Natural-gas prices extend gains as EIA reports smaller-than-expected rise in U.S. supplies

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported Thursday that domestic supplies of natural gas rose by 89 billion cubic feet for the week ended May 4. Analysts surveyed by S&P Global Platts had forecast a climb of 92 billion cubic feet and on average over the last five years for the same week, inventories rose by 69 billion cubic feet. Total stocks now stand at 1.432 trillion cubic feet, down 863 billion cubic feet from a year ago, and 520 billion below the five-year average, the government said. June natural gas rose 4.9 cents, or 1.8%, to $2.786 per million British thermal units, up from $2.758 before the data.