Add some Coal to your Portfolio (ICO, KOL, JRCC)

If you haven't noticed, coal stocks are heating up in 2011 in a big, big way. The Masters favorite picks? James River Coal(NASDAQ:JRCC), International Coal (NYSE:ICO), and for broad exposure to coal, MarketVectors Coal ETF (NYSE:KOL).

The Market Vectors Coal ETF is up more than 13% since the Japan Tsunami on March 11th. The fear of meltdowns at nuclear reactors in Japan has caused many investors (and governments) to think twice about the viability of nuclear power as an alternate to oil.

But that's not the whole story. Massive flooding in Australia has hit Australia’s coal industry so hard that it was estimated to cost the country $8.3 billion - loss of coal production is estimated to be between 20 million and 30 million tons. The resulting supply disruptions are another reason why Coal prices are on the rise.

James River Coal (JRCC):

Over the past 12 months James River Coal Co (JRCC) shares have traded between $14.44 and its 52-week high of $27.06. James River Coal Co shares are now trading with a P/E Ratio of 8.8 and EPS of 2.82.

International Coal (ICO):

Over the past 12 months International Coal Group Inc (ICO) shares have traded between $3.59 and its 52-week high of $11.62. International Coal Group Inc shares are now trading with a P/E Ratio of 79.9 and EPS of 0.14.

Market Vectors Coal ETF (KOL)

Over the past 12 months Market Vectors Coal ETF (KOL) shares have traded between $28.35 and its 52-week high of $51.87.