Platinum Rebounds, Reverses Trend

 | Oct 09, 2015 09:34AM ET

Platinum price is rebounding after the scandal with Volkswagen (OTC:VLKPY) emission test. The scandal contributed to the fall of the price below $900 an ounce for the first time in about seven years. Will the positive momentum help reverse the downward trend?

The investigation into cheating of emission tests involving 11 million Volkswagen diesel cars hurt the demand for diesel cars with catalytic converters containing platinum, pushing the platinum price lower. The price has been falling since the start of 2015 as demand for platinum declined while the production increased. According to the World Platinum Investment Council’s Platinum Quarterly, refined platinum production grew in 2015 from 1.315 million ounces in the first quarter of 2015 to 1.535 million ounces in the second quarter.

In the same period, demand declined in the automotive, jewelry and industrial sectors. On the other hand, falling prices spur demand, particularly for jewelry, which will help push the price up. And on the supply side platinum production is expected to fall 15-20% in South Africa in coming years after decreasing 20% in the past eight years, providing additional support for platinum.