The New York Mercantile Exchange Inc. (Nymex) announced margin increases Thursday for its natural gas; Henry Hub swap, swing swap and penultimate swap; natural gas penultimate and last day financial; and NymexmiNY natural gas futures contracts, effective at the close of business Friday. Margins for the first month of the natural gas, natural gas penultimate financial, and natural gas last day financial futures contracts will increase to $6,250 from $6,000 for clearing members, to $6,875 from $6,600 for members, and to $8,438 from $8,100 for customers. The margins for the second month will increase to $6,250 from $5,750 for clearing members, to $6,875 from $6,325 for members, and to $8,438 from $7,763 for customers. The margins for the third to fifth months will increase to $6,500 from $5,750 for clearing members, to $7,150 from $6,325 for members, and to $8,775 from $7,763 for customers. The margins for the first month of the NymexmiNY natural gas and Henry Hub swap and penultimate swap futures contracts will increase to $1,563 from $1,500 for clearing members, to $1,719 from $1,650 for members, and to $2,025 from $1,941 for customers. The margins for the second month will increase to $1,563 from $1,438 for clearing members, to $1,719 from $1,581 for members, and to $2,109 from $1,941 for customers. The margins for the third to fifth months will increase to $1,625 from $1,438 for clearing members, to $1,788 from $1,581 for members, and to $2,194 from $1,941 for customers. The margins for the Henry Hub swing swap futures contracts will increase to $1,563 from $1,500 for clearing members, to $1,719 from $1,650 for members, and to $2,109 from $2,025 for customers. For increases in the out-month contracts in all of Nymex’s natural gas products, visit www.nymex.com.

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