Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) Ranked First in Sector in Fortune's 'Most Admired Companies' Listing

ST. LOUIS, March 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Peabody Energy NYSE: BTU has been named first in the Mining and Crude Oil industries in Fortune Magazine's "Most Admired Companies" ranking of U.S. companies.

Peabody ranked first in the sector and held the number-one score in every category, including Innovation, People Management, Use of Corporate Assets, Social Responsibility, Quality of Management, Financial Soundness, Long-term Investment and Product/Services Quality. Peabody Energy outpaced a group of leading U.S. mining and energy companies.

"The entire Peabody team can take great pride in this outstanding accomplishment," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gregory H. Boyce. "It is very satisfying to be recognized by both our peers and industry analysts, and this recognition takes its place along side the 40 safety, environmental and corporate honors Peabody has received in the past year."

Fortune describes the "Most Admired" list as the definitive report card on corporate reputations. Fortune states that 3,322 executives, directors, and analysts rated the companies included in the full ranking.

Peabody has ranked among Fortune's Most Admired Companies every year that it has been eligible since going public in 2001.

Peabody Energy is the world's largest private-sector coal company, with 2007 sales of 238 million tons of coal and $4.6 billion in revenues. Its coal products fuel approximately 10 percent of all U.S. electricity generation and 2 percent of worldwide electricity.

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