Natural Gas Radar

2026-03-05 23:48

Table of Contents

Brian's Thoughts

Published: 03/05/2026 Focus: Natural Gas
Natural gas settled $2.859 (+1.1%) despite warmer March forecasts, which tells you LNG is quietly running the show with feedgas averaging 18.7 Bcf/d in February and prints near ~19.9 Bcf/d late week. Production is elevated at roughly 108–113 Bcf/d, gas rigs just hit a 2.5-year high (134), and demand is forecast sliding from 137.6 → 125.3 → 112.9 Bcf/d over the next two weeks as HDDs run well below normal. Storage sits at 1,893 Bcf, about ~2% below the 5-year average, which is tight enough to prevent panic selling but not tight enough to spark a structural rally. The outlier screaming from the physical market is Waha at -$1.66 for 16 consecutive days, showing regional oversupply even while global gas benchmarks (TTF ~$11, JKM ~$10.6) justify strong U.S. exports. If crude volatility from Iran lifts global energy risk further, gas may catch sympathy bids via LNG economics, but absent weather or export disruption, rising supply and falling demand argue that rallies need a catalyst beyond headlines. Weather is showing a “less bearish” pattern after this spring weather pattern - March 10 is bringing back some cooler weather (note - not COLD but cooler). NG opened the week breaking above 2.924 and 3.00 which is a bullish reversal and could leave an island pattern down at 2.848 - the key drivers are slightly better forecasts but also concern about LNG flows out of Qatar which could make LNG cargos worth twice as much as they were (this would pull up Henry Hub pricing). This week is all about 3.00 - if that can be held then 3.449 is the target, if the bears take it back - then gap fill to 2.848 is where gravity will take Natty. * Monday brought a wide range with most of the day being 2.924 to 3.00. The bulls failed to keep it above $3, which points to a gap fill down to 2.848. I am cautious about that position as I think we are closer to a base and would be building a long position here for a run to 3.449. * Tuesday Natty ran up following crude showing strength above the 3.127 level for most of the day and then fell back to 3.05. A lot depends on weather - and while we have seen improvement in HDDs it is “less bearish”. * Natty gas came back down to earth drifting back down to 2.924 as the key support - the bulls can still take it (and I think they will) but weather runs have not supported the run. * Nat Gas climbed back to $3 based on tighter supply-demand and “normal” storage levels. As we are closing in on the “end of winter” we are looking at likely 1.6 TCF as the latest mark.

Today's Update

Updated: 2026-03-05 23:47:05 Length: 532 chars
Natural gas prices recently settled at $2.859, buoyed by LNG demand despite warmer forecasts. With production at 108-113 Bcf/d and gas rigs at a 2.5-year high, supply remains robust. However, a notable regional disparity exists, as Waha prices plummeted to -$1.66, signaling oversupply. Inventories fell by 132 Bcf, suggesting tightening conditions, yet overall storage is still 2% below the five-year average. Traders should monitor weather shifts and LNG export dynamics as they could catalyze price movements in the coming weeks.

Executive Summary

Total supply decreased by 0.0 BCFD | Total demand increased by 5.1 BCFD | Market is undersupplied by 22.22 BCFD

Technical Analysis

Overall Technical Score (-5 to +5): -2 (Moderately Bearish)
Current Price: $2.97
Signal: Moderately Bearish

Moving Averages (9/20)

BEARISH

MA(9): $2.94

MA(20): $3.07

Current Price is 2.97, 9 day MA 2.94, 20 day MA 3.07

MACD (12, 26, 9)

BULLISH

MACD: -0.2681

Signal: -0.2969

Days since crossover: 3

MACD crossed the line 3 days ago and is in a bullish setup

RSI (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: 42.98

Category: NEUTRAL

RSI is 42.98 (note 70% is overbought and 30% is oversold)

Volume (vs 20d Avg)

LOWER

Current: 3,304

Avg (20d): 146,573

Ratio: 0.02

Volume is lower versus 20 day average

Stochastic (14, 3)

BULLISH CROSS

%K: 39.76

%D: 39.19

Stochastic %K: 39.76, %D: 39.19. Signal: bullish cross

ADX (14)

NO TREND

ADX: 11.5

+DI: 26.1

-DI: 22.18

ADX: 11.5 (+DI: 26.1, -DI: 22.18). Trend: no trend

Williams %R (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: -60.24

Williams %R: -60.24 (neutral zone)

Bollinger Bands (20, 2)

BELOW MIDDLE

Upper: 3.41

Middle: 3.07

Lower: 2.73

Price vs BBands (20, 2): below middle. Upper: 3.41, Middle: 3.07, Lower: 2.73

Fundamental Analysis

Category Current (BCFD) Last Week Last Year 3 Yr Avg
Dry Production 107.8 108.7 103.7 102.67
LNG Imports 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.13
Canadian Imports 5.6 4.7 6.6 5.57
Total Supply 113.4 113.4 110.3 108.33
Industrial Demand 22.9 22.0 25.3 24.9
Electric Power Demand 36.0 35.5 33.0 31.73
Residential & Commercial 42.7 38.8 41.9 38.67
LNG Exports 18.9 18.9 16.4 14.37
Mexico Exports 6.3 6.5 6.5 6.07
Pipeline Fuel 8.83 8.83 7.8 7.63
Total Demand 135.62 130.52 130.8 120.93
Supply/Demand Balance -22.22 -17.12 -20.5 -12.6

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: 153.0 HDD -27.0 vs Normal
Next 7 Days: 78.0 HDD -86.0 vs Normal
Cooling Degree Days (Population Weighted)
Last 7 Days: 5.0 CDD +5.0 vs Normal
Next 7 Days: 14.0 CDD +14.0 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
02/25 25.0 27.0 -2.0
02/26 21.0 27.0 -6.0
02/27 18.0 26.0 -8.0
02/28 19.0 26.0 -7.0
03/01 22.0 25.0 -3.0
03/02 25.0 24.0 +1.0
03/03 23.0 25.0 -2.0
HDD Forecast
Date HDD Normal Anomaly
03/05 15.0 24.0 -9.0
03/06 12.0 24.0 -12.0
03/07 11.0 24.0 -13.0
03/08 12.0 23.0 -11.0
03/09 9.0 23.0 -14.0
03/10 8.0 23.0 -15.0
03/11 11.0 23.0 -12.0
Recent CDD Data
Date CDD Normal Anomaly
02/25 0.0 0.0 +0.0
02/26 0.0 0.0 +0.0
02/27 1.0 0.0 +1.0
02/28 1.0 0.0 +1.0
03/01 1.0 0.0 +1.0
03/02 1.0 0.0 +1.0
03/03 1.0 0.0 +1.0
CDD Forecast
Date CDD Normal Anomaly
03/05 2.0 0.0 +2.0
03/06 2.0 0.0 +2.0
03/07 2.0 0.0 +2.0
03/08 2.0 0.0 +2.0
03/09 2.0 0.0 +2.0
03/10 2.0 0.0 +2.0
03/11 2.0 0.0 +2.0
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

98.95
Daily: 0.18 (0.18%)
Weekly: 1.34 (1.37%)

US_10Y

4.15
Daily: 0.07 (1.62%)
Weekly: 0.18 (4.64%)

SP500

6830.71
Daily: -38.79 (-0.56%)
Weekly: -48.17 (-0.7%)

VIX

23.75
Daily: 2.6 (12.29%)
Weekly: 3.89 (19.59%)

GOLD

5137.8
Daily: 17.6 (0.34%)
Weekly: -92.7 (-1.77%)

COPPER

5.87
Daily: 0.01 (0.2%)
Weekly: -0.14 (-2.3%)

CFTC Commitment of Traders Analysis

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

Report Date: 2026-02-24
Sentiment: Bearish and Strengthening
Positioning: Normal Range

Open Interest

1,619,531
Change: +5,975

Managed Money

-75,875
Change: -49,110
-4.7% of OI

Producer/Merchant

30,372
Change: -5,322
1.9% of OI

Swap Dealers

152,809
Change: +13,705
9.4% of OI

Other Reportables

-122,644
Change: +36,403
-7.6% of OI

Analysis Rationale (Managed Money):

  • Managed Money sentiment: bearish and strengthening

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

Report Date: 2026-02-24
Sentiment: Bullish and Strengthening
Positioning: Normal Range

Open Interest

2,102,705
Change: +15,212

Managed Money

67,700
Change: +3,915
3.2% of OI

Producer/Merchant

130,763
Change: -25,568
6.2% of OI

Swap Dealers

-347,546
Change: -9,586
-16.5% of OI

Analysis Rationale (Managed Money):

  • Managed Money sentiment: bullish and strengthening

LNG Market Analysis

LNG Market Summary

TTF prices decreased to 16.407 EUR/MWh (-1.565). JKM prices decreased to 15.105 USD/MMBtu (-0.665). JKM is trading at a discount of 1.302 to TTF, suggesting weaker Asian demand.

TTF Prices

16.407

-1.565

Front month: APR 26

As of 2026-03-05

JKM Prices

15.105

-0.665

Front month: APR 26

As of 2026-03-05

JKM-TTF Spread

-1.302

-7.94%

JKM is trading at a discount to TTF, suggesting weaker Asian demand.

As of 2026-03-05

Forward Curves Visualization
TTF (EUR/MWh)
JKM (USD/MMBtu)
19.9
17.7
15.6
13.4
11.3
16.41
15.11
APR 26
16.02
19.14
MAY 26
15.45
17.18
JUN 26
14.88
15.47
JUL 26
14.40
14.77
AUG 26
14.15
14.37
SEP 26
14.00
14.19
OCT 26
13.82
13.93
NOV 26
13.56
13.84
DEC 26
13.31
13.59
JAN 27
12.82
13.04
FEB 27
12.08
12.03
MAR 27
TTF Forward Curve (Next 12 Months)
Month Price (EUR/MWh)
APR 26 16.407
MAY 26 16.021
JUN 26 15.446
JUL 26 14.878
AUG 26 14.404
SEP 26 14.149
OCT 26 14.000
NOV 26 13.820
DEC 26 13.559
JAN 27 13.309
FEB 27 12.819
MAR 27 12.079
JKM Forward Curve (Next 12 Months)
Month Price (USD/MMBtu)
APR 26 15.105
MAY 26 19.145
JUN 26 17.175
JUL 26 15.470
AUG 26 14.765
SEP 26 14.365
OCT 26 14.190
NOV 26 13.930
DEC 26 13.835
JAN 27 13.585
FEB 27 13.045
MAR 27 12.025

News & Sentiment Analysis

Market Sentiment Overview

BULLISH
Average Polarity: 0.7
Confidence: 1.0
Articles Analyzed: 194
Last Updated: 2026-03-05 23:47:51

Commodity Sentiment

NATURAL_GAS

0.65

CRUDE_OIL

0.75

Top News Topics

Geopolitical (28 articles)

Fibonacci Levels Analysis

Current Price: $2.97
Closest Support: $2.78 6.4% below current price
Closest Resistance: $3.97 33.67% above current price

Fibonacci Retracement Levels

0.0 $2.78 Support
0.236 $3.97 Resistance
0.382 $4.7
0.5 $5.3
0.618 $5.9
0.786 $6.75
1.0 $7.83

Fibonacci Extension Levels

1.272 $9.2
1.618 $10.95
2.0 $12.88
2.618 $16.0

ML Price Prediction

Current Price: $3.0
Forecast Generated: 2026-03-05 23:47:52
Next Trading Day: DOWN 1.36%
Date Prediction Lower Bound Upper Bound
2026-03-06 $2.96 $1.45 $4.48
2026-03-07 $2.99 $1.47 $4.5
2026-03-08 $2.97 $1.45 $4.48
2026-03-09 $2.98 $1.47 $4.5
2026-03-10 $2.97 $1.46 $4.49

ML Insights

  • Forecast generated using ARIMA(5, 1, 0).
  • The model predicts a price decrease of ~1.36% for the next trading day (2026-03-06), reaching $2.96.
  • The 5-day forecast suggests relatively stable prices between 2026-03-06 and 2026-03-10.
  • The average confidence interval width is ~101.9% of the predicted price, indicating model uncertainty.
  • SIGNAL: Weak bearish signal, high uncertainty.

AI Analysis

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For Energy Traders:

Current market indicators suggest a moderately bearish outlook, with a technical score of -2/5. The Fibonacci support level is at 2.78, while resistance is at 3.97. Traders should be cautious of potential price volatility, especially with the ML price forecast predicting a decline of 1.36% in the short term. This presents a risk for short-term positions, but also opportunities for those looking to capitalize on price fluctuations.

For Producers (Oil & Gas Companies):

The fundamental balance indicates a significant negative adjustment at -22.22 BCFD, which may impact production planning and operational efficiency. Producers should consider hedging strategies to mitigate risks associated with potential price declines. The overall market sentiment remains positive, particularly for natural gas, which could support pricing in the long term despite short-term bearish signals.

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For Consumers (Industrial/Utilities):

With a moderate heating demand expected due to current weather patterns, consumers should prepare for potential cost fluctuations in natural gas. The fundamental balance indicates a tightening supply, which could lead to supply reliability risks in the near future. It is advisable for consumers to evaluate their procurement strategies and consider hedging to protect against price spikes.

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For Commodity Professionals (Analysts, Consultants):

The market is currently influenced by a mix of bearish technical indicators and bullish sentiment across various segments. The key drivers appear to be the fundamental supply/demand dynamics and significant geopolitical factors affecting crude oil prices. Analysts should monitor the convergence of these factors closely, as any shifts could lead to substantial changes in market outlook.

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