Preliminary estimates for March indicate that the index decreased by 4.9 per cent (on a monthly average basis) in SDR terms, after decreasing by 1.9 per cent in February (revised). The rural and non-rural subindices decreased in the month, while the base metals subindex increased. In Australian dollar terms, the index decreased by 5.1 per cent in March. Over the past year, the index has decreased by 15.3 per cent in SDR terms, led by lower thermal coal, iron ore, coking coal, liquified natural gas and lithium prices. Lithium (Spodumene) was added to the index for the first time, alongside the annual reweighting. The ... (full story)