Retrieve Cobalt (LCO) price data using this API

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving landscape of metal markets, the ability to access real-time data is crucial for developers and businesses alike. This blog post delves into the intricacies of retrieving Cobalt (LCO) price data using the Metals-API. We will explore the significance of Cobalt in the metal markets, the transformative potential of the Metals-API, and how it empowers developers to create innovative applications that leverage real-time metals data.

Metals-API Information

About Cobalt (LCO)

Cobalt, represented by the symbol LCO, is a critical metal in various industries, particularly in the production of batteries for electric vehicles and electronic devices. As the world shifts towards sustainable energy solutions, the demand for Cobalt is expected to surge, making it a focal point for investors and developers alike. The digital transformation in metal markets has opened new avenues for data analytics and insights, allowing stakeholders to make informed decisions based on real-time information.

Technological innovation plays a pivotal role in how Cobalt is traded and analyzed. With advancements in data analytics, developers can harness the power of smart technology integration to create applications that provide insights into market trends and price fluctuations. The future of Cobalt trading is intertwined with the capabilities of APIs like Metals-API, which offer a comprehensive suite of tools for accessing and analyzing metal price data.

API Description

The Metals-API is a powerful tool designed to provide developers with real-time and historical data on various metals, including Cobalt. This API is built on the principles of innovation and technological advancement, enabling users to access a wealth of information that can drive decision-making processes in the metal markets.

With the Metals-API, developers can build next-generation applications that utilize real-time metals data to enhance user experience and provide valuable insights. The API's capabilities include fetching the latest rates, historical data, and even performing conversions between different metals and currencies. This flexibility allows for a wide range of applications, from financial analysis tools to market monitoring dashboards.

Key Features and Endpoints

The Metals-API offers a variety of endpoints that cater to different needs, each designed to provide specific functionalities. Here are some of the key features:

• Latest Rates Endpoint: This endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data for metals, updated based on your subscription plan. Depending on the plan, updates can occur every 60 minutes or even every 10 minutes, ensuring that users have access to the most current information.
• Historical Rates Endpoint: Users can access historical rates dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to the API request, developers can retrieve past price data, which is invaluable for trend analysis and forecasting.
• Bid And Ask Endpoint: This feature allows users to retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for metals, providing insights into market liquidity and pricing dynamics.
• Convert Endpoint: The API includes a currency conversion feature, enabling users to convert amounts between different metals or to/from USD. This is particularly useful for applications that require multi-currency support.
• Time-Series Endpoint: Developers can query the API for daily historical rates between two specified dates, facilitating in-depth analysis of price movements over time.
• Fluctuation Endpoint: This endpoint provides information on how metal prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, allowing users to track volatility and market trends.
• Carat Endpoint: Users can retrieve information about gold rates by carat, which is essential for applications focused on jewelry and precious metals.
• Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: This feature allows users to query the API for the lowest and highest prices within a specified date range, aiding in market analysis.
• Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: Users can access detailed OHLC data for specific time periods, which is crucial for technical analysis and trading strategies.
• Historical LME Endpoint: This endpoint provides access to historical rates for LME symbols, dating back to 2008, allowing for comprehensive market research.
• API Key: Each user is assigned a unique API key that must be included in requests to authenticate access to the API.
• API Response: The API delivers exchange rates relative to USD by default, with all data returned in a structured JSON format.
• Available Endpoints: The Metals-API offers a wide range of endpoints, each designed to fulfill specific data retrieval needs.
• Supported Symbols Endpoint: This endpoint provides a constantly updated list of all available metal symbols, ensuring users have access to the latest information.
• Gold Price India Endpoint: Users can retrieve the latest gold prices in India using this dedicated endpoint, which is particularly useful for regional applications.
• News Endpoint: The API allows users to retrieve the latest news articles related to various metals, keeping developers informed about market developments.

API Endpoint Examples and Responses

Understanding the structure of API responses is crucial for effective integration. 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": 1756202433,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-08-26",
    "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": 1756116033,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-08-25",
    "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": "2025-08-19",
    "end_date": "2025-08-26",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "2025-08-19": {
            "XAU": 0.000485,
            "XAG": 0.03825,
            "XPT": 0.000915
        },
        "2025-08-21": {
            "XAU": 0.000483,
            "XAG": 0.0382,
            "XPT": 0.000913
        },
        "2025-08-26": {
            "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": 1756202433,
        "rate": 0.000482
    },
    "result": 0.482,
    "unit": "troy ounces"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

Track rate fluctuations between two dates.

{
    "success": true,
    "fluctuation": true,
    "start_date": "2025-08-19",
    "end_date": "2025-08-26",
    "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": 1756202433,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-08-26",
    "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": 1756202433,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-08-26",
    "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"
}

Conclusion

The Metals-API stands as a transformative tool for developers looking to access real-time and historical data on metals like Cobalt. By leveraging the capabilities of this API, developers can create innovative applications that provide valuable insights into market trends and price fluctuations. The comprehensive suite of endpoints, including the latest rates, historical data, and conversion features, empowers users to make informed decisions in the dynamic metal markets.

As the demand for Cobalt continues to rise, understanding its market dynamics through real-time data becomes increasingly important. The integration of smart technology and data analytics into metal trading will shape the future of this industry. For more detailed information on how to utilize the Metals-API, refer to the Metals-API Documentation and explore the Metals-API Supported Symbols for a comprehensive list of available metals.

In conclusion, the Metals-API not only enhances the accessibility of metal price data but also fosters innovation in application development. By harnessing the power of real-time data, developers can contribute to a more informed and efficient metal trading ecosystem.