CHICAGO--With winter's onset driving the demand for surface coal to
record-high levels, the mineral's cost is now beyond the reach of low-
and middle-income Americans who wish to punish their naughty children.
"Coal in one's stocking is meant to serve as an admonishment or
warning, not as a dependable grade-B investment," said William
Menchell, a commodities adviser for T. Rowe Price. "In today's market,
children should only have their stockings stuffed with lumps of coal if
they have been studious and obedient, and show an interest in long-term
investments in the energy sector." For more affordable punitive
options, analysts point to the relatively stagnant switch market, which
could soon go the way of coal if demand increases for combustible
wooden sticks.
