Skip to content

CFDs are complex financial instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFDs are complex financial instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Natural gas prices gap lower while coal prices renew gains

Natural gas prices are correcting as European economies suggest subsidising coal for energy usage.

Natural gas Source: Bloomberg

Natural gas prices gap lower

Natural gas prices started a sharp correction from all-time highs over the last few days and even gapped lower at the start of the new week.

Energy prices for fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas have soared since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war and have been a major contributor to global inflation.

Coal prices rise on prospect of subsidising European energy needs

In the short-term, however, we are seeing coal prices rise as they trade inversely to that of natural gas.

The suggestion for the move is that disruptions to European imports of natural gas from Russia are likely to see increased use of coal to help fulfil energy needs.

Russian gas supplied to Europe through state-owned entity Gazprom, has been well below contractual agreements. This has been due to sanction-induced infrastructure obstacles and delays to equipment being returned from maintenance outside of the country.

Germany, Europe's largest economy, has been the first to suggest a temporary shift back to coal, to subsidise energy requirements and allow time to restock gas inventory ahead of the autumn (fall) and winter months.

German policymakers will submit a law to parliament pertaining to this on the 8th of July 2022.

Natural gas – technical view

Natural gas chart Source: ProRealTime

The uptrend in the price of natural gas from the 30th of December 2021 to the beginning of June this year (2022) has started to correct aggressively over the last few days.

The price correction is now testing the 50% retracement level of this trend. The 50% retracement level at 6575 and the 6450 level currently provide a support range for the price of natural gas. It is at this support range we are also seeing our stochastic oscillator suggesting the price to currently be in oversold territory.

Traders looking for long entry might need to exercise some patience waiting for a bullish price reversal at current levels, accompanied by a move out of oversold territory by our stochastic oscillator. Our preference would be to see a bullish price reversal firm enough to close above gap resistance (highlighted red) at 6990, before targeting a move back towards the 8130 resistance area.

In this scenario a close below the reversal low might be used as a stop-loss consideration for the trade. Should a bullish price reversal be supported by a move out of oversold territory and a close above gap resistance not manifest, and instead we see the price of natural gas closing below the 6450 level, the 61.8% retracement level at 5850 and 5680 become downside support targets respectively.


This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.
CFDs are a leveraged products. CFD trading may not be suitable for everyone and can result in losses that exceed your initial deposit, so please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved.

React to volatility on commodity markets

Trade commodity futures, as well as 27 commodity markets with no fixed expiries.

  • Wide range of popular and niche metals, energies and softs
  • Spreads from 0.3 pts on Spot Gold, 2 pts on Spot Silver and 2.8 pts on Oil
  • View continuous charting, backdated for up to five years

See opportunity on a commodity?

Try a risk-free trade in your demo account, and see whether you’re on to something.

  • Log in to your demo
  • Try a risk-free trade
  • See whether your hunch pays off

See opportunity on a commodity?

Don’t miss your chance – upgrade to a live account to take advantage.

  • Analyse and deal seamlessly on fast, intuitive charts
  • Get spreads from just 0.3 points on Spot Gold
  • See and react to breaking news in-platform

See opportunity on a commodity?

Don’t miss your chance. Log in to take your position.

Live prices on most popular markets

  • Forex
  • Shares
  • Indices

Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 15 mins.

Plan your trading week

Get the week’s market-moving news sent directly to your inbox every Friday. The Week Ahead gives you a full calendar of upcoming economic events, as well as commentary from our expert analysts on the key markets to watch.

For more info on how we might use your data, see our privacy notice and access policy and privacy webpage.

You might be interested in…

Find out what charges your trades could incur with our transparent fee structure.

Discover why so many clients choose us, and what makes us a world-leading provider of CFDs.

Stay on top of upcoming market-moving events with our customisable economic calendar.