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The new contracts and their commodity codes are NYMEX miNYTMgasoline futures (QU) and NYMEX miNYTM heating oil futures (QH). The contracts will be one–half the size of the floor traded contracts or 21,000 gallons. The minimum price fluctuation will be $0.002 per gallon or $42.00 per tick.
The contracts will be financially settled based upon the settlement prices of the underlying gasoline or heating oil futures contract, with the last trading date and final settlement on the second-to-last business day of the month prior to the contract month.
February 2006 will be the first month listed for these contracts. They will begin trading on January 16, 2006, at 3:15 PM New York time and will expire on January 30 at 2:30 PM New York time. The second nearby contract month will be listed for trading five business days prior to the expiration of the front month contract. Accordingly, the March 2006 contracts will begin trading on January 23, 2006 at 3:15 PM EST (for trade date January 24).
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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.
