The CME Group changed its precious metals margin policy from fixed dollar amounts to a percentage of the notional contract value effective the close of trading on January 13, 2026, announced on January 12, 2026, following extreme price volatility in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium markets, using this shift to better align risk coverage with fluctuating market prices.
Key Details of the Change:
- Old Method: Margins were set as specific dollar amounts per contract (e.g., $25,000).
- New Method: Margins are now a percentage of the contract's total value (notional value), such as around 5% for gold and 9% for silver.
- Reason: This approach links margin requirements more directly to market price swings, providing dynamic risk coverage.
- Timing: The announcement was made January 12, 2026, with the change taking effect January 13, 2026, after market close.
