We recently wrote about platinum prices sinking. Well, palladium seems to be following its sister metal.
In April we noticed that palladium was heading into trouble and it certainly was, only this month the metal dropped 15%, falling to its lowest level in two years.
Palladium spot price since 2012. Source: MetalMiner.
Unlike platinum, palladium finds more application in gasoline engines and is, therefore, more exposed to the Chinese and US markets than to European markets.
Automotive Demand Stalls
Slowing growth in Chinese auto sales may have scared investors away from this precious metal.
Another bearish factor is that supply concerns eased amid signs of recovering mining output this year. Although, there are different opinions on this and some experts are still saying there will be a continuing deficit.
Palladium Follows Platinum
As with platinum, we believe that a main driver has been a stronger dollar which puts pressure on commodities and gives South Africa’s miners an incentive to keep producing as their currency depreciates against the dollar. Meanwhile, it is clear that investors are not pouring money into precious metals and this trend is hurting palladium as well.
by Raul de Frutos