Natural Gas Technical Analysis and Near-Term Outlook

October natural gas finally rallied after holding support around $1.82. The prompt month’s move up should be bolstered by rising winter prices and a bullish shift in near-term external factors.

October settled below $2.16, the 38 percent retracement of the decline from $2.743 and the XC (2.764) projection. This objective was also in line with October’s 100- and 200-day moving averages. Nevertheless, the post-settlement rise to $2.207 implies that near-term sentiment remains bullish headed into tomorrow.

The next major objectives for October natural gas are $2.27 and $2.38. The $2.27 target is the 50 percent retracement from $2.743 and 50-day moving average. The $2.38 target is the 62 percent retracement. Settling above $2.38 will call for $2.44, the smaller than (0.618) target of the wave up from $1.70 that connects to $2.84 and higher.

The challenge for tomorrow is that the wave formation up from $1.795 does not project any higher than $2.22. This is the trend terminus for that wave and the move up from $1.808 lacks a clear wave structure. Therefore, there is a good chance for a test of support before prices rise much higher.

There is immediate support at $2.11 but given the increase in volatility, a test of $2.05 is probable. Key support is $1.99. This is the 50 percent retracement of the rise from $1.795 and today’s midpoint. Closing below $1.99 would call for $1.95 and $1.84, the latter of which is the barrier to an unlikely bearish outlook in the coming weeks.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Natural Gas Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key natural gas futures contracts, calendar spreads, the UNG ETF, and several electricity contracts. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

Natural Gas Technical Analysis and Near-Term Outlook

The near-term outlook for natural gas has shifted back to being firmly bearish. Yesterday’s move up proved to be another pullback to challenge the neckline of the complex head and shoulders. Also, natural gas settled below the crucial $2.28 objective and fell toward another important target at $2.22 after the settlement.

The $2.22 target is the 50 percent retracement of the rise from $1.700 and a confluent wave projection. There is also a target at $2.19 that has increased in importance during the past few days. This area between $2.19 and $2.22 may prove to be a stalling point. Even so, any move up from this area will most likely prove to be a short-lived correction and is expected to hold $2.31.

Now that natural gas has taken out the $2.28 equal to (1.00) target the primary wave down from $2.743, the decline is poised to extend to the $2.15 intermediate (1.382) target and then the $2.10 larger than (1.618) target. The $2.10 target is crucial and is the most likely stalling point for the decline from $2.743 because this is also the 62 percent retracement of the move up from $1.700 and the complex head and shoulders’ target.

The 50-day moving average held on a closing basis today, but prices have already moved below that level after the settlement. Otherwise, there are no signals or patterns that call for the move down to end. As stated earlier, resistance at $2.31 is expected to hold and $2.35 is key for the near-term. Settling above $2.35 will call for another attempt at $2.43 and higher.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Natural Gas Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key natural gas futures contracts, calendar spreads, the UNG ETF, and several electricity contracts. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

Natural Gas Near-Term Technical Analysis and Outlook

The near-term outlook for natural gas remains bearish after challenging support at $2.34 when prices fell to $2.328 today. This is a relatively important area of support because it is the intermediate (1.382) target of the first wave down from $2.743 and the 38 percent retracement of the rise from $1.700. Even so, the subsequent move up from $2.328 forms a bearish pennant that should break lower tomorrow.

Closing below $2.33 (adjusted from $2.34) will clear the way for $2.28. This is another potential stalling point because it is the larger than (1.618) target of the first wave down from $2.743 and the equal to (1.00) target of the primary wave down from $2.743. As discussed in yesterday’s update, settling below $2.28 might initially be a challenge, but odds for this are increasing.

The one caveat headed into tomorrow is that natural gas has not settled below the $2.40 neckline of the complex head and shoulders pattern. Prices settled at exactly $2.40 yesterday and $2.406 today. This is not too concerning but is something to watch during the next few days. Should natural gas rise above $2.45, look for a test of $2.50. This level is expected to hold. Key resistance and the barrier to a bullish near-term outlook is $2.60.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Natural Gas Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key natural gas futures contracts, calendar spreads, the UNG ETF, and several electricity contracts. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

Natural Gas Near-Term Outlook

Natural gas confirmed an intra-day head and shoulders reversal pattern by settling below $2.50 today. The pattern’s target is $2.26, which is also in line with the larger than (1.618) target of the primary wave down from $2.743. The connection to $2.26 is made through $2.42 and $2.34. The $2.34 objective is crucial because this is the most confluent target on the chart and is the 38 percent retracement of the rise from $1.700.

For the five-wave move up from $1.700 to have any chance at extending again and reaching its $2.81 objective $2.34 must hold. At this point, holding $2.34 for more than a day or two is doubtful. It now looks as though the five-wave trend has ended and that a large three-wave correction is underway. Settling below $2.34 will confirm this.

The move down has been somewhat choppy for the past few days. This suggests the decline is corrective. Even so, resistance at $2.57 is expected to hold as the move down extends. Key near-term resistance is $2.63. This is the 62 percent retracement of the decline from $2.743, a close above which would call for a test of $2.68 and then $2.73. Settling above $2.73 would clear the way for a push to challenge $2.81.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Natural Gas Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key natural gas futures contracts, calendar spreads, the UNG ETF, and several electricity contracts. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

Natural Gas Near-Term Outlook

Tomorrow’s outlook for October natural gas leans negative after confirming an intra-day double top that formed between the $2.658 and $2.654 swing highs. The double top was confirmed by today’s close below the $2.564 swing low and the pattern’s target is $2.47. Double tops like this one meet their target 64 percent of the time.

The decline will not likely last much longer because the move down from $2.658 forms a corrective wave in a larger scale five-wave uptrend. There is also immediate support at $2.50 that may prove to be a stalling point early tomorrow. This is in line with the larger than (1.618) target of the primary wave down from $2.658 and the 62 percent retracement of the rise from $2.424. Therefore, closing below $2.47 is doubtful. However, this would clear the way for a larger correction to challenge $2.39 and possibly lower.

Once the $2.47 target is met odds for a continued rise will increase. However, should $2.50 hold, look for initial resistance at $2.57, and then $2.61. Settling above $2.61 would strongly imply that the correction is complete and clear the way for $2.67 and higher.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Natural Gas Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key natural gas futures contracts, calendar spreads, the UNG ETF, and several electricity contracts. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

Natural Gas Near-Term Outlook

The outlook for natural gas remains bullish because September’s move up from $1.583 is unfolding as a textbook five-wave trend the targets $2.75. The more recent rise from $2.085 forms a likely Wave 1/V that has broken down into five sub-waves that stalled at $2.465 yesterday. The decline from $2.465 is corrective and probably forms Wave 2/V. Settling above $2.48 will indicate that Wave 3/V is underway and would call for $2.55 and higher.

Nevertheless, today’s hanging man and a confirmed daily bearish MACD divergence indicate a deeper test of support might take place first. Falling below $2.39 early tomorrow will call for $2.32. This level is expected to hold because it is the 38 percent retracement of the rise from $2.085. Settling below $2.32 will all for Wave 2/V to challenge $2.28 and possibly $2.23. For the five-wave trend to continue to unfold as expected $2.23 must hold.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Natural Gas Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key natural gas futures contracts, calendar spreads, the UNG ETF, and several electricity contracts. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

Natural Gas Near-Term Outlook

The overall outlook for natural gas is bullish because the move up from $1.583 looks to be forming a five-wave trend. Wave I fulfilled its $2.30 larger than (1.618) target when prices rose to $2.284. This was likely the top of Wave III and the subsequent move down is forming Wave IV. Today’s pseudo hammer suggests the corrective Wave IV may be complete, or at least that it is nearing completion.

Tomorrow, look for a test of $2.21. This is the 62 percent retracement of the decline from $2.284. A close above this would strongly imply that the corrective Wave IV is complete and would call for $2.30 to be challenged again. Settling above $2.30 will confirm that Wave V is underway.

Conversely, based on the wave formation down from $2.284, there is still a reasonable chance for Wave IV to extend to $2.03 before Wave V forms. Should natural gas fall below $2.09 early tomorrow, or hold $2.21 and then take out $2.13, look for the corrective move down to reach $2.03. Support at $2.03 is expected to hold because this is the larger than target of the primary wave down from $2.284 and the 38 percent retracement of the rise from $1.583.

Settling below $2.03 is unlikely. This would imply that the move up is not a five-wave trend but rather a nested three-wave pattern. While this would still be bullish for the long-term, it would delay the likelihood of natural gas rising above $2.30 for at least another next few weeks.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Natural Gas Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key natural gas futures contracts, calendar spreads, the UNG ETF, and several electricity contracts. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

Natural Gas Near-Term Oulook

The outlook for natural gas has taken on a much more bullish tone after breaking higher out of the months-long trading range between nominally $1.60 and $1.93 on Monday. The move up stalled at $2.261 today but is still poised to challenge $2.30. This is the most confluent wave projection and a crucial objective for September’s primary wave up from $1.583 and the continuation charts primary wave up from $1.432. Settling above $2.30 may initially be a challenge but will clear the way for $2.37 and likely $2.44.

Nevertheless, the pullback after reaching $2.261 formed a long upper shadow on the daily candlestick. The body of today’s candlestick is too big to form a shooting star, but the long upper shadow suggests the move up may be nearing exhaustion. Several daily momentum oscillators are also sitting just below overbought territory. Therefore, a significant test of support may take place soon; most likely once the $2.30 objective is fulfilled.

The move down from $2.261 this afternoon has been choppy and is most likely corrective. Even so, there is a reasonable chance for this correction to challenge $2.13 early tomorrow. Support at $2.13 is expected to hold. A move below this will call for key near-term support at $2.03. This is the lowest the first wave down from $2.261 projection and is the 38 percent retracement of the rise from $1.646. Settling below $2.03 is doubtful but would significantly dampen odds for a continued rise to $2.30 and higher during the next few days.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Natural Gas Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key natural gas futures contracts, calendar spreads, the UNG ETF, and several electricity contracts. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

Natural Gas Price Forecast

September natural gas settled above the crucial $1.90 level today. This was the smaller than (0.618) target of the primary waves up from $1.583 and $1.646. Most importantly, $1.90 has been near the top of the trading range on the continuation chart since mid-May and was the smaller than target of the wave up from $1.432.

Closing above $1.90 was bullish for the near-term outlook and calls for prices to challenge $2.00 and possibly $2.07. For September $2.00 is the equal to (1.00) target of the wave up from $1.646 and $2.07 is the equal to target of the larger wave up from $1.583. Therefore, September’s wave formation calls for prices to eventually reach $2.07. However, $2.00 is a psychologically important threshold that is in line with the 200-day moving average on the continuation chart. Therefore, natural gas will likely be hard-pressed to overcome $2.00 during the next few days and perhaps even the next several weeks.

Also, with August expiring at $1.854 today prompt month prices may be drawn down to close the rollover gap before rising much higher.

Nevertheless, there are no confirmed patterns or signals that call for the move up to stall before reaching at least $1.95 and likely $2.00.

Should natural gas turn lower early tomorrow, look for initial support at $1.88 and then $1.83. These are the 21 and 38 percent retracements of the move up from $1.646. At $1.83 the rollover gap up from $1.854 will be filled. Therefore, this level is expected to hold. Closing below $1.83 will provide more evidence that prices are still trading in a wide range between nominally $1.60 and $1.90 for the interim.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Natural Gas Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key natural gas futures contracts, calendar spreads, the UNG ETF, and several electricity contracts. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

Natural Gas Price Forecast

Natural gas rallied again today after falling to $1.622 in early trading hours. The subsequent move up met the $1.698 equal to (1.00) target of the wave up from $1.605. This wave is now poised to reach its $1.73 intermediate (1.382) target tomorrow. This is also the 38 percent retracement of the decline from $1.924 and is in line with the 21-day moving average. Closing above $1.73 would imply that support around $1.60 will continue to hold and that prices are settling into a wide trading range between nominally $1.60 and $1.86 for the interim.

Nevertheless, the move up may still be corrective, and until at least $1.73 is overcome there is still a reasonable chance for the move down to extend. For now, though, support at $1.64, the 62 percent retracement of the rise from $1.605, is expected to hold. Falling below this will call for another attempt at $1.59. Settling below $1.59 would confirm a break below the critical $1.60 level and shift near-term odds in favor of $1.51 and possibly lower before the August contract expires on July 29.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Natural Gas Commentary and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover key natural gas futures contracts, calendar spreads, the UNG ETF, and several electricity contracts. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.