UPDATE 1-Speculators boost U.S. natural gas net longs for 5th week -CFTC

(Adds gas prices history, milestone)

July 1 (Reuters) - U.S. natural gas speculators boosted

their net longs for a fifth consecutive week, betting prices

will continue to rise as production eases and power demand

remains high to meet air conditioning use during an unusually

hot start to the summer.

The increase came despite the surprise "Brexit" vote by

Britain on June 23 to leave the European Union, which rattled

stock markets around the world and beat down energy prices.

Specula

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