European natural gas prices decline as markets bet on easing Middle East tensions

Golden Ten Data reported on March 31 that European natural gas prices fell in early trading after reports that Trump has informed aides he is willing to end military action against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed. The benchmark Dutch TTF front-month contract fell by 2.9% to €53.42 per megawatt-hour. Florence Schmit, energy strategist at Rabobank, said, “TTF prices do not truly reflect the current situation, namely the real possibility of prolonged supply disruptions, even after the Strait of Hormuz is reopened. Today's movement is in line with Trump once again signaling the possibility of ending the conflict, with the market, as always, trading the war with a somewhat optimistic bias.” Rabobank expects prices to average around €60 per megawatt-hour in the second quarter.