Is Platinum A Good Investment?

Is Platinum A Good Investment?

Yes, platinum can be a good investment due to its rarity, strong industrial demand, and growing role in green technologies like hydrogen fuel cells. It offers diversification beyond gold and silver, but investors should consider its price volatility and reliance on South African supply.

Why Should I Invest in Platinum?

Platinum is more than just a precious metal; it plays a crucial role in key industries:

• Industrial Demand: Over 50% of platinum demand comes from the automotive sector, particularly for catalytic converters in diesel engines. It is also used in electronics, medical devices, and green hydrogen technology.
• Limited Supply: Around 70% of the world’s platinum supply comes from South Africa, making the metal vulnerable to supply shocks from labor strikes, electricity shortages, or political instability.
• Diversification: Platinum offers portfolio diversification, especially during periods of market volatility or U.S. dollar weakness.

These factors combined make platinum a strategic hedge against both inflation and geopolitical risks.

Will Platinum Rise in Value?

Based on the chart comparing gold and platinum prices from 2015 to 2025, platinum has significantly underperformed gold in recent years. Historically, platinum traded at a premium to gold, but since 2015, gold has consistently outperformed. In recent years, gold surged above $2,300/oz, while platinum hovered below $1,000/oz, highlighting a significant valuation gap. This divergence underscores platinum’s current undervaluation and potential upside if industrial demand accelerates or supply constraints persist.

Platinum prices have been historically volatile, influenced by macroeconomic conditions, industrial demand cycles, and mine supply. While past performance is not indicative of future results, several fundamentals suggest upside potential:

• Undervalued Compared to Gold: Historically, platinum traded at a premium to gold. As of 2025, gold trades significantly higher than platinum, which some analysts view as a long-term mispricing.
• EV and Green Energy Boom: Platinum is increasingly used in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and electrolyzers, suggesting demand could rise as clean energy adoption grows.
• Supply Constraints: With limited new mining projects and potential disruptions in South Africa, supply could lag behind growing demand.

Platinum Coins as Investment

Investing in platinum coins is a popular way to gain exposure to the metal. Coins such as the American Platinum Eagle or Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf are government-issued, widely recognized, and easier to liquidate than bars.

Advantages:

• High liquidity
• Government-backed purity and authenticity
• Suitable for smaller investment amounts

Disadvantages:

• Higher premiums over spot price
• Vulnerable to physical storage risks

Platinum Bars as Investment

For larger investments, platinum bars offer lower premiums per ounce compared to coins. They are typically available in weights ranging from 1 oz to 1 kg and are favored by institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals.

Advantages:

• Lower cost per gram/ounce
• Easier to store in bulk

Disadvantages:

• Less liquid than coins
• Requires secure storage solutions

Is It Better to Invest in Gold or Platinum?

Gold is often seen as a safer long-term store of value, especially during financial crises. Platinum, on the other hand, may outperform during industrial booms and global recovery cycles.

Gold and platinum serve different investment roles:

Criteria	Gold	Platinum
Role	Safe-haven asset	Industrial + precious metal
Price Volatility	Lower	Higher
Supply Source	Diversified	Concentrated in South Africa
Historical Price	Higher than platinum	Historically higher, now lower

Why Is Platinum So Cheap to Buy?

Despite its rarity, platinum is currently cheaper than gold due to several factors:

• Diesel Vehicle Decline: Falling demand for diesel cars has impacted platinum’s use in catalytic converters.
• COVID-19 Supply Chain Disruptions: These temporarily reduced industrial demand.
• Market Mispricing: Some traders argue the market has not fully priced in platinum’s role in hydrogen energy and future clean technologies.

However, this price gap could present a value opportunity if industrial demand rebounds or supply tightens further.

Conclusion

Platinum can be a strategic investment for those looking to diversify beyond gold and silver. Its industrial use, constrained supply, and growing role in the green energy transition make it an asset worth considering. However, potential investors should also be aware of the risks tied to price volatility and concentrated supply.

For a tailored investment strategy, consider trading platinum with Ultima Markets. We offer access to global precious metals markets with tight spreads, real-time data, and professional trading tools for informed decision-making.