Trading from launch  

1. “Soft launch”

The soft launch commenced on 25 February 08 via the LME’s electronic platform “SELECT” and via the Telephone market. The market will opened on Select at 0100 HRS on 25 February 08.

First available prompt: 20 August 08, the 6 month date, with prompts available monthly to 15 Months:

Available prompts from “soft launch”  
   • 20 August 08
   • 17 September 08
   • 15 October 08
   • 21 January 09
   • 18 February 09
   • 18 March 09
   • 19 November 08
   • 17 December 08
   • 15 April 09
   • 20 May 09  

As trading moves into March and April the 3 – 6 month weekly dates will become available.  

2. “Hard launch”

The hard launch will be on 28 April 2008, where trading will commence in the Ring and continue on “SELECT” and via the Telephone market.  

First available prompt: 28 July 2008, the 3 month date - 3 month rolling contract commences.

Available prompts from “hard launch”
   • 28 July 08
   • Weekly every Wednesday to 29 October 08
   • Monthly every third Wednesday, 19 November to 15 July 09

Trading will be allowed for cash, settlement in two working day’s time, from 24 July and TOM will be allowed until 12.30 from Friday 25 July 08.

From 24 July 08 the Steel contracts will trade in an identical manner to non-ferrous contracts with:
   • Daily prompts for every day to three months
   • Weekly tradable prompt dates for every Wednesday of the month four to six
   • Monthly tradable prompts for every third Wednesday of the month for months seven to fifteen