Exchange Traded Funds that deal in the precious metals have been seeing an increase in business, lately. ETF Securities said on Monday the amount of metal it holds to back its Physical Palladium exchange-traded commodity PHPD.L rose 12,628 ounces or 8 percent in the week to Feb. 6.
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.
Palladium finally got some upside last Wednesday, when it rose 5 percent on the sentiment that the recent price slip in the metal was overdone. Prices for palladium have fallen 56 percent in the third quarter, dropped 34 percent last month alone.
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.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009