Without much in the way of fresh fundamental news, natural gasfutures limped lazily lower during the regular open-outcry sessionyesterday after an early foray to the $7.85 level failed to attractadditional buying. With that, the January contract notched itsthird down-day in a row, closing 12.4 cents lower at $7.413.Estimated volume of just 51,593 was evidence of a price move thatlacked conviction, traders observed.

However, that apathy was quickly replaced by bullish euphorialate yesterday afternoon when fresh 30- and 90-day weather outlookswere released. According to the National Weather Service, belownormal temperatures are expected over densely populated areas fromPennsylvania and York State across the upper Midwest and GreatLakes regions to include Minnesota. Also of bullish influenceyesterday was intermediate-term forecast. Corroborating earlierreports of a second blast of Arctic air, the NWS six- to 10-dayforecast calls for below normal temperatures across the easterntwo-thirds of the country through Christmas Eve.

The market reacted to the news quickly with the January contractleading the charge. By 8:30 p.m. (ET) last night the prompt monthwas 48.7 cents higher at $7.90, recouping about one-fourth of thevalue it lost during the last three days.

In daily technicals, January has resistance at prior highs of$7.95 and $8.35. Once through those levels, a recovery topsychological resistance at $9.00 would be next on its agenda. Onthe downside, the market needs to pierce back into thestill-to-be-filled chart gap between $6.82 and $7.20 created by theDec. 4 open.

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