New York, N.Y., December 29, 2006 — The New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. today announced that it will modify its hours on Tuesday, January 2, 2007, in observance of the national day of mourning for former President Gerald Ford as follows:

NYMEX and COMEX Division trading floors will be closed on Tuesday, January 2, 2007.

Electronic trading of all NYMEX and COMEX Division products through CME Globex® will be available as a risk management service to our global energy and metals customer base from 6:00 PM, Monday, January 1, 2007 until 5:15PM, Tuesday, January 2, 2007. NYMEX ClearPort® will also be available for trading and clearing of energy products and NYMEX Softs^TM products.

Exchange Chairman Richard Schaeffer said, "We are deeply saddened by the loss of President Ford and join the rest of the world in remembering and honoring his legacy, allegiance and dedication to our country."

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.

Contact: Brenda Guzman, 212-299-2436