Palladium Hits Record As Supply Shortage Deepens On Auto Demand

On Wednesday, spot palladium surged to a record high on bets that rebounding economies will fuel automaker demand, deepening supply shortfalls of the precious metal.

Palladium, used in catalytic converters to curb emissions in gasoline-powered vehicles, rose as much as 4.8% to $2,895.96 an ounce on Wednesday, surpassing the previous record set in February 2020. Prices have climbed more than 17% this year, building on five straight annual gains.

The palladium market has been in a production deficit for several years, and tighter pollution standards in Europe and China are spurring demand for the metal from automakers. Disruptions at Russian mines run by MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC, the world’s largest producer, have added to supply concerns.

”It’s a confluence of factors that’s driving palladium,” said Tai Wong, head of metals derivatives at BMO Capital Markets. “Fundamentally, there’s going to be a material deficit this year and automakers need to restock.”

Palladium, on its way to a third straight monthly gain, has also benefited from the outlook for low interest rates and quickening global growth. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell reiterated his dovish stance on U.S. monetary policy last week, and US and Chinese economic reports recently have buoyed optimism.

“There is nothing but tailwinds behind palladium at the moment,” said Jay Tatum, portfolio manager at Valent Asset Management. “With a global economic recovery on the way and the anticipated increase auto production speaking in favor of palladium, what are the chances that it is lower in three to four months?”

Analysts expect automakers that slowed production amid a global semiconductor shortage to restock supplies in the second half of this year and next year, adding to the bullish view.

The “‘catch up’ when chip supply recovers and auto stocks are rebuilt will be significant,” Citigroup Inc. analysts including Oliver Nugent said in a note. “This will be bullish for palladium physical balances especially.” It is likely that speculative buying prices this recovery ahead of time, they said.

Nornickel increased production of platinum and palladium in the first quarter even as two of its biggest Arctic mines fought flooding that forced the Russian mining company to lower annual targets.

Spot palladium rose 4.3% to $2,879.86 an ounce at 2:14 p.m. in New York. Futures for June delivery on the Nymex gained 4.3% to settle at $2,875.60 an ounce. Other precious metals also advanced. Gold climbed as much as 1.1%, touching a seven-week high and is trading at $1,792.35 an ounce, while silver rose for a second straight day. Platinum also gained.

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