Published April 28, 2026 Updated about 2 hours ago By Reuters NEW YORK: US natural gas futures climbed about 3percent on Monday from a 17-month low in the prior session on a drop in output in recent weeks, forecasts for more demand this week than previously expected and near-record liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. On its second-to-last day as the front-month contract, gas futures for May delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose 7.8 cents, or 3.1percent, to USD2.601 per million British thermal units (mmBtu). On Friday, the contract notched its lowest close since October 29, 2024. Futures for June, which will soon be the front-month contract, were up 4percent to USD2.79 per mmBtu. In the cash market, some power and gas prices in Texas and California traded in negative territory for a third week in a row as mild weather kept both heating and cooling use low, allowing ample amounts of hydro and other renewable sources of energy to meet more demand. Financial firm LSEG said average gas output in the US Lower 48 states has eased to 110.1 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) so far in April, down from 110.4 bcfd in March. That figure compares with a monthly record high of 110.7 bcfd in December 2025. On a daily basis, output was on track to…