Natural Gas Radar

2025-12-27 23:47

Table of Contents

Brian's Thoughts

Published: 12/27/2025 Focus: Natural Gas
Nat Gas is coming off of a VERY SOFT demand week but entering this week as a very strong demand week. And have probably 125 BCF adding to the balance versus the 5 year average into early January. While we are currently only 0.9% over the 5 year average which is the support at $4 gas, but hardly paints a picture of $5+ on price. With demand fluctuating, we have seen Canadian imports matching 3 year averages and production ticking up (over 5 bcfd versus last year) this puts a cap on upside IMHO. On the technical side, we close the January contract next week, but I’m expecting this week to be very light on volume. 4.062 is still the bull/bear line this week but the Sunday/Monday gap may point to another trip to 3.965 - if that level falls, we are likely dropping down to 3.44. Feb is trading around the 3.75 level at the moment, so that points down after the roll late this week or next. If the bulls catch some wind or a forecast, they will need to push past 4.174 to open the door to 4.476. This week, I am watching 4.062 as the pivot, 3.965 as the support, and 4.174 as the resistance. Lots of volatility this week with Monday testing 3.80, Tuesday testing 4.40, and Wednesday settling in at 4.24. Weather looks bearish so downside seems likely.

Today's Update

Updated: 2025-12-27 23:46:47 Length: 535 chars
Natural gas is experiencing a shift from a weak demand week to a stronger one, with expectations of adding 125 BCF to balances versus the five-year average by early January. Currently, prices hover around $4, with only a slight 0.9% surplus over the average, limiting upside potential. Watch for volatility as technical levels reveal a pivotal $4.062. If it breaks below $3.965, we could see a drop to $3.44. Cold weather forecasts may provide bulls a chance, but bearish trends loom with weather patterns suggesting downward pressure.

Executive Summary

Total supply decreased by 0.1 BCFD | Total demand decreased by 19.58 BCFD | Market is undersupplied by 7.52 BCFD

Technical Analysis

Overall Technical Score (-5 to +5): 2 (Moderately Bullish)
Current Price: $4.37
Signal: Moderately Bullish

Moving Averages (9/20)

BEARISH

MA(9): $4.09

MA(20): $4.46

Current Price is 4.37, 9 day MA 4.09, 20 day MA 4.46

MACD (12, 26, 9)

BEARISH

MACD: -0.0497

Signal: -0.0192

Days since crossover: 13

MACD crossed the line 13 days ago and is in a bearish setup

RSI (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: 51.7

Category: NEUTRAL

RSI is 51.7 (note 70% is overbought and 30% is oversold)

Volume (vs 20d Avg)

LOWER

Current: 57,070

Avg (20d): 188,672

Ratio: 0.3

Volume is lower versus 20 day average

Stochastic (14, 3)

BULLISH CROSS

%K: 40.41

%D: 34.19

Stochastic %K: 40.41, %D: 34.19. Signal: bullish cross

ADX (14)

STRONG UPTREND

ADX: 25.25

+DI: 26.54

-DI: 17.0

ADX: 25.25 (+DI: 26.54, -DI: 17.0). Trend: strong uptrend

Williams %R (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: -59.59

Williams %R: -59.59 (neutral zone)

Bollinger Bands (20, 2)

BELOW MIDDLE

Upper: 5.33

Middle: 4.46

Lower: 3.59

Price vs BBands (20, 2): below middle. Upper: 5.33, Middle: 4.46, Lower: 3.59

Fundamental Analysis

Category Current (BCFD) Last Week Last Year 3 Yr Avg
Dry Production 109.7 108.8 104.0 103.13
LNG Imports 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.07
Canadian Imports 5.5 6.5 6.2 5.53
Total Supply 115.2 115.3 110.2 108.73
Industrial Demand 21.3 24.7 25.4 24.93
Electric Power Demand 32.9 41.7 34.1 32.83
Residential & Commercial 35.1 42.3 39.4 37.5
LNG Exports 18.3 18.5 14.3 13.77
Mexico Exports 6.3 6.4 6.0 5.83
Pipeline Fuel 8.83 8.83 7.8 7.67
Total Demand 122.72 142.3 127.0 122.57
Supply/Demand Balance -7.52 -27.0 -16.8 -13.83

Weather Analysis

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

Weather Analysis Summary

Heating Degree Days (Utility Gas Weighted)
Last 7 Days: 161.0 HDD -57.0 vs Normal
Next 7 Days: 205.0 HDD -5.0 vs Normal
Cooling Degree Days (Population Weighted)
Last 7 Days: 2.0 CDD +2.0 vs Normal
Next 7 Days: 2.0 CDD +2.0 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
12/19 25.0 31.0 -6.0
12/20 26.0 31.0 -5.0
12/21 26.0 31.0 -5.0
12/22 25.0 31.0 -6.0
12/23 21.0 31.0 -10.0
12/24 19.0 31.0 -12.0
12/25 19.0 32.0 -13.0
HDD Forecast
Date HDD Normal Anomaly
12/27 22.0 31.0 -9.0
12/28 21.0 30.0 -9.0
12/29 28.0 29.0 -1.0
12/30 33.0 30.0 +3.0
12/31 31.0 30.0 +1.0
01/01 34.0 30.0 +4.0
01/02 36.0 30.0 +6.0
Recent CDD Data
Date CDD Normal Anomaly
12/19 0.0 0.0 +0.0
12/20 0.0 0.0 +0.0
12/21 0.0 0.0 +0.0
12/22 0.0 0.0 +0.0
12/23 0.0 0.0 +0.0
12/24 1.0 0.0 +1.0
12/25 1.0 0.0 +1.0
CDD Forecast
Date CDD Normal Anomaly
12/27 1.0 0.0 +1.0
12/28 1.0 0.0 +1.0
12/29 0.0 0.0 +0.0
12/30 0.0 0.0 +0.0
12/31 0.0 0.0 +0.0
01/01 0.0 0.0 +0.0
01/02 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

POSITIVE - Economic indicators generally supportive
Dollar Impact: Weaker USD may support commodity prices
Industrial Demand: Strong industrial demand signals
Interest Rate Impact: Stable/lower rates may support demand
Risk Sentiment: Low market volatility/risk appetite

Economic Indicators

USD_INDEX

98.02
Daily: 0.04 (0.04%)
Weekly: -0.58 (-0.59%)

US_10Y

4.14
Daily: 0.0 (0.0%)
Weekly: -0.01 (-0.36%)

SP500

6929.94
Daily: -2.11 (-0.03%)
Weekly: 95.44 (1.4%)

VIX

13.6
Daily: 0.13 (0.97%)
Weekly: -1.31 (-8.79%)

GOLD

4529.1
Daily: 48.5 (1.08%)
Weekly: 167.7 (3.85%)

COPPER

5.77
Daily: 0.27 (4.87%)
Weekly: 0.33 (6.01%)

CFTC Commitment of Traders Analysis

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

Report Date: 2025-12-16
Sentiment: Bearish and Strengthening
Positioning: Normal Range

Open Interest

1,574,623
Change: +23,860

Managed Money

-66,328
Change: -35,237
-4.2% of OI

Producer/Merchant

-14,725
Change: +29,737
-0.9% of OI

Swap Dealers

130,632
Change: +1,452
8.3% of OI

Other Reportables

-61,709
Change: +13,679
-3.9% of OI

Analysis Rationale (Managed Money):

  • Managed Money sentiment: bearish and strengthening

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

Report Date: 2025-12-16
Sentiment: Bullish but Weakening
Positioning: Normal Range

Open Interest

1,916,438
Change: +48,472

Managed Money

74
Change: -6,804
0.0% of OI

Producer/Merchant

247,515
Change: -4,668
12.9% of OI

Swap Dealers

-320,087
Change: +10,593
-16.7% of OI

Analysis Rationale (Managed Money):

  • Managed Money sentiment: bullish but weakening

LNG Market Analysis

LNG Market Summary

TTF prices remained stable to 9.478 EUR/MWh (+0.000). JKM prices decreased to 9.720 USD/MMBtu (-0.010). JKM is trading at a premium of 0.242 to TTF, indicating strong Asian demand.

TTF Prices

9.478

+0.000

Front month: JAN 26

As of 2025-12-27

JKM Prices

9.720

-0.010

Front month: FEB 26

As of 2025-12-27

JKM-TTF Spread

0.242

2.55%

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

As of 2025-12-27

Forward Curves Visualization
TTF (EUR/MWh)
JKM (USD/MMBtu)
10.2
10.0
9.7
9.4
9.2
9.48
9.72
JAN 26
9.65
9.64
FEB 26
9.55
9.34
MAR 26
9.36
9.29
APR 26
9.26
9.40
MAY 26
9.26
9.54
JUN 26
9.29
9.68
JUL 26
9.32
9.63
AUG 26
9.41
9.62
SEP 26
9.45
9.67
OCT 26
9.60
10.05
NOV 26
9.71
10.15
DEC 26
TTF Forward Curve (Next 12 Months)
Month Price (EUR/MWh)
JAN 26 9.478
FEB 26 9.650
MAR 26 9.553
APR 26 9.363
MAY 26 9.255
JUN 26 9.264
JUL 26 9.285
AUG 26 9.325
SEP 26 9.407
OCT 26 9.447
NOV 26 9.603
DEC 26 9.706
JKM Forward Curve (Next 12 Months)
Month Price (USD/MMBtu)
FEB 26 9.720
MAR 26 9.640
APR 26 9.335
MAY 26 9.285
JUN 26 9.405
JUL 26 9.540
AUG 26 9.680
SEP 26 9.630
OCT 26 9.625
NOV 26 9.670
DEC 26 10.050
JAN 27 10.155

News & Sentiment Analysis

Market Sentiment Overview

BEARISH
Average Polarity: -0.4
Confidence: 1.0
Articles Analyzed: 24
Last Updated: 2025-12-27 23:47:33

Commodity Sentiment

NATURAL_GAS

-0.4

CRUDE_OIL

-0.4

Fibonacci Levels Analysis

Current Price: $4.37
Closest Support: $4.19 4.12% below current price
Closest Resistance: $4.5 2.97% above current price

Fibonacci Retracement Levels

0.0 $2.89
0.236 $3.51
0.382 $3.89
0.5 $4.19 Support
0.618 $4.5 Resistance
0.786 $4.94
1.0 $5.5

Fibonacci Extension Levels

1.272 $6.2
1.618 $7.1
2.0 $8.1
2.618 $9.71

ML Price Prediction

Current Price: $4.37
Forecast Generated: 2025-12-27 23:47:34
Next Trading Day: DOWN 0.36%
Date Prediction Lower Bound Upper Bound
2025-12-27 $4.35 $3.99 $4.72
2025-12-28 $4.33 $3.97 $4.7
2025-12-29 $4.35 $3.98 $4.71
2025-12-30 $4.35 $3.98 $4.71
2025-12-31 $4.34 $3.97 $4.7

ML Insights

  • Forecast generated using ARIMA(5, 1, 0).
  • The model predicts a price decrease of ~0.36% for the next trading day (2025-12-27), reaching $4.35.
  • The 5-day forecast suggests relatively stable prices between 2025-12-27 and 2025-12-31.
  • The average confidence interval width is ~16.8% of the predicted price, indicating model uncertainty.
  • SIGNAL: Weak bearish signal, high uncertainty.

AI Analysis

šŸ’¹

For Energy Traders:

The market sentiment is currently bearish with a sentiment score of -0.400, indicating caution in the market. The Fibonacci support level is at 4.19 while resistance is at 4.5. This range suggests potential volatility, with traders monitoring for price movements around these levels. The ML price forecast indicates a slight decline of 0.36% tomorrow, reinforcing the bearish outlook. Traders should consider short-term opportunities but remain alert to risks associated with sudden market shifts.

⛽

For Producers (Oil & Gas Companies):

The fundamental balance is currently at -7.52 BCFD with a significant change of +19.48, indicating an increase in supply pressure. This situation may necessitate adjustments in production planning and hedging strategies to mitigate potential losses. The prevailing bearish sentiment could affect pricing strategies, making it crucial for producers to assess their exposure and consider locking in prices where feasible.

šŸ­

For Consumers (Industrial/Utilities):

With a strong emphasis on heating demand due to significant heating degree days (HDD) across most regions, consumers should prepare for potential cost fluctuations in the near term. The bearish market sentiment may lead to lower prices; however, risks associated with supply reliability should be closely monitored. Procurement strategies may need to adapt to this dynamic environment, especially with upcoming weather changes influencing demand patterns.

šŸ“Š

For Commodity Professionals (Analysts, Consultants):

The overall market is characterized by a bearish sentiment with a sentiment score of -0.400, driven by a significant increase in fundamental balance and low cooling demand. The weather outlook suggests a predominance of heating demand, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest regions, which could impact short-term pricing dynamics. Analysts should focus on the convergence of these factors, as they may signal a shift in market conditions, warranting closer scrutiny of both supply and demand trends.

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