Notice to Members
Notice No. 70
02/27/2001
Margin Credit for Spread Positions with the Goldman Sachs Commodity Index
The NYMEX Board of Directors has approved a margin credit for the NYMEX portion of a spread position with the CME Goldman Sachs Commodity Index ("GSCI"), effective at the close of business Wednesday February 28, 2001.

The GSCI contract is based on a basket of 26 commodities traded on a variety of markets. Included within that basket are several NYMEX and COMEX products, representing approximately 75% of the index.

Each Clearing Member providing sufficient documentation of a properly allocated portfolio between the NYMEX and GSCI contracts will receive an 80% credit against the outright margin in effect at that time. This spread credit is being adopted by NYMEX independent of any margin imposed by the CME on GSCI contracts. The spread credit will be granted in 100 lot increments (ie. 100 GSCI contracts vs. the basket).

Contract - Lots
Margin Rate
Outright Margin
* Spread Credit *
Net Margin
Crude - 53 $3,000 $159,000 Content 2 Content 3
Nat. Gas - 13 (A) $6,000 $78,000 Content 2 Content 3
Heating Oil - 12 $3,000 $36,000 Content 2 Content 3
Unleaded - 8 $3,000 $24,000 Content 2 Content 3
Gold - 4 $1,000 $4,000 Content 2 Content 3
Copper - 2 (A) $5,000 $10,000 Content 2 Content 3


(A) -> NOTE: Multiple tier margin rates apply for these contracts.

Clearing Members will have the option of passing this reduced rate to their customers even if the Clearing Member doesn't request the credit from NYMEX. Under separate cover, the NYMEX Clearing Department will provide a formal "Request Form" which will need to be submitted in order to qualify for said margin credit.
Should you have any questions or require any further information, please contact exchangeinfo@nymex.com