Natural gas flat as cold weather front set to hit U.S.

After falling early in trading, natural gas futures finished the day mostly unchanged after revised weather forecasts called for colder-than-normal weather that could spur increased demand for the heating fuel.After falling early in trading, natural gas futures finished the day mostly unchanged after revised weather forecasts called for colder-than-normal weather that could spur increased demand for the heating fuel.

The National Weather Service issued a midday update today that showed below-normal temperatures could grip states on the east coast and central parts of the country from February 5 to February 9; earlier forecasts had called for normal seasonal temperatures in those regions.The National Weather Service issued a midday update today that showed below-normal temperatures could grip states on the east coast and central parts of the country from February 5 to February 9; earlier forecasts had called for normal seasonal temperatures in those regions.

Kyler Cooper, the director of research at IAF Advisors, told Bloomberg that the recent weather has been increasingly unpredictable. "Mother Nature has just been incredibly bullish overall in the last 13 months," he affirmed. "The weather looked a little cooler than this morning's outlook."Kyler Cooper, the director of research at IAF Advisors, told Bloomberg that the recent weather has been increasingly unpredictable. "Mother Nature has just been incredibly bullish overall in the last 13 months," he affirmed. "The weather looked a little cooler than this morning's outlook."

Today on the New York Mercantile Exchange, natural gas for February delivery fell 0.1 cent to $4.4472 per million British thermal units; in the past 12 months, the futures contract has retreated 19 percent.Today on the New York Mercantile Exchange, natural gas for February delivery fell 0.1 cent to $4.4472 per million British thermal units; in the past 12 months, the futures contract has retreated 19 percent.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, more than 50 percent of homes in the U.S. use natural gas for heating. Analysts polled by Bloomberg expect the DOE to report a reduction in gas stockpiles of 170 billion cubic feet in the week ended January 21.  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, more than 50 percent of homes in the U.S. use natural gas for heating. Analysts polled by Bloomberg expect the DOE to report a reduction in gas stockpiles of 170 billion cubic feet in the week ended January 21.