With natural gas futures continuing to climb higher from a low of $6.45 on March 8, the New York Mercantile Exchange Inc. (Nymex) said Thursday that it is increasing some margins for its natural gas, Nymex miNY natural gas, Henry Hub swing swap, Henry Hub swap, and Henry Hub penultimate swap futures contracts, as of the close of business on Friday. May natural gas futures closed at $8.064 on Thursday.

Margins for the first month of the natural gas futures contract will increase to $9,000 from $6,500 for clearing members, to $9,900 from $7,150 for members, and to $12,150 from $8,775 for customers. The margins on the second to sixth months will increase to $7,500 from $6,000 for clearing members, to $8,250 from $6,600 for members, and to $10,125 from $8,100 for customers. Margins on the seventh through eleventh months will increase to $9,000 from $7,500 for clearing members, to $9,900 from $8,250 for members, and to $12,150 from $10,125 for customers. The margins on all other months remain unchanged.

Margins for the first month of the Henry Hub swap futures and Henry Hub penultimate swap futures contract will increase to $2,250 from $1,625 for clearing members, to $2,475 from $1,788 for members, and to $3,038 from $2,194 for customers. The margins on the second to sixth months will increase to $1,875 from $1,500 for clearing members, to $2,063 from $1,650 for members, and to $2,531 from $2,025 for customers. Margins on the seventh through eleventh months will increase to $2,250 from $1,875 for clearing members, to $2,475 from $2,063 for members, and to $3,038 from $2,531 for customers. Margins on all other months remain unchanged.

The exchange said margins for the first month of the Nymex miNY natural gas futures contract will increase to $2,250 from $1,625 for clearing members, to $2,475 from $1,788 for members, and to $3,038 from $2,194 for customers. Margins on the second month will increase to $1,875 from $1,500 for clearing members, to $2,063 from $1,650 for members, and to $2,531 from $2,025 for customers.

The margins for the first month of the Henry Hub swing swap futures contract will increase to $2,250 from $1,625 for clearing members, to $2,475 from $1,788 for members, and to $3,038 from $2,194 for customers.

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