Natural Gas prices have seen a dip due to profit-taking on Tuesday morning as Israel’s ground offensive in Rafah continues with ceasefire talks showing little progress. The US Dollar Index has ticked up on Tuesday after closing above 105.00, indicating a potential uptrend.
The retreat of Natural Gas from its peak performance was seen after markets priced in more risk premium due to the situation in the Middle East. Ceasefire talks in Cairo have yet to yield an agreement, with Israel launching a ground offensive in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah. Australian Liquified Natural Gas exports are expected to decline as Chevron’s Gorgon plant remains offline for at least five weeks.
The US Dollar Index is showing strength on Tuesday after US Dollar bulls managed to salvage it from a further slide by closing above 105.00 on Monday. Natural Gas is currently trading at $2.35 per MMBtu, with market dynamics indicating potential fluctuations in the near future.
European Gas markets are facing uncertainty as supply disruptions may not be felt immediately due to LNG volume en route to Europe. Chevron had to reschedule LNG deliveries to Asian buyers due to the outage at the Gorgon facility. ANZ Bank predicts increased competition and prices in the Gas market, while Karpowership and Brasilia’s Petrobras have signed a letter of intent to combine their expertise in Natural Gas sectors for mutual benefit.
Natural Gas is on a breakout, with a rally towards $2.54 as the first profit target. Traders need to be cautious of potential profit-taking moments as prices climb towards the 200-day SMA at $2.54. Support levels at $2.09 and $2.11 may provide stability in case of a correction, while the green trendline near $1.93 acts as a further safeguard.
Supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical events, weather conditions, competition from other energy sources, and government policies all play a crucial role in influencing Natural Gas prices. Economic releases such as the weekly inventory bulletin from the Energy Information Administration impact prices, with the US Dollar value also affecting commodity prices as most are priced and traded in USD.
Overall, the Natural Gas market is witnessing fluctuations due to various factors, with traders keeping a close eye on geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions, and market dynamics for potential opportunities and risks.