Get Aluminum Futures (ALU-F) - Per Ounce Historical Prices for Financial Analysis using this API

Metals-API offers a powerful solution to access historical prices and real-time data for aluminum futures (ALU-F). This blog post will delve into the capabilities of the Metals-API, focusing on how developers can leverage this tool to gain insights into aluminum pricing trends and make informed financial decisions.

About Aluminum (XAL)

XAL, is a crucial metal in various industries, including construction, automotive, and aerospace. Its lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties make it an ideal choice for manufacturers. As the world moves towards digital transformation, the metal markets are also experiencing significant changes. The integration of technological innovations and advancements in data analytics is reshaping how traders and investors interact with metal commodities.

Metals-API Overview

Metals-API is a comprehensive JSON API that provides access to a wide range of metal prices, including aluminum. It empowers developers to build next-generation applications that require real-time and historical data. The API is designed with innovation in mind, offering various endpoints that cater to different needs, from retrieving the latest rates to accessing historical data dating back to 2019.

Key Features of Metals-API

Latest Rates Endpoint: This endpoint returns real-time exchange rate data for aluminum and other metals. Depending on your subscription plan, the API updates this data every 60 minutes or even more frequently, ensuring you have the most current information at your fingertips.
Historical Rates Endpoint: Users can access historical rates for aluminum dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to the API request, developers can retrieve past pricing data, which is essential for trend analysis and forecasting.
Bid And Ask Endpoint: This powerful feature allows users to retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for aluminum, providing insights into market liquidity and pricing dynamics.
Convert Endpoint: The API includes a currency conversion feature, enabling users to convert amounts from one metal to another or to/from USD. This is particularly useful for traders dealing with multiple currencies.
Time-Series Endpoint: This endpoint allows users to query the API for daily historical rates between two specified dates, offering a comprehensive view of price movements over time.
Fluctuation Endpoint: Users can track how aluminum prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, providing insights into market volatility and trends.
Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: This endpoint provides detailed OHLC data for aluminum, allowing users to analyze price movements within a specific time frame.
Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: Users can query the API to find the lowest and highest prices for aluminum over a specified period, which is crucial for identifying market extremes.
Historical LME Endpoint: This endpoint provides access to historical rates for LME symbols, dating back to 2008, allowing users to analyze long-term trends in aluminum pricing.
API Key: Each user is assigned a unique API key, which is required to access the API's functionalities. This key ensures secure and authorized access to the data.
API Response: The Metals-API delivers exchange rates relative to USD by default, with all data returned in a structured JSON format, making it easy for developers to integrate into their applications.
Supported Symbols Endpoint: This endpoint provides a constantly updated list of all available metal symbols, ensuring users have access to the latest information.
News Endpoint: Users can retrieve the latest news articles related to various metals, keeping them informed about market developments and trends.

API Endpoint Examples and Responses

Latest Rates Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1748764820,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-06-01",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": 0.000482,
        "XAG": 0.03815,
        "XPT": 0.000912,
        "XPD": 0.000744,
        "XCU": 0.294118,
        "XAL": 0.434783,
        "XNI": 0.142857,
        "XZN": 0.344828
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Historical Rates Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1748678420,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-05-31",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": 0.000485,
        "XAG": 0.03825,
        "XPT": 0.000915,
        "XPD": 0.000748
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Time-Series Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timeseries": true,
    "start_date": "2025-05-25",
    "end_date": "2025-06-01",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "2025-05-25": {
            "XAU": 0.000485,
            "XAG": 0.03825,
            "XPT": 0.000915
        },
        "2025-05-27": {
            "XAU": 0.000483,
            "XAG": 0.0382,
            "XPT": 0.000913
        },
        "2025-06-01": {
            "XAU": 0.000482,
            "XAG": 0.03815,
            "XPT": 0.000912
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Convert Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "query": {
        "from": "USD",
        "to": "XAU",
        "amount": 1000
    },
    "info": {
        "timestamp": 1748764820,
        "rate": 0.000482
    },
    "result": 0.482,
    "unit": "troy ounces"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "fluctuation": true,
    "start_date": "2025-05-25",
    "end_date": "2025-06-01",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": {
            "start_rate": 0.000485,
            "end_rate": 0.000482,
            "change": -3.0e-6,
            "change_pct": -0.62
        },
        "XAG": {
            "start_rate": 0.03825,
            "end_rate": 0.03815,
            "change": -0.0001,
            "change_pct": -0.26
        },
        "XPT": {
            "start_rate": 0.000915,
            "end_rate": 0.000912,
            "change": -3.0e-6,
            "change_pct": -0.33
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

OHLC (Open/High/Low/Close) Price Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1748764820,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-06-01",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": {
            "open": 0.000485,
            "high": 0.000487,
            "low": 0.000481,
            "close": 0.000482
        },
        "XAG": {
            "open": 0.03825,
            "high": 0.0383,
            "low": 0.0381,
            "close": 0.03815
        },
        "XPT": {
            "open": 0.000915,
            "high": 0.000918,
            "low": 0.00091,
            "close": 0.000912
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Bid/Ask Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1748764820,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-06-01",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": {
            "bid": 0.000481,
            "ask": 0.000483,
            "spread": 2.0e-6
        },
        "XAG": {
            "bid": 0.0381,
            "ask": 0.0382,
            "spread": 0.0001
        },
        "XPT": {
            "bid": 0.000911,
            "ask": 0.000913,
            "spread": 2.0e-6
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Common Developer Questions

How do I authenticate with the Metals-API?

What are the rate limits for API requests?

How can I handle errors in API responses?

What are the best practices for optimizing API performance?

Conclusion

Metals-API is a powerful tool for developers looking to access historical prices and real-time data for aluminum futures (ALU-F). With its comprehensive range of endpoints, the API empowers users to analyze market trends, make informed trading decisions, and build innovative applications. By leveraging the capabilities of the Metals-API, developers can stay ahead in the dynamic world of metal markets.

Metals-API Documentation for detailed guidance on implementation and usage. Additionally, explore the Metals-API Supported Symbols page to familiarize yourself with the available metal symbols and their specifications. Visit the Metals-API Website to learn more about the API's features and capabilities.

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Get Aluminum Futures (ALU-F) - Per Ounce Historical Prices for Financial Analysis using this API