Nymex Copper Futures Set Monthly Volume Record

Copper futures set a monthly volume record of 385,848 contracts on the New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc., in February, exceeding the record of 363,865 contracts traded in November 2003.

Exchange President J. Robert Collins, Jr., said, "We are gratified that the strong performance of our metals markets is continuing into 2004. This is a clear affirmation of market participants' reliance on the liquidity, transparency, and financial security of our risk management and investment products