Peabody Energy Corp. BTU announced third-quarter 2018 earnings of 63 cents per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.29 by 51.1%. The company had posted earnings of $1.49 in third-quarter 2017.RevenuesPeabody Energy’s quarterly revenues of $1,412.6 million fell 4.4% year over year from $1,477.2 million in the year-ago quarter, primarily due to lower Australian and U.S. sales volumes. However, revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,378 million by 2.5%.Peabody Energy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Peabody Energy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Peabody Energy Corporation QuoteOperational UpdateThe company’s total sales volume in the quarter was 49.1 million tons, down from 52.0 million tons registered in the year-ago quarter. Sales volume during the quarter was impacted by lower Mining Operations in U.S as well as Australian operations.Operating costs and expenses incurred in the reported quarter increased 0.8% year over year to $1,047.9 million from $1,039.1 million in the prior-year quarter.Revenues per ton in the United States inched down 1.0% year over year to $18.19 and cost per ton jumped 4.3% from the year-ago quarter’s level to $14.36.The company’s Australian operations reported revenues per ton of $88.88, up 12.3% year over year, while cost per ton increased 13% to $57.83.Operating profit in third-quarter 2018 was $130.3 million compared with $209.5 million in the year-ago quarter.Financial UpdateAs of Sep 30, cash and cash equivalents amounted to $1,371 million compared with $1,012.1 million on Dec 31, 2017.Long-term debt of the company was $1,334.2 million as of Sep 30, down from year-end 2017 level of $1,418.7 million.Free cash flow in the reported quarter was $297.9 million, compared with $231.6 million in the year ago quarter.GuidancePeabody Energy expects 2018 total U.S. sales volume in the range of 147.5-154.5 million short tons and Total Australia sales volume in the range of 29.5-32.5 million short tons.For 2018, the company reaffirmed capital expenditure in the range of $275-$325 million.Zacks RankCurrently, Peabody Energy carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Other Coal ReleasesArch Coal Inc. ARCH delivered third-quarter 2018 operating earnings of $6.33 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.02 by 109.6%.Cloud Peak Energy’s CLD reported earnings of 16 cents per share in third-quarter 2018, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 8 cents by 300%.Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. ARLP reported third-quarter 2018 operating earnings of 55 cents per unit, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents per unit by 25.7%.The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of AllLast year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Cloud Peak Energy Inc (CLD): Free Stock Analysis Report Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (ARLP): Free Stock Analysis Report Arch Coal Inc. (ARCH): Free Stock Analysis Report Peabody Energy Corporation (BTU): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research