Canonsburg, PA based CONSOL Energy Inc., CNX is a multi-fuel energy producer and an energy services provider, primarily catering to the U.S. power producers. The company principally operates two business lines: Coal and Natural Gas.CONSOL Energy is working on its long-term strategy of focusing more on natural gas assets. Given the ongoing weakness in coal demand, last year CONSOL Energy formed a coal MLP, CNX Coal Resources CNXC to concentrate more on E&P activities. These modifications will benefit the company in the long term with separate management teams assigned to run each of the businesses. CONSOL also decided to suspend its dividend payment going forward, which will increase the liquidity level of the company.CONSOL Energy’s focus on expanding its gas operations is yielding positive results. The company targets a 15% year over year increase in gas production in 2016.Estimate Trend & Surprise HistoryInvestors should note that the first quarter Zacks Consensus Estimate for loss of 9 cents per share has widened by 50% over the last 90 days.Coming to the earnings surprise, CONSOL Energy has lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters, resulting in a negative average surprise of 1,245.9%.Zacks Rank: Currently, CONSOL Energy has a Zacks Rank#3 (Hold) but that could change following its first quarter 2016 earnings report which has just released. We have highlighted some of the key details from the just-released announcement below:Earnings: Adjusted loss per share came in at 7 cents, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 9 cents. Revenue: Revenues of $558.5 million lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $679 million by 17.8% and year ago revenue of $792.6 million by 29.6%.Key Stats: CONSOL Energy registered a 36% year-over-year increase in first quarter 2016 gas production volumes to 97.5 Bcfe.Stock Price: It would be interesting to see how the market reacts to the wider than expected first quarter loss during the trading session today.Check back later for our full write up on this CNX earnings report later!Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days.Click to get this free report >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report CONSOL ENERGY (CNX): Free Stock Analysis Report CNX COAL RESRCS (CNXC): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research