S&P 500 — US Large Cap Index
FTSE 100 — UK Blue Chips
Euro Stoxx 50 — Eurozone Leaders
DAX 40 — German Equities
CAC 40 — French Market Index
Nikkei 225 — Japan Benchmark
Hang Seng — Hong Kong Index
Shanghai Composite — China Mainland
ASX 200 — Australian Market
TSX Composite — Canada Index
Nifty 50 — India Large Cap
STI Index — Singapore Market
KOSPI — South Korea Index
Bovespa — Brazil Equities
JSE Top 40 — South Africa Index
IPC Index — Mexico Market
US natural gas futures climbed above $2.95 per MMBtu, extending their rebound from a two-month low as forecasts for hotter weather boosted expectations of stronger cooling demand. Meteorologists expect temperatures to remain mostly above normal through August 7, likely increasing natural gas consumption by power generators as air conditioning use rises. However, gains were capped by ample supply conditions. EIA data showed gas inventories were 6.4% above the five-year seasonal average as of July 17, while production in the Lower 48 states increased to an average of 110.4 bcfd so far in July, up from 110.0 bcfd in June. LNG export demand also eased, with gas flows to major export terminals averaging 17.4 bcfd so far this month, slightly below June’s pace, partly due to scheduled maintenance at Freeport LNG’s Texas facility. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Bertha is being closely monitored as it could disrupt LNG export operations along the US Gulf Coast.
