The near-term outlook for natural gas became more negative today and prices are poised to test at least $2.70 and possibly $2.66 tomorrow. The small move up at the end of the day indicates resistance will probably be challenged first, but $2.76 and no higher than $2.79 is expected to hold.
The confirmation of a daily evening star and bearish RSI divergence and the settle below the 50-day moving average have opened the way for a continued pullback from Tuesday’s $2.788 swing high. In addition, March 9’s $2.712 swing low was taken out when prices fell to $2.71. This was the first time since February 12, when the upward sloping channel began to form, that prices have fallen below a prior daily swing low. The move down may be corrective, but these bearish factors and reversal patterns have increased odds for a test of major near-term support at $2.66. A close below this would open the way for targets below $2.60 again.
That said, support at $2.72 held on a closing basis and the small move up from $2.71 will probably challenge today’s $2.76 midpoint first. This level should hold, but key resistance is $2.79, near today’s open. A close above $2.79 would shift near-term odds back in favor of $2.82 and ultimately $2.87, the key threshold to a more positive outlook as discussed in our longer-term weekly forecast.
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.
