Ronald

Due to a confluence of events, including ample natural gas storage supplies and the nation entering a recession, Ronald Barone of UBS Warburg said it should “come as no surprise” that the company has decided to lower its 2001 and 2002 natural gas spot price forecast. The analyst said he has lowered the 2001 projection of 12-region composite spot price to $3.80 from $4.10, compared to the current Street consensus of $4.00. UBS Warburg’s Henry Hub equivalent is $3.95.

Joining the growing list of concerned analysts, UBS Warburg’s Ronald Barone said last week he expects to lower his natural gas price forecasts again this week and cut earnings projections for multiple energy companies in light of lower prices and the downturn in the economy.

Joining the growing list of concerned analysts, UBS Warburg’s Ronald Barone said that with continued lackluster fundamentals and falling prices this week in the natural gas industry, he would not rule out a “similar decline” in spot prices next week as well. In conjunction, Barone said UBS Warburg will take the step that some of its peers have already taken this week and release an updated 2001/2002 composite spot price forecast, along with earnings per share reductions, next week.

UBS Warburg analyst Ronald J. Barone said in a research note on Friday that he was once again “compelled” to lower his natural gas spot price forecast because of the continuing decline in gas prices and the rapid rise in gas storage levels.

The “unbalanced state” of the natural gas market with demandexceeding supply has caused PaineWebber analyst Ronald Barone toraise his average gas price projections by 15 cents for this yearand 10 cents next year over previous predictions, and warn ofpossible severe price spikes throughout the balance of this year.

The “unbalanced state” of the natural gas market with demandexceeding supply has caused PaineWebber analyst Ronald Barone toraise his average gas price projections by 15 cents for this yearand 10 cents next year over previous predictions, and warn ofpossible severe price spikes throughout the balance of this year.

Consolidated Natural Gas announced that Ronald L. Adams, seniorvice president, regulated business, has decided to leave thecompany effective Sept. 1, triggering an interim managementrestructuring for local gas distribution, pipelines and storageuntil the previously announced merger with Dominion Resources iscompleted. As a result, the following personnel appointments havebeen made: Jimmy D. Staton, has been appointed senior vicepresident, distribution operations; Gary L. Sypolt, has beenappointed senior vice president, pipeline operations; Paul D.Koonce, has been named senior vice president, commercialoperations; and William A. Fox has been named senior vicepresident, Virginia gas distribution.