Natural Gas Radar

2026-04-20 23:47

Table of Contents

Brian's Thoughts

Published: 04/20/2026 Focus: Natural Gas
HH at $2.70 is bouncing off recent lows but structurally pinned by the same forces that have been in place for weeks: storage at 1,911 Bcf (4.8% above 5yr avg), injection season running hot with back-to-back beats (50 Bcf and 59 Bcf the past two EIA reports vs. ~46 Bcf consensus), production near 109 Bcf/d and rising, and warm weather forecast through early May keeping heating demand near zero. The paradox hasn't moved — LNG exports are running 18.9 Bcf/d near-record and the HH–TTF arb at ~$12.30 is screaming, but terminal capacity is the hard ceiling on how many molecules can leave. Spot gas is a domestic story, not a global one, and domestically everything points lower. The one thing keeping traders from getting aggressively short: the December 2026 contract at $4.70 and Jan 2027 at $5.10 are still pricing serious winter risk, which means any sharp move lower in spot invites calendar spread buyers. $2.40 is the floor to watch — Haynesville break-even country. Below that, expect producer curtailments that actually bite into the supply overhang.

Today's Update

Updated: 2026-04-20 23:46:37 Length: 514 chars
Natural gas prices are currently hovering around $2.70, supported by a storage level of 1,911 Bcf, which is 4.8% above the 5-year average. Despite production nearing 109 Bcf/d and warm weather dampening heating demand, LNG exports are robust at 18.9 Bcf/d. However, the market remains constrained by terminal capacity, keeping prices flat. The December 2026 and January 2027 contracts indicate potential winter risks, making $2.40 a critical support level—breaching it may trigger producer cutbacks. Stay vigilant!

Executive Summary

Total supply decreased by 2.2 BCFD | Total demand decreased by 1.81 BCFD | Market is undersupplied by 2.52 BCFD

Technical Analysis

Overall Technical Score (-5 to +5): -2 (Moderately Bearish)
Current Price: $2.66
Signal: Moderately Bearish

Moving Averages (9/20)

BEARISH

MA(9): $2.65

MA(20): $2.79

Current Price is 2.66, 9 day MA 2.65, 20 day MA 2.79

MACD (12, 26, 9)

BULLISH

MACD: -0.1276

Signal: -0.13

Days since crossover: 1

MACD crossed the line 1 days ago and is in a bullish setup

RSI (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: 39.14

Category: NEUTRAL

RSI is 39.14 (note 70% is overbought and 30% is oversold)

Volume (vs 20d Avg)

LOWER

Current: 1,772

Avg (20d): 112,395

Ratio: 0.02

Volume is lower versus 20 day average

Stochastic (14, 3)

BULLISH CROSS

%K: 24.04

%D: 20.7

Stochastic %K: 24.04, %D: 20.7. Signal: bullish cross

ADX (14)

NO TREND

ADX: 8.35

+DI: 18.96

-DI: 19.36

ADX: 8.35 (+DI: 18.96, -DI: 19.36). Trend: no trend

Williams %R (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: -75.96

Williams %R: -75.96 (neutral zone)

Bollinger Bands (20, 2)

BELOW MIDDLE

Upper: 3.08

Middle: 2.79

Lower: 2.51

Price vs BBands (20, 2): below middle. Upper: 3.08, Middle: 2.79, Lower: 2.51

Fundamental Analysis

Category Current (BCFD) Last Week Last Year 3 Yr Avg
Dry Production 107.4 108.7 106.3 102.43
LNG Imports 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.07
Canadian Imports 4.3 5.2 5.9 5.23
Total Supply 111.7 113.9 112.3 107.73
Industrial Demand 21.1 23.2 23.3 23.1
Electric Power Demand 34.0 29.6 28.6 29.0
Residential & Commercial 24.7 29.0 21.1 21.0
LNG Exports 19.0 18.8 16.8 14.37
Mexico Exports 6.6 6.6 6.3 5.77
Pipeline Fuel 8.83 8.83 6.9 7.47
Total Demand 114.22 116.03 103.0 100.77
Supply/Demand Balance -2.52 -2.13 9.3 6.97

Weather Analysis

Natural Gas Weather Impact: LOW heating demand - mild conditions (BELOW normal heating demand) (Heating-dominated conditions driving natural gas demand)

Weather Analysis Summary

Heating Degree Days (Utility Gas Weighted)
Last 7 Days: 41.0 HDD -45.0 vs Normal
Next 7 Days: 61.0 HDD -9.0 vs Normal
Cooling Degree Days (Population Weighted)
Last 7 Days: 20.0 CDD +13.0 vs Normal
Next 7 Days: 14.0 CDD +1.0 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
04/12 9.0 14.0 -5.0
04/13 6.0 13.0 -7.0
04/14 4.0 13.0 -9.0
04/15 4.0 12.0 -8.0
04/16 4.0 11.0 -7.0
04/17 5.0 12.0 -7.0
04/18 9.0 11.0 -2.0
HDD Forecast
Date HDD Normal Anomaly
04/20 15.0 10.0 +5.0
04/21 11.0 10.0 +1.0
04/22 7.0 11.0 -4.0
04/23 5.0 10.0 -5.0
04/24 6.0 10.0 -4.0
04/25 8.0 10.0 -2.0
04/26 9.0 9.0 +0.0
Recent CDD Data
Date CDD Normal Anomaly
04/12 1.0 1.0 +0.0
04/13 2.0 1.0 +1.0
04/14 4.0 1.0 +3.0
04/15 4.0 1.0 +3.0
04/16 4.0 1.0 +3.0
04/17 3.0 1.0 +2.0
04/18 2.0 1.0 +1.0
CDD Forecast
Date CDD Normal Anomaly
04/20 1.0 2.0 -1.0
04/21 1.0 2.0 -1.0
04/22 1.0 2.0 -1.0
04/23 3.0 2.0 +1.0
04/24 3.0 1.0 +2.0
04/25 3.0 2.0 +1.0
04/26 2.0 2.0 +0.0
Data Source: NOAA Climate Prediction Center (CPC) Region: CONUS Climatology: 1981-2010 Normal Period

Economic Analysis

Economic Sentiment Summary

NEUTRAL - Mixed economic signals
Dollar Impact: Strong USD may pressure commodity prices
Industrial Demand: Weaker industrial demand signals
Interest Rate Impact: Stable/lower rates may support demand
Risk Sentiment: Low market volatility/risk appetite

Economic Indicators

USD_INDEX

98.16
Daily: 0.06 (0.06%)
Weekly: 0.04 (0.04%)

US_10Y

4.25
Daily: 0.0 (0.09%)
Weekly: -0.01 (-0.14%)

SP500

7109.14
Daily: -16.92 (-0.24%)
Weekly: 141.76 (2.03%)

VIX

18.87
Daily: 1.39 (7.95%)
Weekly: 0.51 (2.78%)

GOLD

4816.8
Daily: -40.8 (-0.84%)
Weekly: -8.2 (-0.17%)

COPPER

6.01
Daily: -0.09 (-1.51%)
Weekly: -0.06 (-0.97%)

CFTC Commitment of Traders Analysis

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

Report Date: 2026-04-14
Sentiment: Bearish and Strengthening
Positioning: Normal Range

Open Interest

1,585,240
Change: +26,377

Managed Money

-114,095
Change: -28,062
-7.2% of OI

Producer/Merchant

-10,542
Change: -1,114
-0.7% of OI

Swap Dealers

181,454
Change: +9,939
11.4% of OI

Other Reportables

-72,793
Change: +25,161
-4.6% of OI

Analysis Rationale (Managed Money):

  • Managed Money sentiment: bearish and strengthening

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

Report Date: 2026-04-14
Sentiment: Bullish and Strengthening
Positioning: Normal Range

Open Interest

2,094,492
Change: +56,635

Managed Money

98,368
Change: +19,668
4.7% of OI

Producer/Merchant

293,996
Change: +883
14.0% of OI

Swap Dealers

-540,931
Change: -17,352
-25.8% of OI

Analysis Rationale (Managed Money):

  • Managed Money sentiment: bullish and strengthening

LNG Market Analysis

LNG Market Summary

TTF prices decreased to 14.770 EUR/MWh (-0.551). JKM prices remained stable to 19.198 USD/MMBtu (+0.000). JKM is trading at a premium of 4.428 to TTF, indicating strong Asian demand.

TTF Prices

14.770

-0.551

Front month: MAY 26

As of 2026-04-20

JKM Prices

19.198

+0.000

Front month: MAY 26

As of 2026-04-20

JKM-TTF Spread

4.428

29.98%

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

As of 2026-04-20

Forward Curves Visualization
TTF (EUR/MWh)
JKM (USD/MMBtu)
20.0
17.7
15.4
13.1
10.7
14.77
19.20
MAY 26
13.42
15.00
JUN 26
13.46
14.78
JUL 26
13.49
14.73
AUG 26
13.54
14.49
SEP 26
13.54
14.13
OCT 26
13.52
14.14
NOV 26
13.56
14.29
DEC 26
13.55
14.08
JAN 27
13.44
13.70
FEB 27
13.03
12.40
MAR 27
11.62
11.52
APR 27
TTF Forward Curve (Next 12 Months)
Month Price (EUR/MWh)
MAY 26 14.770
JUN 26 13.424
JUL 26 13.464
AUG 26 13.490
SEP 26 13.541
OCT 26 13.537
NOV 26 13.516
DEC 26 13.562
JAN 27 13.546
FEB 27 13.438
MAR 27 13.030
APR 27 11.619
JKM Forward Curve (Next 12 Months)
Month Price (USD/MMBtu)
MAY 26 19.198
JUN 26 15.000
JUL 26 14.775
AUG 26 14.730
SEP 26 14.495
OCT 26 14.135
NOV 26 14.145
DEC 26 14.285
JAN 27 14.080
FEB 27 13.695
MAR 27 12.405
APR 27 11.515

LNG Flows Analysis

LNG Flows Summary

2026-03-21 to 2026-04-07
Latest LNG Flow 17.80 BCF/D
Daily Change -1.60 (-8.2%)
30-Day Average
19.04
BCF/D
30-Day High
19.50
BCF/D
30-Day Low
17.80
BCF/D
Data Points
18
Days

LNG Flows Trend (Click to zoom)

LNG Flows Chart
×

LNG Flows Analysis

Zoomed Chart

Recent LNG Flows Data

Date LNG Flow (BCF/D) Change from Previous
2026-03-29 19.50 N/A
2026-03-30 19.40 -0.10
2026-03-31 18.90 -0.50
2026-04-01 18.80 -0.10
2026-04-02 19.00 +0.20
2026-04-03 19.00 +0.00
2026-04-04 19.00 +0.00
2026-04-05 19.30 +0.30
2026-04-06 19.40 +0.10
2026-04-07 17.80 -1.60

News & Sentiment Analysis

Market Sentiment Overview

BEARISH
Average Polarity: -0.233
Confidence: 1.0
Articles Analyzed: 93
Last Updated: 2026-04-20 23:47:24

Commodity Sentiment

HEATING_OIL

0.0

NATURAL_GAS

0.0

CRUDE_OIL

-0.7

Fibonacci Levels Analysis

Current Price: $2.66
Closest Support: $2.56 3.76% below current price
Closest Resistance: $3.8 42.86% above current price

Fibonacci Retracement Levels

0.0 $2.56 Support
0.236 $3.8 Resistance
0.382 $4.57
0.5 $5.19
0.618 $5.82
0.786 $6.7
1.0 $7.83

Fibonacci Extension Levels

1.272 $9.26
1.618 $11.08
2.0 $13.09
2.618 $16.35

ML Price Prediction

Current Price: $2.69
Forecast Generated: 2026-04-20 23:47:25
Next Trading Day: UP 0.0%
Date Prediction Lower Bound Upper Bound
2026-04-21 $2.69 $2.52 $2.86
2026-04-22 $2.69 $2.52 $2.86
2026-04-23 $2.68 $2.52 $2.85
2026-04-24 $2.68 $2.51 $2.85
2026-04-25 $2.68 $2.51 $2.85

ML Insights

  • Forecast generated using ARIMA(5, 1, 0).
  • The model predicts a price increase of ~0.00% for the next trading day (2026-04-21), reaching $2.69.
  • The 5-day forecast suggests relatively stable prices between 2026-04-21 and 2026-04-25.
  • The average confidence interval width is ~12.6% of the predicted price, indicating model uncertainty.
  • SIGNAL: Weak bullish signal, high uncertainty.

AI Analysis

💹

For Energy Traders:

The current market sentiment is bearish, with a sentiment score of -0.233 indicating a lack of confidence among traders. The technical indicators suggest a moderately bearish outlook, with Fibonacci support at 2.56 and resistance at 3.8.

The ML price forecast shows a slight expected increase of 0.00%, with a range between 2.52 and 2.86. Traders should be cautious of volatility, particularly given the bearish sentiment and the potential for prices to test support levels.

For Producers (Oil & Gas Companies):

The fundamental balance is currently at -2.52 BCFD, indicating a tightening supply-demand scenario, albeit with a decrease of -0.39. Producers should consider adjusting production levels in response to this balance, especially with the bearish sentiment prevailing in the market.

Given the current sentiment surrounding crude oil, with a score of -0.700, hedging strategies may need to be reevaluated to mitigate risks associated with potential price declines. The geopolitical sentiment also suggests caution, as conflicts could further impact prices.

🏭

For Consumers (Industrial/Utilities):

With the weather outlook indicating moderate heating demand and low cooling demand, consumers should prepare for potential fluctuations in costs associated with heating fuels. The fundamental balance suggests a tighter market, which could lead to increased prices.

Given the current market sentiment, procurement strategies should consider locking in prices where feasible to hedge against potential cost increases in the near term.

📊

For Commodity Professionals (Analysts, Consultants):

The market is currently characterized by bearish sentiment across multiple indicators, particularly in crude oil. The technical analysis shows a support level at 2.56, with resistance at 3.8.

The weather outlook indicates a predominance of heating demand, which aligns with the fundamental balance showing a tightening supply. Analysts should closely monitor these factors as they could lead to potential shifts in market dynamics, particularly if geopolitical tensions escalate.

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.