Get LME Copper (LME-XCU) Historical Prices with Time Series Data using this API

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of financial markets, the demand for accurate and timely data is paramount. For developers and analysts interested in tracking the historical prices of copper, the LME Copper (LME-XCU) offers a wealth of information. Utilizing the Metals-API, you can seamlessly access historical price data, enabling you to make informed decisions based on comprehensive analytics. This blog post delves into the capabilities of the Metals-API, focusing on how to retrieve LME Copper historical prices using its various endpoints.

Understanding Copper (XCU)

Copper, represented by the symbol XCU, is a vital industrial metal known for its excellent electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion. Its applications span various sectors, including construction, electronics, and renewable energy. As the world transitions towards digital transformation, the copper market is also witnessing significant technological advancements. The integration of smart technologies and data analytics is revolutionizing how market participants access and interpret copper pricing data.

Digital Transformation in Metal Markets

The digital transformation in metal markets is characterized by the adoption of advanced technologies that enhance data accessibility and usability. The Metals-API exemplifies this transformation by providing developers with real-time and historical data through a robust API. This allows for the creation of innovative applications that can analyze market trends, forecast prices, and optimize trading strategies.

Technological Innovation and Advancement

Technological innovation in the metals sector is not just about data collection; it also involves sophisticated analysis tools that can interpret vast amounts of data. The Metals-API empowers developers to build applications that leverage machine learning algorithms to predict price movements based on historical data. This capability is crucial for traders and analysts who need to stay ahead in a competitive market.

Data Analytics and Insights

Data analytics plays a pivotal role in understanding market dynamics. By utilizing the Metals-API, developers can access a plethora of data points, including historical prices, real-time rates, and market fluctuations. This data can be analyzed to derive insights that inform trading decisions and investment strategies. For instance, by examining historical trends, one can identify patterns that may indicate future price movements.

Smart Technology Integration

Integrating smart technologies with the Metals-API can lead to the development of applications that provide users with actionable insights. For example, a mobile application could notify users of significant price changes in copper, allowing them to react swiftly to market conditions. Such integrations enhance user experience and provide a competitive edge in trading.

Future Trends and Possibilities

As the demand for copper continues to rise, driven by the growth of electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies, the need for accurate pricing data will only increase. The Metals-API positions itself as a crucial tool for developers looking to tap into this growing market. Future enhancements to the API may include more granular data points, predictive analytics features, and improved user interfaces for easier data interpretation.

API Description

The Metals-API is a powerful tool designed to provide developers with access to real-time and historical metals data. It offers a variety of endpoints that cater to different data needs, from retrieving the latest rates to accessing historical prices dating back to 2008. This API is particularly beneficial for those looking to build applications that require up-to-date information on metal prices, including copper.

Key Features of Metals-API

The Metals-API boasts several key features that enhance its functionality:

• Latest Rates Endpoint: This endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data, updated based on your subscription plan. Developers can access the latest rates for copper and other metals, ensuring they have the most current information at their fingertips.
• Historical Rates Endpoint: Users can query historical rates for copper dating back to 2019. This feature is essential for analyzing price trends over time and making informed trading decisions.
• Bid and Ask Endpoint: This endpoint allows developers to retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for copper, providing insights into market liquidity and pricing dynamics.
• Convert Endpoint: The Metals-API includes a currency conversion feature, enabling users to convert amounts from one metal to another or to/from USD, facilitating easier financial calculations.
• Time-Series Endpoint: This endpoint allows users to query daily historical rates between two specified dates, making it easier to analyze price movements over specific periods.
• Fluctuation Endpoint: Users can track how copper prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, providing insights into market volatility.
• Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: This feature allows users to query the lowest and highest prices for copper over a specified period, aiding in market analysis.
• Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: This endpoint provides detailed pricing information, including open, high, low, and close prices for copper, essential for technical analysis.
• Historical LME Endpoint: This endpoint provides access to historical rates for LME symbols, including copper, dating back to 2008, which is invaluable for long-term market analysis.

API Endpoint Examples and Responses

Latest Rates Endpoint

The Latest Rates Endpoint provides real-time exchange rates for all available metals, including copper. Here’s an example of a typical response:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1776298540,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-04-16",
"rates": {
"XCU": 0.294118
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

In this response, the rates object contains the current price of copper (XCU) relative to USD.

Historical Rates Endpoint

The Historical Rates Endpoint allows users to access historical exchange rates for any date since 1999. Here’s an example response:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1776212140,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-04-15",
"rates": {
"XCU": 0.290000
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This response shows the historical price of copper on a specific date, which is crucial for trend analysis.

Time-Series Endpoint

The Time-Series Endpoint allows users to retrieve exchange rates for a specific time period. Here’s an example response:

{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2026-04-09",
"end_date": "2026-04-16",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2026-04-09": {
"XCU": 0.290000
},
"2026-04-16": {
"XCU": 0.294118
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This response provides daily rates for copper over the specified period, allowing for detailed analysis of price movements.

Convert Endpoint

The Convert Endpoint enables users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. Here’s an example response:

{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XCU",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1776298540,
"rate": 0.294118
},
"result": 294.118,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}

This response shows the conversion of 1000 USD to copper, providing the equivalent amount in troy ounces.

Fluctuation Endpoint

The Fluctuation Endpoint tracks rate fluctuations between two dates. Here’s an example response:

{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2026-04-09",
"end_date": "2026-04-16",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"XCU": {
"start_rate": 0.290000,
"end_rate": 0.294118,
"change": 0.004118,
"change_pct": 1.42
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This response provides insights into how copper prices have changed over the specified period, including both absolute and percentage changes.

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

The OHLC Price Endpoint provides detailed pricing information for a specific time period. Here’s an example response:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1776298540,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-04-16",
"rates": {
"XCU": {
"open": 0.290000,
"high": 0.295000,
"low": 0.289000,
"close": 0.294118
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This response provides the open, high, low, and close prices for copper, which are essential for technical analysis and trading strategies.

Bid/Ask Endpoint

The Bid/Ask Endpoint provides current bid and ask prices for metals. Here’s an example response:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1776298540,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-04-16",
"rates": {
"XCU": {
"bid": 0.293000,
"ask": 0.295000,
"spread": 0.002000
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This response shows the current bid and ask prices for copper, along with the spread, which is crucial for traders looking to execute orders efficiently.

Conclusion

Accessing historical prices for LME Copper (LME-XCU) through the Metals-API is a powerful way for developers to enhance their applications with real-time and historical data. The API's comprehensive features, including various endpoints for retrieving latest rates, historical data, and fluctuations, provide a robust framework for market analysis and decision-making. By leveraging the capabilities of the Metals-API, developers can create innovative solutions that meet the demands of a rapidly changing market.

For more information on how to utilize the Metals-API effectively, refer to the Metals-API Documentation and explore the Metals-API Supported Symbols for a complete list of available metals. The future of copper trading is bright, and with the right tools, you can stay ahead of the curve.