U.S. natural gas prices are on fire this month, surging by about 50% to reach $3.40 per million British thermal units as of Nov. 21, the highest level in over a year.

November is poised to mark the strongest surge in natural gas at the Henry Hub pricing point since July 2022, fueled by heightened geopolitical tensions, unseasonably cold U.S. weather and rising export demand.

For investors, this sharp price rebound has cast a spotlight on natural gas stocks poised to benefit from the renewed momentum in the natural gas markets.

Why Are Natural Gas Prices Spiking?

The price rally has been driven by a combination of factors:

• Plunging Temperatures Across the U.S.: After a relatively warmer-than-average start to the winter, the situation has drastically changed over the past few weeks. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts the first major snowfall of the season for parts of the central and northern Appalachians, with lower elevations in Pennsylvania and New York also bracing for accumulation. This colder weather has pushed demand for heating sharply higher.
• Geopolitical Tensions Between Russia and Ukraine: Russia's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday, combined with Ukraine’s recent use of Western-made missiles to target Russian territory, has added a geopolitical risk premium to natural gas markets.
• Supply Concerns in Europe: Austria’s OMV Group revealed earlier this month that it will stop receiving natural gas volumes from Russia’s Gazprom, reigniting fears of winter supply shortages in Europe and potentially shifting demand to the U.S. for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.

7 Natural Gas Stocks Benefiting From The Rally

As natural gas prices rally, several U.S. energy companies stand to gain from higher commodity prices and increased demand. Here are seven stocks to watch:

1. EQT Corporation EQT

EQT is the largest natural gas producer in the U.S., with operations in the Appalachian Basin. The company benefits directly from higher domestic gas prices.

Shares of EQT Corp. are up 30% month-to-date, on track for their strongest performing month since March 2022.

2. ONEOK, Inc. OKE

As a midstream operator, ONEOK processes and transports natural gas, profiting from higher pipeline volumes as demand increases.

Shares of ONEOK Inc. are up 19.6% in November, eyeing their best monthly performance since November 2020.

3. Targa Resources Corp. TRGP

Targa specializes in natural gas gathering and processing, positioning it to benefit from both domestic demand and export growth.

Targa shares have rallied 24% this month, on track to notch the 10th straight positive month and the strongest one in four years.

4. Kinder Morgan, Inc. KMI

One of the largest pipeline operators in the U.S., Kinder Morgan’s infrastructure is critical for natural gas transportation across regions.

Kinder Morgan has seen its stock rally 16% in November, potentially positioned for the best month since November 2020.

5. Antero Resources Corporation AR

Focused on natural gas and liquids production, Antero Resources has significant exposure to the Appalachia region, where colder weather is driving demand.

Shares of Antero Resources have soared 32% month-to-date, following a 9.7% drop in October.

6. Cheniere Energy, Inc. LNG

As the top exporter of liquefied natural gas from the U.S., Cheniere benefits from global demand for natural gas, particularly in Europe.

Cheniere Energy has gained 16% thus far this month.

7. Williams Companies, Inc. WMB

Williams operates natural gas infrastructure and transmission pipelines, playing a vital role in connecting supply to end markets.

Shares are up 13.6% in November, following a 14.7% surge in October.

Chart: US Natural Gas Stocks Rallied In November

EIA Natural Gas Outlook: Winter Demand and LNG Exports To Support Prices

The EIA's latest Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) is bullish about near-term natural price gains, supported by robust winter demand and growing LNG exports.

With colder-than-expected weather forecasted for the season, the EIA has increased its consumption estimates, particularly in residential and commercial sectors where heating needs dominate. Residential and commercial demand is now expected to average 36 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), representing a 4% increase from last winter.

In 2025, U.S. marketed natural gas production is projected to grow by 1%, with the Permian Basin leading the way with a 6% increase, followed by a 5% rise in output from the Eagle Ford region.

The EIA anticipates Henry Hub natural gas prices — as tracked by the United States Natural Gas Fund LP UNG – to climb steadily in early 2025, averaging $2.80 per million British thermal units in the first quarter and $2.90/MMBtu for the entire year. This represents a significant 33% increase compared to the 2024 average of $2.20/MMBtu.

Liquefied natural gas exports are expected to play a critical role in driving demand next year, with exports projected to increase by nearly 2 Bcf/d in 2025. The growth in LNG capacity, coupled with sustained international demand, further strengthens the outlook for higher natural gas prices in the coming year.

Goldman Sachs Natural Gas Outlook: $4.00 Delayed Until 2026

Goldman Sachs offers a more cautious perspective on natural gas prices, citing delays in the construction and operation of new LNG export facilities across the Americas.

According to analyst Samantha Dart, these delays are expected to soften the trajectory of U.S. natural gas price increases and could hinder Europe's ability to replenish its gas storage levels for the 2025 season.

Goldman Sachs revised its 2025 Henry Hub price forecast downward to $3/MMBtu, from a previous estimate of $3.40/MMBtu.

The bank also pushed its projection for U.S. natural gas prices to hit $4/MMBtu to 2026, postponing it from the fourth quarter of 2025.

The firm indicates that while slower U.S. LNG export growth might ease domestic price pressures temporarily, it poses challenges for Europe, which will have fewer LNG cargoes at its disposal to fill storage next summer.

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