Preliminary estimates for June indicate that the index rose by 0.7 per cent (on a monthly average basis) in SDR terms, after declining by 1.8 per cent in May (revised). An increase in the iron ore price more than offset declines in coal and oil prices. The base metals subindex fell sharply in the month, while the rural commodities subindex declined more modestly. In Australian dollar terms, the index rose by 2.9 per cent in June. Over the past year, the index has fallen by 17.9 per cent in SDR terms, led by declines in the in the prices of bulk commodities. The index has fallen by 9.2 per cent in Australian dollar ... (full story)