenditures of $320.3M. In FY2025, cash deployment included $17.8M in dividends paid and $9.4M used for share buybacks.
Valuation and performance
Warrior Met Coal trades at a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 21.6x and a forward P/E of 16.2x, both above the median of its US-listed Basic Materials peers, which sit at 19.7x and 13.4x, respectively. The price-to-sales ratio is 2.8x compared to the peer median of 1.8x, while enterprise value to EBITDA matches closely at 10.4x versus 10.5x. Over the past year, the stock gained 35.6%, outpacing the S&P 500 ETF's 16.8% return. Over five years, the stock is up 276.6%, compared to 83.0% for the index.
HCC dividend
Warrior Met Coal pays a quarterly dividend totaling $0.32 annualized, representing a forward dividend yield of 0.36%. The payout ratio is 7.7%, supported by 10 consecutive years of dividend payments. Over the past five years, dividend growth annualized at 9.9%. The most recent ex-dividend date was August 10, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street coverage consists of 4 Strong Buy ratings, 3 Hold ratings, and zero Sell ratings. The mean price target is $109.17, implying 21.4% upside over the last closing price of $89.94. For FY2026, consensus estimates project revenue of $2.00B and EPS of $6.64, representing an estimated 508.9% increase in earnings. Over the last four quarters, the company topped EPS expectations twice. The next earnings release date is November 4, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Elevated capital spending produced -$91.0M in free cash flow during FY2025 despite $229.2M in operating cash flow.
- Short interest accounts for 10.6% of the company's float, indicating noticeable bearish sentiment.
- Earnings visibility remains uneven, with the company beating consensus EPS estimates in only 2 of the past 4 quarters.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this HCC AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of Warrior Met Coal, Inc. (HCC). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: HCC income statement, HCC balance sheet, HCC key metrics, HCC analyst forecast, HCC chart. See the HCC stock overview for the latest quote and news.
HCC AI stock analysis FAQ
What is Warrior Met Coal's current dividend yield?
Warrior Met Coal offers an annualized dividend of $0.32 per share, which equates to a dividend yield of 0.36%. The company has paid dividends for 10 consecutive years with a payout ratio of 7.7%.
What do analysts expect for Warrior Met Coal's upcoming earnings?
For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, analysts estimate revenue of $2.00B and an EPS of $6.64, representing 508.9% growth in earnings. The next quarterly earnings report is scheduled for November 4, 2026.
How leveraged is Warrior Met Coal's balance sheet?
As of June 30, 2026, Warrior Met Coal maintains $322.5M in cash and short-term investments against $235.8M in total debt, giving it $86.7M in net cash. It operates with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10 and a current ratio of 3.93.
How does Warrior Met Coal's valuation compare to its sector?
Warrior Met Coal trades at a trailing P/E of 21.6x and a forward P/E of 16.2x, higher than the US-listed Basic Materials peer medians of 19.7x and 13.4x. Its EV-to-EBITDA multiple is 10.4x, closely in line with the sector median of 10.5x.