With natural gas futures prices continuing their downward spiral, the New York Mercantile Exchange Inc. (Nymex) said Thursday that some of the margins on natural gas futures, Henry Hub swap futures, Henry Hub penultimate swap futures, Nymex miNY natural gas futures, and Henry Hub swing swap futures contracts will decrease at the close of business Friday.

The exchange reported that margins on the first two months of the natural gas futures contract will decrease 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. Margins for all other months will remain unchanged.

The margin rates on the first two months of the Henry Hub swap and Henry Hub penultimate swap futures contracts will decrease to $3,000 from $3,500 for clearing members, to $3,300 from $3,850 for members, and to $4,050 from $4,725 for customers. Margins on all other months will remain unchanged.

Margins for the first two months of the Nymex miNY natural gas futures contract will decrease to $3,000 from $3,500 for clearing members, to $3,300 from $3,850 for members, and to $4,050 from $4,725 for customers.

Margins for the first month of the Henry Hub swing swap futures contract will decrease to $3,000 from $3,500 for clearing members, to $3,300 form $3,850 for members, and to $4,050 from $4,725 for customers.

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