Nymex To Lower Natural Gas Margins - Exchange To Lower Natural Gas Margins

The New York Mercantile Exchange will lower the margins at the close of business today its February and March 2001 Henry Hub natural gas futures contracts and increase the margins on its April 2001 contract.

The February and March contracts will be decreased to $12,000 from $14,000 for clearing members; to $13,200 from $15,400 for members; and to $16,200 from $18,900 for customers.

The margins on the April contract will be raised to $6,000 from $5,000 for clearing members; to $6,600 from $5,500 for members; and to $8,100 from $6,750 for customers.