The EIA reported that U.S. working stocks of natural gas totaled 1.96 trillion cubic feet, about 83 billion cubic feet lower than the five-year average of 2.05 trillion cubic feet. Working gas in storage totaled 2.66 trillion cubic feet for the same period a year ago. Natural gas inventories are roughly in the middle of the five-year range.

Recent mild weather over most of the country has diminished demand for natural gas in the past couple of weeks. The forecast for the next week calls for above-normal temperatures across most of the country, except along the Gulf Coast and the northern tier of stages from Washington to the Midwest. Natural gas futures dropped as low as $3.89 per million BTUs last week, after reaching a peak of $4.44 on May 1.

Here’s how stocks of the largest U.S. natural gas producers are reacting to today’s report:

Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM), the country’s largest producer of natural gas, is down 0.4%, at $90.84 in a 52-week range of $77.13 to $93.67.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) is down 2.6%, at $20.11 in a 52-week range of $13.32 to $22.97. Chesapeake’s share drop is largely due to a downgrade to Neutral from J.P. Morgan.

EOG Resources Inc. (NYSE: EOG) is down about 0.9%, at $133.53 in a 52-week range of $82.48 to $139.00.

The U.S. Natural Gas Fund (NYSEMKT: UNG) is down 2.9%, at $21.36 in a 52-week range of $15.18 to $24.09. The Market Vectors Oil Services ETF (NYSEMKT: OIH) is up fractionally, at $44.31 in a 52-week range of $32.54 to $45.12. The first fund tracks spot prices; the second includes major drillers and services companies.

The EIA reported that U.S. working stocks of natural gas totaled 1.87 trillion cubic feet, about 99 billion cubic feet lower than the five-year average of 1.96 trillion cubic feet. Working gas in storage totaled 2.6 trillion cubic feet for the same period a year ago.

Late season cool weather had little impact on inventories last week, as the spring weather began to warm. This week’s build is above the five-year average for the week of 69 billion cubic feet. Added to the warmer weather are concerns that speculative long positions on natural gas futures will lead to a sell-off, depressing prices even further. Heavy demand for summer cooling remains several weeks away.

Here’s how stocks of the largest U.S. natural gas producers are reacting to today’s report:

Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM), the country’s largest producer of natural gas, is down fractionally, at $91.02 in a 52-week range of $77.13 to $93.67.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) is up 0.8%, at $19.34 in a 52-week range of $13.32 to $22.97.

EOG Resources Inc. (NYSE: EOG) is down about 1%, at $136.50 in a 52-week range of $82.48 to $139.00.

The U.S. Natural Gas Fund (NYSEMKT: UNG) is down 1.5%, at $21.18 in a 52-week range of $15.18 to $24.09. The Market Vectors Oil Services ETF (NYSEMKT: OIH) is down 1.1%, at $44.28 in a 52-week range of $32.54 to $45.12. The first fund tracks spot prices; the second includes major drillers and services companies.

The EIA reported that U.S. working stocks of natural gas totaled 1.78 trillion cubic feet, about 118 billion cubic feet lower than the five-year average of 1.9 trillion cubic feet. Working gas in storage totaled 2.57 trillion cubic feet for the same period a year ago.

Late season cool weather had a smaller impact on inventories last week as the weather warmed. This week’s build is well below the five-year average for the week of 67 billion cubic feet. Warmer spring weather is now expected to cut demand for natural gas over the next few weeks. Heavy demand for summer cooling remains several weeks away.

Natural gas prices on the NYMEX reached $4.444 yesterday, their highest level since July of 2011.

Here’s how stocks of the largest U.S. natural gas producers are reacting to today’s report:

Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM), the country’s largest producer of natural gas, is up about 0.7%, at $88.13 in a 52-week range of $77.13 to $93.67.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) is down about 0.7%, at $19.07 in a 52-week range of $13.32 to $22.97.

EOG Resources Inc. (NYSE: EOG) is up 0.3%, at $119.19 in a 52-week range of $82.48 to $138.20.

The US Natural Gas Fund (NYSEMKT: UNG) is down 4.2%, at $22.38 in a 52-week range of $15.18 to $24.09. The Market Vectors Oil Services ETF (NYSEMKT: OIH) is up about 0.4%, at $42.38 in a 52-week range of $32.54 to $45.12. The first fund tracks spot prices; the second includes major drillers and services companies.

In a new research report, Jefferies has done some in-depth work on domestic oil and gas exploration and production companies. They have screened for stocks that may actually exceed Wall Street estimates. Their research also points out that, with oil near $94 and with natural gas trading close to multiyear highs at $4.37 MMBtu on last look, these companies can support strong earnings growth. Here are the nine top energy stocks to buy from Jefferies.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) leads off the list. Finally free of controversial former leader Aubrey McClendon, the company can focus on its core natural gas business. The Jefferies price target for the stock is $26. The Thomson/First Call estimate is $22.

Continental Resources Inc. (NYSE: CLR) is a pure Bakken shale play. As the number one producer in the Bakken shale, Continental also may be a possible takeover candidate. The Jefferies price target is $98. The consensus estimate is in line at $100.

Devon Energy Corp. (NYSE: DVN) is a stock to buy at Jefferies. Armed with not only solid reserves, but a very profitable midstream business adding to earnings, Devon is continuing to spend to increase its capability. The Jefferies price target for the stock is $71. The consensus estimate is at $70.

EOG Resources Inc. (NYSE: EOG) makes the list and looks to be on the path to super major status. The Jefferies price target for this top name is $155. The consensus target is $148.75.

Gulfport Energy Corp. (NASDAQ: GPOR) is a lesser known name that has been hitting 52-week highs lately. The Jefferies price objective is $78. The consensus is at $59. The Jefferies target represents an almost 50% move from current trading levels.

Matador Resources Co. (NYSE: MTDR) is another small cap name that makes the Jefferies list. Primarily a play on the Eagle Ford shale in Texas, its earnings have been growing extremely fast. The Jefferies price target is $13. The consensus estimate is also $13.

Oasis Petroleum Inc. (NYSE: OAS) is another Bakken shale success story. This is clearly evidenced by looking at production, which grew 82% year over year, while reserves have grown at a compound annual rate of 121% since 2009. The Jefferies target is $50. The consensus target is $44.

Penn Virginia Corp. (NYSE: PVA) is a comeback candidate to make the list. Trading above $80 in 2008, the stock has slipped below $5. The Jefferies target for the stock is $6.50. The consensus estimate is $6.75.

Swift Energy Co. (NYSE: SFY) completes the Jefferies list of energy stocks to buy. Another solid small cap name, Swift has seen good insider buying over the past year. The Jefferies price target is $25. The consensus target for the stock is $21. A move to either price target would be a gain of more than 50%.

Global growth means growing energy demand. The United States is poised to become a net exporter of energy around the world. Jefferies has done a solid job of picking stocks that may provide investors with above average returns at reasonable prices.

The EIA reported that U.S. working stocks of natural gas totaled 1.73 trillion cubic feet, about 94 billion cubic feet lower than the five-year average of 1.83 trillion cubic feet. Working gas in storage totaled 2.54 trillion cubic feet for the same period a year ago.

Late season cool weather continued to draw on inventories last week. As natural gas prices rise, two things happen simultaneously. First, coal becomes more attractive again as fuel for power generation. Second, natural gas producers begin to produce more of the fuel. Both work to push natural gas prices down. How this will work itself out will be interesting to watch.

Here’s how stocks of the largest U.S. natural gas producers are reacting to today’s report:

Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM), the country’s largest producer of natural gas, is down about 0.9%, at $88.63 in a 52-week range of $77.13 to $93.67. Exxon also reported first-quarter results this morning.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) is up about 1.3%, at $19.54 in a 52-week range of $13.32 to $22.97.

EOG Resources Inc. (NYSE: EOG) is up 2.7%, at $123.20 in a 52-week range of $82.48 to $138.20.

The U.S. Natural Gas Fund (NYSEMKT: UNG) is down 0.4%, at $22.67 in a 52-week range of $15.18 to $24.09. The Market Vectors Oil Services ETF (NYSEMKT: OIH) is up about 0.5%, at $42.26 in a 52-week range of $32.54 to $45.12. The first fund tracks spot prices; the second includes major drillers and services companies.

The EIA reported that U.S. working stocks of natural gas totaled 1.7 trillion cubic feet, about 74 billion cubic feet lower than the five-year average of 1.77 trillion cubic feet. Working gas in storage totaled 2.5 trillion cubic feet for the same period a year ago.

Chilly late-winter weather continues to drive demand for natural gas, even though stocks rose this past week. More cold weather is forecast for the coming week, but natural gas prices may begin to moderate now that utilities are switching back to lower-priced coal. May natural gas futures posted a high of $4.29 per million BTUs on Monday, the highest finish for natural gas in 20 months.

Here’s how stocks of the largest U.S. natural gas producers are reacting to today’s report:

Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM), the country’s largest producer of natural gas, is down fractionally to $86.05, in a 52-week range of $77.13 to $93.67.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) is up about 1.1%, at $18.67 in a 52-week range of $13.32 to $22.97.

EOG Resources Inc. (NYSE: EOG) is down 1.2%, at $113.46 in a 52-week range of $82.48 to $138.20.

The U.S. Natural Gas Fund (NYSEMKT: UNG) is up 2.9% at $23.53 in a 52-week range of $14.25 to $23.58. The Market Vectors Oil Services ETF (NYSEMKT: OIH) is up about 0.9% at $40.05 in a 52-week range of $32.54 to $45.12. The first fund tracks spot prices; the second includes major drillers and services companies.

The EIA reported that U.S. working stocks of natural gas totaled 1.67 trillion cubic feet, about 66 billion cubic feet lower than the five-year average of 1.74 trillion cubic feet. Working gas in storage totaled 2.48 trillion cubic feet for the same period a year ago.

The cold weather that has driven demand for natural gas largely moderated last week, leading to a small draw on natural gas supplies. For the coming week temperatures across the northern plans are expected to drop sharply and much of the south and east will experience above-normal temperatures. May natural gas futures posted a high of $4.11 per million BTUs on Monday, the highest finish for natural gas since August 2011.

Withdrawals of natural gas are expected to leave storage levels about 33% below the 2012 record level of 2.48 trillion cubic feet at the end of last year’s heating season.

Here’s how stocks of the largest U.S. natural gas producers are reacting to today’s report:

Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM), the country’s largest producer of natural gas, is up about 0.1% to $88.79, in a 52-week range of $77.13 to $93.67.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) is down about 0.4%, at $20.19 in a 52-week range of $13.32 to $22.97.

EOG Resources Inc. (NYSE: EOG) is up fractionally, at $128.63 in a 52-week range of $82.48 to $138.20.

The U.S. Natural Gas Fund (NYSEMKT: UNG) is up 0.9%, at $22.48 in a 52-week range of $14.25 to $23.38. The Market Vectors Oil Services ETF (NYSEMKT: OIH) is up about 0.3%, at $43.13 in a 52-week range of $32.54 to $45.12. The first fund tracks spot prices; the second includes major drillers and services companies.

The EIA reported that U.S. working stocks of natural gas totaled 1.69 trillion cubic feet, about 37 billion cubic feet lower than the five-year average of 1.72 trillion cubic feet. Working gas in storage totaled 2.47 trillion cubic feet for the same period a year ago.

Colder weather has driven withdrawals from storage for the past several weeks, but normal or above-normal temperatures are expected over the whole United States for the next several days, and that is expected to blunt demand for natural gas. Withdrawals of natural gas are expected to leave storage levels about 30% below the 2012 record level of 2.48 trillion cubic feet at the end of last year’s heating season.

Here’s how stocks of the largest U.S. natural gas producers are reacting to today’s report.

Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM), the country’s largest producer of natural gas, is down about 0.1%, at $89.80 in a 52-week range of $77.13 to $93.67.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) is up about 0.3%, at $19.24 in a 52-week range of $13.32 to $22.97.

EOG Resources Inc. (NYSE: EOG) is down 1.5%, at $124.24 in a 52-week range of $82.48 to $138.20.

The U.S. Natural Gas Fund (NYSEMKT: UNG) is down 0.7%, at $21.11 in a 52-week range of $14.25 to $23.38. The Market Vectors Oil Services ETF (NYSEMKT: OIH) is down about 0.2%, at $41.29 in a 52-week range of $32.54 to $45.12. The first fund tracks spot prices; the second includes major drillers and services companies.

The EIA reported that U.S. working stocks of natural gas totaled 1.78 trillion cubic feet, about 61 billion cubic feet higher than the five-year average of 1.72 trillion cubic feet. Working gas in storage totaled 2.42 trillion cubic feet for the same period a year ago.

The larger-than-expected drop in natural gas in storage could put the price of natural gas solidly above $4 per million BTUs, a level it reached earlier this week for the first time in nearly two years.

Here is how stocks of the largest U.S. natural gas producers are reacting to today’s report:

Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM), the country’s largest producer of natural gas, is up 0.1%, at $90.68 in a 52-week range of $77.13 to $93.67.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) is down about 0.5%, at $20.42 in a 52-week range of $13.32 to $24.19.

EOG Resources Inc. (NYSE: EOG) is up 0.2%, at $128.51 in a 52-week range of $82.48 to $138.20.

The U.S. Natural Gas Fund (NYSEMKT: UNG) is down 0.8%, at $22.07 in a 52-week range of $14.25 to $23.38. The Market Vectors Oil Services ETF (NYSEMKT: OIH) is up 0.1%, at $43.01 in a 52-week range of $32.54 to $45.12. The first fund tracks spot prices; the second includes major drillers and services companies.

The EIA reported that U.S. working stocks of natural gas totaled 1.88 trillion cubic feet, about 162 billion cubic feet higher than the five-year average of 1.71 trillion cubic feet. Working gas in storage totaled 2.38 trillion cubic feet for the same period a year ago.

The smaller-than-expected drop in natural gas in storage has stopped the rally in natural gas prices that looked like it would take the price back above $4.00 per million BTUs for the first time since September 2011.

Here is how stocks of the largest U.S. natural gas producers are reacting to today’s report:

Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM), the country’s largest producer of natural gas, is down 0.7%, at $88.03 in a 52-week range of $77.13 to $93.67.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) is down about 0.1%, at $20.87 in a 52-week range of $13.32 to $25.62.

EOG Resources Inc. (NYSE: EOG) is down 0.3%, at $125.88 in a 52-week range of $82.48 to $138.20.

The U.S. Natural Gas Fund (NYSEMKT: UNG) is up 0.2%, at $21.68 in a 52-week range of $14.25 to $23.38. The Market Vectors Oil Services ETF (NYSEMKT: OIH) is down 0.3%, at $41.93 in a 52-week range of $32.54 to $45.12. The first fund tracks spot prices; the second includes major drillers and services companies.