Due to forecasts of cooler weather and higher-than-expected heating demand over the next two weeks and rising gas prices on global markets that are expected to boost the value of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, gas futures contracts American stocks climbed by about 3% on Thursday to reach their highest level in a week

The rise in natural gas prices came despite a larger than expected increase in weekly inventories, which were also above the five-year average for the first time in 15 weeks. Gas futures for November delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose by 7 cents, or 3.0%, to $2.412 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) at 10:41 EDT (14:41 GMT), putting the contract on track for its highest close since