Preliminary estimates for April indicate that the index rose by 2.0 per cent (on a monthly average basis) in SDR terms, after increasing by 6.3 per cent in March (revised). Increases in the prices of iron ore and coking coal were partly offset by lower LNG prices. The base metals subindex was little changed, while the rural subindex rose in the month. In Australian dollar terms, the index rose by 0.6 per cent in April. Over the past year, the index has fallen by 9.4 per cent in SDR terms, led by declines in the prices of base metals. The index has fallen by 7.0 per cent in Australian dollar terms over the past year. ... (full story)