Is Platinum a Good Investment? We Investigate | Bleyer Bullion (2024)

There is no doubting that Platinum has been a disappointing investment in recent times but could that be about to change?

Platinum is currently trading around the £800 per ounce mark. That compares with a historic high of £1162 in July 2011 and a recent high of £918 in February 2021.

Outlook for Platinum Investment

Recently the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) published its Platinum Quarterly (for the fourth quarter of 2022) and revised its forecast for 2023.

After two years of Platinum surpluses there is forecast to be a deficit in 2023. There was a 776 koz surplus in 2022 and the World Platinum Investment Council are predicting a deficit of 556 koz in 2023.

So why the dramatic change?

Read 'Investing in Platinum, Options and Products'.

Rising Demand

There are a number of factors leading to a likely rise in demand for Platinum.

Global automotive demand for platinum is expected to increase by 10% in 2023 to 3.246 million ounces, according to the WPIC.

Demand for cars is on the increase. It’s not at pre-pandemic levels yet, but the effects of lockdowns in China, the war in Ukraine, chip shortages and cost-of-living concerns are starting to subside. Platinum is used by car makers in catalytic converters.

Platinum is becoming an increasingly important component in new cars, with the precious metal replacing the more expensive palladium in catalytic converters. The metal helps to neutralize harmful emissions in vehicles and so tighter emissions legislations and increased popularity of hybrid vehicles will put a squeeze on platinum demand.

Industrial demand is mainly coming from China, Japan and the glass industry. The WIPC are also expecting an increase in demand from China for Platinum Jewellery as lockdowns ease.

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Platinum Investment Game-Changer?

The so-called “Hyrdrogen Economy” could be the game-changer that Platinum investors have been waiting for.

Edward Sterck from the WIPC commented: “While hydrogen-related demand for platinum is relatively small in 2022 and 2023, hydrogen-related demand for platinum isexpected to grow substantiallythrough the rest of the decade and beyond, reaching as much as 35% of total yearly platinum demand by 2040,”

Japan currently leads the way in developing Hydrogen as a long term replacement for fossil fuels.

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Supply Issues?

There are potential supply issues to bear in mind when considering an investment in Platinum.

The refined mine supply of platinum dropped 18% in 2022, according to the WPIC, with South Africa and Russia having seen the biggest decreases.

According to UBS, South Africa typically accounts for more than 70% of the world’s platinum mining supply. The process, however, has been restricted by the country’s deepening power crisis. The WPIC reported a 24% decline in the country’s output in 2022. It anticipates continued volatility will leave the mining supply “largely unchanged” in 2023.

It was the combination of strikes and power cuts in South Africa in 2011 that led to a spike in the price of Platinum.

Russian supply dropped 10% in 2022, with war-induced geopolitical tensions preventing the transportation of platinum-containing products. The WPIC estimates that international transportation issues will persist this year and that overall platinum production in Russia will “decline slightly, but remain robust.”

Is Platinum a Good Investment? We Investigate | Bleyer Bullion (9)

Summary

There are three main factors that will influence the potential of Platinum as an investment. These are:

  • The use of catalytic converters in the automotive industry.
  • The “hydrogen economy”.
  • The economic situation in South Africa.

Platinum is rarer than gold. In 2008 it was more than double the price of gold. The historical average is 1.25 times and yet it’s currently half the price of gold.

As always, it’s important to do your research before investing so that you can make informed decisions about where to put your hard earned money!

Here to help

Bleyer offers expert consultancy and welcomes appointments with customers looking for a personal service either face to face, by phone or online. Give our expert team a call on 01769 618618 or email sales@bleyer.co.uk.

As well as selling coins and bars we are always happy to buy your precious metal bars and coins. We will offer the very best price we can.

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Is Platinum a Good Investment? We Investigate | Bleyer Bullion (2024)

FAQs

Is platinum bullion a good investment? ›

Platinum is often considered a diversification option for investment portfolios, as it has a low correlation with other asset classes, such as stocks and bonds. Like other precious metals, platinum tends to hold its value over time so it has historically been used as an inflation hedge.

Should I buy platinum, coin or bar? ›

Some investors choose to buy small platinum bars instead. Typically weighing more than the 1 Troy ounce standard for platinum coins, these bars have a lower price per gram and carry lower manufacturing costs too.

Is it the right time to buy platinum? ›

Based on the price action over the past years, platinum is back in the buy zone well below the $1,000 level in late June 2023, and the odds favor a rally above the pivot point.

Is it worth collecting platinum? ›

Platinum is considered one of the most valuable Precious Metals due to its rarity and essential value in both the economic and automotive industries.

Will platinum ever be worth more than gold? ›

Gold vs Platinum

Looking at the historical gold: platinum ratio, we can see that throughout history platinum has tended to be worth more than gold, but that this is not always the case. A savvy investor can use this ratio to find opportunities to profit from choosing to invest in one metal over another.

Is platinum better investment than silver? ›

Pure silver is generally hypoallergenic, but not all types are completely hypoallergenic. Platinum is rarer and more valuable than silver, making it a potentially lucrative investment. Silver retains its value over time and can be a good investment option due to its widespread industrial use and affordability.

What is the future of platinum bullion? ›

Main takeaways: Platinum Forecast 2024–2030

Analysts foresee platinum stabilizing around $1,000/oz after 2024 (as for February 22, 2024), setting the stage for a gradual climb towards the range of $1,200 to $1,400/oz over the next 5 to 7 years.

Are platinum coins worth collecting? ›

The precious metal may not be the toughest or most cost-efficient, but it's among some of the most valuable. In fact, that value is part of the reason platinum coins aren't used in circulation as much as they are used as collectors' items, such as bullion coins from platinum bullion bars.

Is platinum resale value better than gold? ›

Is platinum more valuable than gold? Platinum is generally valued higher than gold. This is because platinum is rarer than gold, has a higher density and is purer. Platinum rings require more platinum than gold rings require gold, which can increase the overall cost.

Is it hard to sell platinum? ›

Platinum bars generally have the same ease at selling as government-issued coins when the bars are issued by a government mint. However, platinum bars also have a frequent distribution from private smelters as well. So, they tend to get tested with far more scrutiny as a result.

Will platinum rise in 2024? ›

ANZ Research projected that the price of platinum would continue climbing over 2024, ending the year at $1,200/oz in December 2024, from $950 by the end of Q1 2024. Overall, it expected the precious metal to trade at an average of $1,058/oz in 2024, up from an estimated average of $945/oz in 2023.

Does platinum go up in a recession? ›

Precious metals, such as platinum and palladium, exhibit a significant relationship with economic conditions. In times of economic downturn, these metals experience a decrease in demand due to a decline in industrial production and global economic uncertainty. Consequently, their prices tend to follow a downward trend.

Why not invest in platinum? ›

We don't offer platinum and palladium because they're not monetary metals, have not protected investors during recessions or stock market crashes, and because their uses are overwhelmingly industrial. Bottom line, platinum and palladium have never been viewed as money, and they're not money now.

What are the downsides of platinum? ›

The downside of Platinum is that it tends to lose its high polish and sharp edges fairly quickly.

What is the best metal to invest in right now? ›

Gold. Gold is the most well-known and investable precious metal. It's unique for its durability (it doesn't corrode), shaping capability, and ability to conduct heat and electricity. While it has some industrial uses in dentistry and electronics, it's primarily used to make jewelry or as a form of currency.

Why is platinum bullion cheaper than gold? ›

While gold is considered a more stable investment option, platinum prices tend to fluctuate more due to its industrial uses and market dynamics. In recent years, platinum prices have been affected by the rise of electric vehicles, as they do not require catalytic converters, the primary industrial use for platinum.

Why is platinum not as popular as gold? ›

For starters, gold is far more abundant in the earth's crust, making platinum rarer. Whilst 1,500 tons of gold are mined annually, only 160 tons of platinum are extracted. When people ask 'Why is platinum not as popular as gold?,' it's perhaps less a question of popularity and more a matter of rarity.

Does platinum have resale value? ›

No, the resale value of platinum is usually poor. Is the purity of platinum jewellery high? Yes, platinum jewelery is 85% - 95% pure.

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