Divestiture Plans, Expanded Notes Offerings, Additional Financial Flexibility, Bond Pricing, and New Appointments - Research Report on Vale, Walter Energy, Peabody, BHP Billiton, and U.S. Silica

NEW YORK, October 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Editor Note: For more information about this release, please scroll to bottom.

Today, Analysts' Corner announced new research reports highlighting Vale S.A. (NYSE: VALE), Walter Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WLT), Peabody Energy Corp. (NYSE: BTU), BHP Billiton Ltd. (NYSE: BHP), and U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SLCA). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.

Vale S.A. Research Report

On September 18, 2013, Vale S.A. (Vale) reported that it is currently involved in negotiations on an exclusive basis with a consortium led by Brookfield Brasil Ltda., a subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (Brookfield), for the sale of an estimated 26% of Vale's stake in VLI, an integrated general cargo logistics company wholly-owned by Vale. Concurrently, Vale also signed agreements to transfer 20% of the total capital of VLI to Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and 15.9% to the Investment Fund of the Fundo de Garantia do Tempo de Serviço - FGTS (FI-FGTS), whose assets are governed by the Brazilian bank Caixa Econômica Federal. The Company stated that the terms and conditions of a possible agreement to sell a stake to Brookfield are still being discussed between both parties and that it is not possible to guarantee that the agreement will be signed or what the final terms and conditions will be. The Full Research Report on Vale S.A. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.AnalystsCorner.com/r/full_research_report/6779_VALE]

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Walter Energy, Inc. Research Report

On September 19, 2013, Walter Energy, Inc. (Walter Energy) announced that it has expanded the size of its formerly announced offering of $350 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes due 2019 to $450 million with a coupon rate of 9.5% per annum (the Notes). Walter Energy will pay interest on the Notes on April 15 and October 15 of each year, starting on April 15, 2014. Also, Walter Energy stated that it aims to utilize the net proceeds of the offering to repurchase up to $250 million of its Term Loan A through a Dutch Auction process while the remainder will be used for general corporate purposes. The Full Research Report on Walter Energy, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/78a0_WLT]

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Peabody Energy Corp. Research Report

On September 24, 2013, Peabody Energy Corp. (Peabody) announced that it has completed a new secured credit facility, including an expanded five-year c.$1.7 billion revolver due in 2018 and a seven-year $1.2 billion term loan due in 2020. The new credit facility supersedes the Company's $1.5 billion revolver and $1.2 billion term loans due in 2015 and 2016. Peabody Executive Vice President and CFO Michael C. Crews commented, "Peabody elected to capitalize on attractive market conditions and refinance our existing credit facility to extend maturities and increase our liquidity and financial flexibility. We continue to benefit from our diversified global portfolio and remain focused on operational excellence, cost containment, capital discipline and debt reduction." The Full Research Report on Peabody Energy Corp. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/ea12_BTU]

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BHP Billiton Ltd. Research Report

On September 26, 2013, BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP Billiton) reported that it has priced a four tranche Global Bond under its debt shelf registration statement, which was formerly filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company reported that the Global Bond comprises of $500 million Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2016 paying interest at 3 month US Dollar LIBOR plus 25 basis points, $500 million 2.05% Senior

Notes due 2018, $1.5 billion 3.85% Senior Notes due 2023, and $2.5 billion 5.00% Senior Notes due 2043. The earnings will be utilized for general corporate purposes. The Full Research Report on BHP Billiton Ltd. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.AnalystsCorner.com/r/full_research_report/b7d2_BHP]

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U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. Research Report

On September 16, 2013, U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (U.S. Silica) announced that Adam Yoxtheimer was appointed as the Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the Company, effective September 9, 2013. Commenting on the new appointment, Bryan Shinn, President and CEO of the Company said, "I'm very excited to welcome Adam to the U.S. Silica team. He brings an outstanding skill set and a wealth of talent plus extensive practical experiences in a number of disciplines that will help us reach our goal of doubling company earnings over the next three years." Also commenting on his new role, Yoxtheimer said, "I was attracted to U.S. Silica because of its unique value proposition, outstanding people and strong growth potential in the coming years. I am also very excited to work in a company that has a high-growth culture balanced with the security and stability of more than 100 years of history." The Full Research Report on U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.AnalystsCorner.com/r/full_research_report/2c8f_SLCA]

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