Averages

Feeding off of Friday’s new lows for the down-leg in natural gas futures, a vast majority of cash market averages followed suit on Monday with most points declining from a few pennies to nearly a dime. Out West the tune was a little different as most points gained at least a nickel as the region faced some of the warmest temperatures it has seen all summer.

With natural gas futures playing a supportive role on Monday, cash point averages on Tuesday for Wednesday delivery continued to record increases across the board.

Cash point averages on Monday for Tuesday delivery roared back into the plus column with most spots tacking on 15 to 20 cents across the country, leaving many traders “scratching their heads.”

Aided by moderate screen weakness the prior day, cash point averages on Thursday for Friday delivery came off a couple of pennies at a majority of locations with one point apiece in the Northeast, Texas, Rockies and the West shedding a dime while Dawn in the Midwest dropped 20 cents.

Despite record levels of natural gas in underground storage caverns, cash market averages on Tuesday for Wednesday delivery continued to push higher with most points gaining 40 to 50 cents. However, the prior-day 26.9-cent November futures increase that supported Tuesday’s cash move will be missing Wednesday as the prompt-month contract dropped 10.7 cents on Tuesday to $4.880.

With consumption expected to decline by 2.3% this year and inventories remaining well above five-year averages, the monthly average Henry Hub natural gas spot price is expected to remain below $4/Mcf until late in the year, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in its Short-Term Energy Outlook for July.

With consumption expected to decline by 2.3% this year and inventories remaining well above five-year averages, the monthly average Henry Hub natural gas spot price is expected to remain below $4/Mcf until late in the year, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in its Short-Term Energy Outlook for July.

Most cash market points went back to reporting gains Thursday after mixed action during Wednesday. The strength in cash averages occurred despite the bearish fact that the market had to digest its fifth straight triple-digit natural gas storage report (see related story).

Cash traders on Wednesday watched most delivery point averages across the country slip by a few pennies to nearly 40 cents, but afternoon news of a pipeline-impacting explosion in the Gulf of Mexico could rattle some cages on Thursday.