Subsequent Events

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events

On October 26, 2017, the board of directors of Arch Coal authorized an incremental $200 million increase to the share repurchase program bringing the total authorization to $500 million. The timing of any future share purchases, and the ultimate number of shares to be purchased, will depend on a number of factors, including business and market conditions, our future financial performance, and other capital priorities. The shares will be acquired in the open market or through private transactions in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission requirements. As of September 30, 2017, we had repurchased 2,918,834 shares at an average share price of $74.59 per share for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $218 million since inception of the stock repurchase program. The Company had 21,934,787 common shares outstanding as of October 24, 2017.

The purchases under the share repurchase program may be made in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions from time to time and in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. Repurchases may also be made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan, which permits shares to be repurchased in accordance with pre-determined criteria when the Company might otherwise be prohibited from doing so under insider trading laws or because of self-imposed trading blackout periods. The share repurchase program may be amended, suspended or discontinued at any time and does not commit the Company to repurchase shares of its common stock. The actual number and value of the shares to be purchased will depend on the performance of the Company’s stock price and other market conditions.