TOPIC

/ company

London Metal Exchange

Set up in 1877 to provide a venue for trade conducted among metal merchants in London, the LME was sold in 2012 to the operator of the Hong Kong stock exchange. In 2013, it was a defendant in lawsuits accusing Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Glencore-Xstrata of rigging the aluminium market.

Chairman / President

John Williamson

CEO / Managing Director

Matthew Chamberlain

CFO / Finance Director

Tabitha Silverwood

Industry

Financial Services

Website

lme.com

Headquarters address

10 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AJ, United Kingdom

Year founded

1877

Traders, brokers and clerks gesture on the trading floor of the open outcry pit, also known as The Ring, at the London Metal Exchange Ltd (LME), on March 11, 2025. Photo: AFP

China’s private sector

Chinese firms look to strike gold in a volatile global metals market

Futures brokerages and exchanges aim to grow their market footprint and offer more efficient hedging tools in the global commodity market.

9 Jul 2026 - 9:30PM

Banking & finance

Beijing unveils policy enhancements to give ‘vitality’ to Hong Kong markets

7 Jul 2026 - 12:25PM

LME

‘Positive problem’: surging demand strains Hong Kong’s metals storage capacity

11 May 2026 - 8:00AM

Gold in Hong Kong

Editorial | Middle East war offers Hong Kong a golden opportunity

The war has driven home how well suited Hong Kong is to becoming an alternative to Dubai, a major gold trading hub.

8 May 2026 - 7:15AM

A dealer holds gold bars in a shop in Dubai’s Gold Souk in 2025. Some Middle Eastern gold merchants have sold physical gold in Hong Kong at a steep discount, making the city a bargain-hunting hotspot. Photo: AFP

Banking & finance

Hong Kong pushes gold futures relaunch as mainland China reserves climb

City aims to broaden gold offerings and expand clearing and storage facilities to seize opportunities in the surging market.

8 May 2026 - 12:51AM

Banking & finance

Hong Kong sharpens commodities hub ambitions with mediation and yuan push

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po sees “clear room” for more yuan-denominated commodities products as Hong Kong explores mediation role.

7 May 2026 - 2:19PM

Banking & finance

Middle East war drives demand for Hong Kong metal storage, but capacity falls short

Manufacturers seek stable metal supplies and hedging tools in Hong Kong, but limited warehouse space risks capping growth.

5 May 2026 - 8:18AM

Manufacturers importing copper, aluminium and other industrial metals were increasingly considering Hong Kong as a storage base. Photo: ISNA/AFP

HKEX

HKEX posts record quarterly profit, topping forecast as listings, turnover surge

Earnings jump 27 per cent to HK$5.19 billion as global capital continues to seek safe havens and access to Asian growth: CEO Bonnie Chan.

29 Apr 2026 - 5:58PM

US-China trade war

Why the biggest threat to US dollar dominance may well be Washington itself

Economic sanctions, access to US-led banking systems are powerful tools, but overuse reduces their effectiveness over time, Congress told.

17 Apr 2026 - 4:57PMvideocam

Banking & finance

Gold takes centre stage as Hong Kong builds commodities ecosystem

Hong Kong plans to build an international gold trading centre as part of a wider commodities hub push.

22 Dec 2025 - 7:15PM

Gold bricks displayed at Hong Kong Gold Exchange Chinese New Year Opening Ceremony in Sheung Wan. Photo: Edmond So

China trade

China bets big on copper processing, but ‘weaponisation’ risks are low: analysts

Beijing views copper as critical for EVs and AI, but a reliance on imported ore limits China’s ability to use the strategic metal as leverage.

17 Dec 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

A coil of copper rod sits on the production line for copper flat wire at a factory in China’s Jiangxi province in August. Photo: Reuters

China consumption

Forging ahead: China’s copper heartland vows to build US$28 billion empire

Shandong province plans to create a world-class smelting hub by 2027 to secure supply chains for the strategic metal as prices sizzle.

13 Dec 2025 - 11:00AM

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong’s warehouses find support from demand to store metals and art

The city’s logistics sector receives a boost from LME’s inclusion and art storage demand, despite a cautious market and falling rents.

6 Oct 2025 - 9:30AM

HKEX

Hong Kong’s London Metal Exchange warehouses key for China: Paul Chan

The facilities in Hong Kong extend LME’s global network to the doorstep of mainland China.

20 Aug 2025 - 10:01AM

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po addresses attendees at a celebration ceremony on Tuesday. Photo: May Tse

US-China trade war

Trump’s copper-tariff tumult sees prices plunge – what happened?

New tariffs apply mostly to semi-finished copper products while exempting refined forms of the metal that comprise the US’ chief copper imports.

1 Aug 2025 - 8:11AMvideocam

Scrap copper is prepared for recycling at a workshop in China’s Anhui province on July 11. Photo: AFP

US-China trade war

Trump’s copper tariffs fail to stop US metal being shipped to China

The president wants to use tariffs to revive the US copper industry. But American dealers are still sending shiploads of metal to Asia.

25 Jul 2025 - 9:30PMvideocam

US-China trade war

Surprise US copper tariff tests the mettle of China’s vast refining industry

Although Trump’s tariffs might cause the flow of refined copper to be redirected from the US to other regions, that doesn’t mean the supply is flowing to China.

10 Jul 2025 - 4:07PM

Gold in Hong Kong

Zijin buys Kazakhstan gold mine ahead of overseas unit’s Hong Kong IPO

Firm says deal will help it become one of the world’s top three gold producers by 2028.

30 Jun 2025 - 4:56PM

The Raygorodok gold mine project. Photo: Handout

Banking & finance

Hong Kong plans legislation to offer 50% tax break for some commodity trading

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po says bill is part of broader policy initiative to develop commodity trading ecosystem in the city.

21 May 2025 - 3:02PM

Commodities

Shanghai Gold Exchange eyes Hong Kong vault to promote yuan-denominated products

The new vault will be part of the exchange’s network that international clients use to manage bullion trading and storage.

6 May 2025 - 5:06PM

LME

Why the London Metal Exchange’s Hong Kong warehouses are a big deal

The development marks a pivotal step in strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a strategic commodities hub in Asia, industry leaders say.

28 Apr 2025 - 8:30AM

Sheets of copper sit in stacks outside a solvent-extraction plant awaiting shipment. Photo: Getty Images

HKEX

LME approves Hong Kong warehouses amid growing China metals trade

Milestone by HKEX-owned London Metal Exchange positions city to develop as a metals hub, CEO says.

15 Apr 2025 - 7:36PM

A roll of copper pipe moves through a facility of Zhejiang Hailiang in Diankou Town of Zhuji, east China’s Zhejiang Province, on April 7, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

Banking & finance

Hong Kong should seize role in clean-energy commodities, think tank says

Commodities market would ‘create a new growth point for Hong Kong’s economy’, report from Better Hong Kong Foundation says.

15 Jan 2025 - 4:47PM

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong bridges China, Asean, Middle East as ties grow: HKEX official

Office in Riyadh and plans for metal warehouse underscore HKEX’s role, Vanessa Lau says at Asian Financial Forum.

14 Jan 2025 - 4:54PM

Banking & finance

Exclusive | Hong Kong’s potential as commodities hub draws expansion by Marex Group

The establishment of London Metal Exchange warehouses in Hong Kong will be a key enabler, Marex CEO says.

16 Dec 2024 - 7:30AM

A collection of 100-gram gold bars sits on a table. Photo: DPA

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Speed of essence in Hong Kong push to be gold, commodities hub

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has set out several measures aimed at consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre.

18 Oct 2024 - 8:15AM

Opinion | LME should strike while the iron is hot

Hong Kong is ideally placed to join global storage network to facilitate the physical exchange of metals traded on the London bourse.

8 Jul 2024 - 6:51AM

LME

LME eyes Hong Kong for warehouse to tap China’s growing metals trade with world

The bourse owned by HKEX is exploring the idea of adding a warehouse in Hong Kong to its global network to meet rising demand for the physical exchange of metals such as aluminium and zinc between mainland China and the rest of the world, according to its CEO.

27 Jun 2024 - 5:11PM

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London Metal Exchange

Chinese firms look to strike gold in a volatile global metals market

Futures brokerages and exchanges aim to grow their market footprint and offer more efficient hedging tools in the global commodity market.

Beijing unveils policy enhancements to give ‘vitality’ to Hong Kong markets

‘Positive problem’: surging demand strains Hong Kong’s metals storage capacity

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Middle East war offers Hong Kong a golden opportunity

The war has driven home how well suited Hong Kong is to becoming an alternative to Dubai, a major gold trading hub.

Hong Kong pushes gold futures relaunch as mainland China reserves climb

City aims to broaden gold offerings and expand clearing and storage facilities to seize opportunities in the surging market.

Hong Kong sharpens commodities hub ambitions with mediation and yuan push

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po sees “clear room” for more yuan-denominated commodities products as Hong Kong explores mediation role.

Middle East war drives demand for Hong Kong metal storage, but capacity falls short

Manufacturers seek stable metal supplies and hedging tools in Hong Kong, but limited warehouse space risks capping growth.

HKEX posts record quarterly profit, topping forecast as listings, turnover surge

Earnings jump 27 per cent to HK$5.19 billion as global capital continues to seek safe havens and access to Asian growth: CEO Bonnie Chan.

Why the biggest threat to US dollar dominance may well be Washington itself

Economic sanctions, access to US-led banking systems are powerful tools, but overuse reduces their effectiveness over time, Congress told.

Gold takes centre stage as Hong Kong builds commodities ecosystem

Hong Kong plans to build an international gold trading centre as part of a wider commodities hub push.

China bets big on copper processing, but ‘weaponisation’ risks are low: analysts

Beijing views copper as critical for EVs and AI, but a reliance on imported ore limits China’s ability to use the strategic metal as leverage.

Forging ahead: China’s copper heartland vows to build US$28 billion empire

Shandong province plans to create a world-class smelting hub by 2027 to secure supply chains for the strategic metal as prices sizzle.

Hong Kong’s warehouses find support from demand to store metals and art

The city’s logistics sector receives a boost from LME’s inclusion and art storage demand, despite a cautious market and falling rents.

Hong Kong’s London Metal Exchange warehouses key for China: Paul Chan

The facilities in Hong Kong extend LME’s global network to the doorstep of mainland China.

Trump’s copper-tariff tumult sees prices plunge – what happened?

New tariffs apply mostly to semi-finished copper products while exempting refined forms of the metal that comprise the US’ chief copper imports.

Trump’s copper tariffs fail to stop US metal being shipped to China

The president wants to use tariffs to revive the US copper industry. But American dealers are still sending shiploads of metal to Asia.

Surprise US copper tariff tests the mettle of China’s vast refining industry

Although Trump’s tariffs might cause the flow of refined copper to be redirected from the US to other regions, that doesn’t mean the supply is flowing to China.

Zijin buys Kazakhstan gold mine ahead of overseas unit’s Hong Kong IPO

Firm says deal will help it become one of the world’s top three gold producers by 2028.

Hong Kong plans legislation to offer 50% tax break for some commodity trading

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po says bill is part of broader policy initiative to develop commodity trading ecosystem in the city.

Shanghai Gold Exchange eyes Hong Kong vault to promote yuan-denominated products

The new vault will be part of the exchange’s network that international clients use to manage bullion trading and storage.

Why the London Metal Exchange’s Hong Kong warehouses are a big deal

The development marks a pivotal step in strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a strategic commodities hub in Asia, industry leaders say.

LME approves Hong Kong warehouses amid growing China metals trade

Milestone by HKEX-owned London Metal Exchange positions city to develop as a metals hub, CEO says.

Hong Kong should seize role in clean-energy commodities, think tank says

Commodities market would ‘create a new growth point for Hong Kong’s economy’, report from Better Hong Kong Foundation says.

Hong Kong bridges China, Asean, Middle East as ties grow: HKEX official

Office in Riyadh and plans for metal warehouse underscore HKEX’s role, Vanessa Lau says at Asian Financial Forum.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Hong Kong’s potential as commodities hub draws expansion by Marex Group

The establishment of London Metal Exchange warehouses in Hong Kong will be a key enabler, Marex CEO says.

Editorial | Speed of essence in Hong Kong push to be gold, commodities hub

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has set out several measures aimed at consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre.

Opinion | LME should strike while the iron is hot

Hong Kong is ideally placed to join global storage network to facilitate the physical exchange of metals traded on the London bourse.

LME eyes Hong Kong for warehouse to tap China’s growing metals trade with world

The bourse owned by HKEX is exploring the idea of adding a warehouse in Hong Kong to its global network to meet rising demand for the physical exchange of metals such as aluminium and zinc between mainland China and the rest of the world, according to its CEO.

Editorial | Middle East war offers Hong Kong a golden opportunity

Exclusive | Hong Kong’s potential as commodities hub draws expansion by Marex Group