The energy sector was buoyed by a breakout in natural gas prices. Natural gas prices surged by 3.59% to US$ 3.812 mBTU’s after the Energy Information Administration reported that inventories fell by 145bn cubic feet last week, 18.5% below the same level last year. The consensus estimate was for a 137bn cubic-feet fall. Nat Gas prices have risen by over 9% month to date, with the market betting on a tighter supply and demand situation following a cold winter season, signs of a recovery in the US economy, a drop in drilling rigs, growing uses for the fuel, and a shift away from coal-fired plants.