COMEX Division Margins on Gold Futures Contracts Tightened As Of Thursday

Thanks to Jeff for providing the link. Full info at http://www.nymex.com/notice_to_member.aspx?id=ntm540&archive=2005

COMEX Division Margins on Gold Futures Contracts
Member: Clearing and Non-Clearing (Hedge Margin)
New: $1,500
Old: $1,000
Non-Member Customer (Speculative Margin):
New: $2,025
Old: $1,350

I suspect that this will exacerbate gold stock weakness tomorrow because buyers will be afraid to pull the trigger in many cases and sellers will be greater in number and tend to sell more shares. The weakness is largely psychological rather than fundamental since gold lags gold stocks, which is why HUI/XAU hit monthly cycle lows on 10-20-05 and gold did so on 11-4-05. To those in the know this means OPPORTUNITY. Buckle up!