Platinum prices held up well during the day, and spot market premiums kept transactions normal [SMM Daily Review]

Iridium prices are currently supported by structurally tight supply and growing demand from the clean energy sector, despite ongoing efforts to reduce material intensity through recycling and catalyst optimisation. The metal's price continues to be influenced by limited primary production, which has remained broadly stable at around 7 tonnes annually in recent years because iridium is produced solely as a by-product of platinum and palladium mining. Supply remains highly concentrated, with South Africa accounting for more than 80% of global refined iridium output, leaving the market vulnerable to production disruptions and geopolitical risks. At the same time, demand continues to strengthen, driven by expanding deployment of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers for green hydrogen production, alongside growing use in advanced electrochemical catalysts, electronics and specialty industrial applications. To address persistent supply constraints, producers and refiners are accelerating investment in recycling and closed-loop recovery. Secondary supply has become an increasingly important source of iridium, helping improve market resilience while reducing dependence on primary mining. Although catalyst thrifting and substitution research are progressing, commercially viable alternatives remain limited, supporting a firm medium-term outlook for iridium prices.

ICE Benchmark Administration (IBA) officially assumed administration of the LBMA Platinum and Palladium Price benchmarks on 1st July 2026, replacing the London Metal Exchange (LME), which ceased its role on 30 June. The LBMA Platinum and Palladium Price benchmarks serve as the global reference prices for unallocated platinum and palladium delivered in London and are widely used for pricing, valuation, financial products and commercial transactions. From 1 July, market participants seeking access to real-time or historical benchmark data are required to obtain a licence directly from IBA, including firms previously licensed through the LME. Under the new framework, eligible LBMA and London Platinum and Palladium Market (LPPM) members with valid IBA licences may access historical platinum group metals (PGM) benchmark data through the LBMA Members' Portal. Delayed daily benchmark prices will continue to be published on the LBMA and LPPM websites. The transition is expected to ensure continuity in benchmark administration while strengthening governance and data licensing for the global platinum and palladium markets.

【SMM Precious Metal Express】US June CPI slowed to 3.5% year-on-year, below the 3.8% estimate and the prior 4.2%, while the monthly reading fell 0.4%—the first negative print in six years. Following the data, traders pushed back Fed rate hike expectations to October, with rate futures pricing in approximately 30 basis points of tightening by year-end, down 9 basis points from yesterday.