Traders

September natural gas futures were unchanged Friday as traders reported that both buyers and sellers were not motivated to take action at current price levels. September ended flat at $3.931 and October had risen 0.6 cent to $3.912. October crude oil gained 7 cents to $85.37/bbl.

August natural gas retreated Thursday as traders acknowledged a robust increase in gas storage even as major energy markets were subjected to brutal heat. At the close August had fallen 10.5 cents to $4.395 and September had shed 10.7 cents to $4.362. August crude oil added 73 cents to $99.13/bbl.

August natural gas scored a double-digit gain Friday as traders noted what seems to be a never-ending series of forecasts calling for above-normal temperatures. At the close August was up 16.8 cents to $4.546 and September had added 16.2 cents to $4.520. August crude oil made an advance of its own adding $1.55 to $97.24/bbl.

August natural gas futures rose Monday as traders anticipated the long-term storage deficit becoming wider. At the close August futures had risen 5.2 cents to $4.363 and September had added 4.1 cents to $4.371. August crude oil bounded higher, posting a gain of $1.95 to $96.89/bbl.

August natural gas fell in light, pre-holiday trading as traders still maintained an upward bias but noted that healthy production levels still remain a formidable force for the bulls to counter. At the close August had fallen 6.3 cents to $4.311 and September had slipped 6.3 cents as well to $4.330. August crude oil softened 48 cents to $94.94/bbl.

July natural gas futures expired on a firm note Tuesday as traders had to factor in a slightly higher weather premium as a tropical system was upgraded and near-term weather forecasts called for warm temperatures. At the close July natural gas rose 10.1 cents to $4.357 and August added 9.0 cents to $4.354. August crude oil surged $2.28 to $92.89/bbl.

After enjoying a one-day national rebound in natural gas cash averages on Thursday, values were tugged lower on Friday as traders were unable to ignore Thursday’s futures plunge.

Despite an increasingly bullish storage situation, July natural gas continued lower Friday as traders see a return of more mild summer weather. At the close July had fallen 8.7 cents to $4.325, which is 43.2 cents lower than the previous week’s close.

July natural gas futures inched higher Tuesday as traders see the market needing to overcome difficult technical resistance before any trend higher can be resumed while others see the market at a turning point. At the close July had advanced a miserly 0.4 cent to $4.831 and August futures were up 0.1 cent to $4.858. July crude oil rose 8 cents to $99.09/bbl.