U.S. natural gas futures finished the week in the red as cooler weather reduced expectations for power-sector demand heading into the fall shoulder season. Ample inventories and rising production also weighed on prices. Still, strong demand from liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) export facilities provided support, while tighter global gas supplies could keep U.S. LNG demand firm.

Against this backdrop, investors may want to keep an eye on natural gas-focused names such as Cheniere Energy (LNG Quick QuoteLNG - Free Report) , Antero Resources (AR Quick QuoteAR - Free Report) and Excelerate Energy (EE Quick QuoteEE - Free Report) .

Natural Gas Loses Ground During the Week

Natural gas prices moved lower through most of the holiday-shortened week as traders focused on fading summer cooling demand. October futures began the week with a 2% drop to $2.916 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), followed by another 3.2% decline as cooler weather forecasts pressured demand expectations. Prices recovered slightly after the storage report, settling 0.4% higher at $2.834 on Thursday. That rebound proved brief. Futures slipped again on Friday as the market looked toward weaker seasonal demand and potentially larger storage additions. The front-month contract settled at $2.831 per MMBtu, leaving natural gas down 4.8% for the week.

Storage Build Tops Expectations

The Energy Information Administration (‘EIA’) reported a 40-billion-cubic-feet (Bcf) storage injection for the week ended Sept. 4, above analysts’ guidance. However, the build remained below the five-year average of 52 Bcf. Total working gas reached 3,254 Bcf, 148 Bcf above the five-year average but 79 Bcf below the year-ago level.

LNG Demand Keeps the Outlook Constructive

Near-term conditions remain challenging as cooling demand fades and the market moves deeper into the shoulder season. U.S. natural gas consumption fell during the latest reported week, mainly because of lower power burn, while dry gas production edged higher. These factors could lead to larger storage injections before heating demand begins to pick up in October.

Still, the longer-term demand picture gives natural gas investors some reason for optimism. LNG feedgas held at 19.6 Bcf per day, while the EIA expects average U.S. LNG exports to rise from 17.4 Bcf per day in 2026 to 18.6 Bcf per day in 2027. Tight European supplies could add another source of demand as winter approaches. Europe’s storage levels are unusually low, while disruptions to Middle Eastern LNG shipments have tightened the global market. These conditions could support demand for U.S. gas even if domestic inventories remain comfortable.

3 Stocks to Focus On

For investors willing to look beyond near-term weather pressure, Cheniere Energy, Antero Resources and Excelerate Energy — each carrying Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) — remain stocks worth watching. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Cheniere Energy: Cheniere Energy is a leading U.S. LNG exporter, with large facilities at Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi. These plants process natural gas into LNG so it can be shipped to customers overseas. Together, they provide more than 55 million tons per year of operating production capacity, while additional capacity is under construction or being developed. This gives Cheniere a large role in connecting U.S. gas supply with global buyers.

The company is still expanding. Corpus Christi Stage 3 is nearing completion, while Sabine Pass Expansion Phase 1 is moving toward a final investment decision. Long-term contracts also provide cash-flow visibility and support the company’s LNG growth plans.

Cheniere Energy beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in three of the last four quarters and missed in the other. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of roughly 21.7%, on average.

Antero Resources: Antero Resources is an Appalachian natural gas producer with added exposure to natural gas liquids, including propane. Its business combines gas production with firm transportation that can move volumes to stronger markets. About 67% of production is already sold into premium markets, giving Antero access to demand centers stretching from West Virginia to the Gulf Coast.

Future demand is an important part of the story. Antero expects growth from LNG exports, Mexico exports, data centers and power generation through 2030. It is also returning to dry-gas drilling with newer well designs, while lower operating costs and hedging are intended to strengthen margins and reduce swings in cash flow.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Antero Resources’ 2026 earnings per share indicates a 156.1% year-over-year surge.

Excelerate Energy: Excelerate Energy helps move LNG into markets that need dependable natural gas supply. Its main assets include floating storage and regasification units, or FSRUs, which receive LNG, turn it back into gas and deliver it to local markets. The company has 12 floating regasification terminals in operation and has handled more than 8,300 Bcf of regasified LNG deliveries worldwide.

Growth is coming from new projects and better use of existing vessels. Excelerate is advancing Iraq’s first LNG import terminal, operating the Excelerate Acadia in Jordan and preparing to redeploy the Express to Colombia. It is also converting an LNG carrier into a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit for expected commercial use in 2028.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Excelerate Energy’s 2026 earnings per share indicates 22.7% year-over-year growth. This firm has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of roughly 11.8%, on average.