Feb 5, 2025

Sigma Broking Seeks Buyer for Its Base Metals Business

In a significant development for the London Metal Exchange (LME), Sigma Broking is attempting to sell its base metals business just three years after becoming the first new floor-trading member in 15 years. According to a report by Yahoo Finance, the brokerage's decision to sell stems from escalating capital requirements imposed by the LME's clearing house.

Having joined the LME in 2022, Sigma's main clientele comprises investment funds, but the firm's business has recently been under strain, according to industry insiders. The most recent financial records indicate that Sigma Broking reported an after-tax loss of £1.37 million ($1.71 million) for the period ending May 2023. In addition to base metals, the broker also handles equities, fixed income, energy, carbon, and soft commodities.

Sigma's potential withdrawal brings into focus the future viability of open-outcry trading at the LME. The exchange remains one of the few places globally where ring trading persists but is threatened by the departure of major participants. The LME has stated that the floor may be closed if the number of trading firms drops below six or if trading volumes fall below 75% of last year's level.

Despite these challenges, the LME received a boost with the arrival of Clear Street Futures as a Category 1 member in December. However, sources have revealed that Clear Street has recruited multiple traders from Sigma, indicating possible shifts in the trading landscape.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

1. INTRODUCTION

Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A Quick Overview of Market Performance
1. KEY FINDINGS
2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
3. MARKET OVERVIEW

Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects
1. MARKET SIZE
2. CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY
3. MARKET FORECAST TO 2030
4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT

Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
4. MOST TRADED PRODUCT
5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCT FOR EXPORT
5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS
7. GLOBAL PRODUCTION

The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE
2. PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY
8. GLOBAL IMPORTS
The Largest Importers on The Market and How They Succeed
1. IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
9. GLOBAL EXPORTS
The Largest Exporters on The Market and How They Succeed
1. EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
11. COUNTRY PROFILES

The Largest Markets And Their Profiles
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
- United States
- China
- Japan
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- France
- Brazil
- Italy
- Russian Federation
- India
- Canada
- Australia
- Republic of Korea
- Spain
- Mexico
- Indonesia
- Netherlands
- Turkey
- Saudi Arabia
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- Nigeria
- Poland
- Belgium
- Argentina
- Norway
- Austria
- Thailand
- United Arab Emirates
- Colombia
- Denmark
- South Africa
- Malaysia
- Israel
- Singapore
- Egypt
- Philippines
- Finland
- Chile
- Ireland
- Pakistan
- Greece
- Portugal
- Kazakhstan
- Algeria
- Czech Republic
- Qatar
- Peru
- Romania
- Vietnam
LIST OF TABLES
1. Key Findings In 2024
2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
3. Market Value, 2012–2024
4. Per Capita Consumption, By Country, 2018–2024
5. Production, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
6. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
7. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
8. Import Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024
9. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
10. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
11. Export Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
LIST OF FIGURES
1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
2. Market Value, 2012–2024
3. Consumption, By Country, 2024
4. Market Volume Forecast to 2030
5. Market Value Forecast to 2030
6. Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
7. Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
8. Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
9. Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
10. Production Volume And Growth
11. Exports And Growth
12. Export Prices And Growth
13. Market Size And Growth
14. Per Capita Consumption
15. Imports And Growth
16. Import Prices
17. Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
18. Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
19. Production, By Country, 2024
20. Production, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
21. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
22. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
23. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
24. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
25. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
26. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
27. Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
28. Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
29. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
30. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
31. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
32. Export Prices, 2012–2024