Natural-gas futures post a nearly 16% climb; oil prices end lower

Natural-gas futures climbed by almost 16% on Monday, the biggest one-day percentage gain since mid-November, according to Dow Jones Market Data, while oil prices suffered from a second straight session decline. "As we move further into winter, another cold spell like we saw in early November could drive another huge rally [for natural gas] up towards $5.00," analysts at the Sevens Report said on Monday. "But to reiterate, the market is almost entirely dependent on weather right now." February natural gas rose 49.2 cents, or nearly 16%, to settle at $3.591 per million British thermal units. That was the highest finish since Dec. 27. February West Texas Intermediate crude oil , meanwhile, fell $1.08, or 2.1%, to settle at $50.51 a barrel.

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