Mondo Visione Worldwide Financial Markets Intelligence

FTSE Mondo Visione Exchanges Index:

NYMEX: Exchange To Lower Natural Gas Margins

Date 09/01/2002

The New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc., today announced that it would lower the margins on its natural gas futures and swaps contracts as of the close of business tomorrow.

The spot month margins will decrease to $2,500 from $3,500 for clearing members; to $2,750 from $3,850 for members; and to $3,375 from $4,725 for customers.

Margins in other months will be reduced as follows:

Clearing Members Second month $2,500 from $3,000
Third through sixth months $2,000 from$2,500
Seventh month and beyond $1, 500 from $2,000

Members Second month $2,750 from $3,300
Third through sixth months $2,200 from $2,750
Seventh month and beyond $1,650 from $2,200

Customers Second month $3,375 from $4,050
Third through sixth months $2,700 from $3,375
Seventh month and beyond $2,025 from $2,700.