Natural gas futures on Friday rallied for the fourth time in the week’s five trading sessions, lifted by ongoing robust levels of U.S. exports and expectations for stronger weather-driven demand in coming weeks. The December Nymex contract gained 16.3 cents day/day and settled at $5.065/MMBtu. January rose 15.0 cents to $5.145.

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At A Glance:

  • Futures fly as export volumes climb
  • European demand for U.S. LNG strengthens
  • Cash prices retreat in West

NGI’s Spot Gas National Avg., however, shed 7.5 cents to $4.880 as temperatures climbed and prices dropped in the West.

While forecasts have wobbled from day to day this month, Bespoke Weather Services said Friday the European model “showed a much more threatening look for potential cold toward the end of the run in early...