Natural Gas Radar

2025-11-18 18:34

Table of Contents

Brian's Thoughts

Published: 11/18/2025 Focus: Natural Gas
Natural Gas in my view has defied logic with the fundamentals in the front part of November set to be neutral to slightly bearish. Due to the government shutdown, the CFTC has not been reporting positions since 9/23 - this leaves us a little blind to what I largely suspect is the reason for the run up (short covering). Fundamentally I believe we will see $5 this winter but I believed we were going to head down to test 3.965 before structurally heading up. Now the market is trading up on fear and short covering - which leaves me thinking that we may in fact be pushing up for a crash down in prices later. Monday broke the key levels of both 4.476 and 4.394 with the current trading at 4.335 in the afternoon session. 4.174 is likely the next stop - the traders are finally realizing just how warm November is….watch for 4.174 next. Bulls tried on Tuesday to bring Nat Gas back up to 4.394 but the destiny looks to be headed down. This week is likely a lot of balancing for positions before Thanksgiving holidays.

Today's Update

Updated: 2025-11-18 18:33:48 Length: 568 chars
Natural Gas is currently in a state of volatility, driven by short covering rather than solid fundamentals, especially as we enter a warmer November. Despite expectations of a bearish trend, prices have run up to around $4.335, breaking key levels of $4.476 and $4.394. The market is likely eyeing a test of $4.174 next, as traders adjust positions ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Watch for potential downward corrections, as the current rally may be more about fear than sustainable demand. Fundamentals suggest a winter target around $5, but caution is warranted.

Executive Summary

Total supply increased by 1.6 BCFD | Total demand increased by 4.5 BCFD | Market is undersupplied by 0.8 BCFD

Technical Analysis

Overall Technical Score (-5 to +5): 3 (Moderately Bullish)
Current Price: $4.37
Signal: Moderately Bullish

Moving Averages (9/20)

BULLISH

MA(9): $4.45

MA(20): $4.06

Current Price is 4.37, 9 day MA 4.45, 20 day MA 4.06

MACD (12, 26, 9)

BULLISH

MACD: 0.3157

Signal: 0.3118

Days since crossover: 21

MACD crossed the line 21 days ago and is in a bullish setup

RSI (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: 63.49

Category: NEUTRAL

RSI is 63.49 (note 70% is overbought and 30% is oversold)

Volume (vs 20d Avg)

LOWER

Current: 201

Avg (20d): 161,660

Ratio: 0.0

Volume is lower versus 20 day average

Stochastic (14, 3)

BEARISH CROSS

%K: 64.63

%D: 78.2

Stochastic %K: 64.63, %D: 78.2. Signal: bearish cross

ADX (14)

STRONG UPTREND

ADX: 41.89

+DI: 29.69

-DI: 10.35

ADX: 41.89 (+DI: 29.69, -DI: 10.35). Trend: strong uptrend

Williams %R (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: -35.37

Williams %R: -35.37 (neutral zone)

Bollinger Bands (20, 2)

ABOVE MIDDLE

Upper: 5.01

Middle: 4.06

Lower: 3.12

Price vs BBands (20, 2): above middle. Upper: 5.01, Middle: 4.06, Lower: 3.12

Fundamental Analysis

Category Current (BCFD) Last Week Last Year 3 Yr Avg
Dry Production 107.5 106.4 101.8 102.13
LNG Imports 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1
Canadian Imports 6.3 5.8 5.9 5.03
Total Supply 113.8 112.2 107.8 106.53
Industrial Demand 22.8 22.4 23.0 23.2
Electric Power Demand 31.7 36.7 35.0 32.3
Residential & Commercial 28.4 20.2 18.0 19.6
LNG Exports 18.5 17.7 12.7 12.7
Mexico Exports 6.4 6.3 5.8 6.0
Pipeline Fuel 6.8 6.8 6.9 6.97
Total Demand 114.6 110.1 101.4 100.8
Supply/Demand Balance -0.8 2.1 6.4 5.73

Weather Analysis

Natural Gas Weather Impact: HIGH heating demand - significant cold spell (Heating-dominated conditions driving natural gas demand)

Weather Analysis Summary

Heating Degree Days (Utility Gas Weighted)
Last 7 Days: 122.0 HDD -9.0 vs Normal
Next 7 Days: 122.0 HDD -25.0 vs Normal
Cooling Degree Days (Population Weighted)
Last 7 Days: 2.0 CDD +0.0 vs Normal
Next 7 Days: 6.0 CDD +6.0 vs Normal

Weather Trend Analysis (Click charts to zoom)

HDD Analysis
HDD Analysis Chart
CDD Analysis
CDD Analysis Chart

Detailed Data

Recent HDD Data
Date HDD Normal Anomaly
11/10 23.0 17.0 +6.0
11/11 23.0 19.0 +4.0
11/12 18.0 19.0 -1.0
11/13 15.0 19.0 -4.0
11/14 14.0 19.0 -5.0
11/15 13.0 19.0 -6.0
11/16 16.0 19.0 -3.0
HDD Forecast
Date HDD Normal Anomaly
11/18 20.0 20.0 +0.0
11/19 18.0 20.0 -2.0
11/20 17.0 20.0 -3.0
11/21 15.0 21.0 -6.0
11/22 17.0 22.0 -5.0
11/23 18.0 22.0 -4.0
11/24 17.0 22.0 -5.0
Recent CDD Data
Date CDD Normal Anomaly
11/10 0.0 1.0 -1.0
11/11 0.0 1.0 -1.0
11/12 0.0 0.0 +0.0
11/13 0.0 0.0 +0.0
11/14 0.0 0.0 +0.0
11/15 1.0 0.0 +1.0
11/16 1.0 0.0 +1.0
CDD Forecast
Date CDD Normal Anomaly
11/18 1.0 0.0 +1.0
11/19 1.0 0.0 +1.0
11/20 1.0 0.0 +1.0
11/21 1.0 0.0 +1.0
11/22 1.0 0.0 +1.0
11/23 1.0 0.0 +1.0
11/24 0.0 0.0 +0.0
Data Source: NOAA Climate Prediction Center (CPC) Region: CONUS Climatology: 1981-2010 Normal Period

Economic Analysis

Economic Sentiment Summary

NEGATIVE - Economic indicators showing headwinds
Dollar Impact: Strong USD may pressure commodity prices
Industrial Demand: Weaker industrial demand signals
Interest Rate Impact: Rising rates may impact energy demand
Risk Sentiment: Moderate market volatility

Economic Indicators

USD_INDEX

99.6
Daily: 0.01 (0.01%)
Weekly: 0.12 (0.12%)

US_10Y

4.12
Daily: -0.01 (-0.24%)
Weekly: 0.06 (1.43%)

SP500

6617.32
Daily: -55.09 (-0.83%)
Weekly: -233.6 (-3.41%)

VIX

24.69
Daily: 2.31 (10.32%)
Weekly: 7.18 (41.01%)

GOLD

4071.4
Daily: 3.1 (0.08%)
Weekly: -133.0 (-3.16%)

COPPER

4.96
Daily: -0.04 (-0.72%)
Weekly: -0.13 (-2.47%)

CFTC Commitment of Traders Analysis

Natural Gas Positioning (NAT GAS NYME - NEW YORK MERCANTILE EXCHANGE)

Report Date: 2025-09-23
Sentiment: Bearish and Strengthening
Positioning: Normal Range

Open Interest

1,626,777
Change: -11,903

Managed Money

-63,176
Change: -40,085
-3.9% of OI

Producer/Merchant

-4,944
Change: +8,712
-0.3% of OI

Swap Dealers

124,686
Change: +6,611
7.7% of OI

Other Reportables

-64,908
Change: +22,945
-4.0% of OI

Analysis Rationale (Managed Money):

  • Managed Money sentiment: bearish and strengthening

Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NEW YORK MERCANTILE EXCHANGE)

Report Date: 2025-09-23
Sentiment: Bullish but Weakening
Positioning: Normal Range

Open Interest

1,936,690
Change: -25,930

Managed Money

26,483
Change: -10,316
1.4% of OI

Producer/Merchant

283,712
Change: -9,029
14.6% of OI

Swap Dealers

-402,312
Change: +5,178
-20.8% of OI

Analysis Rationale (Managed Money):

  • Managed Money sentiment: bullish but weakening

LNG Market Analysis

LNG Market Summary

TTF prices increased to 10.645 EUR/MWh (+0.020). JKM prices remained stable to 11.127 USD/MMBtu (+0.000). JKM is trading at a premium of 0.482 to TTF, indicating strong Asian demand.

TTF Prices

10.645

+0.020

Front month: DEC 25

As of 2025-11-18

JKM Prices

11.127

+0.000

Front month: DEC 25

As of 2025-11-18

JKM-TTF Spread

0.482

4.53%

JKM is trading at a premium to TTF, indicating strong Asian demand.

As of 2025-11-18

Forward Curves Visualization
TTF (EUR/MWh)
JKM (USD/MMBtu)
11.5
11.2
10.8
10.4
10.0
10.64
11.13
DEC 25
10.75
11.40
JAN 26
10.76
11.07
FEB 26
10.66
10.64
MAR 26
10.27
10.20
APR 26
10.16
10.19
MAY 26
10.16
10.29
JUN 26
10.19
10.43
JUL 26
10.23
10.56
AUG 26
10.30
10.54
SEP 26
10.37
10.57
OCT 26
10.58
10.84
NOV 26
TTF Forward Curve (Next 12 Months)
Month Price (EUR/MWh)
DEC 25 10.645
JAN 26 10.749
FEB 26 10.761
MAR 26 10.658
APR 26 10.266
MAY 26 10.157
JUN 26 10.162
JUL 26 10.188
AUG 26 10.230
SEP 26 10.304
OCT 26 10.370
NOV 26 10.581
JKM Forward Curve (Next 12 Months)
Month Price (USD/MMBtu)
DEC 25 11.127
JAN 26 11.400
FEB 26 11.070
MAR 26 10.640
APR 26 10.195
MAY 26 10.185
JUN 26 10.295
JUL 26 10.425
AUG 26 10.560
SEP 26 10.545
OCT 26 10.575
NOV 26 10.835

News & Sentiment Analysis

Market Sentiment Overview

BEARISH
Average Polarity: -0.3
Confidence: 1.0
Articles Analyzed: 38
Last Updated: 2025-11-18 18:34:24

Commodity Sentiment

NATURAL_GAS

0.0

CRUDE_OIL

-0.6

Fibonacci Levels Analysis

Current Price: $4.37
Closest Support: $4.25 2.75% below current price
Closest Resistance: $4.69 7.32% above current price

Fibonacci Retracement Levels

0.0 $2.65
0.236 $3.13
0.382 $3.43
0.5 $3.67
0.618 $3.91
0.786 $4.25 Support
1.0 $4.69 Resistance

Fibonacci Extension Levels

1.272 $5.24
1.618 $5.95
2.0 $6.72
2.618 $7.98

ML Price Prediction

Current Price: $4.36
Forecast Generated: 2025-11-18 18:34:24
Next Trading Day: UP 0.16%
Date Prediction Lower Bound Upper Bound
2025-11-18 $4.37 $4.04 $4.7
2025-11-19 $4.36 $4.03 $4.69
2025-11-20 $4.35 $4.02 $4.68
2025-11-21 $4.35 $4.02 $4.68
2025-11-22 $4.37 $4.04 $4.69

ML Insights

  • Forecast generated using ARIMA(5, 1, 0).
  • The model predicts a price increase of ~0.16% for the next trading day (2025-11-18), reaching $4.37.
  • The 5-day forecast suggests relatively stable prices between 2025-11-18 and 2025-11-22.
  • The average confidence interval width is ~15.1% of the predicted price, indicating model uncertainty.
  • SIGNAL: Weak bullish signal, high uncertainty.

AI Analysis

πŸ’Ή

For Energy Traders:

The current market data presents a moderately bullish outlook with a technical score of 3/5. The Fibonacci support level is at 4.25, while resistance is noted at 4.69. This indicates potential price movement towards the upper resistance level, especially given the ML price forecast predicting an increase of 0.16% within the range of 4.04 to 4.70.

However, the overall market sentiment is bearish with a sentiment score of -0.300. Traders should be cautious as the divergence between technical indicators and news sentiment could lead to increased volatility. Short-term opportunities may exist for quick trades, but risks remain elevated due to the bearish news sentiment.

β›½

For Producers (Oil & Gas Companies):

Producers should consider the fundamental balance of -0.80 BCFD indicating a tightening supply situation, especially with a significant change of -2.90. This may warrant adjustments in production planning to align with rising demand driven by the moderate heating demand expected in residential and commercial sectors.

The current bearish sentiment (-0.300) and geopolitical risks surrounding crude oil production could impact hedging strategies. Producers should monitor the geopolitical developments closely, as they may influence both pricing and operational strategies moving forward.

🏭

For Consumers (Industrial/Utilities):

Consumers should prepare for potential cost fluctuations due to the current market dynamics. The moderate heating demand suggests that prices may rise, especially as the ML forecast indicates an upward trend. The 4.25 support level could provide a buffer against extreme price spikes, but vigilance is advised.

Additionally, the overall market sentiment and the current fundamental balance indicate possible supply reliability risks. Consumers may want to consider hedging strategies to mitigate the impact of price volatility on procurement costs.

πŸ“Š

For Commodity Professionals (Analysts, Consultants):

The market presents a complex picture with a moderately bullish technical outlook contrasted by a bearish sentiment. The fundamental balance of -0.80 BCFD indicates tightening supplies, while the weather outlook suggests increased demand for heating.

Analysts should focus on the interplay between technical indicators and news sentiment, as the divergence could signal potential shifts in market dynamics. The geopolitical risks surrounding crude oil and their implications for production and pricing should also be a focal point for future assessments.

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or specific buy/sell recommendations.