Platinum and Palladium Consolidate at Highs with Strong Resistance Above; Spot Market Consumption Remains Sluggish [SMM Platinum and Palladium Weekly Review]
This week, platinum and palladium retreated after a rapid rise and then consolidated at highs. Weaker nonfarm payrolls and a mild pullback in CPI fueled a cooling of rate-hike expectations. However, the US and Iran became embroiled in a compensation dispute and the strait remained closed. Together with technical resistance and profit-taking, prices came under pressure and pulled back. Spot market quotes were marked by relative involution, and consumption remained subdued.