In this week's Market Movers Americas, presented by Jennifer Pedrick:
• Northeast gas, power prices lower on cooler temperatures
• Pacific Northwest hydro supply tapering off
• Grains volatile ahead of harvest, Ukraine exports
• October restart of Freeport LNG bullish for US gas
• Century update on Hawesville aluminum idling
This week, spot gas and power prices in the US Northeast could weaken as regional temperatures drop to the 70s Fahrenheit later this week. New England was especially prone to price spikes during the recent heat wave as generators turned to fuel oil and LNG to meet demand.
In the Pacific Northwest, Dalles Dam hydro inflows are down 37% on the month. The region has been flush with hydro this season, but hydro supply typically falls mid-summer with less runoff into reservoirs.
The LNG market is now looking ahead to Freeport LNG resuming full operations in October, sooner than the original estimate of the year-end. The Texas export facility operators reached an agreement with US regulators last week about corrective actions following the explosion and fire in June.
CBOT corn futures remain volatile as market participants watch forecasts of Midwest weather over the maturing crop. Some grain exports have also resumed from Ukraine, and the progress of those shipments will continue to spur sharp movements in futures.
Century Aluminum will provide an update on the idling of its aluminum smelter in Hawesville, Kentucky. The company announced the temporary halt of production at the plant in June due to rising energy prices.
I'm Jennifer Pedrick. Thank you for kicking off your Monday with S&P Global Commodity Insights.