Palladium now more costly than platinum

PALLADIUM climbed above $1 000 an ounce for the first time since 2001 on hopes for rising demand from the car industry amid a shortage of supply.

Prices for the metal used in catalytic converters to curb pollution from mainly gasoline-powered vehicles jumped as much as 1.8 percent to $1 009.50 yesterday, before trading at $1 004.81 by 11.18am in London. Gold held near a threeweek high.

Palladium is one of this year’s best-performing commodities, advancing 48 percent, more than three times the increase in gold and about 10 times the gain in its sister metal platinum.

“Palladium continues to be driven by the positive momentum created by expectations of a supply deficit amid rising demand,” said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank A/S, by e-mail.

Industrial metals have risen this year as the world economy recovers, and copper burst through $7 000 a metric ton yesterday for the first time since 2014.

Palladium became more expensive than platinum last month for the first time in 16 years.

Prices for platinum, used in catalysts for diesel engines, have been hit as some European car makers admitted to cheating emissions tests for such vehicles, curbing consumer demand.

The metal was down 0.2 percent at $944.30 an ounce yesterday.

Things could get worse. Europe’s diesel-engine market

One of this year’s best-performing commodities, it has advanced 48 percent, outperforming gold and platinum

share may fall by half by 2025, potentially removing 300 000 to 600 000 ounces of platinum demand in the next decade, according to Citigroup.

The bank sees global surpluses in platinum stretching out to 2020, while the shortfall in palladium is set to widen to more than a million ounces next year before narrowing to 750 000 ounces by 2020. Favourable “Despite the PGM spread inversion since the end of September, we remain favourable to palladium over the short term,” Citigroup analysts, including Nell Agate, wrote in a note dated October 13.

“However, ever-looming substitution risks prevent an outright bullish view on palladium over the long term.”

Trading activity has also played a role in boosting palladium prices, Simona Gambarini at Capital Economics Ltd in London said.

“As such, prices look vulnerable to a correction,” she said.

Gold touched the highest level since September 26, gaining as much as 0.2 percent to $1 305.91 before a host of Federal Reserve speakers this week who may provide clues on the outlook for US monetary policy. Silver was little changed at $17.423 an ounce.