Why LME?

Experience
Unrivalled as the world s premier non-ferrous metals market the London Metal Exchange is used as a reference price by over 98% of the world s physical metals trading.

It generates an annual turnover of 8.1 trillion USD with traded volumes exceeding two billion tonnes (2006).

The Exchange has built long-term relationships within the metals and financial communities and provides transparent prices, and a forum for price risk management to the global metals industry.

This unrivalled experience establishes the London Metal Exchange as the Exchange with the capabilities, resources and proven relationships, to deliver credible and market driven risk management tools for the steel industry.

A regulated environment
Providing a secure and well regulated environment is fundamental to the success of steel futures. The LME has a statutory requirement to ensure that business on its markets is conducted in an orderly manner and is a Recognised Investment Exchange (RIE) providing robust protection to participants.

Regulation of the market is largely carried out by the LME, while the Financial Services Authority (FSA) is responsible for regulating the financial integrity and conduct of the LME members business.

Worldwide participation
The LME has a global reach and perspective through its member firms who provide specific tailored services to clients that wish to use the LME.

Trading spans all geographies, and deals are brokered by members 24 hours a day through its three trading platforms.

Industrial tradition
The LME is unique in comparison to other financial exchanges and markets because of its strong relationships with the non-ferrous metals community.  Building on their success, the Exchange is working closely with the steel industry to provide a valuable service to a whole new industry which currently has no risk management tools.