NGAS Prices Rising, Cotton Demand Falling, Gold Prices Rising As Recession Fears Rise
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Summary:
- Cooling demand increases as summer progresses.
- Low cotton demand driving prices down.
- Recents dollar weakening drives gold price upward/
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Natural Gas
US natural gas futures surged beyond the $8.8/MMBtu threshold, edging closer to a 14-year high of $9.5/MMBtu achieved in early May on expectations of a growing need for cooling as the country's weather continues to be hotter than typical. The optimistic prognosis is further boosted by the soaring global demand. Due to turbine problems, Russia's Gazprom announced it will decrease flows via the Nord Stream pipeline, providing only 33 million cubic meters per day, or about 20 percent of its capacity, forcing European consumers to find alternative sources of energy. Additionally, utilities only added 34 billion cubic feet (bcf) of natural gas to underground storage last week, significantly less than the 47 bcf median market expectation, according to the most recent EIA weekly inventory data.
NGAS Aug ‘22 Futures Price Chart
Cotton futures trading near 10-month lows
The price of cotton futures on the ICE traded close to a 10-month low of 100 cents a pound as traders weighed concerns about poor demand against the possibility of lower production. Amid prospects of dry weather in Texas, the most recent USDA supply and demand report indicated reduced forecasts for output, exports, and ending stocks in the US for the 2022–2023 year compared to projections made last month. In addition, the pink bollworm pest, another major threat to cotton crops in India, attacked in Punjab and Haryana earlier than predicted this year as a result of the lack of moisture during the early stages of the planting season. Fears of a global economic slowdown are expected to reduce demand for non-essential clothes and fabric products.
Cotton Oct ‘22 Futures Price Chart
Gold prices rise along with recession fears
After losing 0.4 percent the day before, gold increased to about $1,725 an ounce on Tuesday as recessionary fears increased. The safe-haven metal gained from recent weakening in the dollar and US Treasury yields. This week, the US Federal Reserve is anticipated to deliver a further rate increase of 75 basis points, taking the lead in the worldwide fight against inflation that some feared might push the greatest economy on the planet into recession. As monetary conditions become more constrained and threaten to affect global demand, other significant central banks are anticipated to join the US central bank in raising interest rates quicker. Recent figures from the US and Europe already indicate that economic activity is weakening, while China narrowly avoided a second-quarter loss. In the meantime, gold prices stayed about
Gold Aug ‘22 Futures Price Chart
Sources: finance.yahoo.com, tradingeconomics.com
