In the past two months, the spread between natural gas and crude oil continues to widen. Brent oil remains high despite cuts in the 2012 demand outlook made by the IEA. The positive macros, particularly from China, underpin some optimism for demand growth. Chinese data included lowering new home prices and economic growth ‘slowing’ to 8.9 percent. The growth number is not as bad as anticipated and the general idea is that this data may actually prompt some renewed monetary easing.  In addition, supply threats from the Middle East are not abating, with the EU continuing to pursue a ban on imports of Iranian crude.  

In the meantime, natural gas prices continue to drop with working inventories in the U.S. well above...