COMEX RAISES MARGINS FOR SILVER FUTURES The Commodity Exchange Inc said it is increasing the minimum margins for silver futures contracts, effective at the opening of business Thursday, April 2. The margins for speculative trading will be increased to 2,000 dlrs per contract from 1,300 dlrs and trade hedge margins will rise to 1,400 dlrs from 900 dlrs, the Comex said. Margins are unchanged for gold, copper, and aluminum contracts, it said.