Get FT Cboe Vest Gold Target Income ETF (IGLD) Historical Prices with Simple API Calls

Introduction

The FT Cboe Vest Gold Target Income ETF (IGLD) is an innovative financial instrument designed to provide investors with exposure to gold while generating income. In today's digital age, accessing historical prices for such assets has become increasingly important for traders and analysts alike. One of the most effective ways to retrieve this data is through the Metals-API, a powerful tool that allows developers to obtain real-time and historical pricing data for various metals, including gold (XAU). This blog post will explore how to leverage the Metals-API to access historical prices for IGLD and delve into the broader implications of digital transformation in precious metals trading.

About Gold (XAU)

Gold has long been regarded as a safe-haven asset, especially during times of economic uncertainty. Its intrinsic value and limited supply make it a preferred choice for investors looking to hedge against inflation and currency fluctuations. In recent years, the digital transformation of precious metals has revolutionized how traders and investors access and analyze market data. The integration of technology in trading has enabled real-time data analytics, providing market insights that were previously unattainable.

With the rise of digital asset solutions, the trading landscape has evolved significantly. Innovations in price discovery mechanisms have allowed for more accurate and timely valuations of gold and other precious metals. The Metals-API plays a crucial role in this transformation, offering developers the tools needed to build next-generation applications that can harness the power of real-time metals data.

Metals-API Overview

The Metals-API is a comprehensive JSON API that provides access to a wide range of metal prices and currency conversion functionalities. It empowers developers to create applications that can retrieve real-time and historical data for various metals, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. The API's capabilities extend beyond simple price retrieval; it offers a suite of endpoints designed to cater to the diverse needs of traders and analysts.

One of the standout features of the Metals-API is its ability to deliver real-time exchange rate data. Depending on your subscription plan, the API can return the latest rates updated every 60 minutes, every 10 minutes, or even more frequently. This flexibility allows developers to tailor their applications to meet specific requirements, whether for high-frequency trading or long-term analysis.

Key Features and Endpoints

The Metals-API offers a variety of endpoints, each designed to fulfill specific functionalities. Here are some of the key features:

Latest Rates Endpoint

The Latest Rates endpoint provides real-time exchange rates for all available metals. This endpoint is essential for traders who need up-to-the-minute pricing information. For example, a typical response might look like this:

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1749301216,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-06-07",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": 0.000482,
        "XAG": 0.03815,
        "XPT": 0.000912,
        "XPD": 0.000744
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

In this response, the "rates" object contains the current prices for gold (XAU), silver (XAG), platinum (XPT), and palladium (XPD), all relative to USD.

Historical Rates Endpoint

For those interested in analyzing trends over time, the Historical Rates endpoint allows users to access historical exchange rates for any date since 1999. This is particularly useful for backtesting trading strategies or understanding market movements. A sample response might look like this:

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1749214816,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-06-06",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": 0.000485,
        "XAG": 0.03825,
        "XPT": 0.000915,
        "XPD": 0.000748
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This endpoint provides valuable insights into how gold prices have fluctuated over time, enabling traders to make informed decisions based on historical data.

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 particularly useful for analyzing price trends over specific periods. A typical response might look like this:

{
    "success": true,
    "timeseries": true,
    "start_date": "2025-05-31",
    "end_date": "2025-06-07",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "2025-05-31": {
            "XAU": 0.000485,
            "XAG": 0.03825,
            "XPT": 0.000915
        },
        "2025-06-02": {
            "XAU": 0.000483,
            "XAG": 0.0382,
            "XPT": 0.000913
        },
        "2025-06-07": {
            "XAU": 0.000482,
            "XAG": 0.03815,
            "XPT": 0.000912
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This endpoint provides a comprehensive view of how metal prices have changed over a specified time frame, allowing for detailed analysis and reporting.

Convert Endpoint

The Convert endpoint enables users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This is particularly useful for traders who need to quickly assess the value of their holdings in different currencies. A sample response might look like this:

{
    "success": true,
    "query": {
        "from": "USD",
        "to": "XAU",
        "amount": 1000
    },
    "info": {
        "timestamp": 1749301216,
        "rate": 0.000482
    },
    "result": 0.482,
    "unit": "troy ounces"
}

This response indicates that 1000 USD is equivalent to 0.482 troy ounces of gold, providing traders with quick conversion capabilities.

Fluctuation Endpoint

The Fluctuation endpoint allows users to track rate fluctuations between two dates. This is essential for understanding market volatility and making informed trading decisions. A typical response might look like this:

{
    "success": true,
    "fluctuation": true,
    "start_date": "2025-05-31",
    "end_date": "2025-06-07",
    "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"
}

This endpoint provides insights into how prices have changed over a specific period, including both absolute and percentage changes.

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

The OHLC endpoint provides users with open, high, low, and close prices for a specific time period. This data is crucial for traders who rely on candlestick patterns for technical analysis. A sample response might look like this:

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1749301216,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-06-07",
    "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"
}

This endpoint allows traders to analyze price movements throughout the trading day, providing essential data for making informed decisions.

Bid/Ask Endpoint

The Bid/Ask endpoint provides current bid and ask prices for metals, which is crucial for traders looking to execute orders at the best possible prices. A typical response might look like this:

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1749301216,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-06-07",
    "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"
}

This endpoint provides traders with the necessary information to make quick decisions based on current market conditions.

Authentication and API Key

To access the Metals-API, users must obtain an API key, which is a unique identifier passed into the API base URL's access_key parameter. This key is essential for authenticating requests and ensuring that users have the appropriate permissions to access the desired data. Developers should safeguard their API keys and avoid exposing them in public repositories or client-side code.

Rate Limiting and Quota Management

Metals-API implements rate limiting to ensure fair usage among all users. Depending on the subscription plan, users may have different limits on the number of requests they can make within a specified timeframe. Developers should be mindful of these limits to avoid exceeding their quotas, which could result in temporary access restrictions. Implementing caching strategies can help mitigate the impact of rate limits by reducing the number of requests made to the API.

Error Handling and Recovery Strategies

When working with APIs, it's crucial to implement robust error handling mechanisms. The Metals-API provides clear error messages in its responses, allowing developers to identify and address issues quickly. Common errors include invalid API keys, exceeding rate limits, and malformed requests. Developers should implement retry logic for transient errors and log error responses for further analysis.

Performance Considerations and Optimization Strategies

To optimize performance when using the Metals-API, developers should consider the following strategies:

• Batch requests: Instead of making multiple individual requests, batch requests can reduce latency and improve efficiency.
• Use caching: Implement caching mechanisms to store frequently accessed data, reducing the number of API calls.
• Optimize query parameters: Only request the data needed for specific use cases to minimize response sizes and processing times.

Security Best Practices

Security is paramount when working with APIs. Developers should follow best practices to protect sensitive data and ensure secure communication:

• Use HTTPS: Always use HTTPS to encrypt data in transit and protect against man-in-the-middle attacks.
• Limit API key exposure: Keep API keys confidential and avoid hardcoding them in public repositories.
• Implement IP whitelisting: Restrict API access to specific IP addresses to enhance security.

Conclusion

The FT Cboe Vest Gold Target Income ETF (IGLD) represents a unique investment opportunity in the gold market. By leveraging the capabilities of the Metals-API, developers can access historical prices and real-time data, enabling them to make informed trading decisions. The API's extensive features, including the Latest Rates, Historical Rates, Time-Series, and OHLC endpoints, provide a comprehensive toolkit for traders and analysts alike.

As the digital transformation of precious metals continues, the integration of technology in trading will only become more critical. The Metals-API empowers developers to build innovative applications that harness the power of real-time metals data, paving the way for a more efficient and transparent trading environment. For more information on the API's capabilities, refer to the Metals-API Documentation and explore the Metals-API Supported Symbols for a complete list of available metals.