Distinctive

Tested Again, Resistance Turns Back Bulls

Led by local buying, the natural gas futures market made twodistinctive thrusts higher Friday, as traders set their sights onresistance at $2.90. However it was not to be and after the secondsurge was thwarted shortly after noon (CST), the market tumbledlower amid light profit taking and position squaring. Oddly, theprompt month April suffered the smallest declines of any contract,slipping 1.1 cents to finish the week at $2.836. By comparison, theMay contract slipped 1.4 cents lower and the 12-month strip gaveback 1.5 cents. Estimated volume was moderate, with 69,063contracts changing hands.

March 27, 2000

Eastern Prices Soar on Cooling Load While West Falters

The geographic divide between gas markets seldom has been moredistinctive than it was Friday. Opposite corners of the U.S.represented the extremes: Northeast citygates skyrocketed by nearly20 cents while the OFO-hit Southern California border plunged byabout 20 cents. In general it was another case of East being Eastand West being West, and the twain had almost nothing in common.

July 26, 1999