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Platinum prices outlook for 2012
Platinum prices have been volatile this year. The metal opened in January at $1,768/oz but fell to $1,654/oz after the Japan’s triple disaster. Benefiting from a gold rally in August, platinum surged to a high of $1,912/oz but has since fallen sharply. In November the metal lost $91 for the month, hitting a low of $1,515. By noon (EST) on Thursday, platinum was at $1,413, $355 below its 2011 start.
That sort of activity often makes investors queasy, but many appear to have contained their lunch and committed to the ride, giving way to expectations that 2011 will be marked by positive investment demand.
Nonetheless, appetites are likely to prove mild compared to 2010 when ETP holdings increased by 551,000 ounces. Platinum has not maintained that magnitude of interest this year.
When HSBC revised their platinum outlook in September, they maintained a 2011 forecast of 400,000 ounces for ETF demand. However, they adjusted non-ETF investment down to 150,000 ounces from 225,000 ounces as demand appeared to have moderated.
South African platinum miners have had a rough year. Production in the first half was down due in large part to labor disputes and safety stoppages, but companies managed to keep pace by drawing from existing supplies. Following several wage agreements, producers were undoubtedly looking forward to better times, but the challenges persist.
In October, for example, an unprecedented 36 percent production drop was reported due to more safety stoppages, which the government has committed to continuing. This is coming at a time when rising energy costs, deeper mining depths and other problems are threatening to take a serious toll on an industry that desperately needs to start reinvesting in future production.
South Africa is not expected to be a significant contributor to supply growth for 2011. Yet, it is expected that the year will end with a platinum surplus. Though predictions regarding the size of that surplus vary, factors that are playing a role include production from North America, Zimbabwe, and an increase in recycled material.
Whereas many gasoline engine markets use palladium dominant autocatalysts, Japan’s doesn’t. Therefore, the natural disaster that occurred in March and the negative impact that it had on Japanese auto production had negative effects on platinum demand. HSBC predicted that Japanese auto production could be down as much as 34 percent in 2011.
Still, gross platinum demand, according to Johnson Matthey, is set to exceed eight million ounces, placing it near pre-recession levels.
Increases are expected in most industrial applications for which platinum is used including autocatalysts. There were some expectations that gold gaining on platinum would be positive for global platinum jewelry sales. This, for the most part, did not occur. However, moderate demand increases for jewelry will likely be seen.
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