The use of daily prompt dates is an important difference between the LME and other futures exchanges. Designed to mirror physical trading, daily prompts enable users to accurately hedge their physical transactions down to the day.
Our futures contracts trade daily out to three months forward, weekly up to six months and monthly up to 123 months in the future, depending on the underlying metal.
Non-tradable dates and substitute prompt dates
Weekly prompt dates usually fall on a Wednesday while monthly prompt dates are normally the third Wednesday of the month. Where these are altered due to bank or public holidays or other non-tradable dates an LME notice will be issued to provide a substitute prompt date and are noted on the trading calendar.
Last trading date
The last trading time is up to 12.30pm the trading day before the prompt date.