How to Get Real-Time LME Steel HRC FOB China (STEEL-HR) Prices for Trading Strategies with Metals-API

In the fast-paced world of trading, having access to real-time market prices is crucial for making informed decisions. For those interested in the LME Steel HRC FOB China (STEEL-HR) prices, the Metals-API offers a robust solution. This blog post will guide you through the process of accessing real-time market prices using the Metals-API, providing step-by-step instructions, example API calls, and insights into the transformative potential of real-time metals data.

About LME Steel HRC FOB China (STEEL-HR)

The London Metal Exchange (LME) is a global marketplace for trading metals, and the Steel HRC FOB China price is a critical indicator for traders and investors. As the industry undergoes digital transformation, the integration of technological innovations and data analytics is reshaping how market participants access and utilize price information. The Metals-API stands at the forefront of this transformation, enabling developers to build next-generation applications that leverage real-time data for strategic trading decisions.

With the Metals-API, you can access a wealth of information, including current prices, historical data, and market fluctuations. This API empowers users to harness data analytics and insights, allowing for smarter trading strategies and better market predictions. As we explore the capabilities of the Metals-API, we will highlight its key features and how they can be applied in real-world scenarios.

API Description

The Metals-API is a powerful JSON API that provides real-time and historical prices for various metals, including LME Steel HRC FOB China. It offers a wide range of endpoints that cater to different needs, from retrieving the latest rates to accessing historical data dating back to 2008. The API's capabilities are designed to support developers in creating applications that require accurate and timely metals data.

For comprehensive details on the API's features, visit the Metals-API Documentation. Here, you will find information on how to authenticate your requests, manage rate limits, and handle errors effectively.

Key Features and Endpoints

The Metals-API offers a variety of endpoints, each designed to provide specific functionalities that can enhance your trading strategies. Below 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 your subscription plan. This is essential for traders who need the most current prices to make timely decisions.
Historical Rates Endpoint: Access historical rates for most metals dating back to 2019. You can query the API by appending a specific date to retrieve past prices, which is invaluable for trend analysis and forecasting.
Bid and Ask Endpoint: This feature allows you to retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for metals, giving you insight into the market's current buying and selling conditions.
Convert Endpoint: Easily convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This is particularly useful for traders dealing in multiple currencies.
Time-Series Endpoint: Query the API for daily historical rates between two dates of your choice, enabling you to analyze price movements over time.
Fluctuation Endpoint: Track how prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, providing insights into market volatility.
Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: Retrieve the lowest and highest prices for a specific metal over a defined period, which can help identify market trends.
Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: Get the open, high, low, and close prices for a specific time period, essential for technical analysis.
Historical LME Endpoint: Access historical rates specifically for LME symbols, dating back to 2008, allowing for in-depth market analysis.
News Endpoint: Stay updated with the latest news articles related to various metals, which can impact market prices.

Accessing Real-Time Prices

To get started with accessing real-time LME Steel HRC FOB China prices, you will first need to sign up for an API key on the Metals-API website. This key is essential for authenticating your requests. Once you have your API key, you can begin making requests to the various endpoints.

Example API Calls

Here are some example API calls to illustrate how you can access different types of data:

Latest Rates Endpoint

To get the latest rates for metals, you can use the following API call:

GET https://metals-api.com/api/latest?access_key=YOUR_API_KEY

Example Response:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1769214267,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-24",
"rates": {
"STEEL-HR": 0.000482,
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Historical Rates Endpoint

To access historical rates for a specific date, use the following API call:

GET https://metals-api.com/api/historical?access_key=YOUR_API_KEY&date=2026-01-23

Example Response:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1769127867,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-23",
"rates": {
"STEEL-HR": 0.000485,
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Time-Series Endpoint

To get exchange rates for a specific time period, you can use:

GET https://metals-api.com/api/timeseries?access_key=YOUR_API_KEY&start_date=2026-01-17&end_date=2026-01-24

Example Response:

{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2026-01-17",
"end_date": "2026-01-24",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2026-01-17": {
"STEEL-HR": 0.000485
},
"2026-01-24": {
"STEEL-HR": 0.000482
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Convert Endpoint

To convert an amount from one metal to another, use:

GET https://metals-api.com/api/convert?access_key=YOUR_API_KEY&from=USD&to=STEEL-HR&amount=1000

Example Response:

{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "STEEL-HR",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1769214267,
"rate": 0.000482
},
"result": 0.482,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

To track rate fluctuations between two dates, use:

GET https://metals-api.com/api/fluctuation?access_key=YOUR_API_KEY&start_date=2026-01-17&end_date=2026-01-24

Example Response:

{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2026-01-17",
"end_date": "2026-01-24",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"STEEL-HR": {
"start_rate": 0.000485,
"end_rate": 0.000482,
"change": -0.000003,
"change_pct": -0.62
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

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

To get OHLC data for a specific time period, use:

GET https://metals-api.com/api/open-high-low-close?access_key=YOUR_API_KEY&date=2026-01-24

Example Response:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1769214267,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-24",
"rates": {
"STEEL-HR": {
"open": 0.000485,
"high": 0.000487,
"low": 0.000481,
"close": 0.000482
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Bid/Ask Endpoint

To get current bid and ask prices for metals, use:

GET https://metals-api.com/api/bid-ask?access_key=YOUR_API_KEY

Example Response:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1769214267,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-24",
"rates": {
"STEEL-HR": {
"bid": 0.000481,
"ask": 0.000483,
"spread": 0.000002
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Conclusion

Accessing real-time LME Steel HRC FOB China prices through the Metals-API is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your trading strategies. By leveraging the various endpoints available, you can obtain the latest rates, historical data, and valuable insights into market fluctuations. The API's capabilities empower developers to create innovative applications that utilize real-time data for smarter decision-making.

For more information on the available features and how to implement them, refer to the Metals-API Documentation and explore the Metals-API Supported Symbols for a comprehensive list of metals you can track. With the right tools and data at your disposal, you can stay ahead in the competitive world of metal trading.

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How to Get Real-Time LME Steel HRC FOB China (STEEL-HR) Prices for Trading Strategies with Metals-API