Energy – US LNG plants reduce gas intake

US natural gas prices continued their rally yesterday, with front-month Henry Hub settling almost 29% at $6.80/MMBtu. This takes the total gains since 19 January to almost 120%. Yet the move in US natural gas is even more astonishing when looking at the spot Henry Hub price, which briefly broke above $30/MMBtu in recent days. It's been driven by a severe winter storm across the US. This is impacting natural gas production and boosting heating demand. The storm is estimated to have hit around 11% of US natural gas production. The key question for the outlook, obviously, is how long this disruption lasts. There are some signs that production is already recovering, with gas output from the Permian estimated to be up 11% day-on-day yesterday. If this trend continues, it suggests prices have likely peaked.

Developments in the US natural gas market remain a concern for the European market, as supply disruptions could weigh on US LNG exports to Europe. In recent days, US LNG plants have significantly reduced their gas intake, estimated at around 48%, which will translate into reduced LNG exports from these plants. TTF continues to trade at a healthy premium to Asian LNG to ensure LNG cargoes move into Europe, where storage has now fallen below 45% full. It's looking increasingly likely that storage will end the 25/26 heating season at below 25% full. This would also be below the levels seen in 2022. The difference between 2022 and 2026 is that we are currently seeing significant LNG supply ramp-ups, which should help soothe supply concerns to some extent.

Oil prices settled lower yesterday, with ICE Brent closing down more than 0.4%. The US winter storm should also support demand for heating fuels, as reflected in the heating oil crack. Freezing conditions will disrupt US oil output. The weather has also affected refinery operations. So, refinery run rates have fallen in recent days.

There are also signs that the honeymoon phase between the US and the new Venezuelan leader may be coming to an end, with President Delcy Rodriguez saying Venezuela has had enough of US interference. While these comments may be more for internal consumption, they are certainly worth keeping an eye on, as they could alter the outlook for Venezuelan oil supply.

Kazakhstan's oil output is set to recover, with Tengizchevroil restoring power to its Tengiz field. Operations at the Tengiz and Korolev fields, which produced around 890k b/d over the first three quarters of 2025, were halted last week due to power issues. Meanwhile, the completion of repair work at the CPC terminal should also support a recovery in export flows. A recovery in these flows should improve availability in the prompt market, putting some pressure on the Brent prompt spread, which has strengthened significantly through January. The strength in timespreads has been at odds with estimates for a large oil surplus.

Metals - Silver smashes another record above $110/oz

Silver surged more than 12% in its biggest one-day jump since 2008, hitting a new record above $110/oz, before giving back some of these gains. The rally reflects both its precious metal appeal and tightening physical conditions: inventories remain low, lease rates are elevated, and the market has entered yet another year of supply deficits. Prices are now up around 60% year‑to‑date after a nearly 150% surge in 2025. Yet risks remain, with high prices potentially triggering industrial demand destruction and silver's tendency to overshoot, keeping volatility high. The gold–silver ratio has now slipped below 50, its lowest level since 2011, underscoring silver's dramatic outperformance.

Gold also extended its rally above $5,100/oz at one stage yesterday. It was supported by Federal Reserve rate cut expectations, a weaker dollar and persistent geopolitical risks. With the central bank buying holding strong and real rates likely heading lower, the medium-term outlook remains favourable. As political uncertainty elevated, from President Trump‑driven policy surprises to a new Fed chair to the US midterm elections later this year, gold should continue to find investor support.

Source: ING