The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights UNG, Alphabet, Microsoft and Nvidia

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – February 3, 2026 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: U.S. Natural Gas Fund ETF UNG, Alphabet GOOGL, Microsoft MSFT and Nvidia NVDA.Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:Natural Gas Falls on Warmer Outlook: Buy the Dip?After a blistering and sustained rally sparked by the breakout of war between Russia and Ukraine in 2022, natural gas prices have fallen precipitously due to record-high U.S. production, warm-than-anticipated winters, and advances in drilling technology (which helped lead to a supply/demand imbalance). Over the past five years, natural gas and natural gas proxies like the U.S. Natural Gas Fund ETF have fallen nearly 60%, and the commodity has lived up to its reputation as being the "widow maker."However, after a sharp, cold-driven surge, warmer outlooks for February have lowered short-term demand expectations, leading to a 15% plunge in natural gas prices Sunday evening.Nevertheless, several bullish tailwinds are lining up that could set the stage for a dramatic, 2022-esque rally in natural gas. Below are three compelling reasons to be bullish on natural gas, including:1. Data Center Energy DemandAlready,the artificial intelligence data center buildout is the largest infrastructure buildout in history. According to data from Grand View Research, the data center construction market reached more than $250 billion in 2025 as "hyperscalers" like Alphabet and Microsoft jockey for AI dominance. Meanwhile, the AI data center construction market is expected to balloon to $450 billion by the end of the decade.Recent comments from Jensen Huang, Nvidia's iconic CEO, echo this sentiment. Huang recently delivered some noteworthy comments at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. First, Huang outright dismissed bubble fears, citing rising spot prices (even for older GPUs) and the extreme difficulty of renting them. Additionally, Huang predicts trillions of dollars are in the pipeline, ready to support the latest and most powerful AI models.However, hyperscalers face a major obstacle – energy. Electricity prices are rising as AI data center electricity demand is expected to double by the end of the decade.While there is a lot of buzz on Wall Street about renewable and nuclear energy, these sources have higher start-up costs. For now, natural gas provides the best source of reliable, high-volume, and inexpensive electricity.2. U.S. LNG Producers Take Advantage of International MarketsSeveral large Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export terminals will debut in 2026, which will help U.S. LNG producers sell to Europe and the rest of the world. Because domestic gas is lower in the U.S. than in Europe, U.S. producers are likely to sell more product to Europe. In turn, domestic supply will be sucked up, creating a firm floor for natural gas prices. Additionally, the Trump Administration has focused on an "American Energy Dominance" policy and secured several long-term LNG commitments from countries such as Japan and Qatar, ensuring 'sticky' LNG demand.3. Natural Gas Will Fill the Coal VoidAccording to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. coal production fell 11.3% year-over-year as the number of coal-producing mines decreased from 560 to 524. While many countries are moving to renewable energy sources like solar, these sources are not enough to fill the void left by coal. For now, natural gas is the answer due to its practicality, affordability, and the fact that it emits roughly half the amount of CO2 as coal.Natural Gas Technical ViewOver the past few weeks, UNG has run from $10 to $16.90. However, after warmer-than-expected weather forecasts, UNG is likely to test the 200-day moving average. Bulls will want to see the 200-day moving average zone hold this week.Bottom LineWhile natural gas remains notorious for its short-term volatility and sensitivity to weather, the fundamentals are shifting toward a long-term bullish outlook. Between the insatiable energy requirements of AI data centers and growing U.S. exports, demand should rise in the long-term.Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.See Stocks Free >>Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.com                                      https://www.zacks.com                                                 Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge GainsQuantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI.While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure.Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power.Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Free Stock Analysis Report NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA): Free Stock Analysis Report Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL): Free Stock Analysis Report United States Natural Gas ETF (UNG): ETF Research ReportsThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks