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Platinum is a precious metal used in diesel catalytic converters (which reduce vehicle emissions), fuel cells, and jewelry.
Key factors in play: Platinum's price mostly comes down to a tug of war between constrained supply and shifting demand. Mining disruptions in South Africa, the largest producer, have kept output tight, according to the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC). Jewelry buying and hybrid vehicle catalyst use have been demand drivers, while rising EV adoption works in the other direction, since EVs need no catalytic converter at all.
What to watch: Gold price moves, Federal Reserve meetings, CPI releases, and South African mine supply news.