NYMEX RULE CHANGE SEEN BOOSTING ENERGY TRADE

  The New York Mercantile Exchange said
  it will introduce exchanges for physicals (EFPS) to its energy
  futures markets April one.
      An exchange spokeswoman said the change will allow oil
  traders that do not hold a futures position to initiate, after
  the exchange closes, a transaction that can subsequently be
  hedged in the futures market.
      EFPs, already in effect for platinum futures on NYMEX, are
  expected to increase the open interest and liquidity in U.S.
  energy futures, according to traders and analysts.
      The Commodity Futures Trading Commission approved the rule
  change in February, according to a CFTC spokeswoman.
  

