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How to Get Aluminum - LME 3-month (ALU3M) prices using this API

How to Get Aluminum - LME 3-month (ALU3M) prices using this API

How to Get Aluminum - LME 3-month (ALU3M) prices using this API

Introduction

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the demand for real-time data in the metals market has never been greater. Developers and businesses alike are seeking innovative solutions to access accurate and timely information on metal prices, particularly for aluminum, represented by the symbol XAL. The Metals-API provides a robust platform for accessing the latest aluminum prices, including LME 3-month (ALU3M) rates, through a comprehensive set of endpoints designed for seamless integration into applications. This blog post will delve into the intricacies of aluminum markets, the transformative potential of the Metals-API, and how developers can leverage its capabilities to create next-generation applications.

Metals-API Information

About Aluminum (XAL)

Aluminum is a versatile metal widely used across various industries, from construction to automotive manufacturing. As the world shifts towards sustainable practices, aluminum's lightweight and recyclable properties make it an attractive choice for modern applications. The digital transformation in metal markets has led to increased reliance on data analytics and insights, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions based on real-time information.

Technological innovations have revolutionized how aluminum is traded and monitored. Smart technology integration allows for enhanced tracking of aluminum prices, ensuring that businesses can respond swiftly to market fluctuations. Future trends indicate a growing emphasis on data-driven decision-making, where analytics will play a crucial role in forecasting price movements and understanding market dynamics.

API Description

The Metals-API is a powerful tool that empowers developers to access real-time and historical data for various metals, including aluminum. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive documentation, the API facilitates the development of applications that require up-to-date metal pricing information. The API's capabilities extend beyond mere price retrieval; it offers a suite of features that can transform how businesses interact with metal markets.

One of the standout features of the Metals-API is its ability to provide real-time exchange rate data. Depending on your subscription plan, the API can return the latest rates updated every 60 minutes or even every 10 minutes. This level of granularity ensures that users have access to the most current information available, which is critical for making timely trading decisions.

Additionally, the API offers historical rates dating back to 2019, allowing users to analyze trends over time. By appending a specific date to the API request, developers can retrieve historical data that can be invaluable for market analysis and forecasting.

Key Features and Endpoints

The Metals-API boasts a variety of endpoints, each designed to cater to specific needs within the metals market. Here are some of the key features:

Latest Rates Endpoint

The Latest Rates Endpoint provides real-time exchange rates for all available metals, including aluminum. This endpoint is essential for applications that require up-to-the-minute pricing information. The response includes a timestamp, base currency, date, and rates for various metals.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1743984373,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-04-07",
    "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

Accessing historical rates is crucial for understanding market trends. The Historical Rates Endpoint allows users to query rates for any date since 1999. This feature is particularly useful for analysts looking to study past price movements and their correlation with market events.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1743897973,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-04-06",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": 0.000485,
        "XAG": 0.03825,
        "XPT": 0.000915,
        "XPD": 0.000748
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Bid And Ask Endpoint

The Bid and Ask Endpoint is a powerful feature that enables users to retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for metals. This information is vital for traders who need to make quick decisions based on current market conditions.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1743984373,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-04-07",
    "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"
}

Convert Endpoint

The Convert Endpoint allows users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This feature is particularly useful for businesses that deal with multiple currencies and need to understand the equivalent values in different metals.

{
    "success": true,
    "query": {
        "from": "USD",
        "to": "XAU",
        "amount": 1000
    },
    "info": {
        "timestamp": 1743984373,
        "rate": 0.000482
    },
    "result": 0.482,
    "unit": "troy ounces"
}

Time-Series Endpoint

The Time-Series Endpoint allows users to query the API for daily historical rates between two dates of their choice. This feature is essential for analyzing trends over specific periods and understanding how prices have fluctuated over time.

{
    "success": true,
    "timeseries": true,
    "start_date": "2025-03-31",
    "end_date": "2025-04-07",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "2025-03-31": {
            "XAU": 0.000485,
            "XAG": 0.03825,
            "XPT": 0.000915
        },
        "2025-04-02": {
            "XAU": 0.000483,
            "XAG": 0.0382,
            "XPT": 0.000913
        },
        "2025-04-07": {
            "XAU": 0.000482,
            "XAG": 0.03815,
            "XPT": 0.000912
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

The Fluctuation Endpoint provides information about how metal prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. This feature is particularly useful for traders looking to understand volatility and make informed decisions based on price movements.

{
    "success": true,
    "fluctuation": true,
    "start_date": "2025-03-31",
    "end_date": "2025-04-07",
    "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"
}

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

The OHLC Price Endpoint allows users to query the API to get the open, high, low, and close prices for a specific time period. This data is crucial for traders who rely on candlestick patterns and other technical analysis methods.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1743984373,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-04-07",
    "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"
}

Historical LME Endpoint

The Historical LME Endpoint provides access to historical rates for LME symbols dating back to 2008. This endpoint is particularly useful for users looking to analyze long-term trends in aluminum pricing.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1743897973,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-04-06",
    "rates": {
        "XAL": 0.434783
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

List of Symbols

The Metals-API provides access to a comprehensive range of metal symbols. For a complete list of all supported symbols and their specifications, refer to the Metals-API Supported Symbols page. This resource is invaluable for developers looking to integrate various metals into their applications.

Conclusion

The Metals-API is a game-changer for developers and businesses operating in the metals market. By providing real-time and historical data for aluminum and other metals, the API empowers users to make informed decisions based on accurate information. The various endpoints, including the Latest Rates, Historical Rates, and Bid and Ask features, offer a wealth of data that can be leveraged for trading, analysis, and forecasting.

As the industry continues to embrace digital transformation, the integration of smart technology and data analytics will play a crucial role in shaping the future of metal markets. By utilizing the capabilities of the Metals-API, developers can create innovative applications that not only meet the demands of today's market but also anticipate future trends and possibilities.

For more information on how to get started with the Metals-API, visit the Metals-API Documentation for detailed guidance on implementation and usage. Embrace the future of metal trading with the power of real-time data at your fingertips.

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