US EIA data for 13 March showed a natural gas storage change of 35B. The forecast was 39B.<\/p>\n
The reported change was 4B below forecasts. The figures are 35B actual versus 39B expected.<\/p>\n
We remember looking back at the March 13, 2025, report where the natural gas storage withdrawal came in smaller than forecasted. This bearish signal, indicating weaker-than-expected demand, briefly pushed prices lower. The market, however, quickly found its footing as focus shifted to the approaching summer injection season.<\/p>\n
Fast forward to today, March 19, 2026, and we face a similar environment of supply abundance. Current working gas in storage is approximately 2,250 Bcf, which is over 25% higher than the five-year average for this time of year. This significant surplus is the main reason front-month futures are struggling to hold above $3.15\/MMBtu.<\/p>\n
The dynamic we must watch is the battle between record high production and strong export demand. U.S. dry gas production continues to hover near 105 Bcf\/d, while LNG feedgas demand consistently pulls more than 14 Bcf\/d, creating a solid price floor. This tug-of-war is suppressing volatility, a key factor for option traders.<\/p>\n
Given the high inventories capping the upside and strong LNG demand supporting the downside, the market appears range-bound. Traders should consider selling premium through strategies like short strangles or iron condors on the May and June contracts. Selling out-of-the-money puts below the $2.80 support level and calls above the $3.50 resistance could capitalize on this expected lack of a major price move in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
US EIA data on March 13 showed a 35B natural gas storage change, 4B below forecasts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":103,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[59],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-51837","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-live-updates"],"acf":{"acf_article_selection_author":null},"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\t