Alpha Natural Resources Soaring On Upgrade

Coal producer Alpha Natural Resources (NYSE: ANR) is soaring today after Macquarie Equities Research analyst Curt Woodworth upgraded the shares to ''outperform'' from ''neutral.'' Woodworth also increased his price target on the stock to $47 a share from $40.

Alpha Natural is poised to benefit as the company shifts toward exporting more metallurgical coal in 2010. Woodworth expects the company to export 80% of its coking coal production in 2010, up from 60% in 2009, as international markets increase demand.

Rising demand from Brazil, China and Europe could boost Alpha Natural's profitability in 2010.