NGAS Touching 2-month Lows, Cotton Futures Down, Gold Sitting At Lowest Level In 2.5 Years
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Summary:
- Natural gas futures are still up around 100% for the year.
- Cotton futures were trading at levels last seen in July 2021.
- The price of gold is still close to its lowest levels in 2.5 years.
Larger-than-expected storage build driving NGAS prices down
Under pressure from a larger-than-expected storage build, natural gas futures reached a bottom below a level not seen in two months. According to the most recent EIA data, US utilities put 103 billion cubic feet (bcf) of natural gas underground storage, significantly more than the median estimate of 93 bcf. Due to high domestic output levels and prospects for better weather through early October, prices were already under pressure. Expectations that demand would decrease even further in October when the Cove Point liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Maryland shuts down for maintenance added to the pessimistic picture. Due to the strong demand for US LNG exports and the rising prices of natural gas in Europe and Asia, natural gas futures are still up around 100% for the year.
NGAS Oct ‘22 Futures Price Chart
Cotton futures touching lows not seen since July 2021
As traders assessed the potential of larger supplies and lower demand due to quicker rate hikes and economic uncertainty, cotton futures were trading at levels last seen in July 2021. Regarding the supply, the USDA's most recent report showed that the crop of US cotton increased from 12.48 million acres in August to 13.79 million acres in September, or over 19% more than the 11.22 million acres planted in 2021. 375 lakh bales are anticipated to be produced in India, another major producer, during the season 2022–23, assuming that the weather is cooperative through October. Crops are still in danger because of unfavorable weather and pest infestations in the main growing regions.
Cotton Dec ‘22 Futures Price Chart
Gold futures
Tuesday saw a minor recovery in gold prices from a recent low as the continuous dollar advance paused, moving closer to $1,630 an ounce. On predictions that the US Federal Reserve will tighten monetary policy even more in order to combat rising inflation, the price of yellow metal is still close to its lowest levels in 2.5 years. On Monday, a number of Fed members reaffirmed their commitment to the fight against inflation, despite the possibility of some negative economic consequences and additional market instability. Investors also considered a study from the OECD, which revised its prediction for global economic growth from 2.8% to 2.2% in 2023, citing aggressive monetary tightening in leading nations and the protracted Russia-Ukraine war. Despite the fact that storing non-yielding gold bullion is generally regarded as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty, higher interest rates increase the opportunity cost of doing so, and investors continue to choose the dollar as a safe haven asset.
Gold Dec ‘22 Futures Price Chart
Sources: finance.yahoo.com, tradingeconomics.com
