Natural Gas Price Prediction for Tomorrow: MCX Levels and Outlook for 18 August 2026

The natural gas price prediction for tomorrow reflects significant bearish pressure after MCX Natural Gas dropped Rs 8.60 or 3.26% to settle at Rs 255.10 per mmBtu on 17 August 2026. The session opened at Rs 261.50, touched a high of Rs 261.50, then fell to an intraday low of Rs 253.40 before a slight recovery. Ankit Jaiswal, Research Analyst at Univest, notes that the natural gas price prediction for tomorrow is being shaped by cooling demand expectations heading into the pre-winter period.

Kunal Singla, Research Analyst at Univest, observes that the natural gas price prediction for tomorrow is also driven by US natural gas storage data. Above-average inventory builds reduce the urgency of supply concerns, keeping the natural gas price prediction for tomorrow in bearish territory. However, Kunal Singla notes that the sharp options skew toward puts (put-call ratio moved sharply on 17 August) suggests that some traders are already positioned for a natural gas price prediction for tomorrow stabilisation near Rs 252.

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Today's Market Recap: Natural Gas on 17 August 2026

• MCX Natural Gas (26 Aug): Settled at Rs 255.10/mmBtu, down Rs 8.60 (-3.26%). Session high was Rs 261.50 (also the open) and low was Rs 253.40.
• MCX Natural Gas Mini: Also fell to Rs 255.30 (-3.22%), confirming the broad-based weakness in the natural gas price prediction for tomorrow.
• Options Data: MCX Natural Gas puts gained sharply with put-call ratio rising, indicating bearish positioning consistent with the natural gas price prediction for tomorrow.

Technical Analysis for Natural Gas Prediction for Tomorrow

Ankit Jaiswal's natural gas price prediction for tomorrow identifies Rs 252 as the critical support level. This is approximately 1.2% below Monday's close of Rs 255.10 and aligns with a cluster of put open interest at the Rs 250 to Rs 255 MCX options zone. A hold above Rs 252 in the natural gas price prediction for tomorrow would suggest stabilisation, while a break below Rs 252 could extend the decline to Rs 248 in the natural gas price prediction for tomorrow.

On the upside, the natural gas price prediction for tomorrow places resistance at Rs 261 to Rs 262, which was Monday's opening and intraday high range. Kunal Singla notes that the natural gas price prediction for tomorrow requires a sustained move above Rs 261 to flip the short-term bias from bearish to sideways. RSI on the daily MCX Natural Gas chart has entered oversold territory near 32 to 35, creating the possibility of a bounce in the natural gas price prediction for tomorrow.

Trend for 18 August 2026: Bearish to Sideways
Support: Rs 252 | Rs 248
Resistance: Rs 261 | Rs 265

Global Cues Affecting Natural Gas Prediction for Tomorrow

• US Markets (14 Aug close): Dow Jones at 53,732 (-0.20%), S&P 500 at 7,785 (-0.20%), Nasdaq at 26,729 (-0.30%). Weak retail sales data (-0.6% in July) and subdued University of Michigan consumer sentiment (51, below forecast 55) signal caution.
• Asian Markets: Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 2.1% to 66,970 on Monday, providing a partially positive cue for Asian risk assets.
• Institutional Flows (14 Aug): FII were net buyers of Rs 508 Cr and DII were net buyers of Rs 356 Cr in the cash segment, reflecting continued institutional support for Indian equities.

Key Events for 18 August 2026

• US weekly natural gas storage report (EIA) expected to show above-average injection, adding downside pressure to the natural gas price prediction for tomorrow
• MCX Natural Gas options expiry on 24 August adds near-term volatility to the natural gas price prediction for tomorrow
• US weather forecasts for August to September will be closely watched for heating/cooling demand signals
• GAIL India and Petronet LNG results or analyst updates could impact the domestic gas sector outlook

Related Instruments to Watch Tomorrow

Name	CMP (Rs)	Day Change	Key Level for Tomorrow
GAIL India	~200	~-0.30%	Support: 197 | Resistance: 204
Reliance Industries	1,316.00	+0.46%	Support: 1,298 | Resistance: 1,321
ONGC	238.49	+0.88%	Support: 236 | Resistance: 240

Explore Gas and Energy Stocks on Univest Screener

Strategy for Natural Gas on 18 August 2026

• Avoid fresh long positions in MCX Natural Gas unless it rebounds above Rs 258 to 259 for the natural gas price prediction for tomorrow
• Short-side traders can hold below Rs 258 with a stop at Rs 263, targeting Rs 248 in the natural gas price prediction for tomorrow
• An RSI bounce from near-oversold levels near Rs 252 could offer a short-term long trade with a tight stop at Rs 249
• Monitor US EIA natural gas storage data release; a miss versus estimates would validate the bearish natural gas price prediction for tomorrow

What Does Sentiment Indicate for Natural Gas Prediction for Tomorrow?

Sentiment for the natural gas price prediction for tomorrow is bearish, reflecting the combination of ample US gas supply and softer near-term demand. Ankit Jaiswal notes that the summer cooling season is nearing its end and pre-winter injection activity is keeping storage inventories comfortable. This fundamentally supports the bearish natural gas price prediction for tomorrow.

Kunal Singla observes that despite the bearish natural gas price prediction for tomorrow, the RSI entering near-oversold territory at 32 to 35 could limit the downside. A bounce toward Rs 258 to Rs 261 is possible if short-covering emerges on 18 August. The overall the Natural gas outlook for 18 August leans bearish to sideways, with Rs 252 being the critical level that determines whether the tomorrow's MCX Natural gas forecast accelerates lower or stabilises.

Risks to Tomorrow's Prediction

• An unexpected cold snap in northern hemisphere weather forecasts could reverse the Tuesday's Natural gas price outlook and trigger short-covering
• A below-consensus US EIA gas storage injection could support prices above Rs 261 and change the the MCX Natural gas forecast
• Short-covering near the Rs 252 support may create a volatile bounce that misleads traders about the true the 18 August Natural gas outlook
• MCX near-month expiry on 26 August may create unusual price movements that diverge from the fundamental Natural gas's price outlook for tomorrow

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Conclusion

The the Natural gas outlook for 18 August, 18 August 2026, is bearish to sideways, with MCX Natural Gas having fallen 3.26% to Rs 255.10 per mmBtu on Monday. Ankit Jaiswal's tomorrow's MCX Natural gas forecast identifies Rs 252 as critical support and Rs 261 as resistance. Kunal Singla cautions that RSI near oversold territory may lead to a brief bounce in the Tuesday's Natural gas price outlook before the trend resumes.

Traders should stay cautious on the long side of the the MCX Natural gas forecast and wait for a clear reversal signal above Rs 261 before initiating fresh positions. Download the Univest app for live MCX gas prices and expert research on the the 18 August Natural gas outlook.

Disclaimer: Investments in securities are subject to market risk. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Univest Research Analyst Registration No. INH000013776.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Natural gas's price outlook for tomorrow, 18 August 2026?

Ans. The the Natural gas outlook for 18 August is bearish to sideways. MCX Natural Gas settled at Rs 255.10/mmBtu on 17 August, down 3.26%. Support is at Rs 252 and resistance at Rs 261. Ankit Jaiswal notes the tomorrow's MCX Natural gas forecast stays bearish below Rs 258, with an RSI near oversold territory possibly triggering a brief bounce.

Why did natural gas prices fall on 17 August 2026?

Ans. MCX Natural Gas fell 3.26% on 17 August due to above-average US gas storage levels and softer near-term demand as summer cooling requirements ease. Ankit Jaiswal notes that these factors are the core drivers of the bearish Tuesday's Natural gas price outlook.

What are the MCX natural gas support and resistance levels for 18 August 2026?

Ans. The the MCX Natural gas forecast places support at Rs 252, with strong support at Rs 248. Resistance is at Rs 261 (Monday's open/high area) and Rs 265. These are the key levels in the the 18 August Natural gas outlook.

How does US EIA data affect the Natural gas's price outlook for tomorrow?

Ans. US EIA weekly gas storage data is the single most important data point for the the Natural gas outlook for 18 August. A larger-than-expected injection (bearish) would push MCX Natural Gas below Rs 252 in the tomorrow's MCX Natural gas forecast, while a below-consensus injection (bullish) could trigger a sharp recovery toward Rs 261.

What is the trading strategy for the Tuesday's Natural gas price outlook?

Ans. For the the MCX Natural gas forecast, Ankit Jaiswal recommends avoiding fresh long positions until natural gas reclaims Rs 258 to Rs 259. Short-side traders can hold below Rs 258 with a stop at Rs 263, targeting Rs 248 in the the 18 August Natural gas outlook. Use tight stops given near-expiry volatility.