How to retrieve LME Copper (LME-XCU) prices with this API

How to Retrieve LME Copper (LME-XCU) Prices with This API

In the ever-evolving landscape of metal markets, the ability to access real-time data is crucial for developers and businesses alike. This blog post will explore how to retrieve LME Copper (LME-XCU) prices using the Metals-API, a powerful tool designed to provide comprehensive insights into metal pricing. With the integration of smart technology and data analytics, the Metals-API empowers developers to create innovative applications that can transform how we interact with metal markets.

Metals-API Information

About Copper (XCU)

Copper, represented by the symbol XCU, is one of the most widely used metals in various industries, including construction, electronics, and renewable energy. As a critical component in electrical wiring and plumbing, copper's demand is closely tied to global economic trends. The digital transformation in metal markets has led to significant advancements in how copper prices are tracked and analyzed. With the rise of data analytics and smart technology integration, stakeholders can now access real-time insights that were previously unattainable.

The technological innovation surrounding copper pricing is not just about tracking current rates; it also involves understanding historical trends and future possibilities. By leveraging advanced data analytics, businesses can make informed decisions based on comprehensive insights into market fluctuations. The Metals-API plays a pivotal role in this transformation, providing developers with the tools needed to build next-generation applications that can analyze copper prices effectively.

API Description

The Metals-API is a robust platform that offers real-time and historical data for various metals, including copper. It is designed to empower developers by providing a wide range of endpoints that can be utilized for different applications. The API's capabilities include retrieving the latest rates, historical data, bid and ask prices, and much more. By harnessing the power of real-time metals data, developers can create applications that enhance decision-making processes and improve operational efficiency.

For more detailed information, you can visit the Metals-API Documentation to explore the various features and functionalities available. The API is designed to be user-friendly, allowing developers to integrate it seamlessly into their applications.

Key Features and Endpoints

The Metals-API offers a variety of endpoints that cater to different needs. Here are some of the key features:

Latest Rates Endpoint: Depending on your subscription plan, this endpoint returns real-time exchange rate data updated every 60 minutes, every 10 minutes, or even more frequently. This feature is essential for applications that require up-to-the-minute pricing information.
Historical Rates Endpoint: Access historical rates for most currencies dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to your query, you can retrieve past pricing data, which is invaluable for trend analysis and forecasting.
Bid And Ask Endpoint: This powerful feature allows you to retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for metals, providing insights into market liquidity and pricing dynamics.
Convert Endpoint: The Metals-API includes a currency conversion endpoint, enabling you to convert any amount from one currency to another. This is particularly useful for businesses operating in multiple currencies.
Time-Series Endpoint: Query the API for daily historical rates between two dates of your choice. This endpoint is ideal for analyzing trends over specific periods.
Fluctuation Endpoint: Retrieve information about how currencies fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, allowing you to track market volatility and make informed decisions.
Carat Endpoint: This endpoint provides information about gold rates by carat, which is essential for jewelers and gold traders.
Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: Query the API to get the lowest and highest prices for a specified period, helping you identify market extremes.
Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: Get the open, high, low, and close prices for a specific time period, which is crucial for technical analysis.
Historical LME Endpoint: Access historical rates for LME symbols dating back to 2008, providing a comprehensive view of market trends.
API Key: Your unique API key is essential for accessing the API and must be included in your requests.
API Response: The API delivers exchange rates relative to USD by default, ensuring consistency in data interpretation.
Available Endpoints: The Metals-API comes with a constantly updated endpoint returning all available currencies, making it easy to stay informed about market changes.
Gold Price India Endpoint: Retrieve the latest gold price in India using the dedicated endpoint, which is beneficial for local traders.
News Endpoint: Stay updated with the latest news articles related to various metals, providing context for market movements.

For a complete list of all supported symbols, refer to the Metals-API Supported Symbols page.

API Endpoint Examples and Responses

Understanding how to interact with the Metals-API is crucial for effective implementation. Below are examples of various endpoints and their corresponding JSON responses:

Latest Rates Endpoint

Get real-time exchange rates for all available metals.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1746777615,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-05-09",
    "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

Access historical exchange rates for any date since 1999.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1746691215,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-05-08",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": 0.000485,
        "XAG": 0.03825,
        "XPT": 0.000915,
        "XPD": 0.000748
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Time-series Endpoint

Get exchange rates for a specific time period.

{
    "success": true,
    "timeseries": true,
    "start_date": "2025-05-02",
    "end_date": "2025-05-09",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "2025-05-02": {
            "XAU": 0.000485,
            "XAG": 0.03825,
            "XPT": 0.000915
        },
        "2025-05-04": {
            "XAU": 0.000483,
            "XAG": 0.0382,
            "XPT": 0.000913
        },
        "2025-05-09": {
            "XAU": 0.000482,
            "XAG": 0.03815,
            "XPT": 0.000912
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Convert Endpoint

Convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD.

{
    "success": true,
    "query": {
        "from": "USD",
        "to": "XAU",
        "amount": 1000
    },
    "info": {
        "timestamp": 1746777615,
        "rate": 0.000482
    },
    "result": 0.482,
    "unit": "troy ounces"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

Track rate fluctuations between two dates.

{
    "success": true,
    "fluctuation": true,
    "start_date": "2025-05-02",
    "end_date": "2025-05-09",
    "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) Endpoint

Get OHLC data for a specific time period.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1746777615,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-05-09",
    "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

Get current bid and ask prices for metals.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1746777615,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-05-09",
    "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"
}

These examples illustrate the versatility of the Metals-API and its ability to provide comprehensive data for developers. Understanding the structure of the API responses is crucial for effective implementation and data analysis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Metals-API offers a powerful solution for retrieving LME Copper (LME-XCU) prices and other metal data. By leveraging its various endpoints, developers can create applications that provide real-time insights, historical analysis, and comprehensive market data. The integration of smart technology and data analytics into metal markets is transforming how businesses operate, enabling them to make informed decisions based on accurate and timely information.

For more information on how to get started with the Metals-API, visit the Metals-API Website and explore the extensive Metals-API Documentation for detailed guidance on implementation. By utilizing this innovative API, developers can unlock the full potential of metal market data and drive their applications to new heights.

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Documentation

API Endpoints

Knowledge Base

How to retrieve LME Copper (LME-XCU) prices with this API