• Commodity price index

A

• AIG Emerging Market Foreign Exchange Indices

C

• Commodity Research Bureau

D

• DBLCI Mean Reversion (MR) Index

D cont.

• DBLCI Optimum Yield (OY) Balanced Index
• DBLCI Optimum Yield (OY) Index
• Deutsche Bank Liquid Commodity Index
• Dow Jones-AIG Commodity Index

R

• Reuters-CRB Index

R cont.

• Rogers International Commodity Index

S

• S&P GSCI
• Standard & Poor's Commodity Index

Primary Nickel
First traded on LME:                          1979
Current specification introduced:  April 1979
World production:                              1,138,600 tonnes per annum (2001)

In the mid 18th century, primary nickel was first isolated as a separate metal. Prior to this, it was found in copper mines and thought to be an unsmeltable copper ore. Primary nickel can resist corrosion and maintains its physical and mechanical properties even when placed under extreme temperatures. When these properties were recognised, the development of primary nickel began. It was found that by combining primary nickel with steel, even in small quantities, the durability and strength of the steel increased significantly as did its resistance to corrosion. This partnership has remained and the production of stainless steel is now the single largest consumer of primary nickel today. This highly useful metal is also used in the production of many different metal alloys for specialised use.

High Grade Primary Aluminium
First traded on LME:                          1978
Current specification introduced:  June 1987
World production:                              24,520,900 tonnes per annum (2001)

Despite being the most prolific metal on earth, aluminium only began to be used extensively once an inexpensive method for distilling it by means of electrolytic reduction was discovered in the mid 19th century. It is extremely light, pliable, has high conductivity and is resistant to rust. Little wonder then that it has become the most extensively used metal and more recently the largest contract traded on the LME.

Copper Grade A
First traded on LME:                          1877
Current specification introduced:  April 1986
World production:                              15,544,500 tonnes per annum (2001)

Copper was the first mineral that man extracted from the earth and along with tin gave rise to the Bronze Age. As the ages and technology progressed the uses for copper increased. With the increased demand, exploration for the metal was extended throughout the world laying down the foundations for the industry as we know it today. Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity, as such one of its main industrial usage is for the production of cable, wire and electrical products for both the electrical and building industries. The construction industry also accounts for copper's second largest usage in such areas as pipes for plumbing, heating and ventilating as well as building wire and sheet metal facings.

Special High Grade Zinc
First traded on LME:                          1915
Current specification introduced:  September 1988
World production:                               9,136,700 tonnes per annum (2001)

Zinc is commonly mined as a co-product with standard lead and both metals have growing core markets for their consumption. For zinc, the main market is galvanising, which accounts for almost half its modern-day demand. Zinc’s electropositive nature enables metals to be readily galvanised, which gives added protection against corrosion to building structures, vehicles, machinery and household equipment.

Standard Lead
First traded on LME:                          1903
Current specification introduced:  1968
World production:                               6,701,600 tonnes per annum (2001)

Being very soft and pliable and highly resistant to corrosion, Lead was ideal for use in plumbing as well as for the manufacture of pewter. In the early 20th century the automotive industry took off and new areas of consumption – batteries and petrol – created an enormous market. Storage batteries remain the main outlet but lead-free fuels have caused a decline in usage. Ironically, environmental issues have brought about new uses for the metal, particularly in the housing of power generation units to protect against electrical charges or dangerous radiations.

Tin
First traded on LME:                          1877
Current specification introduced:  June 1989
World production:                              261,000 tonnes per annum (2001)

Tin, like copper, was one of the first metals mined and its excellent qualities and shiny finish made it a highly sought after commodity. Particularly liked for its fusion abilities in the making of alloys, notably bronze, and its non-toxic qualities, tin was soon traded in many parts of the world. Not surprisingly, it was traded on the LME from the market’s outset in 1877. Today it is still used in the production of bronze, pewter and die-casting alloys and, in modern engineering, to make tungsten more machineable. However, the largest uses for tin are for the production of solders and for tin plating (providing an attractive coating to iron and steel products).