Platinum as an investment

Estonian platinum coins

American Platinum Eagle, the official platinum bullion coin of the United States.

Platinum as an investment has a much shorter history in the financial sector than does either gold or silver, which were known to ancient civilizations. Experts posit that platinum is about 15-20 times scarcer than gold, on the basis of annual mine production. Because of this fact, platinum has usually tended to sell at a significant price premium to gold.^[1] Since, 2014 platinum rates have fallen significantly lower than gold rates.^[2] More than 75% of global platinum is mined in South Africa.^[3]

Overview

Platinum is relatively scarce even among the precious metals. New mine production totals approximately only five million troy ounces (150 Mg) a year. In contrast, gold mine production runs approximately 82 million ounces (2,550 Mg) a year, and silver production is approximately 547 million ounces (17,000 Mg).^[4] As such, it tends to trade at higher per-unit prices.

Platinum is traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) and the London Platinum and Palladium Market. To be saleable on most commodity markets, platinum ingots must be assayed and hallmarked in a manner similar to the way gold and silver are.^[5][6]

The price of platinum changes along with its supply and demand; during periods of sustained economic stability and growth, the price of platinum tends to be as much as twice the price of gold; whereas, during periods of economic uncertainty,^[7] the price of platinum tends to decrease because of reduced demand, falling below the price of gold, partly due to increased gold prices. Platinum price peaked at US$2,252 per troy ounce in March 2008 driven on production concerns (brought about partly due to power delivery problems to South African mines). It subsequently fell to US$774 per troy ounce ($25/g) in November 2008.^[8] As of 10 January 2014, the platinum spot price in New York was US$1,428 per ounce, compared to US$1,246.20 per ounce for gold and US$20.18 per ounce for silver. Platinum is traded in the spot market with the code "XPT". When settled in United States Dollars, the code is "XPTUSD".

Investment vehicles

Exchange-traded products

Platinum price 1880–2011

Platinum price 1968–2012

Platinum is traded as an ETF (exchange-traded fund) on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol LSE: PHPT and on the New York Stock Exchange as ticker symbol PPLT^[9] There are also several ETNs (exchange-traded note) available,^[10] some of which are inverse to the price of platinum. A list can be found at ETFDB, stock encyclopedia.

Platinum coins

Platinum coins are another way to invest in platinum, although relatively few varieties of platinum coins have been minted, due to its cost and difficulty in working. Since 1997, the United States Mint has been selling American Platinum Eagle coins to investors.

Accounts

Most Swiss banks offer platinum accounts where platinum can be instantly bought or sold just like any foreign currency. Unlike physical platinum, the customer does not own the actual metal but rather has a claim against the bank for a certain quantity of metal.

Others

Other ways of investing in platinum include spread betting or contracts for difference on the price of the metal, owning shares in mining companies with substantial platinum assets or exposure, owning traded options in platinum (only available in the US market).^[3]

See also

• Alternative investments
• Gold as an investment
• London Platinum and Palladium Market
• Palladium as an investment
• Silver as an investment

References

External links

• Information about Platinum as a commodity from New York Mercantile Exchange
• London Platinum and Palladium Market