US gas prices slip despite bullish inventory data

New York

NATURAL gas markets are so depressed that even bullish news isn't helping. Futures fell to a 3-year low on Thursday despite a government report that showed a smaller-than-forecast gain in US inventories.

Stockpiles rose 81 billion cubic feet to 3.814 trillion in the week ended Oct 16, the Energy Information Administration said. Analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg showed an injection of 87 billion while a survey of Bloomberg users predicted an increase of 84 billion.