Question 3. In is January. The operation manager of a new mining company reviews its platinum production plans. The production forecasts suggest that the company will have 20,000 ounces of newly mined and refined platinum available for sale the following June. The manager considers the current price of the July platinum futures contract at $1,132.80 per ounce favourable, given the companys total production costs, including interest and depreciation, of $980 an ounce. As a result, on January 28, the mining financial manager decides to lock in a profit by hedging his anticipated production using the July platinum futures contract at $1,132.80 per ounce. On January 28, the spot price is $1,121.31 per ounce. The contract size is 50 troy ounces on the CME Group.

1. On January 28, the company trades July futures contracts at $1,132.80 per ounce. The initial margin deposit for CME Group is $8,100 per contract and the maintenance margin is $6,000. The next day, the July platinum futures price closes at $1136.80 per ounce. What is the balance in the margin account? Would the company get a margin call? Why? What if the July platinum futures price closes at $1127.50 per ounce?