Shortage of Metal Used to Cut Vehicle Pollution

Last year’s best-performing commodity hasn’t lost its touch. Spot palladium prices have soared above a record that stood for 17 years, Bloomberg reported. That followed its best year since 2010 on growing demand from carmakers for the metal used to reduce vehicle pollution. While palladium is supported by a lack of supply, the risk of a correction increases as prices rise. Palladium reached a record $1,139.68 an ounce on Monday, extending a 3.6% gain Friday, when it hit an all-time high that had stood since 2001. The metal gave back 1.5% on Tuesday. “The rally looks a bit overdone, but that doesn’t mean it can’t run another $150 or $200,” said Nikos Kavalis, director of research firm Metals Focus Inc. “There’s tremendous demand from the Far East.” The world hasn’t produced as much as it uses since 2012, Kavalis said, with last year’s shortage rising to 1.6 million ounces. The metal is a byproduct of platinum and nickel mining, meaning shortages are hard to address, he said.