: Natural-gas futures gain nearly 12%, cutting their monthly loss; oil’s up 8.9% for the month

Natural-gas futures climbed by almost 12% on Monday, cutting their loss for the month, with volatility high as traders continued to keep an eye on U.S. supply levels for the winter heating season. December natural gas NGZ22 rose 67 cents, or nearly 11.8%, to settle at $6.355 per million British thermal units on the New York Mercantile Exchange, down 6.1% for the month, according to Dow Jones Market Data. Meanwhile, oil finished lower Monday after China’s factory activity weakened in October, feeding expectations for a decline in energy demand. But prices still posted a climb for October, supported by tight global supplies and a decision by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies in early October to cut production in November. December West Texas Intermediate crude CLZ22 fell $1.37, or 1.6%, to settle at $86.53 a barrel, up 8.9% for the month.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.