The weekly natural gas storage report affects natural gas prices
Every week, the Energy Information Administration (the EIA) releases data on how much natural gas is stored in facilities across the U.S. These figures, also called “natural gas inventories,” can affect U.S. natural gas prices and, therefore, the valuation of natural gas producers. A larger-than-expected decrease, or “draw,” in inventories can reflect greater demand or less supply (or both) and is a positive for natural gas prices (and vice versa for a smaller-than-expected decrease). A larger-than-expected increase, or “build,” in inventories can reflect less demand or greater supply, which is a negative for natural gas prices. Natural gas prices affect the earnings and valuation of domestic natural gas producers such as Chesapeake Energy (CHK), Quicksilver Resources (KWK), Southwestern Energy (SWN), and Range Resources (RRC).
Natural gas inventories dropped more than expected
On March 27, 2014, the EIA reported that natural gas inventories decreased by 57 bcf (billions of cubic feet) for the week ended March 21, bringing current inventories to 896 bcf—over 49% below the five-year average of 1,829 bcf. A survey of experts had estimated the draw in inventories to be 52 bcf. This week’s drop in natural gas inventories was larger than the market’s expectation, which indicated either stronger demand or stronger supply than expected. Investors can interpret this as a positive signal for natural gas prices. Natural gas prices closed at $4.58 per MMBtu—4% higher than the previous day, when natural gas finished at $4.40 per MMBtu.
Natural gas price volatility is important for gas-weighted energy companies like CHK
Investors who are long natural gas through an ETF such as the U.S. Natural Gas Fund (UNG) or natural gas producers such as Chesapeake Energy (CHK), Southwestern Energy (SWN), and Quicksilver Resources (KWK) should monitor inventory draws and builds because they’re significant data points in the national supply and demand picture of natural gas. The supply and demand dynamics of the commodity affect its price and, therefore, the margins of companies that produce natural gas. This week’s larger-than-expected draw of natural gas inventories may have caused part of the rise in natural gas prices.
Note that from a mid-term perspective, natural gas has dropped from recent highs of over $6 per MMBtu and has fluctuated around $4.50 per MMBtu during the past few weeks, as short-term squeezes in natural gas supply due to cold weather caused prices to spike for short periods. Still, natural gas prices remain up significantly since last October, when the front month contract for Henry Hub natural gas was trading around ~$3.50 per MMBtu.
For more recommendations on how to trade natural gas prices, see the Market Realist series Key ways to trade oil and gas price movements on Ukraine tension.
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