Natural Gas Radar

2025-11-18 16:48

Table of Contents

Brian's Thoughts

Published: 11/18/2025 Focus: Natural Gas
Natural Gas in my view has defied logic with the fundamentals in the front part of November set to be neutral to slightly bearish. Due to the government shutdown, the CFTC has not been reporting positions since 9/23 - this leaves us a little blind to what I largely suspect is the reason for the run up (short covering). Fundamentally I believe we will see $5 this winter but I believed we were going to head down to test 3.965 before structurally heading up. Now the market is trading up on fear and short covering - which leaves me thinking that we may in fact be pushing up for a crash down in prices later. Monday broke the key levels of both 4.476 and 4.394 with the current trading at 4.335 in the afternoon session. 4.174 is likely the next stop - the traders are finally realizing just how warm November is….watch for 4.174 next.

Today's Update

Updated: 2025-11-18 16:47:14 Length: 523 chars
Natural gas prices have experienced a rollercoaster ride lately, driven largely by short covering and a warmer-than-expected November. Despite bullish sentiment, fundamentals suggest a potential retreat as forecasts indicate milder weather and ample inventories. Prices recently broke key levels, trading around $4.335 and eyeing $4.174 next. With the government shutdown stalling CFTC reports, traders remain in the dark, but caution is urged as the market may be primed for a downward correction despite current optimism.

Executive Summary

Total supply increased by 1.6 BCFD | Total demand increased by 4.5 BCFD | Market is undersupplied by 0.8 BCFD

Technical Analysis

Overall Technical Score (-5 to +5): 3 (Moderately Bullish)
Current Price: $4.38
Signal: Moderately Bullish

Moving Averages (9/20)

BULLISH

MA(9): $4.45

MA(20): $4.06

Current Price is 4.38, 9 day MA 4.45, 20 day MA 4.06

MACD (12, 26, 9)

BULLISH

MACD: 0.3162

Signal: 0.3119

Days since crossover: 21

MACD crossed the line 21 days ago and is in a bullish setup

RSI (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: 63.63

Category: NEUTRAL

RSI is 63.63 (note 70% is overbought and 30% is oversold)

Volume (vs 20d Avg)

HIGHER

Current: 188,928

Avg (20d): 171,096

Ratio: 1.1

Volume is higher versus 20 day average

Stochastic (14, 3)

BEARISH CROSS

%K: 65.3

%D: 78.42

Stochastic %K: 65.3, %D: 78.42. Signal: bearish cross

ADX (14)

STRONG UPTREND

ADX: 41.14

+DI: 28.24

-DI: 12.77

ADX: 41.14 (+DI: 28.24, -DI: 12.77). Trend: strong uptrend

Williams %R (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: -34.7

Williams %R: -34.7 (neutral zone)

Bollinger Bands (20, 2)

ABOVE MIDDLE

Upper: 5.01

Middle: 4.06

Lower: 3.12

Price vs BBands (20, 2): above middle. Upper: 5.01, Middle: 4.06, Lower: 3.12

Fundamental Analysis

Category Current (BCFD) Last Week Last Year 3 Yr Avg
Dry Production 107.5 106.4 101.8 102.13
LNG Imports 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1
Canadian Imports 6.3 5.8 5.9 5.03
Total Supply 113.8 112.2 107.8 106.53
Industrial Demand 22.8 22.4 23.0 23.2
Electric Power Demand 31.7 36.7 35.0 32.3
Residential & Commercial 28.4 20.2 18.0 19.6
LNG Exports 18.5 17.7 12.7 12.7
Mexico Exports 6.4 6.3 5.8 6.0
Pipeline Fuel 6.8 6.8 6.9 6.97
Total Demand 114.6 110.1 101.4 100.8
Supply/Demand Balance -0.8 2.1 6.4 5.73

Weather Analysis

Weather Impact Summary

Overall: HEATING dominated (HDD: 9.3, CDD: 2.0)
Residential/Commercial: MODERATE heating demand expected
Power Generation: LOW cooling demand expected

Regional Weather Patterns

Northeast

Heating dominated (HDD: 15.8)

Midwest

Heating dominated (HDD: 15.0)

South

Cooling dominated (CDD: 7.5)

West

Cooling dominated (CDD: 2.5)

Degree Days by City

Chicago, IL

Heating Degree Days (HDD): 15.0
Cooling Degree Days (CDD): 0
Total HDD: 142.0
Total CDD: 0

New York, NY

Heating Degree Days (HDD): 17.5
Cooling Degree Days (CDD): 0
Total HDD: 153.0
Total CDD: 0

Houston, TX

Heating Degree Days (HDD): 0
Cooling Degree Days (CDD): 7.5
Total HDD: 0
Total CDD: 88.0

Los Angeles, CA

Heating Degree Days (HDD): 0.0
Cooling Degree Days (CDD): 2.5
Total HDD: 16.5
Total CDD: 14.5

Philadelphia, PA

Heating Degree Days (HDD): 14.0
Cooling Degree Days (CDD): 0
Total HDD: 133.5
Total CDD: 0

Economic Analysis

Economic Sentiment Summary

NEGATIVE - Economic indicators showing headwinds
Dollar Impact: Strong USD may pressure commodity prices
Industrial Demand: Weaker industrial demand signals
Interest Rate Impact: Rising rates may impact energy demand
Risk Sentiment: Moderate market volatility

Economic Indicators

USD_INDEX

99.59
Daily: 0.0 (0.0%)
Weekly: 0.11 (0.11%)

US_10Y

4.12
Daily: -0.01 (-0.24%)
Weekly: 0.06 (1.43%)

SP500

6617.32
Daily: -55.09 (-0.83%)
Weekly: -233.6 (-3.41%)

VIX

24.69
Daily: 2.31 (10.32%)
Weekly: 7.18 (41.01%)

GOLD

4067.7
Daily: -0.6 (-0.01%)
Weekly: -136.7 (-3.25%)

COPPER

4.96
Daily: -0.04 (-0.71%)
Weekly: -0.12 (-2.46%)

CFTC Commitment of Traders Analysis

Natural Gas Positioning (NAT GAS NYME - NEW YORK MERCANTILE EXCHANGE)

Report Date: 2025-09-23
Sentiment: Bearish and Strengthening
Positioning: Normal Range

Open Interest

1,626,777
Change: -11,903

Managed Money

-63,176
Change: -40,085
-3.9% of OI

Producer/Merchant

-4,944
Change: +8,712
-0.3% of OI

Swap Dealers

124,686
Change: +6,611
7.7% of OI

Other Reportables

-64,908
Change: +22,945
-4.0% of OI

Analysis Rationale (Managed Money):

  • Managed Money sentiment: bearish and strengthening

Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NEW YORK MERCANTILE EXCHANGE)

Report Date: 2025-09-23
Sentiment: Bullish but Weakening
Positioning: Normal Range

Open Interest

1,936,690
Change: -25,930

Managed Money

26,483
Change: -10,316
1.4% of OI

Producer/Merchant

283,712
Change: -9,029
14.6% of OI

Swap Dealers

-402,312
Change: +5,178
-20.8% of OI

Analysis Rationale (Managed Money):

  • Managed Money sentiment: bullish but weakening

LNG Market Analysis

LNG Market Summary

TTF prices increased to 10.645 EUR/MWh (+0.020). JKM prices remained stable to 11.127 USD/MMBtu (+0.000). JKM is trading at a premium of 0.482 to TTF, indicating strong Asian demand.

TTF Prices

10.645

+0.020

Front month: DEC 25

As of 2025-11-18

JKM Prices

11.127

+0.000

Front month: DEC 25

As of 2025-11-18

JKM-TTF Spread

0.482

4.53%

JKM is trading at a premium to TTF, indicating strong Asian demand.

As of 2025-11-18

Forward Curves Visualization
TTF (EUR/MWh)
JKM (USD/MMBtu)
11.5
11.2
10.8
10.4
10.0
10.64
11.13
DEC 25
10.75
11.40
JAN 26
10.76
11.07
FEB 26
10.66
10.64
MAR 26
10.27
10.20
APR 26
10.16
10.19
MAY 26
10.16
10.29
JUN 26
10.19
10.43
JUL 26
10.23
10.56
AUG 26
10.30
10.54
SEP 26
10.37
10.57
OCT 26
10.58
10.84
NOV 26
TTF Forward Curve (Next 12 Months)
Month Price (EUR/MWh)
DEC 25 10.645
JAN 26 10.749
FEB 26 10.761
MAR 26 10.658
APR 26 10.266
MAY 26 10.157
JUN 26 10.162
JUL 26 10.188
AUG 26 10.230
SEP 26 10.304
OCT 26 10.370
NOV 26 10.581
JKM Forward Curve (Next 12 Months)
Month Price (USD/MMBtu)
DEC 25 11.127
JAN 26 11.400
FEB 26 11.070
MAR 26 10.640
APR 26 10.195
MAY 26 10.185
JUN 26 10.295
JUL 26 10.425
AUG 26 10.560
SEP 26 10.545
OCT 26 10.575
NOV 26 10.835

News & Sentiment Analysis

Market Sentiment Overview

BEARISH
Average Polarity: -0.6
Confidence: 1.0
Articles Analyzed: 36
Last Updated: 2025-11-18 16:48:11

Commodity Sentiment

CRUDE_OIL

-0.6

NATURAL_GAS

-0.6

Top News Topics

Fibonacci Levels Analysis

Current Price: $4.38
Closest Support: $4.25 2.97% below current price
Closest Resistance: $4.69 7.08% above current price

Fibonacci Retracement Levels

0.0 $2.65
0.236 $3.13
0.382 $3.43
0.5 $3.67
0.618 $3.91
0.786 $4.25 Support
1.0 $4.69 Resistance

Fibonacci Extension Levels

1.272 $5.24
1.618 $5.95
2.0 $6.72
2.618 $7.98

ML Price Prediction

Current Price: $4.36
Forecast Generated: 2025-11-18 16:48:12
Next Trading Day: UP 0.16%
Date Prediction Lower Bound Upper Bound
2025-11-18 $4.37 $4.04 $4.7
2025-11-19 $4.36 $4.03 $4.69
2025-11-20 $4.35 $4.02 $4.68
2025-11-21 $4.35 $4.02 $4.68
2025-11-22 $4.37 $4.04 $4.69

ML Insights

  • Forecast generated using ARIMA(5, 1, 0).
  • The model predicts a price increase of ~0.16% for the next trading day (2025-11-18), reaching $4.37.
  • The 5-day forecast suggests relatively stable prices between 2025-11-18 and 2025-11-22.
  • The average confidence interval width is ~15.1% of the predicted price, indicating model uncertainty.
  • SIGNAL: Weak bullish signal, high uncertainty.

AI Analysis

πŸ’Ή

For Energy Traders:

The market sentiment is currently bearish with a sentiment score of -0.650, indicating caution among market participants. However, the technical indicators show a moderately bullish outlook with a score of 3/5, suggesting potential upward movement.

Key support is at 4.25 and resistance is at 4.69. Traders should monitor for price action around these levels, as a break above resistance could signal a bullish trend, while failure to hold support may lead to further declines.

The ML price forecast indicates a slight increase of 0.16%, which could present short-term trading opportunities. However, the divergence between bearish sentiment and bullish technicals suggests potential volatility in the near term.

β›½

For Producers (Oil & Gas Companies):

The current fundamental balance is at -0.80 BCFD, indicating a tighter supply situation, which can support prices. Producers should consider this in their production planning and assess the need for adjustments based on demand forecasts.

The bearish market sentiment, particularly in the geopolitical sector, may influence pricing strategies. Producers should remain vigilant about geopolitical developments, as they can impact supply chains and operational costs.

Additionally, the weather outlook suggests a dominance of heating demand, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest, which could lead to increased consumption of natural gas. This trend should be factored into hedging strategies to mitigate price volatility.

🏭

For Consumers (Industrial/Utilities):

The moderate heating demand indicated by the weather outlook suggests potential supply reliability risks as colder temperatures may drive up consumption. Utilities should prepare for potential price fluctuations in the near term.

The overall bearish sentiment in the market may lead to lower prices in the short term, but consumers should remain cautious of sudden spikes, especially if the weather turns colder than forecasted.

Given the current market dynamics, it may be prudent for consumers to evaluate their procurement strategies and consider hedging options to manage potential cost increases.

πŸ“Š

For Commodity Professionals (Analysts, Consultants):

The energy market is currently characterized by a bearish overall sentiment with a score of -0.650, driven primarily by geopolitical concerns and warm weather forecasts impacting natural gas prices.

However, the technical indicators suggest a moderately bullish outlook, with Fibonacci levels indicating potential price action between 4.25 and 4.69. This divergence highlights the complexity of the current market environment.

The fundamental balance is tightening, which may support prices in the medium term, but analysts should closely monitor the interplay between demand forecasts and geopolitical tensions, as these will be critical in shaping market dynamics moving forward.

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or specific buy/sell recommendations.