In March 2023, the London Metal Exchange and LME Clear published a two-year action plan to enhance and strengthen their markets.
The action plan addressed recommendations put forward in the Oliver Wyman report, following events in the nickel market in 2022, with the aim of:
- Embedding the findings of independent, internal, and regulatory-led reviews to manage risk through enhanced controls.
- Enabling the market to provide deep and resilient liquidity for LME participants and members.
- Building confidence in the reliable and transparent operation and governance of the LME Group’s markets.
- Evolving our market structure, demonstrating the Group’s ability to deliver modernisation and change.
The status of each of the initiatives is reflected in the below table.
Action plan – market notices
11 February 2025 – LME Clear rule change notice on measures to further bolster market resilience
We have issued our rule change notice on proposals announced in LME Clear Circular 24-034 to implement certain parts of the Action Plan to strengthen the LME Group’s Market.
25 007 Rule Change Notice Regarding Consultation on LME Clear Rulebook
14 November 2024 – LME Clear consults on measures to further bolster market resilience
LME Clear invites Members to consider changes to the LME Clear Rules & Procedures (“LME Clear Rules”) that implement certain parts of the Action Plan to strengthen the LME Group’s Market (LME Circular 23-009) (the “Action Plan”).
24 034 LME and LME Clear Rulebook Consultation
25 October 2024 – Member Guidance on Notification Requirements
The guidance included at Appendix 1 of this Notice (the “Guidance”) sets out certain circumstances in which Members would ordinarily be expected to provide information to the London Metal Exchange (the “LME”).
24 273 Member Guidance on Notification Requirements
2 April 2024 - Decision notice on proposals in respect of daily price limits and rulebook changes
The LME has decided to proceed with the proposal set out in the Consultation Notice and introduce the Daily Price Limit Multiple Day Framework.
24 134 Decision Notice regarding Daily Price Limits and Proposed Amendments to the LME
14 December 2023 - LME consults on proposals in respect of daily price limits and rulebook changes
We are seeking views on proposals designed to enhance our daily price limit framework and a number of other rulebook proposals.
09 November 2023 - Off-warrant stock report enhancements and low-stock measures update
We are enhancing the scope of off-warrant stock reporting to include all eligible metal stored in LME-registered sheds. The new simplified reporting requirements, part of the action plan to strengthen our markets, are designed to provide greater visibility and will come into effect from February 2024. We are also making existing low-stock measures permanent from 11 December 2023.
23 203 - Decision Notice regarding Consultation on Initial Action Plan Proposals (PDF)
Press release: LME announces new rules to enhance stocks data transparency
Infographic: Off-warrant Stock Report Changes (PDF)
14 September 2023 - Decision notice on proposals relating to the Closing Price methodology
Following a market-wide consultation, we will introduce a phased roll-out of an evolved Closing Price methodology to our most liquid contracts, designed to bring more determinism, transparency and standardisation to the Closing Price discovery process.
23 168 - Decision Notice on Proposals Relating to the Closing Price Methodology (PDF)
Closing Price methodology evolution
29 August 2023 - Minimum level of the default fund
Following the completion of its governance approval process, including non-objection from the Bank of England, LME Clear will be introducing a new methodology for setting the minimum default fund size as part of the action plan to strengthen and enhance its markets.
23 031 - Minimum Default Fund August 2023 (PDF)
17 August 2023 - Update on consideration of nickel powder as a deliverable shape
Market participants were broadly supportive of the introduction of coarse nickel powder; however, feedback also highlighted challenges around the acceptability of coarse nickel powder packaging solutions.
23 149 Update on Evaluating Coarse Nickel Powder as a Deliverable Shape (PDF)
5 July 2023 - Changes to daily price limits
We have introduced of a new calibration methodology for the daily upper and lower price limits for base metals.
23 120 Changes to Daily Price Limits for Certain Base Metal Contracts (PDF)
Volatility controls: price limits and price bands
31 May 2023 - LME consults on proposals to enhance LME Closing Prices
We have launched a market consultation on enhancing the transparency and determinism of LME Closing Price discovery.
Press release: LME consults on proposals to enhance stocks and pricing transparency
VWAP methodology back-testing data (Excel)
31 May 2023 - LME consults on off-warrant stock reporting and low-stock environments
We have launched a market consultation on proposals designed to bring greater visibility of unwarranted metal stocks and make permanent existing controls around the management of low stock environments.
Press release: LME consults on proposals to enhance stocks and pricing transparency
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