A Less Risky Natural Gas ETF

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- After kicking off the year on an encouraging note, natural gas prices have returned to their losing ways. With oversupply still a problem, the futures-tracking United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) has once again retreated to all-time lows.

Meanwhile, although it has remained buoyed around 2012 highs, the iPath Dow Jones UBS Natural Gas Subindex Total Return ETN (GAZ) (GAZ) is in no shape to be played with, either.

Throughout the past month, explosive demand for this product has caused it to break away from its underlying index, resulting in a staggering premium. This premium has caused the fund to swing wildly in both directions, sending investors on a rollercoaster ride.

Futures-linked natural gas exchange traded products like UNG and GAZ are still best monitored from the sidelines, but investors are not without options. On the contrary, funds linked to natural gas-related equities are still worth considering. This is especially true as producers continue to express interest in this alternative slice of the energy pie.

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In recent years, we have watched as natural gas has become increasingly popular among integrated energy giants. In 2010, oil magnate Exxon Mobil (XOM) rose to the top of the natural gas industry when it purchased XTO Energy for $25 billion.

Since the purchase, we have other big names from both the U.S. and around the globe express notable interest in U.S. energy assets. Foreign producers like China's Sinopec and French oil giant Total (TOT) are among the names that have spent billions attempting to break into this burgeoning business.

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This trend has continued into 2012. This week, The Wall Street Journal reported that, even in the face of tumbling prices, Chevron (CVX) is still trying to ramp up its own shale natural gas production by venturing into the expansive Marcellus Shale formation. The report notes that Chevron is still a relative newcomer to this region, boasting only a year of experience here.

Thanks to their massive size, companies like Chevron and Exxon are able to weather periods of shaky action as they prepare for a potential natural gas revolution. Investors can use this quality to their advantage when turning to a fund like the First Trust ISE Revere Natural Gas Index ETF (FCG).

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