U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Tech Rally Offsets Consumer Weakness 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
Oil Prices Climb in Asian Trade as Venezuela Sanctions and Middle East Tensions Fuel Risk Premium 
China’s Power Market Revamp Fuels Global Boom in Energy Storage Batteries 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Why U.S. Coffee Prices Are Staying High Despite Trump’s Tariff Rollbacks 
U.S. Dollar Slips as Yen Finds Support on Intervention Signals and Geopolitical Risks Rise 
UK Economy Grows 0.1% in Q3 2025 as Outlook Remains Fragile 
China Keeps Benchmark Lending Rates Steady as Economic Outlook Remains Cautious 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip After CPI-Fueled Rally as Markets Weigh Economic Uncertainty 
EU Approves €90 Billion Ukraine Aid as Frozen Russian Asset Plan Stalls 
Asian Stocks Rise as Wall Street Tech Rally Lifts Markets, Yen Slumps Despite BOJ Rate Hike 
Japan Signals Possible Yen Intervention as Currency Weakens Despite BOJ Rate Hike 
Platinum prices surged sharply at the start of the week, rallying more than 4.6% on Monday to break above the $2,000 per ounce level for the first time since 2008. The move marks a 17-year high for the precious metal and underscores renewed momentum across the broader precious metals market, as investors position for shifting macroeconomic and industrial trends.
The platinum price rally comes amid growing expectations that global interest rates could decline in the coming year, a scenario that typically boosts demand for non-yielding assets such as precious metals. Alongside platinum, gold, silver, and palladium have also extended recent gains, supported by stronger investment inflows and tightening supply conditions.
Investor sentiment toward platinum has been further strengthened by developments in Europe’s automotive policy landscape. The European Commission’s plan to ease its proposed 2035 ban on combustion engine vehicles has raised expectations that internal combustion engines, particularly diesel-powered vehicles, may remain in use longer than previously anticipated. Combined with slower-than-expected electric vehicle adoption, this shift has reinforced demand forecasts for platinum, a critical material used in autocatalysts to reduce vehicle emissions.
Adding to the bullish outlook, UBS strategists Giovanni Staunovo and Wayne Gordon recently revised their platinum and palladium price forecasts higher following the sharp rally in both metals. UBS increased its platinum price outlook by $300 per ounce, citing stronger investment demand and signs of a tightening market as supply struggles to keep pace with consumption.
Platinum’s strong performance highlights growing investor confidence in its industrial and strategic value, especially in the automotive sector where it remains essential for catalytic converters. As expectations for lower interest rates, sustained industrial demand, and constrained supply converge, platinum prices may continue to find support, keeping the metal firmly in focus for investors and industry participants alike.
