Natural-gas futures slid Friday for the first time in three days, indicating the market remains divided on the ability of producers to replenish stockpiles that were depleted over a harsh winter. Natural gas for May delivery settled down 3.1 cents, or 0.7%, at $4.4390 a million British thermal units on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The price has dropped in four of the past six sessions. Teri Viswanath, an analyst at BNP Paribas, said the market is transitioning to the “shoulder season,” where weather forecasts become less important and focus turns to the restocking of supplies. “One faction believes robust production growth will help the market move back into more comfortable equilibrium, though we actually think the market will remain understocked over the next two years,” Ms. Viswanath said. Stockpiles have fallen to an 11-year low on the heels of a severe winter marked by […]