Implement this API to Retrieve LME Steel HRC FOB China (STEEL-HR) Historical Prices
Implement this API to Retrieve LME Steel HRC FOB China (STEEL-HR) Historical Prices
The world of metals trading is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by digital innovation and the integration of smart technologies. One of the most crucial aspects of this transformation is the ability to access real-time and historical pricing data for various metals, including LME Steel HRC FOB China (STEEL-HR). In this blog post, we will explore how to retrieve historical prices using the Metals-API, a powerful tool that empowers developers to create next-generation applications in the metals market.
About LME Steel HRC FOB China (STEEL-HR)
LME Steel HRC FOB China is a key indicator in the global steel market, reflecting the price of hot-rolled coil steel delivered free on board from China. As the demand for steel continues to rise, understanding its pricing dynamics becomes essential for manufacturers, traders, and investors alike. The integration of digital technologies in the metal markets has revolutionized how stakeholders access and analyze pricing data.
Technological advancements have enabled the collection and analysis of vast amounts of data, providing insights that were previously unattainable. With the rise of data analytics, stakeholders can now make informed decisions based on real-time market conditions. The Metals-API plays a pivotal role in this ecosystem by offering a comprehensive suite of endpoints that allow users to access historical prices, current rates, and other vital information.
API Description
The Metals-API is designed to provide developers with a robust platform for accessing metals pricing data. It offers a wide range of functionalities, including real-time exchange rates, historical data, and conversion capabilities. By leveraging the power of this API, developers can create applications that provide valuable insights into market trends and pricing fluctuations.
One of the standout features of the Metals-API is its ability to deliver real-time data, which is crucial for making timely decisions in the fast-paced metals market. The API's endpoints are designed to be user-friendly, allowing developers to easily integrate them into their applications. For more information about the API's capabilities, you can visit the Metals-API Documentation.
Key Features and Endpoints
The Metals-API offers a variety of endpoints, each serving a unique purpose. Here are some of the key features:
- Latest Rates Endpoint: This endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data for various metals. Depending on your subscription plan, the API can return updates every 60 minutes, every 10 minutes, or even more frequently. This feature is essential for traders who need to stay updated on market fluctuations.
- Historical Rates Endpoint: Users can access historical rates dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to the API request, developers can retrieve historical pricing 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 endpoint, enabling users to convert amounts from one metal to another or to/from USD. This is particularly useful for traders dealing in multiple currencies.
- Time-Series Endpoint: This endpoint allows users to query daily historical rates between two specified dates, making it easier to analyze trends over time.
- Fluctuation Endpoint: Users can track how prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, providing insights into market volatility.
- Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: This endpoint allows users to query the API for the lowest and highest prices within a specified date range, which is crucial for understanding market extremes.
- Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: This feature provides open, high, low, and close prices for a specific time period, essential for technical analysis.
- Historical LME Endpoint: This endpoint provides access to historical rates for LME symbols, dating back to 2008, allowing for extensive historical analysis.
- 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, ensuring consistency in data representation.
- Available Endpoints: The Metals-API includes 14 endpoints, each designed to provide specific functionalities tailored to user needs.
- Supported Symbols Endpoint: This endpoint returns a constantly updated list of all available currencies and metals, ensuring users have access to the latest information.
- News Endpoint: Users can retrieve the latest news articles related to various metals, keeping them informed about market developments.
For a complete list of all supported symbols and their specifications, refer to the Metals-API Supported Symbols.
API Endpoint Examples and Responses
Understanding how to interact with the Metals-API is crucial for effective implementation. Below are examples of various API endpoints and their corresponding JSON responses:
Latest Rates Endpoint
Get real-time exchange rates for all available metals.
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1767399645,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-03",
"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": 1767313245,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-02",
"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": "2025-12-27",
"end_date": "2026-01-03",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2025-12-27": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915
},
"2025-12-29": {
"XAU": 0.000483,
"XAG": 0.0382,
"XPT": 0.000913
},
"2026-01-03": {
"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": 1767399645,
"rate": 0.000482
},
"result": 0.482,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}
Fluctuation Endpoint
Track rate fluctuations between two dates.
{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2025-12-27",
"end_date": "2026-01-03",
"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": 1767399645,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-03",
"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": 1767399645,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-03",
"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 provides a comprehensive solution for accessing real-time and historical pricing data for metals, including LME Steel HRC FOB China (STEEL-HR). By leveraging the various endpoints offered by the API, developers can create applications that provide valuable insights into market trends and pricing dynamics. The integration of advanced technologies and data analytics into the metals market is paving the way for a more informed and efficient trading environment.
For developers looking to implement this API, the Metals-API Website offers extensive resources, including documentation and a list of supported symbols. By utilizing the capabilities of the Metals-API, you can stay ahead in the rapidly evolving metals market and make data-driven decisions that enhance your trading strategies.