Natural gas ETFs have been regaining ground on colder winter conditions and higher heating demand over the short-term.
Over the long-term, gas prices may find support from rising exports as the U.S. becomes the world’s third-largest producer of liquefied natural gas for export.
The United States Natural Gas Fund (NYSEArca: UNG) gained 8.7% over the past week as NYMEX natural gas futures rose $3.349 per million British thermal units.
According to S&P Global Platts, the U.S. has exported an average 7.4 billion cubic feet per day of gas in November, compared to the 7 billion cubic feet per day imported, the Wall Street Journal reported.
United States Natural Gas Fund
It has been almost 60 years since the U.S. was a net exporter of natural gas , according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The Energy Department expects the U.S. is on track to become the world’s third-largest producer of liquefied natural gas for export by 2020.
The U.S. lifted restrictions on crude oil exports last year, allowing tankers to be shipped overseas for the first time in almost a half century.