Platinum prices scaled a fresh record high on Wednesday, December 24, extending a sharp rally as renewed geopolitical tensions, particularly between the US and Venezuela, lifted demand for safe-haven assets.
Support also came from a weaker US dollar, amid growing expectations that the US Federal Reserve could move toward further monetary easing next year, making precious metals cheaper for holders of other currencies.
Spot platinum jumped more than 3 per cent to breach the $2,300-an-ounce mark, touching an all-time high of $2,378. Tight supply conditions, rising investment demand and a rotation away from gold have underpinned the surge, with platinum outperforming the yellow metal in 2025.
Wednesday marked the metal’s 10th straight session of gains-its longest winning streak since 2017. Prices are up over 162 per cent so far this year, the strongest annual advance on record going back at least to 1987. Palladium also rallied, climbing another 4 per cent to a three-year high of $2,022 an ounce, taking its year-to-date gains to 121 per cent.
Media reports suggest platinum is also drawing support from concerns over potential US tariffs or trade restrictions, as markets await the outcome of Washington’s Section 232 probe. More than 600,000 ounces of platinum are currently held in US warehouses.
In Europe, demand sentiment improved after the European Commission earlier this month outlined plans to drop the effective 2035 ban on internal combustion-engine vehicles. Both platinum and palladium are widely used in automotive catalytic converters to curb harmful emissions.
Supply-side pressures have further tightened the market, with disruptions in top producer South Africa contributing to a third consecutive annual supply deficit.
Geopolitical risks intensified last week after Donald Trump ordered a “blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, while also saying he was not ruling out the possibility of war with the country.
Gold and silver extend 2025 rally
Gold prices have climbed around 80 per cent so far in 2025, supported by strong central bank buying and sustained inflows into exchange-traded funds. Holdings in gold-backed ETFs rose in every month this year except May, according to data from the World Gold Council.
Trump’s aggressive push to reshape global trade and his repeated threats to the Federal Reserve’s independence added momentum to the rally earlier in the year. Investors have also been drawn to the so-called “debasement trade”, reflecting a move away from sovereign bonds and currencies amid concerns over ballooning government debt.
Silver has outperformed both gold and platinum, surging about 150 per cent this year. Its latest leg higher has been fuelled by speculative inflows and lingering supply disruptions across key trading hubs following a historic short squeeze in October.