London Metal Exchange
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The London Metal Exchange (LME) is a futures and forwards exchange in London, United Kingdom with the world's largest market<ref name=ReutersClear>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> in standardised forward contracts, futures contracts and options on base metals. The exchange also offers contracts on ferrous metals and precious metals.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The company also allows for cash trading. It offers hedging, worldwide reference pricing, and the option of physical delivery to settle contracts.
OverviewEdit
Ring tradingEdit
Trading times are 11:40 to 17:00.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The LME is the last exchange in Europe where open-outcry trading takes place.<ref name=Today>BBC Radio 4 Today, broadcast 25 October 2011.</ref> The ring was temporarily closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In January 2021, LME proposed closing the ring, Europe's last open-outcry trading floor, and moving permanently to an electronic system.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, the ring reopened in September of the same year after resistance from members.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In addition to the 9 companies that have exclusive rights to trade in the ring, around 100 companies are involved in the LME in total.
Precious metalsEdit
The LME used,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> however, to provide trade matching and clearing services to the London bullion market and distributes gold, silver, and gold IRS (interest rate swaps) forward rates on behalf of the LBMA.
Electronic tradingEdit
The LME launched an electronic platform called LME Select launched in February 2001.<ref name="select">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This was developed by a Swedish software house Cinnober. The platform is a FIX-based trading platform, and now handles a majority of the total LME business.
LME ClearEdit
LME Clear is the clearing house for the London Metal Exchange. Launched in 2014 it was designed and built in consultation with the market to provide cost-efficient, EMIR compliant clearing and settlement services, using cutting-edge technology. LME Clear has announced the appointment of David Warren as Chairman effective July 20, 2023. David will succeed Marco Strimer, who will step down as chairman at the end of his term of office.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
HistoryEdit
LME can trace its history to metals trading in Royal Exchange, London.<ref name=investopedia>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
It was purchased by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing in 2012.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In March 2022, LME was sued by Elliott Management, an American hedge fund. The hedge fund sued for $456 million, claiming that LME acted "unreasonably and irrationally" when it canceled nickel trades made on March 8, 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Jane Street Global Trading also sued LME for $15.3 million over its cancelled nickel trades in March.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Both lawsuits were filed in the High Court of Justice.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In November 2023, the court ruled in LME's favor, with Elliott and Jane Street appealing the decision to the Court of Appeals.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In March 2025, the Financial Conduct Authority fined the London Metal Exchange £9.2m after it failed to prevent extreme volatility in the nickel market in March 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
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