Nat-gas prices rebounded from a 3-month nearest-futures low and settled higher amid fund short covering as Wednesday was the last trading day for the August Nymex natural gas futures contract. More News from BarchartAlso weighing on nat-gas prices on Wednesday is the outlook for a larger-than-normal build in US gas storage. A bearish factor for nat-gas prices in the medium term is speculation that a powerful El Niño weather system will bring warmer-than-normal temperatures to the Northern Hemisphere this fall and winter, reducing nat-gas heating demand. Last Thursday's weekly EIA report was mixed for nat-gas prices, as nat-gas inventories for the week ended July 17 rose by +32 bcf, less than expectations of +34 bcf but above the 5-year weekly average increase of +30 bcf. As of July 17, nat-gas inventories were down -0.6% y/y, and +6.4% above their 5-year seasonal average, signaling adequate nat-gas supplies.