And that, folks, is the root of the problem... Low demand and high supply of coal. Wouldn't take much to turn it all around and get it headed in the right direction. Unfortunately, no one who "knows" (ahem) is predicting a turnaround in the coal markets any time soon. But does anyone really know? In 2007 and early 2008, who predicted a run up in oil prices to $150 a barrel would happen in late 2008? What have oil prices done lately? I know that coal and oil are not really coupled. But hey folks, who really knows what will happen later this year?