Platinum Falls Most in Eight Months on Stronger Dollar; Palladium Declines

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum fell the most in eight
months in New York as the dollar strengthened, reducing the
metal's appeal as an alternative investment. Palladium also
dropped.

Platinum is traded mostly in dollars, which rose to a two-
week high against the euro, making the metal more expensive for
holders of the European currency. U.S. stocks extended
yesterday's drop, the biggest in five months, as investors
shunned riskier investments in favor of bonds.


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Platinum Futures Rise on Threats of South African Strikes; Palladium Gains

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum rose in New York on
speculation that strikes may disrupt supplies from South Africa,
a source of 78 percent of the metal. Palladium also gained.

State officials in South Africa are mediating in pay talks
between unions and management at Anglo Platinum Ltd. and Impala
Platinum Holdings Ltd., the world's two biggest producers of the
metal. Mediation is a necessary step before unions can call a
strike. Pay talks at Northam Platinum Holdings Ltd. ended without
an agreement yesterday.


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Platinum Falls in New York After Stillwater Strike Ends; Palladium Drops

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum fell for a third-straight
session in New York after a strike ended at Stillwater Mining
Co., the lone U.S. producer. Palladium also dropped.

Unionized workers at Stillwater's mine and smelter in
Montana accepted a four-year wage accord, ending a walkout that
began July 11. Workers are expected to be back on the job
tonight, Billings, Montana-based Stillwater said in a statement.


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Platinum Futures Gain in New York as Dollar Falls to Record Versus Euro

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum rose in New York after the
dollar fell to a record against the euro, boosting the precious
metal's appeal as an alternative investment. Palladium also
gained.

Gold, silver and platinum often move in the opposite
direction of the dollar. The euro climbed to $1.3784 today, the
highest since the currency's debut in 1999. Before today,
platinum had climbed 15 percent this year and reached a record
$1,353.80 on May 7.


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Platinum Falls From Two-Week High as Dollar Strengthens; Palladium Rises

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum fell from a two-week high in
New York as a stronger U.S. dollar reduced the metal's appeal as
a hedge against inflation. Palladium gained.

The dollar rose against the euro and traded near a four-year
high versus the yen earlier today on speculation that a report on
U.S. manufacturing will show economic growth is picking up from
the slowest pace in four years. The metal, which is mostly traded
in the dollar, generally moves in the opposite direction of the
U.S. currency.


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Platinum Rises for First Time in Five Sessions in London; Palladium Drops

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum rose for the first time in five
sessions in London as industrial buyers deemed that a drop to the
lowest in eight weeks yesterday was exaggerated. Palladium fell.

Platinum, used in jewelry and car exhaust systems, fell to
$1,253.75 an ounce yesterday, the lowest since April 10, partly
on fading prospects for investment demand to soak up increased
supplies of the metal. Prices have dropped 3.1 percent since
securities backed by platinum were introduced on April 24 on the
London Stock Exchange followed by the SWX Swiss Exchange. The
metal rose to a record $1,402.50 an ounce in November on
speculation the so-called ETFs would put a squeeze on supply.


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Platinum Falls in London as Dollar Gains May Slow Demand; Palladium Drops

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum fell in London on speculation
that declines in the euro against the dollar may curb demand from
European manufacturers for the dollar-denominated metal.
Palladium also dropped.

Europe was the fastest-growing market for platinum last
year, paced by a 10 percent increase in demand from manufacturers
of car catalysts to reduce pollution, a report last week by
London-based manufacturer Johnson Matthey Plc showed. The euro
fell 0.2 percent against the dollar today, adding to its 1.5
percent decline this month.


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Platinum Falls in New York on Stronger Dollar; Palladium Gains on Jewelery

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum fell in New York as the
dollar gained against the euro and the yen, reducing the appeal
of precious metals as an alternative asset. Palladium rose.

The U.S. currency rose to a three-month high versus the yen
and strengthened against the euro. The dollar has gained for
three straight weeks against the euro, the longest rally since
October. Platinum has increased 15 percent this year, partly on
speculation of rising investor demand.


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Platinum, Palladium Prices Little Changed as UBS Raises Price Forecasts

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum was little changed in Asia trade amid speculation the price of the metal will climb after analysts from UBS AG raised their forecast for the metal. Palladium was also little changed.

The price of platinum will rise to $1,350 an ounce in the next three months on expectations of increased investor demand, John Reade, head of metals strategy at the UBS Investment Bank unit in London, said in a report yesterday. The forecast was $50 higher than a previous estimate.


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