Natural Gas Price Analysis: The XNG/USD pair retreats to $2.24 within the immediate bearish channel

During the early hours of Monday, the price of Natural Gas (XNG / USD) pares intraday gains of about $2.33. In doing so, the energy asset retreats from a three-week-old bearish channel's upper line.

However, the bullish MACD signals and convergence of the 21-SMA and 50-SMA around $2.24 limit the XNG/USD's immediate downside.

In the event that the price of Natural Gas falls below $2.24, the stated channel's support around $2.11 will be crucial to monitor, as it will be the lowest point since August 2020 from which the price of XNG and USD has previously rebounded.

If the quote remains bearish beyond $2.11, the possibility of a decline toward the $2.00 round number cannot be ruled out. However, the peak near $1.95 in July 2020 could pose a threat to Natural Gas Bears in the future.

In contrast, a clear breach of the stated channel's upper line, near $2.35, is not an open invitation for the XNG/USD bulls, as the 200-SMA hurdle near $2.44 can act as the Natural Gas bears' last line of defense.

Even if the commodity price remains firmer beyond $2.44, the mid-March swing low near $2.48 and the $2.50 round number can act as additional upside filters before Natural Gas purchasers gain control.