Natural gas exchange traded funds (ETFs), down and out for a good part of this year, may soon put their troubled days behind them – if the experts’ prognostications prove to be right on.
What’s in the forecast?
- Hotter-than-usual weather is on the horizon and natural gas demand is expected to pick up. Moming Zhou and Noah Buhayar for BusinessWeek report that gas-fired demand for electric cooling systems is leading to higher demand for the commodity. Temperatures will be above normal across much of the Midwest and East from Aug. 1- 5, according to the National Weather Service.
- Hurricane season is still in effect, too: it runs until Nov. 30, and we’re not even in the most active part of it yet. The gulf is home to about 12% of U.S. natural gas production, so if one of these centers were to be struck, it could have a swift impact on prices. [Hurricane Season’s Affect on Natural Gas Prices.]
- Also supporting the sentiment is house lawmakers who are expected to vote on their version of the legislation concerning subsidies for natural gas vehicles before Congress breaks for recess in August. According to Reuters, an energy bill that contains almost $4 billion in subsidies for natural gas-burning cars is part of a long-term plan championed by American financier T. Boone Pickens. [7 Commodity ETFs You Should Understand.]
For more stories about natural gas, visit our natural gas category. According to our ETF Analyzer, there are 10 ways to get exposure to natural gas, including these direct plays:
- First Trust ISE-Revere Natural Gas (NYSEArca: FCG)
- United States Natural Gas (NYSEArca: UNG)
- iPath Dow Jones AIG Natural Gas ETN (GAZ)
Tisha Guerrero contributed to this article.
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.