Get US Midwest Domestic Hot-Rolled Coil Steel (US-HRC) Historical Prices with Metals-API

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, the demand for real-time data in the metal markets has never been greater. For developers and businesses looking to access historical prices for US Midwest Domestic Hot-Rolled Coil Steel (US-HRC), the Metals-API offers a robust solution. This blog post will delve into the capabilities of Metals-API, focusing on how to retrieve historical prices and other valuable data related to metals.

Understanding Metals-API

Metals-API is a powerful tool designed for developers who need access to real-time and historical metal prices. With its comprehensive set of features, it empowers users to build applications that can analyze market trends, perform data analytics, and integrate smart technology solutions. The API is particularly beneficial for those in industries such as manufacturing, finance, and trading, where precise metal pricing is crucial.

About US-HRC and Its Importance

US Midwest Domestic Hot-Rolled Coil Steel (US-HRC) is a key commodity in the steel industry, widely used in construction, automotive, and manufacturing sectors. Understanding its historical pricing trends is essential for businesses to make informed decisions regarding procurement, pricing strategies, and market positioning. By leveraging the Metals-API Documentation, developers can seamlessly integrate historical price data into their applications.

Accessing Historical Prices with Metals-API

To retrieve historical prices for US-HRC, developers can utilize the Historical Rates Endpoint of the Metals-API. This endpoint allows users to access historical exchange rates for various metals, including US-HRC, dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to the API request, users can obtain the price for that date, enabling them to analyze trends over time.

Example of Historical Rates Endpoint

When querying the Historical Rates Endpoint, the response will include essential details such as the base currency, date, and rates for the specified metal. Here’s an example response:

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1744419759,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-04-12",
    "rates": {
        "US-HRC": 0.000485
    },
    "unit": "per ton"
}

In this example, the API returns a successful response with the historical price of US-HRC for April 12, 2025. The data is presented in a clear format, making it easy for developers to integrate into their applications.

Key Features of Metals-API

Metals-API offers a variety of endpoints that provide different functionalities, making it a versatile tool for developers. Here are some of the key features:

Latest Rates Endpoint: This endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data for metals, updated every 60 minutes, 10 minutes, or even more frequently, depending on the subscription plan.
Bid and Ask Endpoint: Retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for metals, allowing traders to make informed decisions based on current market conditions.
Convert Endpoint: This feature enables users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD, facilitating seamless transactions.
Time-Series Endpoint: Users can query the API for daily historical rates between two dates of their choice, providing a comprehensive view of price trends over time.
Fluctuation Endpoint: Track how metal prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, offering insights into market volatility.
Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: Access detailed OHLC data for specific time periods, essential for technical analysis.
Historical LME Endpoint: Access historical rates for LME symbols dating back to 2008, providing a long-term view of market trends.
News Endpoint: Retrieve the latest news articles related to various metals, keeping users informed about market developments.

Detailed API Endpoint Documentation

Each endpoint in the Metals-API is designed with specific functionalities in mind. Here’s a closer look at some of the most important endpoints:

Latest Rates Endpoint

The Latest Rates Endpoint provides real-time exchange rates for all available metals. This endpoint is crucial for applications that require up-to-date pricing information. The response includes a timestamp, base currency, date, and rates for each metal.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1744506159,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-04-13",
    "rates": {
        "US-HRC": 0.000482
    },
    "unit": "per ton"
}

In this response, developers can see the current price of US-HRC, which can be used for real-time trading applications.

Time-Series Endpoint

The Time-Series Endpoint allows users to obtain exchange rates for a specific time period. This is particularly useful for analyzing trends and making forecasts based on historical data.

{
    "success": true,
    "timeseries": true,
    "start_date": "2025-04-06",
    "end_date": "2025-04-13",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "2025-04-06": {
            "US-HRC": 0.000485
        },
        "2025-04-08": {
            "US-HRC": 0.000483
        },
        "2025-04-13": {
            "US-HRC": 0.000482
        }
    },
    "unit": "per ton"
}

This endpoint provides a comprehensive view of price changes over a specified period, allowing for in-depth analysis.

Fluctuation Endpoint

The Fluctuation Endpoint tracks rate fluctuations between two dates, providing insights into market volatility. This is essential for traders looking to understand price movements.

{
    "success": true,
    "fluctuation": true,
    "start_date": "2025-04-06",
    "end_date": "2025-04-13",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "US-HRC": {
            "start_rate": 0.000485,
            "end_rate": 0.000482,
            "change": -0.000003,
            "change_pct": -0.62
        }
    },
    "unit": "per ton"
}

This response provides a clear picture of how the price of US-HRC has changed over the specified period, including both absolute and percentage changes.

Common Use Cases for Metals-API

Developers can leverage Metals-API in various ways to enhance their applications:

Market Analysis Tools: Build applications that analyze historical price trends and provide insights for traders and investors.
Automated Trading Systems: Integrate real-time pricing data into trading algorithms to execute trades based on market conditions.
Financial Reporting: Use historical data to generate reports for financial analysis and forecasting.
Supply Chain Management: Monitor metal prices to optimize procurement strategies and manage inventory costs.

Performance Optimization and Security Considerations

When integrating Metals-API into applications, developers should consider performance optimization strategies, such as caching frequently accessed data and implementing rate limiting to avoid exceeding API quotas. Additionally, ensuring secure API key management and data validation is crucial to protect sensitive information.

Conclusion

Metals-API is an invaluable resource for developers seeking to access historical prices for US Midwest Domestic Hot-Rolled Coil Steel (US-HRC) and other metals. With its comprehensive set of features, including real-time data, historical rates, and various endpoints, it empowers users to build sophisticated applications that can analyze market trends and make informed decisions. By leveraging the capabilities of Metals-API, businesses can stay ahead in the competitive metal markets.

For more information, explore the Metals-API Documentation, check the Metals-API Supported Symbols, and visit the Metals-API Website to get started with integrating this powerful tool into your applications.

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Get US Midwest Domestic Hot-Rolled Coil Steel (US-HRC) Historical Prices with Metals-API