Preliminary estimates for December indicate that the index increased by 0.7 per cent (on a monthly average basis) in SDR terms, after increasing by 1.4 per cent in November. The non-rural, and base metals subindices increased in the month, while the rural sub-index decreased. In Australian dollar terms, the index decreased by 0.5 per cent in December.

Over the past year, the index has decreased by 3.8 per cent in SDR terms. Increases in gold and rural commodity prices have been more than offset by lower thermal coal, alumina, and liquified natural gas prices. The index has decreased by 4.1 per cent in Australian dollar terms.

Consistent with previous releases, preliminary estimates for iron ore, coking coal, thermal coal and LNG export prices are being used for the most recent months, based on market information. Using spot prices for the bulk commodities index, the index increased by 0.8 per cent in December in SDR terms, but remains 2.8 per cent lower over the past year.