Ascent

Getting genuine weather support and an additional boost from the previous day’s 30 cents-plus screen rise, prices rose again Tuesday at most points, but in considerably reduced amounts from Monday gains in most cases. As a result of the West’s modest moderating trend from last week’s cold, many of the smaller increases were recorded in that region and a few were flat to lower.

Cash numbers continued to rise at all points Wednesday, but the size of the increases was considerably less than on the day before. Small to sizeable retreats in the Midwest and South from heat levels that had been rising earlier in the week were cited as the key factor in slowing down the post-holiday rally.

The natural gas futures market continued its stunning price ascent Wednesday as local and fund traders exerted their will on a market notably devoid of sellers. After two failed attempts to sell-off during the first four hours of trading, the May contract exploded 17 cents in 90 minutes to notch a new all-time May 2004 contract high at $5.95. It settled just off that level, up 18.7 cents at $5.933.

A cold wave had almost completed its domination of the national weather picture, leaving only a sliver of the South from North Carolina through South Texas — along with parts of the desert Southwest — still experiencing highs in the 70s. The widespread heating load, augmented by residual support from Wednesday’s energy futures spikes, kept cash prices on the rise Thursday.