where is the silver etf heading?, page-8

re: increasing margins for metals and gas again Thanks C Voice.

Contact: Anu Ahluwalia , 212-299-2439
Title: Exchange to Change Margins for COMEX Division Futures Contracts

NEW YORK, N.Y., April 20, 2006 —The New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. today announced margin changes for its gold, silver, and copper futures contracts, beginning at the close of business on Friday.

Margins for the gold futures contract will increase to $2,250 from $1,750 for clearing and non–clearing members and to $3,038 from $2,363 for customers.

Margins for the silver futures contract will increase to $4,500 from $3,750 for clearing and non–clearing members and to $6,075 from $5,063 for customers.

Margins for the copper futures contract will increase to $4,000 from $3,750 for clearing and non–clearing members and to $5,400 from $5,063 for customers.

http://www.nymex.com/press_releas.aspx?id=pr20060420a

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Contact: Brenda Guzman , 212-299-2436
Title: NYMEX to Change Margins for Natural Gas and Related Futures Contracts

NEW YORK, N.Y., April 20, 2006 — The New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc., today announced margin changes for its natural gas, NYMEX miNYTM natural gas, Henry Hub swing swap, Henry Hub swap, and Henry Hub penultimate swap futures contracts, as of the close of business on April 21.

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 11th 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 11th 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.

Margins for the first month of the NYMEX miNYTM 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.

http://www.nymex.com/press_releas.aspx?id=pr20060420b

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Comment: this is the powerful weapon, the FED uses: increasing margins-see my first post of this thread.

This interference is designed to depress prices, even if there is a shortage.

Gerry
Readers, please do your own research and you decide if and when to buy, hold or sell any stocks or metals/commodities.