Articles tagged spot prices

Natural gas futures were taking a beating Monday, as Mother Nature was hitting demand with a powerful one-two punch.

Natural gas futures slumped to launch trading Monday, as hurricane fears trumped pockets of strong cooling demand, lower production readings and recent spot price strengthening.

Bears maintained control in the week’s closing session as natural gas futures fell deeper amid growing concerns that mild weather would ease demand and limit the ability to wear away a hefty storage surplus.

July natural gas futures were tumbling into expiration, and the near-term outlook for the August contract also looked bleak as weak LNG demand and rising production placed bears in the driver’s seat.

Natural gas futures floundered once again on Tuesday, dragged lower by elevated supply concerns and repositioning ahead of the prompt month expiration this week.

With recent estimates helping to tamp down concerns that higher prices and summer cooling demand could bring a ramp-up in production, natural gas futures were rallying through midday trading Monday. Cash prices were up decisively, more than erasing discounts recorded late last week.

Natural gas futures on Wednesday floundered for the first time this year, with speculators hesitant to hold positions and bears seizing upon forecasts for a late January warm-up.

November natural gas futures forged ahead to new autumn highs on Tuesday, climbing for a sixth straight session amid choppy domestic production and fresh global supply worries ignited by the eruption of war in the Middle East.

Natural gas futures floundered most of Tuesday, but for a third straight session, the October contract approached the end of a tepid run at the front of the curve with a small gain. Lighter production offset fading demand and export uncertainty.

Spot rates for LNG vessel charters are rising sooner than last year as natural gas buyers and sellers hone in on the winter supply scenario and global risks that still abound.