Caterpillar Inc. (CAT), Arch Coal Inc (ACI): Are Joy Global Inc. (JOY) Earnings Doomed to Drop?

Rising natural-gas prices, however, have started to boost interest in the coal space, and Joy Global could eventually enjoy a renaissance in the industry if the turnaround continues. With a recent upgrade of the entire coal sector as investment firm Moody’s believes that electricity generation demand could rise and pull prices higher as well, Arch Coal Inc (NYSE:ACI) and Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. (NYSE:ANR) have seen their share prices climb as shareholders get enthusiastic about a potential rebound. That in turn could spur more mining-equipment purchases in the long run, as long as the miners don’t seek to overproduce and thereby create supply problems.

In the Joy Global Inc. (NYSE:JOY) earnings report, watch to see how well the company does in its various geographical segments. Further weakness in China could spook investors, but as signs of a possible recovery in Chinese growth start to emerge, they could spell relief from naysayers who are convinced the company’s earnings are doomed to drop.

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The article Are Joy Global Earnings Doomed to Drop? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. You can follow him on Twitter @DanCaplinger. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 

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