Retrieve iShares Gold Strategy ETF (IAUF) Historical Prices for Trading Strategies using this API
Retrieve iShares Gold Strategy ETF (IAUF) Historical Prices for Trading Strategies using this API
In the world of trading, having access to accurate and timely data is crucial for making informed decisions. For those interested in precious metals, particularly gold, the iShares Gold Strategy ETF (IAUF) represents a significant investment vehicle. This blog post will explore how to retrieve historical prices for IAUF using the Metals-API, a powerful tool that provides real-time and historical data on various metals, including gold (XAU). We will delve into the capabilities of the Metals-API, its endpoints, and how developers can leverage this data for trading strategies.
About Gold (XAU)
Gold has long been regarded as a safe haven asset, especially during times of economic uncertainty. Its value is influenced by a myriad of factors, including geopolitical events, inflation rates, and currency fluctuations. In recent years, the digital transformation in precious metals trading has revolutionized how investors access and analyze gold data. With the integration of data analytics and market insights, traders can now make more informed decisions based on real-time data.
The Metals-API plays a pivotal role in this transformation, offering developers the tools needed to build next-generation applications that can analyze gold prices and trends. By utilizing advanced technology for price discovery, traders can gain insights into market movements and optimize their trading strategies. The API not only provides historical prices but also supports various functionalities that enhance the trading experience.
Metals-API Overview
The Metals-API Documentation outlines the extensive capabilities of the API, which include access to real-time and historical data for various metals. The API is designed to empower developers to create applications that can analyze market trends, track price fluctuations, and convert between different metal currencies. With a user-friendly interface and comprehensive data, the Metals-API is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in trading precious metals.
Key Features of Metals-API
The Metals-API offers several key features that are essential for traders and developers alike. Here are some of the most notable endpoints and their applications:
- 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 feature is crucial for traders who need to make quick decisions based on the latest market conditions.
- Historical Rates Endpoint: Traders can access historical rates for most currencies dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to the API request, users can retrieve past prices, which is essential for backtesting trading strategies.
- Bid And Ask Endpoint: This powerful feature allows users 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 that enables users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This is particularly useful for traders dealing with multiple currencies.
- Time-Series Endpoint: Users can query the API for daily historical rates between two dates of their choice, allowing for detailed analysis of price movements over time.
- Fluctuation Endpoint: This endpoint provides information about how metal prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, helping traders understand market volatility.
- Carat Endpoint: Users can retrieve information about gold rates by carat, which is particularly useful for jewelers and those in the luxury goods market.
- Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: This feature allows users to query the API for the lowest and highest prices for a specified date, providing insights into market extremes.
- Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: Traders can access OHLC data for a specific time period, which is essential for technical analysis and charting.
- Historical LME Endpoint: This endpoint provides historical rates for LME symbols dating back to 2008, allowing for comprehensive analysis of metal prices over a longer time frame.
- 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 Metals-API delivers exchange rates relative to USD by default, with all data returned in a structured JSON format.
- Available Endpoints: The API features 14 different endpoints, each providing unique functionalities to cater to various trading needs.
- Supported Symbols Endpoint: This endpoint returns a constantly updated list of all available metal symbols, ensuring users have access to the latest data.
- News Endpoint: Users can retrieve the latest news articles related to various metals, keeping them informed about market trends and developments.
API Endpoint Examples and Responses
Understanding the API's response structure is crucial for effective integration. Below are examples of JSON responses for various endpoints:
Latest Rates Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1767312889,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-02",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912,
"XPD": 0.000744
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
This response indicates that the latest exchange rate for gold (XAU) is 0.000482 per troy ounce, providing traders with immediate data for decision-making.
Historical Rates Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1767226489,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-01",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915,
"XPD": 0.000748
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
This example shows historical rates for gold on January 1, 2026, allowing traders to analyze past performance and trends.
Time-series Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2025-12-26",
"end_date": "2026-01-02",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2025-12-26": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915
},
"2025-12-28": {
"XAU": 0.000483,
"XAG": 0.0382,
"XPT": 0.000913
},
"2026-01-02": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
This response provides a time series of gold prices over a specified period, enabling traders to visualize trends and make data-driven decisions.
Convert Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XAU",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1767312889,
"rate": 0.000482
},
"result": 0.482,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}
This example illustrates how to convert an amount from USD to gold (XAU), providing traders with a clear understanding of their investments.
Fluctuation Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2025-12-26",
"end_date": "2026-01-02",
"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"
}
This response provides insights into how prices fluctuate over a specified period, which is essential for understanding market volatility.
OHLC (Open/High/Low/Close) Price Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1767312889,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-02",
"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"
}
This endpoint provides critical data for traders who rely on technical analysis, allowing them to assess market conditions effectively.
Bid/Ask Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1767312889,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-02",
"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"
}
This response provides the current bid and ask prices for gold, silver, and platinum, essential for traders looking to execute orders at optimal prices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Metals-API offers a comprehensive suite of tools for traders and developers interested in precious metals, particularly gold. By leveraging the API's capabilities, users can access real-time and historical data, enabling them to make informed trading decisions. The various endpoints, such as the Latest Rates, Historical Rates, and OHLC Price endpoints, provide essential insights into market dynamics, while the Convert and Fluctuation endpoints enhance the trading experience.
For developers looking to integrate precious metals data into their applications, the Metals-API Supported Symbols page is an invaluable resource, providing a comprehensive list of available metal symbols. Additionally, the Metals-API Documentation offers detailed guidance on how to effectively utilize the API's features.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the integration of advanced technologies in trading will only become more critical. By utilizing the Metals-API, traders can stay ahead of the curve, harnessing the power of data analytics and real-time insights to optimize their trading strategies. Whether you are a seasoned trader or a developer looking to create innovative applications, the Metals-API is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your goals in the precious metals market.