Natural Gas Natural gas futures were among the quarter's key decliners -LRB--7.5 %, to US$ 2.73 per million British thermal units) as production growth outweighed
seasonal consumption and higher exports of the fuel.1 Spot prices saw an even larger drop of 20.6 % (to US$ 2.81) as the support of December's weather - related
demand spikes faded and a more normal winter pattern developed.1 Natural gas generally took its downward price cues from elevated US production and growth in the natural gas - focused rig count, which increased from 179 to 194 in March alone.2 Despite the price drop, traders remained optimistic given surging US shale - gas exports and a supply deficit that was 20 % larger than the five - year average at March - end, the biggest in four years.3 Moreover, total natural gas inventories of 1.38 trillion cubic feet were nearly 33 % below their year - ago level.3 Meanwhile, the market appeared focused on an
anticipated production surge (2018 is projected to be a record growth year for gas supplies) and may have overlooked intensifying
demand as US exports increasingly helped drain supplies.
The Oneida County Health Department announced today that the
demand for
seasonal flu vaccine has been much higher than
anticipated and that their supply of
seasonal flu vaccine was exhausted on October 9th.