EIA reports a smaller-than-expected weekly fall in U.S. natural-gas supplies

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported on Thursday that domestic supplies of natural gas declined by 98 billion cubic feet for the week ended Feb. 26. On average, the data were expected to show a fall of 137 billion cubic feet for the week, according analysts polled by S&P Global Platts. Total stocks now stand at 1.845 trillion cubic feet, down 277 billion cubic feet from a year ago and 178 billion cubic feet below the five-year average, the government said. Following the data, April natural gas extended its early decline, trading down by 10 cents, or 3.5%, at $2.716 per million British thermal units. It traded at $2.759 shortly before the data.

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