Natural-gas futures extend losses after EIA reports 51 billion-cubic-foot rise in U.S. supplies

Natural-gas futures fell further on Thursday after the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that supplies of the commodity rose 51 billion cubic feet for the week ended August 26. That was above the average rise of 43 billion cubic feet expected by analysts polled by S&P Global Platts. Total stocks now stand at 3.401 trillion cubic feet, up 238 billion cubic feet from a year ago and 334 billion cubic feet above the five-year average, the government said. October natural gas fell 7.5 cents, or 2.6%, from Wednesday's settlement to $2.812 per million British thermal units. It traded at $2.838 before the data.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.