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Palladium as an investment is much like investments in other precious metals. More than 75% of global platinum and 40% of palladium are mined in South Africa. Russia's mining company Norilsk Nickel produces another 44% of palladium, with US and Canada-based mines producing most of the rest. Global palladium sales were 212,000 kg in 2009, about 5% less than those in 2008. About 45% of the total output was used by the autocatalyst industry, about 19% by the electronics industry, and about 12% by the jewelry industry ("white gold" is an alloy of gold and palladium). The rest was used in such industries as chemical, dental, investment, and others.
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Prices
The price for palladium peaked near US$1,100 per troy ounce in January 2001 (approximately US$1340 in 2009 dollars) driven mainly on speculation of the catalytic converter demand from the automobile industry. Palladium is traded in the spot market with the code "XPD". When settled in USD, the code is "XPDUSD". A later surplus of the metal was caused by the Russian government selling stockpiles from the Soviet Era, at a rate of about 1.6 to 2 million ounces a year. The amount and status of this stockpile are a state secret.
Palladium producers
Exchange-traded products
ETFS Physical Palladium (LSE: PHPD) is backed by allocated palladium bullion and was the world's first palladium ETF. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange as PHPD, Xetra Trading System, Euronext and Milan. ETFS Physical Palladium Shares (NYSE: PALL) is an ETF traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
Bullion coins and bars
A traditional way of investing in palladium is buying bullion coins and bars made of palladium. Available palladium coins include the Canadian Maple Leaf and the Chinese Panda. The liquidity of direct palladium bullion investment is poorer than that of gold and silver because there is low circulation of palladium coins and a wider spread between buying and selling price.