You Must Be Prepared to Hedge Successfully: Lessons in Gas Price Volatility

June 29 was a normal “up” day for a while, then accelerated. Gas prices started the morning up around +5c, but rocketed to +20c. Unfortunately, the opportunity was short-lived.

For many seeking to hedge, but not already working an order with AEGIS, the quick up-and-down move would have made it difficult to execute the trade near the highs. In contrast, the average swap executed by AEGIS on June 29 was within $0.02 of the average* price.

This wild day highlighted the importance of working with AEGIS to establish price targets, in advance, for these potential short-term opportunities.

Again, late on Wednesday (June 30), it happened again! What are some good actions to take to be ready next time?

• Establish “limit orders” with AEGIS. Limit orders are your “wish list” price set at a better price than is currently traded. If the price rises to your desired price, we execute.
• Codify your hedge-approvals process. When the opportunity arises, someone needs to be on the trigger.
• Know your current portfolio and trading limits. The AEGIS platform puts these at your fingertips.

But before all that, there’s some homework to do, if not done already:

• Have a reliable set of good trading counterparties (usually banks and some merchant traders) that know how to deal with volatile days. AEGIS can introduce clients to the counterparties that would suit you best.
• Calculate your price targets. Each client is unique, but the questions are not: What prices would improve your financial situation?
• Establish your toolkit. Some clients choose exclusively swaps; some options; some both. There is no one right or wrong answer, but AEGIS can aid you in your study.

On days like June 29, there is no guarantee you can execute a hedge at an attractive price. If you do execute, there is no certainty that there will be a gain on the position. But being ready means giving yourself a chance to take advantage of short-term volatility where your competitors may not.

* “Average” here refers to a time-weighted mean of mid prices during 7:30-1:30 pm Central.