Palladium's relentless rally pushes it above US$2,500 an ounce

[BENGALURU] Palladium soared over 9 per cent to power above the key US$2,500 an ounce level for the first time on Friday, boosted by a chronic shortage of the metal in the market and hopes the global economy might be turning the corner.

Spot palladium was 6.9 per cent higher at US$2,472.80 per ounce at 1.41pm EST (1841 GMT), having earlier surged past the US$2,500 an ounce level to hit a record peak of US$2,537.06.

The auto-catalyst metal was also pacing for its best week since December 2001, surging more than 16 per cent.

"This is a structural deficit market that has been brewing for years and we don't really see an increase in supply on the horizon to quell that," said Ryan McKay, a commodity strategist at TD Securities.

Palladium has constantly been breaking records, rising more than 50 per cent last year, on a sustained supply squeeze and expectations for stricter emission laws across the globe.

Also helping boost prices, China and the United States signed a preliminary trade deal on Wednesday that could spur economic growth, and a Chinese auto industry group said vehicle sales would slow their decline.

Palladium is primarily used by automakers for catalytic converter manufacturing to clean car exhaust fumes.

"In an already tight market, we also have supply risks in South Africa due to the power outages," Mr McKay added.

South Africa, which produces two-fifths of the world's mined palladium, released data on Thursday showing its output of platinum group metals including palladium fell 13.5 per cent in November compared to the same month in 2018.

Platinum climbed 1.8 per cent to US$1,022.44 per ounce, having hit a peak since February 2017 at US$1,041.05 in the last session. Prices were up 4 per cent for the week.

Elsewhere, safe-haven gold edged 0.5 per cent higher to US$1,560.43 per ounce, but was headed for first weekly decline in six. Prices were down 0.1 per cent so far for the week.

US gold futures settled up 0.6 per cent at US$1,560.3.

There's continued interest in gold buying with political, geopolitical and economic worries globally and haven-seeking buyers in countries with weak currencies, said George Gero, managing director at RBC Wealth Management.

Gold is also facing some headwinds with stocks at record highs, which is keeping it in a range of about US$1,550-US$1,580, Mr Gero added.

World shares hit record highs after data showed China's economy was stabilizing and the world's second-largest economy ended 2019 on a somewhat firmer note as the trade truce revived business confidence.

However, investors were still nervous as the Phase One deal failed to address tariffs and some important core issues.

Silver rose 0.7 per cent to US$18.07 per ounce.

REUTERS