Notice to Members
Notice No. 300
08/23/2000
Palladium Futures Margin Rate Change For August 24th and 28th, 2000
Effective Date: Thursday, August 24, 2000 (close of business)

Futures Contract: Palladium Futures

Contract Months: August and September 2000 Contracts Only

Rate Change:

NYMEX Division Margins on Palladium Futures Contracts

   
Clearing Member (Maintenance Margin) Old: $100,000 New: $125,000
Member Customer (Initial Margin) Old: $110,000 New: $136,500
Non-Member Customer (Initial Margin) Old: $135,000 New: $168,750


This change will also have the effect of increasing the margin required of certain Palladium Futures spreads.

Effective Date: Monday, August 28, 2000 (close of business)

Futures Contract: Palladium Futures

Contract Months: September 2000 Contract Only

Rate Change:

NYMEX Division Margins on Palladium Futures Contracts

   
Clearing Member (Maintenance Margin) Old: $125,000 New: $150,000
Member Customer (Initial Margin) Old: $137,000 New: $165,000
Non-Member Customer (Initial Margin) Old: $168,750 New: $202,500


This change will also have the effect of increasing the margin required of certain Palladium Futures spreads.

Current systems calculate the margin requirement for spread positions by first determining the "Scan Risk" and then multiplying the number of spreads by a rate set by the Exchange. Scan Risk is determined by netting the outright margin required for each leg of a spread.

Because there is a difference between the margin required for the August and September 2000 delivery months and other months, each spread which includes one leg in the August or September 2000 delivery month will have its requirement (at the clearing member rates) calculated at $110,250 starting on August 24th and $135,250 starting on August 28th.

Example At Clearing Member Rates
for August 24th Margin Change:


     
One Long August or September Palladium
(1 x $125,000)=

$125,000
One Short December Palladium (1 x $15,000)= -$15,000
Net Scan Risk ($125,000-$15,000)= $110,000
Spread Rate
(1x $250)=

+ $250
Total Requirement = $110,250


NYMEX Division Margins on Palladium Futures Spreads
New Requirements for Spreads with One Leg in Designated Months


     
Effective at Close of Business Thursday, August 24, 2000
August or September 2000

Back Months
Clearing Member
(Maintenance Margin)
$110,250 $250
Member Customer
(Initial Margin)
$121,275 $275
Non-Member Customer
(Initial Margin)

$148,838

$338


Example At Clearing Member Rates
for August 28th Margin Change:


       
One Long September Palladium
(1 x $125,000)=

$150,000
One Short December Palladium (1 x $15,000)= -$15,000
Net Scan Risk ($150,000-$15,000)= $135,000
Spread Rate
(1x $250)=

$250
Total Requirement = $135,250


NYMEX Division Margins on Palladium Futures Spreads
New Requirements for Spreads with One Leg in Designated Months


       
Effective at Close of Business Thursday, August 28, 2000
September 2000

Back Months
Clearing Member
(Maintenance Margin)
$135,250 $250
Member Customer
(Initial Margin)
$148,775 $275
Non-Member Customer
(Initial Margin)

$182,588

$338


Should you have any questions or require any further information, please contact exchangeinfo@nymex.com
Should you have any questions or require any further information, please contact exchangeinfo@nymex.com