Natural Gas Falls to an 8-Month Low

Natural gas fell to its lowest level in eight months Monday, following forecasts that nationwide summer temperatures are expected to be milder than normal.

The price of natural gas fell 10 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $3.85 per 1,000 cubic feet. That’s the lowest since mid-November.

Weather analysts expect average temperatures across the U.S. to be lower than normal for the next two to three weeks, which is typically when U.S. temperatures are at their hottest. During the summer, natural gas is used to generate electricity, particularly when demand is high and other sources are at full capacity.

Other energy-related commodities moved higher Monday. Crude oil rose $1.46, or 1.5 percent, to $104.59 a barrel, and wholesale gasoline rose three cents, or 1 percent, to $2.89 a gallon. Heating oil rose a penny, or 0.5 percent, to $2.86 a gallon.

In metals trading, gold for August delivery rose $4.50, or 0.3 percent, to $1,313.90 an ounce. Silver rose 13 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $21.01 an ounce. High-grade copper rose a penny, or 0.5 percent, to $3.20 a pound.

Platinum rose $3.50, or 0.2 percent, to $1,493.40 an ounce, and palladium fell $4.35, or 0.5 percent, to $877.15 an ounce.

Crop prices fell. Wheat lost two cents, or 0.4 percent, to $5.30 a bushel; corn fell seven cents, or 1.7 percent, to $3.72 a bushel; and soybeans lost 14 cents, or 1.3 percent, to $10.71 a bushel.

This article appeared in print in the July 22nd, 2014 edition of Hamodia.