New York Mercantile Exchange To Close Markets Friday As Part Of National Day Of Mourning For President Reagan

The New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc., today announced that it will close its markets, including those offered on its electronic platforms, on Friday in observance of the national day of mourning for former President Ronald Reagan.

Exchange Chairman Mitchell Steinhause said, "We join the nation in mourning a great leader who was a true believer in free markets. President Reagan guided this country to once again become a shining example throughout the world of the benefits of freedom and democracy. In one of his first official acts upon taking office, he lifted all remaining price controls on crude oil and petroleum product markets, enabling the US to become the leader in free market pricing of the world's most essential commodities."

The expiration for Brent crude oil options; Brent/West Texas Intermediate spread options; and Brent crude oil calendar spread options will be moved to Thursday from Friday.

The Exchange will hold a five–minute end–of–week post–close trading session on Thursday instead of the two–minute session normally held on Mondays through Thursdays.