LME to launch seven new contracts on March 11, lithium due in fourth quarter

LONDON (Reuters) - The London Metal Exchange (LME) will launch seven new cash-settled futures contracts on March 11, including hot-rolled coil steel and alumina, it said on Thursday.

The exchange, the world's oldest and largest market for industrial metals, also said in a statement that it expected to launch a lithium contract in the fourth quarter. The LME is owned by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd <0388.HK>.

(Reporting by Eric Onstad; Editing by Alexander Smith)