NATGAS: Henry Hub Pulls Back After Surge Higher Yesterday

Dec-31 12:58

Henry Hub front month pulls back after surging higher yesterday driven by colder weather and rising LNG export terminal feedgas flows.

  • Lower 48 natural gas demand is up slightly to 89.5bcf/d today, according to Bloomberg and is expected to rise further amid falling temperatures in the coming week. Colder temperatures are expected throughout the first half of Jan. with NOAA 6-14 showing below normal in central and eastern areas.
  • US LNG export terminal feedgas is up to the highest since Dec 2023 at 14.65bcf/d today supported by the startup of Plaquemines LNG, Bloomberg shows.
  • Venture Global is set to export its second LNG cargo from Plaquemines LNG in Louisiana on the Venture Gator LNG tanker. Its inaugural cargo left for Germany on the Venture Bayou LNG tanker on Dec. 26.
  • US domestic natural gas production is estimated at 104.7bcf/d today, according to Bloomberg compared to an average of 106.1bcf/d over the previous week.
  • Export flows to Mexico is 5.56bcf/d today, according to Bloomberg.
  • Nymex Henry Hub daily aggregate traded futures surged to 999k on Dec. 30.
    • US Natgas FEB 25 down 3.9% at 3.78$/mmbtu
    • US Natgas MAR 25 down 2.2% at 3.2$/mmbtu
    • US Natgas JAN 26 down 1.3% at 4.65$/mmbtu

Historical bullets

AUSSIE 3-YEAR TECHS: (Z4) Bounce Mode

Nov-29 22:45
  • RES 3: 96.380 - High Mar 21 2023
  • RES 2: 97.190 - High May 5 2023 
  • RES 1: 96.730/932 - High Sep 17 / 76.4% of Mar-Nov ‘23 bear leg 
  • PRICE: 96.090 @ 15:41 GMT Nov 29
  • SUP 1: 95.760 - Low Nov 13
  • SUP 2: 95.750 - Low 27 Nov ‘23
  • SUP 3: 95.480 - Low Jan 11 2023 and a major support 

Having hit a fresh pullback low at 95.760 across the global rates sell-off in recent weeks, the market found bottom and has staged a shallow bounce above the 96.00 handle. Nonetheless, recent weakness confirms the downside bias, with support undercutting at 95.750 below ahead of major support of 95.480. For any corrective recovery to take hold, markets need to retake the 96.00 handle on a closing basis.

USDCAD TECHS: Pullback Appears Corrective

Nov-29 21:00
  • RES 4: 1.4287 2.0% 10-dma envelope  
  • RES 3: 1.4246 2.00 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
  • RES 2: 1.4196 1.764 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
  • RES 1: 1.4078/4178 High Nov 27 / 26 and the bull trigger  
  • PRICE: 1.4005 @ 16:09 GMT Nov 29
  • SUP 1: 1.3965/28 20-day EMA / Low Nov 25 and a key support  
  • SUP 2: 1.3858 50-day EMA
  • SUP 3: 1.3822 Low Nov 6
  • SUP 4: 1.3747 Low Oct 17

Trend conditions in USDCAD remain bullish and Tuesday’s fresh cycle reinforced this theme. The move higher confirmed a resumption of the primary uptrend and marked an extension of the bullish price sequence of higher highs and higher lows. Sights are on 1.4196 next, a Fibonacci projection. Key short-term support has been defined at 1.3928, the Nov 25 low. For now, the latest pullback appears corrective.

AUDUSD TECHS: Corrective Bounce

Nov-29 20:30
  • RES 4: 0.6762 High Oct 9   
  • RES 3: 0.6733 High Oct 13             
  • RES 2: 0.6604/88 50-day EMA / High Nov 7 and a reversal trigger  
  • RES 1: 0.6534/50 20-day EMA / High Nov 25
  • PRICE: 0.6512 @ 16:03 GMT Nov 29
  • SUP 1: 0.6434 Low Nov 26
  • SUP 3: 0.6400 Round number support 
  • SUP 3: 0.6350 Low Aug 5 and a key support  
  • SUP 4: 0.6339 Low Nov 10 2023

A bearish theme in AUDUSD remains intact. The fresh cycle low on Tuesday marks an extension of the price sequence of lower lows and lower highs. Note that moving average studies are in a bear-mode position, highlighting a dominant downtrend. Scope is seen for a move towards 0.6350, the Aug 5 low and the next key support. The pair has recovered from its recent lows - a correction. Initial firm resistance to watch is 0.6534, the 20-day EMA.