NATURAL GAS
Natural gas prices edged higher on weather reports for a late-season cool snap sweeping across the northern reaches U.S., though gains were slight on sentiments milder temperatures will quickly follow. Milder weather tends to send gas prices falling, while colder and hotter temperatures hike demand for heating and air conditioning, respectively, and send prices rising as demand picks up in the nation's thermal power plants. Bargain hunters also snapped up nicely priced positions.
CRUDE
Oil prices were up in U.S. trading though off earlier highs after a widely watched barometer on consumer sentiment far exceeded market expectations. The data rekindled hopes that the U.S. economy continues to recover and will demand more fuels and energy going forward. The report also said its inflation expectations for this month remained unchanged at 3.1%. The numbers came a day after Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco said that monetary authorities may begin to unwind stimulus programs this summer and possibly end such policies by year end.
Natural gas prices edged higher on weather reports for a late-season cool snap sweeping across the northern reaches U.S., though gains were slight on sentiments milder temperatures will quickly follow. Milder weather tends to send gas prices falling, while colder and hotter temperatures hike demand for heating and air conditioning, respectively, and send prices rising as demand picks up in the nation's thermal power plants. Bargain hunters also snapped up nicely priced positions.
CRUDE
Oil prices were up in U.S. trading though off earlier highs after a widely watched barometer on consumer sentiment far exceeded market expectations. The data rekindled hopes that the U.S. economy continues to recover and will demand more fuels and energy going forward. The report also said its inflation expectations for this month remained unchanged at 3.1%. The numbers came a day after Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco said that monetary authorities may begin to unwind stimulus programs this summer and possibly end such policies by year end.