Nymex Sets Record for Clearing Off–Exchange Transactions

The New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc., announced today that a record 162,403 off–exchange contracts were cleared through NYMEX ClearPort^sm yesterday, exceeding the previous record of 147,153 contracts on November 4, 2004.

The PJM financially settled monthly futures contract traded 7,110 contracts yesterday, breaking the previous daily record of 3,699 contracts traded on May 12, 2004.

Exchange President James E. Newsome said, "These latest records and our recently crossing the 3 million contracts open interest milestone demonstrate the confidence that market participants have in NYMEX ClearPort^sm as a reliable tool for mitigating counterparty credit risk. With more than 100 energy contracts offered through NYMEX ClearPort^sm, the off–exchange clearing system is an excellent complement to our open outcry futures and options contracts and offers increased flexibility and transparency in today' dynamic energy markets."