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 ... (full story)