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20 ticks potential profit in 37 seconds on 13 May 2026, analysis on futures forex fx low latency news trading US500 futures on US BLS Producer Price Index (PPI) data

May 13, 2026

According to our analysis US500 moved 5 points (20 ticks) on US BLS Producer Price Index (PPI) data on 13 May 2026.

881 pips potential performance in 2026 (2025: 1,828)

US500 (5 points / 20 ticks)

Charts are exported from JForex (Dukascopy).

April 2026 PPI: Wholesale Inflation Surges as Energy, Freight, and Trade Margins Jump

The April 2026 Producer Price Index report delivered a clear signal: price pressures at the producer level accelerated sharply.

The Producer Price Index for final demand rose 1.4% in April, seasonally adjusted, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That followed increases of 0.7% in March and 0.6% in February, making April the largest monthly gain since March 2022.

On a year-over-year basis, final demand prices were up 6.0%, the largest 12-month increase since December 2022.

For businesses, consumers, and policymakers, the report suggests that inflation pressures are not just lingering; they may be broadening again across key parts of the economy.

Services Did Most of the Heavy Lifting

Nearly 60% of April’s increase in final demand prices came from services. The index for final demand services rose 1.2%, its largest monthly increase since March 2022.

A major driver was trade services, where margins received by wholesalers and retailers jumped 2.7%. Transportation and warehousing services also surged, rising 5.0% in the month.

Several categories contributed to the rise, including:

Machinery and equipment wholesaling
Truck transportation of freight
Fuels and lubricants retailing
Health, beauty, and optical goods retailing
Chemicals and allied products wholesaling
Legal services

Not every service category moved higher. Portfolio management prices fell 2.4%, while food retailing margins and metals, minerals, and ores wholesaling margins also declined.

Still, the services side of the report was notably strong, especially in areas tied to distribution, freight, and wholesale margins.

Goods Prices Also Rose Sharply

Final demand goods prices increased 2.0% in April after rising 1.9% in March.

Energy was the main story. Final demand energy prices jumped 7.8%, accounting for more than three-quarters of the overall goods increase.

Gasoline alone rose 15.6% and accounted for more than 40% of the April rise in final demand goods prices. Other energy-related increases included jet fuel, diesel fuel, and residual fuels.

There were also increases in fresh and dry vegetables and industrial chemicals.

One striking exception was chicken eggs, whose index dropped 49.7%. Nonferrous scrap and residential natural gas prices also declined.

Core Producer Inflation Picked Up Too

The index for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services rose 0.6% in April. That was the largest increase since October 2025.

Over the past 12 months, this core measure increased 4.4%, the largest year-over-year gain since February 2023.

That matters because this measure strips out some of the most volatile categories. A strong increase here suggests the April report was not only about energy swings. Underlying price pressure also strengthened.

Intermediate Demand Shows Pipeline Pressure

The report also showed strong increases earlier in the production chain.

Processed goods for intermediate demand rose 2.7% in April, the sixth straight monthly increase. Processed energy goods rose 7.8%, while processed materials excluding food and energy increased 1.5%.

Over the past year, processed goods for intermediate demand rose 9.4%, the largest 12-month increase since October 2022.

Unprocessed goods prices rose even faster, climbing 4.1% in April. The biggest driver was unprocessed energy materials, up 9.2%. Crude petroleum rose 11.3%, accounting for nearly three-quarters of the advance in unprocessed goods.

The 12-month increase for unprocessed goods reached 20.9%, the largest since September 2022.

These intermediate demand numbers suggest that cost pressures are building not only at the final stage but also deeper in the supply chain.

Freight and Transportation Costs Stand Out

Transportation was one of the clearest pressure points in the report.

Final demand transportation and warehousing services rose 5.0%, while transportation and warehousing services for intermediate demand jumped 3.7%.

Truck transportation of freight was especially important. It contributed to increases in both final demand services and intermediate demand services, with truck freight prices rising 8.1% in the intermediate demand category.

Higher freight costs can ripple through the economy because they affect the cost of moving raw materials, intermediate goods, and finished products. When transportation costs rise quickly, businesses may face pressure to raise prices or absorb lower margins.

Production Flow Data Point to Broad-Based Increases

The production flow measures also showed broad price gains across stages of production.

Stage 4 intermediate demand rose 0.9%, the largest increase since January 2023. Stage 3 rose 2.3%, stage 2 increased 2.8%, and stage 1 advanced 2.1%.

The strongest monthly increase came from stage 2 intermediate demand, where goods inputs climbed 5.1%.

Year-over-year increases were also notable:

Stage 4 intermediate demand: 5.4%
Stage 3 intermediate demand: 5.9%
Stage 2 intermediate demand: 11.1%
Stage 1 intermediate demand: 8.9%

The especially large increases in earlier stages suggest cost pressures could continue feeding into later stages if they persist.

What This Means

April’s PPI report was hot across several dimensions.

Energy was a major contributor, especially gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and crude petroleum. But the report was not limited to energy. Services prices, trade margins, freight costs, chemicals, and several wholesale categories also rose.

The rise in the core final demand measure adds to the significance of the report. When prices excluding food, energy, and trade services are rising at the fastest year-over-year pace in more than three years, it points to broader inflation pressure beneath the headline number.

For businesses, the report suggests higher input costs may be returning across transportation, energy, materials, and distribution channels. For consumers, the PPI does not directly measure retail prices, but producer cost increases can eventually flow through to consumer prices.

For policymakers, the April data complicates the inflation picture. A single month does not make a trend, but this report showed acceleration across headline PPI, core PPI, goods, services, and intermediate demand.

Bottom Line

The April 2026 Producer Price Index report showed a sharp acceleration in wholesale inflation. Final demand prices rose 1.4% for the month and 6.0% from a year earlier, both marking the strongest readings in years.

Energy was the biggest driver, but services, freight, trade margins, and intermediate goods also showed meaningful price pressure.

The next PPI report, covering May 2026, is scheduled for release on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. Always conduct thorough research and consider seeking advice from a financial professional before making any investment decisions.

Source: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ppi.nr0.htm

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39 ticks potential profit in 44 seconds on 7 May 2026, analysis on futures news trading natural gas on DOE Natural Gas Storage Report (WNGSR) data

May 7, 2026

According to our analysis natural gas moved 39 ticks on DOE Natural Gas Storage Report (WNGSR) data on 7 May 2026.

861 pips potential performance in 2026 (2025: 1,828)

Natural gas (39 ticks)

Charts are exported from JForex (Dukascopy).

U.S. Natural Gas Storage Builds by 63 Bcf, Staying Above the Five-Year Average

The U.S. natural gas storage season continued to gain momentum in the week ending May 1, 2026, with working gas inventories rising by 63 billion cubic feet (Bcf) from the previous week. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report, total working gas in underground storage across the Lower 48 states reached 2,205 Bcf.

That puts inventories 75 Bcf higher than the same week last year and 139 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,066 Bcf. In percentage terms, total stocks were 3.5% above year-ago levels and 6.7% above the five-year average.

While inventories remain comfortably within the five-year historical range, the latest report suggests that the market entered May with a relatively healthy storage cushion.

Regional Storage Trends

The weekly build was not evenly distributed across regions. Most areas posted increases, while the Mountain region recorded a small withdrawal.

The East region added 29 Bcf, bringing inventories to 361 Bcf. That level is nearly in line with the five-year average of 362 Bcf and slightly above last year’s 358 Bcf.

The Midwest saw a 23 Bcf increase, with stocks rising to 452 Bcf. Inventories there are just above last year’s level of 450 Bcf, though still 1.5% below the five-year average of 459 Bcf.

The Mountain region stood out with a 2 Bcf decline, leaving storage at 203 Bcf. Even with the weekly draw, this region remains well above historical benchmarks, sitting 13.4% above last year and 48.2% above the five-year average.

The Pacific region added 3 Bcf, bringing stocks to 275 Bcf. This is one of the strongest regional comparisons in the report, with inventories 19.0% above last year and 39.6% above the five-year average.

The South Central region, the largest storage region by volume, added 9 Bcf, bringing inventories to 914 Bcf. That is nearly flat compared with both last year and the five-year average, standing 0.2% above year-ago levels and 0.4% above the five-year average.

Within South Central, salt storage increased by 1 Bcf to 273 Bcf, while nonsalt storage rose by 7 Bcf to 641 Bcf. Salt storage remains 6.2% below last year and 1.4% below the five-year average, while nonsalt storage is above both comparisons.

What the Latest Build Means

The 63 Bcf injection reflects the seasonal transition from winter withdrawal season into spring and summer refill season. During this period, natural gas demand for heating typically declines, allowing more supply to move into underground storage ahead of the next winter.

The latest storage level of 2,205 Bcf suggests that the market is starting the refill season from a solid position. Inventories are not excessively high, but they are comfortably above both last year and the five-year average.

This matters because storage levels play a key role in shaping natural gas market expectations. Higher inventories can help reduce concerns about winter supply tightness, while lower inventories can increase price sensitivity to weather, production changes, and demand swings.

Regional Strength Is Concentrated in the West

One of the most notable details in the report is the strength of storage levels in the Mountain and Pacific regions. The Mountain region is almost 50% above its five-year average, while the Pacific region is nearly 40% above its five-year average.

By contrast, the East and Midwest are much closer to normal, and South Central is essentially in line with historical comparisons. This regional split suggests that national inventories are above average in part because of unusually strong storage positions in the western regions.

Bottom Line

For the week ending May 1, 2026, U.S. natural gas storage increased by 63 Bcf, bringing total working gas inventories to 2,205 Bcf. Stocks are now 75 Bcf above last year and 139 Bcf above the five-year average.

The report points to a generally well-supplied market as the injection season progresses. While regional differences remain, total inventories are within the five-year historical range and sitting above average heading into the warmer months.

Source: https://ir.eia.gov/ngs/ngs.html

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57 ticks potential profit in 40 seconds on 6 May 2026, analysis on futures news trading crude oil on DOE Petroleum Status Report (WPSR) data

May 6, 2026

According to our analysis crude oil moved 57 ticks on DOE Petroleum Status Report (WPSR) data on 6 May 2026.

822 pips potential performance in 2026 (2025: 1,828)

Light sweet crude oil (57 ticks)

Charts are exported from JForex (Dukascopy).

U.S. Oil Inventories Tighten as Fuel Prices Jump in Early May 2026

The latest Weekly Petroleum Status Report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows a petroleum market under renewed pressure. For the week ending May 1, 2026, crude oil inventories declined, refinery activity remained strong, fuel stocks tightened, and retail gasoline and diesel prices moved sharply higher.

The headline number: U.S. commercial crude oil inventories fell by 2.3 million barrels, bringing total crude stocks excluding the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to 457.2 million barrels. That level remains about 1% above the five-year average for this time of year, but the weekly draw still points to a market where supply is being pulled down as refineries continue to run at high utilization.

Refineries Stay Busy, But Inputs Edge Lower

U.S. crude oil refinery inputs averaged 16.0 million barrels per day during the week, down 42,000 barrels per day from the prior week’s average. Refineries operated at 90.1% of operable capacity, a relatively strong utilization rate as the market moves deeper into the spring and closer to peak summer driving demand.

Gasoline production slipped to an average of 9.6 million barrels per day, while distillate fuel production also declined, averaging 4.9 million barrels per day.

Looking at the four-week averages, refinery activity remains slightly ahead of last year. Crude oil input to refineries averaged 16.032 million barrels per day, compared with 15.900 million barrels per day for the same period in 2025. Motor gasoline production also improved year over year, averaging 9.810 million barrels per day, versus 9.663 million barrels per day a year earlier.

Crude Imports Decline

Crude oil imports averaged 5.5 million barrels per day last week, down 273,000 barrels per day from the previous week. Over the past four weeks, imports averaged roughly 5.6 million barrels per day, which is 2.4% lower than the same four-week period last year.

Net crude oil imports over the latest four-week period averaged just 346,000 barrels per day, far below the 1.592 million barrels per day recorded during the comparable period in 2025. That reflects a much stronger net export position for the broader U.S. petroleum market.

Total petroleum net imports were deeply negative at -5.890 million barrels per day, meaning the U.S. exported far more petroleum and petroleum products than it imported on a net basis.

Fuel Inventories Move Lower

The report showed broad draws across key fuel categories.

Motor gasoline inventories fell by 2.5 million barrels to 219.8 million barrels. That leaves gasoline stocks about 4% below the five-year average for this time of year. Finished gasoline inventories increased, but blending component inventories declined enough to pull the overall gasoline stock figure lower.

Distillate fuel inventories declined by 1.3 million barrels to 102.3 million barrels. Distillate stocks are now about 11% below the five-year average, a notable shortfall given the importance of diesel and heating oil to freight, agriculture, industry, and winter fuel markets.

Propane and propylene inventories also decreased by 1.3 million barrels, though they remain exceptionally high by historical standards at 56% above the five-year average.

Total commercial petroleum inventories declined by 5.9 million barrels for the week.

Demand Looks Firm Across Major Products

Total products supplied, a common proxy for demand, averaged 20.3 million barrels per day over the latest four-week period. That is up 2.6% from the same period last year.

Motor gasoline product supplied averaged 9.0 million barrels per day, up 1.0% year over year. Distillate fuel product supplied averaged 3.8 million barrels per day, up 3.5% from the same period last year.

Jet fuel was the weak spot. Jet fuel product supplied was down 6.2% compared with the same four-week period in 2025.

The demand picture is therefore mixed but generally constructive: gasoline and distillate consumption are running ahead of last year, while aviation fuel demand is lagging.

Crude and Fuel Prices Surge

The price section of the report is where the pressure becomes most visible.

The West Texas Intermediate crude oil price stood at $105.38 per barrel on May 1, 2026. That was up $6.96 from the prior week and a striking $45.71 above the year-ago level of $59.67.

Refined product prices were also sharply higher than last year:

New York Harbor conventional gasoline: $3.630 per gallon, up from $1.850 a year ago.
New York Harbor No. 2 heating oil: $3.871 per gallon, up from $1.907 a year ago.
New York Harbor ultra-low sulfur diesel: $4.016 per gallon, up from $2.005 a year ago.
Mont Belvieu propane: $0.884 per gallon, up from $0.731 a year ago.

Retail prices followed the same pattern. The national average price for regular gasoline rose to $4.452 per gallon on May 4, up 32.9 cents from the prior week and $1.305 above the year-ago price.

Diesel prices rose even more dramatically. The national average on-highway diesel price increased to $5.640 per gallon, up 28.9 cents from the previous week and $2.143 higher than one year earlier.

What This Means for the Market

This week’s report points to a tighter and more expensive petroleum market. Crude oil inventories remain slightly above the five-year average, but weekly stock draws, lower imports, firm refinery runs, and declining product inventories suggest that supply is not building comfortably.

The most important pressure point may be distillate fuel. Inventories are 11% below the five-year average, while distillate product supplied is running 3.5% above last year. That combination helps explain why diesel prices remain elevated and why businesses tied to freight, logistics, construction, farming, and manufacturing may continue to face high fuel costs.

Gasoline markets are also tightening as the summer driving season approaches. Inventories are below normal, demand is slightly higher than last year, and retail prices have jumped sharply.

Bottom Line

The May 1, 2026 petroleum report shows a market defined by falling inventories, resilient demand, strong refinery utilization, lower imports, and sharply higher prices.

Crude prices above $105 per barrel and national gasoline prices above $4.45 per gallon suggest that consumers and businesses are already feeling the impact. Unless supply improves or demand softens, fuel prices could remain under pressure heading into the summer travel season.

Source: https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/supply/weekly/archive/2026/2026_05_06/pdf/highlights.pdf

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18 ticks potential profit in 24 seconds on 30 April 2026, analysis on futures news trading natural gas on DOE Natural Gas Storage Report (WNGSR) data

April 30, 2026

According to our analysis natural gas moved 18 ticks on DOE Natural Gas Storage Report (WNGSR) data on 30 April 2026.

765 pips potential performance in 2026 (2025: 1,828)

Natural gas (18 ticks)

Charts are exported from JForex (Dukascopy).

Natural Gas Storage Builds Momentum Heading into Late Spring

The latest Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report for the week ending April 24, 2026, offers a clear signal that the injection season is firmly underway. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), working gas in underground storage across the Lower 48 states rose to 2,142 billion cubic feet (Bcf)—a 79 Bcf increase from the prior week.

Strong Weekly Injection Signals Seasonal Shift

This 79 Bcf build is a solid injection for late April, reflecting milder temperatures and reduced heating demand across much of the country. As the market transitions away from winter withdrawals, injections like this are expected to become more consistent in the weeks ahead.

Storage Levels Outpace Historical Benchmarks

Current inventory levels are notably strong:

+116 Bcf higher than the same time last year
+153 Bcf above the five-year average (1,989 Bcf)

Despite these surpluses, total working gas remains within the historical five-year range, suggesting that while supply is comfortable, it is not yet excessive.

Regional Breakdown: Broad-Based Increases

All major regions posted gains during the week:

South Central led with a 26 Bcf injection, bringing total stocks to 905 Bcf
Midwest added 25 Bcf, now at 429 Bcf
East region increased by 23 Bcf, reaching 332 Bcf
Mountain and Pacific regions each posted modest 3 Bcf builds

Within the South Central region:

Salt storage rose by 9 Bcf
Nonsalt storage increased by 18 Bcf

The relatively balanced distribution of injections suggests stable supply conditions nationwide, without any major regional constraints.

Market Implications

The above-average storage levels could exert downward pressure on natural gas prices in the near term, particularly if injections continue at a strong pace and demand remains moderate. However, several factors could shift this outlook:

Early summer heat waves driving cooling demand
LNG export levels
Production trends and rig activity

For now, the market appears well-supplied heading into the warmer months.

Looking Ahead

With the next report scheduled for May 7, market participants will be watching closely to see whether injections maintain this pace. Sustained builds above historical norms could further widen the storage surplus, while any slowdown may tighten expectations heading into peak summer demand.

Overall, this report reinforces a familiar seasonal narrative: inventories are rebuilding efficiently, supply is ample, and the market is entering a period where weather will increasingly dictate direction.

Source: https://ir.eia.gov/ngs/ngs.html

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49 ticks potential profit in 81 seconds on 29 April 2026, analysis on futures news trading crude oil on DOE Petroleum Status Report (WPSR) data

April 29, 2026

According to our analysis crude oil moved 49 ticks on DOE Petroleum Status Report (WPSR) data on 29 April 2026.

747 pips potential performance in 2026 (2025: 1,828)

Light sweet crude oil (49 ticks)

Charts are exported from JForex (Dukascopy).

U.S. Energy Snapshot: What the Latest Petroleum Data Tells Us About Markets in 2026

The latest weekly report from the Energy Information Administration offers a revealing look into the current state of the U.S. petroleum market. From rising crude prices to tightening inventories and shifting demand patterns, the data highlights a complex and dynamic energy landscape as we move deeper into 2026.

Refinery Activity Holds Steady—But Production Slips

U.S. refineries processed an average of 16.1 million barrels per day during the week ending April 24, 2026. This marks a slight increase from the previous week, with refinery utilization hovering just under 90% of total capacity. While this suggests relatively stable operations, production figures tell a more nuanced story.

Gasoline production dipped to 9.8 million barrels per day, while distillate fuel output (including diesel and heating oil) also declined to 4.9 million barrels per day. These decreases could signal either maintenance cycles, reduced demand expectations, or tightening crude supply inputs.

Imports Down, Inventories Tightening

Crude oil imports fell notably, averaging 5.8 million barrels per day, down by 329,000 barrels from the previous week. Despite this drop, the four-week average remains slightly above last year’s levels.

Meanwhile, inventories are trending downward across the board:

Crude oil inventories dropped by 6.2 million barrels, though they remain about 1% above the five-year average.
Gasoline inventories fell by 6.1 million barrels, now sitting 2% below the seasonal average.
Distillate stocks declined by 4.5 million barrels, significantly 11% below the five-year average.

The consistent drawdowns suggest that supply is tightening, particularly for refined products, which could place upward pressure on prices if demand remains strong.

Demand Trends: Mixed Signals

Total petroleum products supplied—a proxy for demand—averaged 20.6 million barrels per day over the past four weeks, representing a 4.6% increase year-over-year.

Breaking it down:

Gasoline demand rose modestly by 1.2%, reflecting steady consumer activity.
Distillate demand jumped 4.8%, likely driven by industrial and freight sectors.
Jet fuel demand, however, declined by 4.6%, hinting at possible softness in air travel or seasonal adjustments.

Prices Surge Across the Board

Perhaps the most striking development is the sharp rise in energy prices:

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil climbed to $98.42 per barrel, up $12.51 in just one week and more than $34 higher than a year ago.
Retail gasoline prices reached a national average of $4.123 per gallon, nearly a dollar higher than last year.
Diesel prices, while slightly down week-over-week, remain elevated at $5.351 per gallon, up $1.84 year-over-year.

Spot prices for gasoline and heating oil at New York Harbor also saw significant weekly increases, reinforcing the broader upward trend.

What It All Means

The current data paints a picture of an energy market under pressure. Declining inventories, rising demand (especially for distillates), and reduced imports are converging to push prices higher. While refinery activity remains stable, the drop in production suggests that supply may not be keeping pace with consumption.

For consumers, this likely means continued high fuel costs in the near term. For businesses, especially those reliant on transportation or logistics, elevated diesel prices could impact margins. And for policymakers, the balance between energy security and market stability remains a critical challenge.

Final Thoughts

As global and domestic factors continue to influence the energy sector, weekly reports like this provide valuable insight into short-term trends and long-term trajectories. Whether you're an investor, policymaker, or everyday consumer, keeping an eye on these indicators can help you better understand—and prepare for—what lies ahead in the energy market.

Source: https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/supply/weekly/archive/2026/2026_04_29/pdf/highlights.pdf

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US500 4 points potential profit in 31 seconds on 24 April 2026, analysis on futures forex fx low latency news trading US500 on Michigan Consumer Sentiment

April 24, 2026

According to our analysis US500 moved 4 points on University Michigan Consumer Sentiment / Inflation Expectations data on 24 April 2026.

698 pips potential performance in 2026 (2025: 1,828)

US500 (4 points)

Charts are exported from JForex (Dukascopy).

Consumer Confidence Slips Again in April 2026 as Inflation Fears Resurge

Consumer sentiment in the United States took another step downward in April 2026, signaling renewed unease about the economic outlook. According to the latest release from the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers, the Index of Consumer Sentiment fell to 49.8, down from 53.3 in March and below the 52.2 recorded a year earlier. This represents a 6.6% monthly decline and a 4.6% drop year-over-year, placing sentiment near levels last seen during the mid-2022 economic slowdown.

Broad-Based Decline in Confidence

The decline was not isolated to any single demographic. Sentiment weakened across political affiliations, income brackets, age groups, and education levels. This widespread downturn suggests a shared concern among consumers about the direction of the economy, rather than isolated pessimism.

The Current Economic Conditions Index also slipped, falling 5.9% from March and posting a steep 12.2% decline compared to April 2025. Meanwhile, the Index of Consumer Expectations dropped 7.0% month-over-month, though it remains slightly higher (+1.7%) than a year ago.

Economic Pressures and Global Influences

A key driver of declining sentiment appears to be worsening expectations for business conditions. Consumers are increasingly pessimistic about both short-term and long-term economic prospects. These expectations are now approaching levels seen a year ago, when trade tensions and tariff policies weighed heavily on outlooks.

Recent geopolitical developments have also played a role. A temporary cease-fire and modest easing in gasoline prices helped sentiment recover slightly toward the end of the month. However, ongoing tensions involving Iran continue to influence consumer perceptions, particularly through their impact on energy prices and broader inflation concerns.

Importantly, the data suggest that consumers are less responsive to geopolitical developments unless they directly affect supply chains or reduce price pressures—especially in energy markets.

Inflation Expectations Surge

Perhaps the most striking development in April’s report is the sharp rise in inflation expectations. Year-ahead inflation expectations jumped from 3.8% in March to 4.7% in April—the largest monthly increase since April 2025. This figure now sits well above the pre-pandemic range of 2.3% to 3.0%, highlighting growing concern among consumers about persistent price pressures.

Long-run inflation expectations also edged higher, rising to 3.5% after several months of stability around 3.2–3.3%. This marks the highest level since October 2025 and continues a gradual upward trend from the relatively lower ranges observed in 2019 and 2020.

What This Means Going Forward

The April data paints a picture of an increasingly cautious consumer base. While short-term fluctuations in energy prices and geopolitical developments may provide temporary relief, underlying concerns about inflation and economic stability remain firmly in place.

With inflation expectations climbing and confidence slipping, policymakers and businesses alike may need to prepare for a more restrained consumer environment in the months ahead. The next data release, scheduled for May 8, 2026, will provide further insight into whether this downward trend continues—or if stabilization is on the horizon.

Source: http://www.sca.isr.umich.edu

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19 ticks potential profit in 32 seconds on 23 April 2026, analysis on futures news trading natural gas on DOE Natural Gas Storage Report (WNGSR) data

April 23, 2026

According to our analysis natural gas moved 19 ticks on DOE Natural Gas Storage Report (WNGSR) data on 23 April 2026.

698 pips potential performance in 2026 (2025: 1,828)

Natural gas (19 ticks)

Charts are exported from JForex (Dukascopy).

U.S. Natural Gas Storage Builds Strongly as Injection Season Gains Momentum

The latest Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows a robust start to the injection season, with storage levels rising sharply for the week ending April 17, 2026. The data signals a healthy supply position and offers important insights into regional dynamics and market balance heading into the warmer months.

A Triple-Digit Injection Surprises to the Upside

Working gas in underground storage increased by 103 billion cubic feet (Bcf) compared to the previous week, bringing total inventories to 2,063 Bcf. This sizable build exceeds typical seasonal norms and reflects a combination of moderate demand and steady production.

The latest injection pushes storage levels:

142 Bcf above the same time last year
137 Bcf above the five-year average of 1,926 Bcf

Despite the strong surplus, total inventories remain comfortably within the historical five-year range, suggesting no immediate imbalance but a clear cushion forming early in the season.

Regional Contributions: Broad-Based Growth

All regions reported net injections, with particularly strong contributions from the South Central and Midwest regions:

South Central: +40 Bcf
Midwest: +33 Bcf
East: +26 Bcf
Mountain: +2 Bcf
Pacific: +2 Bcf

The South Central region—home to key storage hubs and salt caverns—continues to play a central role in balancing supply, accounting for nearly 40% of the weekly build.

Storage Levels vs. Historical Benchmarks

A closer look at regional storage reveals mixed positioning relative to historical norms:

The Mountain and Pacific regions stand significantly above their five-year averages, up 59.1% and 46.2%, respectively.
The East and Midwest regions remain slightly below their five-year averages, indicating room for further injections.
The South Central region sits modestly above average, reflecting stable conditions.

Overall, the national surplus suggests a market that is well-supplied but not excessively saturated.

Data Revisions: Minor but Noteworthy

The report also includes revisions to historical storage data covering late August 2025 through early April 2026. These adjustments were largely due to reclassifications of gas from working to base storage.

Key impacts:

Average downward revision of 10 Bcf per week
Minimal effect on weekly net changes
Prior week’s total (April 10) revised from 1,970 Bcf to 1,960 Bcf

While these revisions slightly alter historical comparisons, they do not materially change the broader supply outlook.