1501 ET - U.S. natural gas futures give up early gains and settle lower in volatile trade. The EIA reported a 167 Bcf drop in natural gas inventories, close to market expectations, which reduced the surplus over the five-year average to 32 Bcf from 103 Bcf the previous week. "Based on early expectations for next week's report, inventories have a strong chance of falling behind the five-year average," Andy Huenefeld of Pinebrook Energy Advisors says in a note. But smaller storage draws are likely for the last two weeks of December, and "inventories will likely be able to build back their cushion to the five-year average." Nymex natural gas settles down 2.9% at $3.908/mmBtu. (anthony.harrup@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 18, 2025 15:01 ET (20:01 GMT)

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