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Platinum Brokers 2024

Written By

Jemma Grist

Written By

Jemma Grist

Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.

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Edited By

James Barra

Edited By

James Barra

James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. As a former management consultant, he has worked on major operational transformation programmes at prominent European banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.

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Fact Checked By

William Berg

Fact Checked By

William Berg

William contributes to several investment websites, leveraging his experience as a consultant for IPOs in the Nordic market and background providing localization for forex trading software. William has worked as a writer and fact-checker for a long row of financial publications.

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Updated

Jun 12, 2024

Platinum trading involves speculating on one of the rarest metals in the world. Over 50% of the platinum mined today is acquired by the jewellery industry and the rest is used by the automotive industry as it is a key component of catalytic converters in fuel engines.

This 2024 platinum trading guide will break down all you need to know about the commodity, including its history, price economics and how to get started. We have also compiled a list of the best platinum trading brokers below.

What Is Platinum Trading?

80% of the platinum traded today comes from South Africa, with the rest of production divided between Russia and North America. It is a relatively scarce precious metal and, as a result, tends to trade at a higher unit price. It is estimated that platinum is 15-20 times scarcer than gold.

Platinum trading does not occur on all stock exchanges. However, the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) and the London Platinum and Palladium Market are two major exchanges that support it. In 2019, the global platinum market size was valued at USD 6.5 billion and expected to register a compound annual growth rate of 5.% by 2027.

History Of Platinum Trading

Platinum is considered a precious metal much like gold or silver. However, whilst gold and silver are widely traded around the world, platinum is less so. This is partly due to its scarcity but also because platinum does not have the ancient ties to trade that gold and silver do.

Gold and silver were known to ancient civilisations and were traded much like modern societies exchange currency today. However, platinum as an investment vehicle did not come until much later. In fact, it was not until the late 20th century that the metal was used in trade or investment. When it was first discovered in Colombia in the 17th century, it was actually considered a nuisance because it interfered with gold mining activities. In 1956, the New York Mercantile Exchange introduced platinum futures as a way to diversify the exchange from the predominantly agricultural instruments available.

Platinum coins came later still, in 1997 when the United States Mint launched its first platinum bullion coin, the Platinum American Eagle. Following their release they quickly became the most popular platinum coins in the world, selling at previously unseen premiums.

Fast forward to today and those involved in platinum trading can choose between legal tender coins, bullion bars, futures and options contracts. Platinum continues to be used predominantly by the jewellery and automotive industries but its uses span dental apparatus, surgical equipment and even drugs for cancer treatment. Experts argue that even more excitement could lay ahead for this unique instrument. As we continue to break down trade barriers and introduce previously isolated markets to the global stage, we are seeing accelerated growth. This is particularly exciting for platinum because, as countries become wealthier, they tend to increase their investment in platinum. This is primarily due to the use of platinum catalytic converters and increased demand for luxury items such as jewellery.

Why Do People Trade Platinum?

Store Of Value

Platinum is arguably the rarest of all precious metals. Its unique properties mean that it is in high demand in both the jewellery and automotive industries. Nearly one in five manufactured products uses platinum at some stage of the production process. Demand combined with scarcity drives its unit value.

Insurance Policy

Much like gold, platinum is used as an insurance policy against dollar weakness. You may have heard the term safe-haven asset. Well, it can be applied to platinum too. Investors will hedge in platinum during market slowdowns. Precious metals tend to hold their value, much more so than goods or services. Hedging in platinum may protect purchasing power in the long run.

A Bullish View

Platinum trading offers a way to express a bullish view on global growth. As emerging market economies grow, demand for manufactured goods will increase. Platinum currently operates an integral role in the production of cars and, therefore, serves as a way to bet on growth in global industry.

What Influences The Platinum Trading Price?

Platinum is considered a relatively stable instrument, much like other precious metals. It is for this reason that many turn to platinum as a hedging opportunity. However, several factors will cause the price of platinum to fluctuate:

Gold

It is not uncommon to compare the price of platinum and gold. When the market is stable, platinum is considered to be worth roughly twice the price of gold. However, unlike gold and silver, platinum and gold tend to have an inversive relationship. When the price of gold increases, platinum’s value tends to decrease.

Supply & Demand

Platinum is a high value, finite resource that is primarily mined in Africa. Supply issues can affect the price. Major political or economic changes in the African region can affect supply, which, in turn, affects its value.

Industry

Most of the platinum mined is used by one of two industries; jewellery and car manufacturing. Disruption or major changes to either of these industries can have major implications on the platinum trading price.

Today’s Live Platinum Trading Price

How To Trade Platinum

You have a few different options when it comes to platinum trading. The right instrument for you will depend on several factors, including experience level, risk appetite and strategy.

• ETFs: Platinum is traded as an ETF on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) under the ticker symbol LSE: PHPT and both PPLT and PLTM are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The advantage of platinum ETFs is that you do not have to store physical platinum bullion, which can be a complicated process. However, if the price of platinum takes off, you are likely to make more money holding platinum bars or coins than investing in ETFs.
• Coins & Bars: Platinum bars or coins will need to be stored and insured. Coins are available from the United States Mint.
• Accounts: Many Swiss banks offer platinum accounts. These provide an opportunity to buy and sell platinum, much like any forex currency. The customer does not actually own the platinum, though, they just have a claim against the bank.
• Futures: A futures contract sets a predetermined time and date to buy or sell platinum. The key advantages of trading futures are that it allows you to hedge against price fluctuation and the contracts often have simpler pricing models than other methods.
• Options: Platinum trading options also let you buy or sell platinum at a set price in the future. However, there is no obligation, so you can decide whether or not you want to go through with the trade. Platinum options allow you to trade with leverage, providing an opportunity to make a big return on a relatively small investment.

Pros Of Platinum Trading

• Relative stability
• Global growth tracker
• Portfolio diversification
• Hedging against downturns
• Widespread application in new technologies
• Responds to trends in the jewellery and automotive industries

Cons Of Platinum Trading

• Political and economic instability may cause supply shortages and volatility
• Relative stability may not be great for short-term trading strategies
• Not every broker offers platinum instruments

How To Start Platinum Trading

First things first, you’ll need to find a broker. Finding the right broker is key to long-term, successful trading. Do your research, consider reputation, platforms and tools, as well as pricing, demo accounts and regulation. Check out our comparison guide here.

Once you have found your broker, you will need to outline your strategy and take a position. Whichever strategy you choose, always ensure it is underpinned by a robust risk management system to minimise losses.

Finally, monitor your chosen position(s). Analyse the market, confer with experts and ensure you are up to date with the latest news and developments to put you in the best position possible to spot future opportunities.

Final Word On Platinum Trading

Platinum trading has a lot to offer as a tool for investment. Whether you are looking to hedge, store value or invest in global growth, the once-overlooked asset has shown its true value in recent years. As emerging markets continue to grow and the demand for platinum increases, it looks set to continue on a prosperous trajectory.

Make sure to choose the right broker and implement a clear strategy with robust risk management to ensure the greatest chance of success. Additionally, we recommend you make the most of courses, analysis ideas and charts.

FAQs

Why Should I Trade Platinum?

Platinum is both rarer and has more uses than gold, yet it is often overlooked when it comes to investment. Platinum presents a good opportunity to diversify your portfolio. Given its ties to the automotive and jewellery industries, the platinum trading value has several avenues for fundamental analysis, on top of the standard technical volatility analysis systems.

What Is The Best Platinum Trading Strategy?

Strategies are dependent on several personal factors, including time, goals, risk appetite and capital. There is no one-shoe-fits-all solution. Popular strategies include breakout trading, scalping, arbitrage and news trading. If you are looking to improve your understanding, there are lots of great university courses, programs, academy courses and groups that you can utilise.

Where & How Can I Trade Platinum?

You can trade platinum online, via mobile or desktop platforms around the world from India to Tokyo, the US to Dubai. As uses for the metal grow, demand for platinum trading has flourished.

How Much Should I Invest In Platinum Trading?

The short answer is to invest whatever you are comfortable with, whether that is £150, £600, £1,000 or £5,000. The biggest mistake you could make is speculating with money you do not have, so be sensible. Ensure your risk management approach is robust and comprehensive to improve your chances.

What Are The Best Platinum Trading Platforms?

There are several brokers and platforms that we recommend for platinum trading, including City Index and eToro. These brokers offer competitive trading conditions, popular platforms and reputable regulation. For more, see here.