Why Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (CLF) Earnings Will Look Ugly Again

Given the huge reversal of fortune for the stock, many believed that it was only a matter of time before heads began to roll, and earlier this month, CEO Joseph Carrabba announced that he would step down from his leadership role by the end of 2013. With lead director Frank McAllister having resigned in June and Global Operations President Laurie Brias having also left the company, the executive suite at Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (NYSE:CLF) will look a lot different in the near future as the company tries to chart a stronger course forward.

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (NYSE:CLF) got a little bit of good news this month, when it was able to restart its Wabush Scully mine after forest fires in the region forced a week-long shutdown. Still, with other facilities having been idled or shuttered, the company isn’t close to having restored its former capacity.

In the Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (NYSE:CLF) earnings report, the primary focus should be on succession planning and how the company plans to go forward from here. With a vacuum in leadership, investors need to be careful that Cliffs doesn’t make any mistakes it will come to regret.

The article Why Cliffs Earnings Will Look Ugly Again originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned, and neither does The Motley Fool. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DanCaplinger.

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