Argus/McCloskey's Coal Price Index Report
API coal price indexes for internationally traded coal — covering Europe, South Africa, Australia, South China, Colombia and India.
The Argus/McCloskey's Coal Price Index Report is a weekly price report published jointly by Argus Media and McCloskey. It provides API coal price indexes for internationally traded thermal coal on the spot market, covering Northwest Europe, South Africa, Australia, South China, Colombia and India. The report is used by coal market participants worldwide for trading, contract settlement and investment decisions.
At a glance
- API 2® and API 4® daily and weekly benchmark prices.
- Weekly and monthly indexes for API 3, API 5®, API 6™, API 8®, API 10 and API 12.
- Six major international coal trading hubs covered.
- Settle contracts using globally recognised coal benchmarks.
Request trial access
Experience the difference with our industry-leading solutions. Submit your details and one of our specialists will contact you to discuss your requirements. You may also qualify for an exclusive, no-cost trial.
Key features
Global coverage
A full portfolio of API coal price indexes covering Northwest Europe, South Africa, Australia, South China, Colombia and India — the world's key international coal trading hubs.
Daily price assessments
Daily API 2® and API 4® benchmark prices enable traders and market participants to track spot market movements and respond to price changes in real time.
Weekly benchmark prices
Weekly assessments for API 3, API 5®, API 6™, API 8®, API 10 and API 12 provide comprehensive coverage of internationally traded coal across all major pricing hubs.
Monthly price indexes
Monthly indexes are published for all API benchmarks, calculated as averages of weekly indexes, giving users a consistent reference for contract settlement and planning.
Weekly PDF report
The report is published on the last London working day of the week, usually a Friday, delivering a structured summary of all current API price indexes.
How Argus assesses coal markets
-
Dual-source index construction
Each API index is an average of the corresponding Argus price assessment and the McCloskey marker price. -
Standardised specifications
Prices are standardised by contract basis, location and energy value, ensuring each API index is consistent and comparable. -
Index calculation method
Daily indexes average Argus and McCloskey assessments for that day. Weekly and monthly indexes follow sequential averaging of shorter-period values. -
API 4® quality differentials
Weekly NAR 4,800, NAR 5,500 and NAR 5,700 differentials to API 4® average the corresponding Argus and McCloskey Richards Bay assessments.
Who uses this service
Coal traders
- Use API indexes as an impartial price reference for negotiating physical coal trades.
- Reference benchmark prices when writing and settling physical coal contracts.
- Monitor daily API 2® and API 4® movements to track spot market conditions.
Mining companies
- Rely on API price indexes to support investment plans and secure project finance.
- Use benchmark prices to underpin sales agreements and export pricing decisions.
- Reference monthly indexes to track long-term market trends for planning purposes.
Derivatives traders and risk managers
- Settle coal futures and options contracts using API 2® and API 4® indexes.
- Use daily and weekly benchmarks to manage price risk and hedging positions.
- Reference API indexes to price over-the-counter derivatives and swaps.
Frequently asked questions
Key price assessments
The Argus/McCloskey's Coal Price Index Report provides API coal price indexes for internationally traded thermal coal. Published daily, weekly and monthly, these indexes support trading, contract settlement and investment decisions across the global coal market.