Natural Gas Prices Spike 16% Following Forecasts for Longer Winters
Natural gas prices spiked on Monday as the market realized that cold in the U.S may persist longer, increasing heating demand and putting pressure on gas stockpiles.
Natural gas futures for February increased by more than 16 % on Monday to settle at $3.591/MMBtu. Further, the February Henry Hub contract hit a session peak at $3.539 per million British thermal units, its highest level since Dec. 27. The contract was last up 12.7 percent at $3.493 per mmBtu.
Natural gas prices have been falling since the middle of December, following a spike above $4 per mmBtu in the fall. Hotter-than-usual late summer temperatures and an unanticipated cold fall increased demand for cooling and heating last year, causing natural gas stockpiles hit their lowest level in over a decade.
But following the forecast of return of cold weather conditions, coupled with a prolonged cold period and natural gas inventories still hovering 15% below its five-year average, natural gas prices seem likely to move higher in the coming days. However, it's highly unlikely that the cold will last long enough to push inventories toward record lows, and help gas prices move above $4 per mmBtu. For that, the cold needs to last at least a third or half of February.
If the weather normalizes during the rest of winter, Barclays forecasts Henry Hub prices to average $3.51 per mmBtu in the first quarter and $2.92 per mmBtu for the full year.
Monday’s some of the major gainers included names like Range Resources Corporation (RRC, +2.4%), Chesapeake Energy (CHK, +2.2%) and Antero Resources Corporation (AR, +2.2%) among others.
RRC sees its 50-day moving average cross bullishly above its 200-day moving average
The 50-day moving average for RRC moved above the 200-day moving average on September 08, 2026. This could be a long-term bullish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an upward trend.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where RRC's RSI Indicator exited the oversold zone, 14 of 21 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 67%.
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 05, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on RRC as a result. In 71 of 87 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 82%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for RRC just turned positive on October 06, 2026. Looking at past instances where RRC's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 39 of 49 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 80%.
RRC moved above its 50-day moving average on October 08, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +4.68% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where RRC advanced for three days, in 241 of 327 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 74%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator has been in the overbought zone for 2 days. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
The 10-day moving average for RRC crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on September 23, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 13 of 17 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 76%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where RRC declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 72%.
RRC broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 08, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for RRC entered a downward trend on October 08, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 24 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 70, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 48 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 54 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. RRC’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 65 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (1.879) is normal, around the industry mean (5.088). P/E Ratio (10.459) is within average values for comparable stocks, (25.683). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.948) is also within normal values, averaging (1.958). Dividend Yield (0.010) settles around the average of (0.036) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (2.823) is also within normal values, averaging (5.980).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 87 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
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General Information
a developer of oil and gas properties
Industry OilGasProduction
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