Natural gas futures slid Thursday as traders took profits, despite federal data showing gas stockpiles dropped more than expected last week. Storage levels shrank by 236 billion cubic feet in the week ended Jan. 9, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said. It was the 15th largest storage draw in EIA records dating through 1994, indicating especially strong demand. It was five bcf greater than the 231-bcf consensus average of 18 forecasters surveyed by The Wall Street Journal. But most of the buying probably happened Wednesday, when gas gained nearly 10% in advance of the report. By anticipating the move, many were able to sell and lock in their gains on Thursday after prices touched a nearly four-week high for intraday trading. “It ran too far too fast,” said Scott Gettleman, an independent trader in New York. Natural gas for February delivery settled down 7.5 cents, or […]