By: Joseph Hogue of Street Authority
The surge in natural gas production has changed the energy landscape in the United States. Production jumped 44% between 2005 and 2014 compared to a decline of 4.5% over the previous nine-year period.
Prices for natural gas at the Henry Hub in Louisiana jumped 162% between 2002 and 2008 on lower production and an economic boom in emerging markets. By 2012, prices had fallen nearly 70% to $2.75 per million BTU. Beyond a few spikes on colder weather, prices have flatlined between $2.50 and $3.50 for the past two and a half years.
Futures prices on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) suggest traders are not expecting much to change this year, with the December contract priced at $3.17. But two catalysts may prove speculators wrong and spark a rally in natural gas prices. Traders who get positioned now stand to make up to 50% profits without ever touching a futures contract. Continue reading "A Small Bet On Natural Gas Could Make Traders Big Profits"