A Safer ETF Bet on Natural Gas

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- With over 9 million shares changing hands each day, the futures-linked United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) is particularly sought after by investors looking to target this popular slice of the energy spectrum.

It is important to remember that popularity does not always translate into success, however. As we have seen in recent years, investors taking aim at this fuel source using UNG or fellow futures-tracker iPath Dow Jones UBS Natural Gas Subindex Total Return ETN (GAZ), have been consistently found themselves on the losing side of the bet. In 2011 alone, UNG and GAZ have tumbled 40% and 45% respectively. Since peaking in mid-2008, the two funds are both off over 90%.

Much of the blame for the precipitous decline in natural gas can be attributed to oversupply. At the same time that technological advances and the development of alternative extraction methods have made it possible to produce larger gas yields, demand for the fuel has remained relatively stagnant.

The substantial supply glut resulting from this disequilibrium has acted as a weight, pushing prices along a steep downward path. On Monday, futures prices tumbled to their lowest levels in two years.

Looking ahead, the outlook for natural gas remains mixed. Late last week, Exxon Mobil (XOM) released its long-term energy forecast. In the report, the firm laid out a promising forecast for natural gas. Pointing to brimming supplies and growing demand for cleaner energy, the company feels that the fuel is on track to become the second largest global fuel source. Currently, coal holds this spot.

In the nearer term, however, the outlook is uncertain. At the start of the month, the Energy Information Administration announced that it was cutting back its 2012 estimates for natural gas prices by more than 10%. The agency's soured predictions can be linked back to a combination of ample supplies and warm weather forecasts.

This shaky outlook is just one of the reasons I have encouraged investors to steer clear of futures-linked natural gas ETFs. This does not mean that this corner of the energy industry should be shunned entirely.

On the contrary, the First Trust ISE Revere Natural Gas Index Fund (FCG) is a relatively safe energy-related play that is well designed to take advantage of the shifting natural gas landscape.

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