You are here
CME shifts precious-metals margin system to percentage basis as prices swing
By Yihui Xie
Bloomberg News
Tuesday, January 12, 2026
CME Group will change the way it sets margins for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium futures after a surge in prices and volatile trading.
The new approach will set margins based on a percentage of so-called notional, the CME said in a notice. Previously, they were based on a dollar amount.
... Dispatch continues below ...
... ADVERTISEMENT ...
Buy, Sell, or Store Precious Metals with Money Metals Exchange
Money Metals Exchange, a national bullion dealer recently named "Best Overall" by Investopedia.com --
https://www.moneymetals.com/
-- is a great low-cost source for precious metals coins, rounds, and bars. Money Metals also pays handsomely when you wish to sell your precious metals.
Shop online with Money Metals Exchange here --
https://www.moneymetals.com/buy
-- or by calling 1-800-800-1865.
Meanwhile, Money Metals Depository will store your precious metals in a segregated account at low cost:
https://www.moneymetals.com/depository
The shift takes effect from today's close and follows a "normal review of market volatility to ensure adequate collateral coverage," the CME said.
Precious metals have been the subject of an extraordinary rally over recent quarters, with the gains and price swings continuing into the new year. In the latest leg higher, gold and silver both surged to records in Monday's session, with the latter having already advanced by about a fifth in 2026.
In the near term, the margin changes "may temporarily weigh on precious metals," said Christopher Wong, a strategist at Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp.
"The percentage-based method intuitively would be able to capture the margin required, which means no need for frequent adjustment," Wong added. However, if volatility went beyond historical levels, or there are unforeseen circumstances, "they may still increase the percentage," he said. ...
... For the remainder of the report:
* * *
Support GATA by purchasing
Stuart Englert's "Rigged"
"Rigged" is a concise explanation of government's currency market rigging policy and extensively credits GATA's work exposing it. Ten percent of sales proceeds are contributed to GATA. Buy a copy for $14.99 through Amazon:
* * *
Help keep GATA going:
GATA is a civil rights and educational organization based in the United States and tax-exempt under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Its e-mail dispatches are free, and you can subscribe at:
To contribute to GATA, please visit:
Donations of $500 or more will entitle the donor to a 1-ounce silver round commemorating GATA's work:
https://www.gata.org/sites/default/files/GATA-silver-round-front.png
