Aquarius Platinum Limited declared that following recent adjustments to the Standard and Poor’s / Australian Securities Exchange index series, Aquarius has been accepted for inclusion in the S&P/ASX 100, effective from the close of trade on 19 June 2009. For full story, click here
ETF Securities declared the amount of metal it holds to back its Physical Platinum exchange-traded commodity dipped 5.7 percent in the week to May 8. For full story, click here
The amount of metal ETF Securities holds to back its London platinum and palladium exchange-traded commodities surged by 2.4 percent and 4.4 percent respectively in the week to last Friday. For full story, click here
Russia’s RTS exchange has reported that it will launch trading in platinum and palladium futures contracts from April 15, adding to existing contracts on gold and silver. For full story, click here
Zurich Cantonal Bank announced that holdings in its platinum exchange-traded fund (ETF) have risen by 22 per cent since February. For full story, click here
Platinum has bounced more than 30 percent since plunging to a five-year low of approximately $732 an ounce in October. This ascent is occurring despite the absence of physical buying from the industrial sector. This rebound, without appropriate technical recovery is puzzling analysts.
Platinum showed extreme volatility in 2008, rising to an all-time high of $2,290 an ounce in March on the back of a power shortage in major producer South Africa, before falling to a five-year low of $732.50 in October.
Platinum, once prized with value due to its rarity, has become one of the worst performers of the precious metals. So far this year, the metal used as an auto catalyst has shed 46% of its value.
Platinum was up on Monday, reversing some of last weeks huge losses. The metal used in the auto industry continued its rise on Tuesday, but later in the day experienced losses. Platinum’s rise from its 3 1/2 year low came as crude oil prices advanced, encouraging investors to buy commodities including precious metals.
Platinum prices advanced further Tuesday after surging oil prices boosted the precious metal’s appeal as a hedge against inflation. Overall weakness in the dollar, the recovery in equities and fresh optimism over the economic outlook sparked buying of commodities in earlier trade.
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