Platinum and palladium are both precious metals from the platinum group, often compared because they share similar industrial uses and investment appeal. But which one is the better bet right now? Let’s break it down in simple terms.
**Rarity and Price Trends**
Palladium is generally rarer than platinum, which often makes it more expensive. It tends to sell at a higher premium over its spot price because palladium products are less common to find. This rarity has helped push palladium prices higher in recent times.
However, platinum has been showing some strong price action lately. After years of hovering around the $1,000 per ounce mark—sometimes dipping below or rising above—it recently surged by about 53% from April to June 2025, reaching highs near $1,340 per ounce. This rally puts platinum close to its long-term resistance level seen back in 2021 and hints at potential for even higher prices if it breaks through that ceiling.
Palladium also saw a notable rise earlier this year with a peak above $1,100 per ounce but has experienced some pullbacks since then. Its price remains volatile but generally strong due to supply-demand dynamics.
**Industrial Demand**
Both metals have important industrial uses—especially in automotive catalytic converters where they help reduce harmful emissions—but their demand drivers differ slightly.
Palladium is heavily used in gasoline-powered vehicle catalysts while platinum finds more use in diesel engines and other industries like jewelry and electronics. The shift toward electric vehicles affects demand differently: as EVs don’t need catalytic converters, this could reduce future demand for both metals but especially palladium given its larger role there.
**Investment Considerations**
For investors looking at these metals as stores of value or speculative plays:
– Platinum’s recent bullish trend suggests growing investor interest possibly driven by expectations of tighter supply or increased industrial use.
– Palladium’s rarity keeps it attractive but also means its price can be more sensitive to market swings.
– Both remain priced below gold historically on an absolute basis but offer diversification benefits within precious metal portfolios.
– Technical levels matter: Platinum seems poised near key resistance points that could trigger further gains; meanwhile, palladium faces support around $1,015 with resistance near $1,109 per ounce—a break either way could signal new trends.
In essence, if you’re seeking potentially stronger upside based on recent momentum and technical signals plus diversified industrial demand exposure beyond just automotive catalysts, platinum might be the better bet right now. But if you prefer something rarer with historically higher premiums despite volatility risks—and believe gasoline vehicle catalyst demand will hold up longer—palladium remains compelling too.
The choice depends on your risk tolerance and outlook on how global industry trends evolve alongside economic factors influencing precious metal markets today.