1517 ET - U.S. natural gas futures retreat with a slightly below-normal inventory build leaving the storage surplus over the five-year average practically intact at 181 Bcf. The 41 Bcf injection was roughly in line with consensus estimates after storage builds exceeded expectations the preceding three weeks, notes Andy Huenefeld of Pinebrook Energy Advisors. Another wave of major heat across the Midwest and East this week lifting power-sector demand should be reflected in next week's storage report, although "estimates have been highly variable in recent weeks, primarily because of fluctuations in wind generation output," he adds. Nymex natural gas settles down 2.3% at $2.858/mmBtu. (anthony.harrup@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 16, 2026 15:17 ET (19:17 GMT)

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