Precious metals have been the star of the show this year. In a crowded field, the palladium exchange traded fund (ETF) still manages to stand out.
In recent days:
- Palladium’s price has gained on fears that Russia, the world’s largest producer, has exhausted its state stockpiles of the precious metal.
- Rhiannon Hoyle for The Wall Street Journal reports that palladium has also been assisted by a weak dollar, which has made the metal more appealing for overseas investors. [4 ETFs Benefitting From China’s Industrial Output.]
Melissa Desroches for International Business Times reports that a host of other, broader factors are helping support the metal’s price, including:
- Automotive demand – palladium is used in catalytic converters.
- Jewelry – palladium is becoming a popular alternative to white gold or silver; it’s lighter, less expensive and requires less care.
- Electronics – palladium has a big role in the production of capacitors and fuel cells.
ETF Securities Physical Palladium (NYSEArca: PALL) is a play on palladium’s spot price, since it holds the physical metal. If you’re looking for an alternative to gold or silver, consider this.
Tisha Guerrero contributed to this article.
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.