The contract will be reduced from 5,000 million British thermal units (mmBtu) to 2,500 mmBtus. The January 2006 NYMEX miNYTM natural gas futures contract (5,000 mmBtus) will expire on December 27, at 2:30 PM New York time. The February 2006 contract (2,500 mmBtus) will be listed for trading on December 27, at 3:15 PM New York time, for the trade date of December 28.
Clearing fees for one to 200 contracts traded will decrease to $0.32 from $0.63 for NYMEX Division members, to $0.52 from $1.03 for COMEX Division members, and to $0.65 from $1.25 for customers. Fees for 201 to 750 contracts traded will decrease to $0.19 from $0.38 for NYMEX Division members, to $0.32 from $0.63 for COMEX Division members, and to $0.65 from $1.25 for customers. Fees for 750 contracts or more will decrease to $0.08 from $0.15 for NYMEX Division members, to $0.13 from $0.25 for COMEX Division members, and to $0.65 from $1.25 for customers.
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Forward Looking and Cautionary Statements
This press release may contain forward–looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to our future performance, operating results, strategy, and other future events. Such statements generally include words such as could, can, anticipate, believe, expect, seek, pursue, and similar words and terms, in connection with any discussion of future results. Forward–looking statements involve a number of assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, any of which may cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated, estimated, or projected results referenced in forward–looking statements. In particular, the forward–looking statements of NYMEX Holdings, Inc., and its subsidiaries are subject to the following risks and uncertainties: the success and timing of new futures contracts and products; changes in political, economic, or industry conditions; the unfavorable resolution of material legal proceedings; the impact and timing of technological changes and the adequacy of intellectual property protection; the impact of legislative and regulatory actions, including without limitation, actions by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and terrorist activities and international hostilities, which may affect the general economy as well as oil and other commodity markets. We assume no obligation to update or supplement our forward–looking statements.
