Natural Gas Radar

2026-04-27 23:48

Table of Contents

Brian's Thoughts

Published: 04/27/2026 Focus: Natural Gas
American natural gas is currently the most schizophrenic commodity on the planet, and it deserves a moment of recognition for that achievement. On one hand: U.S. LNG export terminals are running at a record-pace 18.9 Bcf/d in April, printing money hand over fist on an ~$11.50/MMBtu spread to TTF and ~$13.50/MMBtu to JKM — net arbitrage after liquefaction and shipping costs of roughly $8–$9/MMBtu to Europe. U.S. exporters are, without exaggeration, the beneficiaries of the greatest involuntary energy redistribution scheme in history. On the other hand: Henry Hub is sitting at $2.57/MMBtu, a 26-month low, down 11.8% over four weeks, because the domestic market has 2,063 Bcf of gas in storage — 7.1% above the five-year average — and just posted a 103 Bcf injection for the week ended April 17 that was a five-year record for that calendar week and beat consensus by 9 Bcf. The domestic market is drowning in supply. The international market is starving. The molecule is the same. The price is not. This is what happens when you build a world-class LNG export complex but forget to build enough of it — the arb is enormous, terminal utilization is maxed out, and the excess gas that can't squeeze through the liquefaction bottleneck just piles up in storage and drives HH toward whatever the floor is. The floor, for now, appears to be somewhere around $2.40–$2.50 — October 2024 support. The week ahead for gas is quieter than crude, but the structural question is the same one it will be all summer: does record LNG demand (18.9 Bcf/d) keep injections from getting so egregious that HH loses its footing below $2.40? Weather is the swing variable — near-normal temperatures through early May mean power burn stays subdued, injections stay fat, and the storage surplus keeps widening. The only legitimate bull catalyst before summer heat materializes is a collapse in LNG feedgas flows — which would require either a peace deal that crashes international spreads, or a domestic terminal outage. Neither is the base case. For producers: do not add fixed-price hedges at $2.57. For consumers: do not wait. This is the window.

Today's Update

Updated: 2026-04-27 23:46:57 Length: 505 chars
Natural gas is currently caught in a dual reality. While U.S. LNG exports hit a record 18.9 Bcf/d, benefiting from high international prices, domestic prices languish at $2.57/MMBtu due to surplus storage levels (2,063 Bcf, 7.1% above average). Recent colder weather forecasts have slightly lifted prices, but with injections breaking records, Henry Hub faces pressure near $2.40. Watch for weather impacts and LNG feedgas flows—these will be key in determining the market's direction in the coming weeks.

Executive Summary

Total supply decreased by 0.6 BCFD | Total demand decreased by 9.09 BCFD | Market is oversupplied by 5.97 BCFD

Technical Analysis

Overall Technical Score (-5 to +5): -1 (Neutral)
Current Price: $2.72
Signal: Neutral

Moving Averages (9/20)

BEARISH

MA(9): $2.65

MA(20): $2.71

Current Price is 2.72, 9 day MA 2.65, 20 day MA 2.71

MACD (12, 26, 9)

BULLISH

MACD: -0.1012

Signal: -0.1152

Days since crossover: 6

MACD crossed the line 6 days ago and is in a bullish setup

RSI (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: 46.31

Category: NEUTRAL

RSI is 46.31 (note 70% is overbought and 30% is oversold)

Volume (vs 20d Avg)

LOWER

Current: 2,341

Avg (20d): 112,398

Ratio: 0.02

Volume is lower versus 20 day average

Stochastic (14, 3)

BULLISH CROSS

%K: 63.32

%D: 28.89

Stochastic %K: 63.32, %D: 28.89. Signal: bullish cross

ADX (14)

NO TREND

ADX: 7.94

+DI: 23.06

-DI: 22.43

ADX: 7.94 (+DI: 23.06, -DI: 22.43). Trend: no trend

Williams %R (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: -36.68

Williams %R: -36.68 (neutral zone)

Bollinger Bands (20, 2)

ABOVE MIDDLE

Upper: 2.91

Middle: 2.71

Lower: 2.51

Price vs BBands (20, 2): above middle. Upper: 2.91, Middle: 2.71, Lower: 2.51

Fundamental Analysis

Category Current (BCFD) Last Week Last Year 3 Yr Avg
Dry Production 106.9 107.4 106.3 102.13
LNG Imports 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.07
Canadian Imports 4.2 4.3 5.0 4.73
Total Supply 111.1 111.7 111.3 106.93
Industrial Demand 22.1 21.1 22.6 22.57
Electric Power Demand 27.8 34.0 29.5 29.57
Residential & Commercial 21.0 24.7 14.1 15.23
LNG Exports 18.8 19.0 16.1 13.83
Mexico Exports 6.6 6.6 6.4 5.93
Pipeline Fuel 8.83 8.83 6.7 7.17
Total Demand 105.13 114.22 95.7 94.43
Supply/Demand Balance 5.97 -2.52 15.6 12.5

Weather Analysis

Natural Gas Weather Impact: MODERATE heating demand - typical winter conditions (Heating-dominated conditions driving natural gas demand)

Weather Analysis Summary

Heating Degree Days (Utility Gas Weighted)
Last 7 Days: 71.0 HDD -1.0 vs Normal
Next 7 Days: 66.0 HDD +7.0 vs Normal
Cooling Degree Days (Population Weighted)
Last 7 Days: 7.0 CDD -5.0 vs Normal
Next 7 Days: 14.0 CDD +0.0 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
04/19 14.0 11.0 +3.0
04/20 15.0 10.0 +5.0
04/21 12.0 10.0 +2.0
04/22 9.0 11.0 -2.0
04/23 5.0 10.0 -5.0
04/24 6.0 10.0 -4.0
04/25 10.0 10.0 +0.0
HDD Forecast
Date HDD Normal Anomaly
04/27 8.0 9.0 -1.0
04/28 8.0 9.0 -1.0
04/29 9.0 9.0 +0.0
04/30 10.0 8.0 +2.0
05/01 11.0 8.0 +3.0
05/02 11.0 8.0 +3.0
05/03 9.0 8.0 +1.0
Recent CDD Data
Date CDD Normal Anomaly
04/19 1.0 1.0 +0.0
04/20 0.0 2.0 -2.0
04/21 0.0 2.0 -2.0
04/22 1.0 2.0 -1.0
04/23 1.0 2.0 -1.0
04/24 2.0 1.0 +1.0
04/25 2.0 2.0 +0.0
CDD Forecast
Date CDD Normal Anomaly
04/27 3.0 2.0 +1.0
04/28 3.0 2.0 +1.0
04/29 3.0 2.0 +1.0
04/30 2.0 2.0 +0.0
05/01 1.0 2.0 -1.0
05/02 1.0 2.0 -1.0
05/03 1.0 2.0 -1.0
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: Rising rates may impact energy demand
Risk Sentiment: Low market volatility/risk appetite

Economic Indicators

USD_INDEX

98.49
Daily: -0.02 (-0.02%)
Weekly: 0.08 (0.08%)

US_10Y

4.34
Daily: 0.03 (0.6%)
Weekly: 0.04 (1.03%)

SP500

7173.91
Daily: 8.83 (0.12%)
Weekly: 109.9 (1.56%)

VIX

18.02
Daily: -0.69 (-3.69%)
Weekly: -1.48 (-7.59%)

GOLD

4685.9
Daily: -36.4 (-0.77%)
Weekly: -12.5 (-0.27%)

COPPER

6.08
Daily: 0.06 (0.92%)
Weekly: 0.08 (1.29%)

CFTC Commitment of Traders Analysis

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

Report Date: 2026-04-21
Sentiment: Bearish but Weakening
Positioning: Normal Range

Open Interest

1,576,663
Change: -8,577

Managed Money

-100,574
Change: +13,521
-6.4% of OI

Producer/Merchant

-23,743
Change: -13,201
-1.5% of OI

Swap Dealers

174,059
Change: -7,395
11.0% of OI

Other Reportables

-67,741
Change: +5,052
-4.3% of OI

Analysis Rationale (Managed Money):

  • Managed Money sentiment: bearish but weakening

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

Report Date: 2026-04-21
Sentiment: Bullish and Strengthening
Positioning: Normal Range

Open Interest

1,984,747
Change: -109,745

Managed Money

99,887
Change: +1,519
5.0% of OI

Producer/Merchant

314,305
Change: +20,309
15.8% of OI

Swap Dealers

-541,016
Change: -85
-27.3% of OI

Analysis Rationale (Managed Money):

  • Managed Money sentiment: bullish and strengthening

LNG Market Analysis

LNG Market Summary

TTF prices increased to 15.407 EUR/MWh (+0.025). JKM prices increased to 16.550 USD/MMBtu (+0.160). JKM is trading at a premium of 1.143 to TTF, indicating strong Asian demand.

TTF Prices

15.407

+0.025

Front month: MAY 26

As of 2026-04-27

JKM Prices

16.550

+0.160

Front month: JUN 26

As of 2026-04-27

JKM-TTF Spread

1.143

7.42%

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

As of 2026-04-27

Forward Curves Visualization
TTF (EUR/MWh)
JKM (USD/MMBtu)
17.4
16.1
14.8
13.6
12.3
15.41
16.55
MAY 26
15.39
16.94
JUN 26
15.43
16.78
JUL 26
15.45
16.46
AUG 26
15.50
16.05
SEP 26
15.46
15.98
OCT 26
15.38
16.09
NOV 26
15.41
15.91
DEC 26
15.40
15.46
JAN 27
15.29
13.84
FEB 27
14.80
12.81
MAR 27
13.01
12.71
APR 27
TTF Forward Curve (Next 12 Months)
Month Price (EUR/MWh)
MAY 26 15.407
JUN 26 15.395
JUL 26 15.433
AUG 26 15.454
SEP 26 15.498
OCT 26 15.457
NOV 26 15.376
DEC 26 15.415
JAN 27 15.396
FEB 27 15.292
MAR 27 14.796
APR 27 13.013
JKM Forward Curve (Next 12 Months)
Month Price (USD/MMBtu)
JUN 26 16.550
JUL 26 16.940
AUG 26 16.780
SEP 26 16.465
OCT 26 16.050
NOV 26 15.980
DEC 26 16.095
JAN 27 15.915
FEB 27 15.465
MAR 27 13.835
APR 27 12.810
MAY 27 12.710

LNG Flows Analysis

LNG Flows Summary

2026-03-28 to 2026-04-26
Latest LNG Flow 18.60 BCF/D
Daily Change +0.00 (+0.0%)
30-Day Average
18.94
BCF/D
30-Day High
19.50
BCF/D
30-Day Low
17.80
BCF/D
Data Points
16
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
2026-04-03 19.00 N/A
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
2026-04-23 18.80 +1.00
2026-04-23 18.80 +0.00
2026-04-24 18.70 -0.10
2026-04-25 18.60 -0.10
2026-04-26 18.60 +0.00

News & Sentiment Analysis

Market Sentiment Overview

NEUTRAL
Average Polarity: -0.1
Confidence: 1.0
Articles Analyzed: 69
Last Updated: 2026-04-27 23:47:46

Commodity Sentiment

CRUDE_OIL

-0.3

NATURAL_GAS

0.0

HEATING_OIL

0.0

Fibonacci Levels Analysis

Current Price: $2.72
Closest Support: $2.49 8.46% below current price
Closest Resistance: $2.95 8.46% above current price

Fibonacci Retracement Levels

0.0 $2.49 Support
0.236 $2.95 Resistance
0.382 $3.23
0.5 $3.46
0.618 $3.69
0.786 $4.01
1.0 $4.43

Fibonacci Extension Levels

1.272 $4.95
1.618 $5.62
2.0 $6.36
2.618 $7.55

ML Price Prediction

Current Price: $2.55
Forecast Generated: 2026-04-27 23:47:47
Next Trading Day: DOWN 0.22%
Date Prediction Lower Bound Upper Bound
2026-04-28 $2.54 $2.39 $2.7
2026-04-29 $2.56 $2.41 $2.71
2026-04-30 $2.56 $2.41 $2.71
2026-05-01 $2.57 $2.42 $2.72
2026-05-02 $2.56 $2.41 $2.72

ML Insights

  • Forecast generated using ARIMA(5, 1, 0).
  • The model predicts a price decrease of ~0.22% for the next trading day (2026-04-28), reaching $2.54.
  • The 5-day forecast suggests relatively stable prices between 2026-04-28 and 2026-05-02.
  • The average confidence interval width is ~11.9% of the predicted price, indicating model uncertainty.
  • SIGNAL: Weak bearish signal, high uncertainty.

AI Analysis

💹

For Energy Traders:

Current market conditions suggest a neutral sentiment with a fundamental balance of 5.97 BCFD. Traders should pay attention to the Fibonacci support level at 2.49 and resistance at 2.95. The ML price forecast indicates a potential decline of 0.22%, suggesting short-term volatility risks. Given the moderate heating demand and low cooling demand, opportunities may arise for short positions if prices approach resistance levels.

For Producers (Oil & Gas Companies):

With a neutral market sentiment and a fundamental balance indicating a slight increase, producers should consider adjusting production levels in response to the moderate heating demand. The hedging strategies may be necessary to mitigate risks associated with potential price declines as indicated by the ML price forecast. Monitoring the Fibonacci levels will be crucial for planning production schedules and financial strategies.

🏭

For Consumers (Industrial/Utilities):

Consumers should prepare for potential cost fluctuations, as the market sentiment remains neutral. The moderate heating demand suggests that supply reliability may be stable, but the risks associated with price volatility should not be overlooked. The fundamental balance indicates a slight increase in supply, which may help in securing favorable procurement terms. Considerations for hedging against unforeseen price spikes may be prudent in the current environment.

📊

For Commodity Professionals (Analysts, Consultants):

The overall market picture is characterized by a neutral sentiment, with the fundamental balance showing a slight increase. The heating demand is dominating across regions, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest, while cooling demand remains low. Analysts should focus on the implications of the ML price forecast predicting a 0.22% decline, which could shift the market outlook. The convergence of technical indicators suggests that traders may face challenges in the near term, with Fibonacci levels providing critical reference points for future price movements.

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