Natural gas surged above 3.15, aiming for the 3.18-3.20 zone, supported by a bull pennant breakout and a bullish 20-Day and 200-Day MA crossover.
Natural gas triggered a bullish trend continuation today as it rallied above Monday’s high of 3.15. It is on track to close strong, near the highs of today’s trading range. It looks like the next higher target zone from 3.18 to 3.20 will be reached. The 88.6% Fibonacci retracement and an extended Fibonacci target define the range.
Last week natural gas triggered a breakout from a bull pennant trend continuation pattern. The fact that the breakout of the pennant occurred around the same time as a breakout above the long-term downtrend line triggered, makes it more interesting. Trendlines by themselves are not too reliable as a signal, but this breakout is more interesting because of the pennant. The pennant consolidation formed near resistance and therefore the two breakouts are starting the next leg up rather than triggering a breakout further into an advance when momentum is more likely to die off following a breakout.
Further supporting bullish evidence includes the recent bullish crossover of the 20-Day MA above the 200-Day MA, and a successful test of support at the 20-Day line recently. If natural gas can eventually exceed the 2023 high at 3.64, further confirmation of a bullish reversal will be indicated. Further, a rally above the next swing high of 3.39 and daily close above that price level, improves the chance that the 2023 high may be exceeded. The monthly chart also reflects improving demand in natural gas as the 20-Month MA was exceeded this month for the first time since natural gas fell below it in December 2022.
There are several interim targets on the way to the calculated target from the pennant pattern starting with the 88.6% retracement. The pennant structure provides a potential target of 3.78. That is above the 2023 peak of 3.64. Nevertheless, it is still a way away and the target may never get hit. If the 3.18 to 3.20 price zone is exceeded, January swings high at 3.39, followed by the 2023 high at 3.64 become targets.
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With over 20 years of experience in financial markets, Bruce is a seasoned finance MBA and CMT® charter holder. Having worked as head of trading strategy at hedge funds and a corporate advisor for trading firms, Bruce shares his expertise in futures to retail investors, providing actionable insights through both technical and fundamental analyses.