Investors should sell platinum and purchase palladium when the spread between the precious metals exceeds $1,000, making platinum “extremely expensive” for industrial users, as per Equidex Brokerage Group Inc. For full story, click here
On January 5 palladium tumbled nearly 6 percent as the strong dollar knocked down all the precious metals. The metal hit a daily low of $178.50 an ounce, but was quoted at $180.00. On January 12 the metal picked up some steam, and rebounded to $191 per ounce.
The industrial precious metals have suffered more from the economic downturn than gold, with platinum and palladium, which are chiefly used in catalytic converters, both dropping significantly from their summer highs. Palladium at $184/192 an ounce against $187.50. For full story, click here
Spot palladium rebounded on Monday, up more than 5 per cent from New York’s notional close of $168.00. Palladium hit $176.50 per ounce as technical buying emerged after demand worries stemming from an ambiguous auto industry vote hit platinum group metals on Friday.
Palladium spot prices remained unchanged on the NYMEX today after the Dow Jones market rally of Oct. 13.08. Some precious metals such as gold suffered losses today as "safe haven" investing in precious metals and other, traditionally "safe" investments, took a backseat due to rebounding market conditions. Today, the market rally calmed as investors stopped to assess the current market climate before re-entering as buyers.
Palladium and other precious metals commonly used in industrial applications, such as platinum and silver, showed small improvements today, although the strength of the US dollar has been affecting their market values in the recent past.
Palladium and platinum values have tumbled on world markets as auto sales continue to stall, and the proposed 700 billion dollar bailout by Congress may or not be reconfigured to pass into law.
Current Market Climate The proposed bailout of bad debts by the U.S. Treasury is being hotly debated in Congress: this debate is affecting commodity spot prices and stock market share prices all over the world. As government officials ponder the wisdom of assisting banks and investment houses by spending over 700 billion dollars purchasing bad [...]
The stock market events of Sept. 15, 2008 have impacted all commodities markets, including precious metals such as palladium and platinum. Investors are unloading commodities at a rapid pace, in an attempt to seek safer investments.
Even with the current price drops and uncertainty surrounding when they will make a turn around, some are still bullish about precious metals in the long-term. Given the recently doom and gloom headlines regarding the American economy, an end to the downward slide could be in sight.
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