| Natural Gas Inventory Report Brings Some Good News for Coal | |
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Natural Gas Prices, Increased Electricity Generation May Help Coal Natural gas inventory
Every Thursday, the EIA (the U.S. Energy Information Administration) publishes a natural gas inventory report for the previous week. The latest report is for the week ending September 4. Throughout the year, natural gas is stored underground to save the fuel for peak demand during the winter. For the week ending September 4, inventory came in at 3,261 Bcf (billion cubic feet) compared to 3,193 Bcf a week earlier.
The inventory figure was higher than the 2,788 Bcf recorded the year before and the five-year average of 3,134 Bcf. The change of 68 Bcf in the underground inventory during the week of September 4 came in lower than Wall Street analysts’ expectations of 76 Bcf.
Why is this report important?
Commodity prices are a function of supply and demand. If demand rises while supply remains constant, prices rise because more customers are chasing each unit of a commodity.
In contrast, if supply rises for a given level of demand, prices fall because the commodity is available in abundance. Inventory levels reflect supply and demand trends, so they’re useful for getting a sense of natural gas prices.
Impact on coal
The natural gas inventory has risen over the past 22 weeks since the injection season started. A lower-than-expected inventory indicates a lower-than-expected supply or higher-than-expected demand. This eases pressure on natural gas prices. A rise in natural gas prices is positive for thermal coal producers, as utilities (XLU) burn more coal when natural gas prices rise.
The fall in natural gas prices over the last few months has hurt coal producers (KOL), especially those with operations in the East and the Midwest such as Alliance Resource Partners (ARLP), Natural Resource Partners (NRP), and Peabody Energy (BTU).
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Natural Resource Partners L.P.
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CODE : NRP |
ISIN : US63900P1030 |
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Natural Resources Partners est une société de production minière basée aux Etats-Unis D'Amerique. Natural Resources Partners détient divers projets d'exploration en USA. Son principal projet en exploration est D.D. SHEPARD en USA. Natural Resources Partners est cotée aux Etats-Unis D'Amerique. Sa capitalisation boursière aujourd'hui est 1,1 milliards US$ (1,0 milliards €). La valeur de son action a atteint son plus bas niveau récent le 24 juillet 2020 à 10,00 US$, et son plus haut niveau récent le 26 avril 2024 à 91,73 US$. Natural Resources Partners possède 12 241 602 actions en circulation. |