This will put a bit of selling pressure (**promotion blocked** News) -Margins...

This will put a bit of selling pressure

(Kitco News) -Margins needed to trade Comex gold futures are being increased by the CME Group and will take effect after the close of business on Thursday, the exchange said Wednesday in a press release.

The move by the CME Group to raise the margin needed ? also known as performance bonds ? to trade gold futures on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange likely won?t come as a surprise given the heavy volume and volatile price swings. Futures traders had talked about the possibility over the past few days, particularly after the Shanghai Gold Exchange raised margins on Tuesday. The CME had recently raised margins on gold futures by 22%. The CME Group is the parent company for the Comex and Nymex.

The changes are as follows:

Comex 100 ounce gold futures
Trader Type Current Initial Margin Current Maintenance New Initial

New Maintenance
Speculator $7,425 $5,500 $9,450 $7,000
Hedger/Member $5,500 $5,500 $7,000 $7,000

Comex MiNY Gold Futures
Trader Type Current Initial Margin Current Maintenance New Initial

New Maintenance
Speculator $3,713 $2,750 $4,725 $3,500
Hedger/Member $2,750 $2,750 $3,500 $3,500

E-Mini Gold Futures
Trader Type Current Initial Margin Current Maintenance New Initial

New Maintenance
Speculator $2,450 $1,815 $3,119 $2,310
Hedger/Member $1,815 $1,815 $2,310 $2,310