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Wednesday, February 19, 2020, 15:58
Gold at highest since 2013 as virus fuels growth fears
By Bloomberg
Wednesday, February 19, 2020, 15:58 By Bloomberg

32, one kilogram bars of gold bullion, worth one million pounds sterling, sit on a table in this arranged picture at the Sharps Pixley bullion shop and showroom  in London, UK, Jan 18, 2018. (PHOTO / BLOOMBERG)

Palladium surged above US$2,800 an ounce, extending its record-breaking rally on forecasts for a widening deficit. Gold is trading near the highest level since 2013 on concerns over the spread of the new coronavirus and how it’s impacting global growth.

Spot gold added 0.1% to US$1,603.91 an ounce. Prices had touched US$1,611.42 in early January, the highest since 2013

The metal used in catalytic converters is already up more than 40 percent in 2020 on expectations stricter environmental standards will spur higher loadings of the material in cars, draining global supply that’s already struggling to meet demand. The shortage is set to widen to 1.9 million ounces from 1.1 million ounces last year, according to Anglo American Platinum Ltd.

ALSO READ: Gold hits speed bump but may regain luster this year

“A deficit equivalent to about 20 percent of the palladium market is expected to be sustained this year, helping explain the surge in prices,” said Vivek Dhar, an analyst at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Demand is being driven by environmental regulations, particularly in China, which has increased palladium use in vehicles and should offset any recent weakness in car sales, he said.

Spot palladium jumped as much as 8.4 percent to US$2,849.61 an ounce, an all-time high, with prices climbing about US$100 in 30 minutes. The market pared gains to trade 4.3 percent higher at US$2,743.32 by 3 pm in Singapore.

The rally may also be driven by stimulus measures in China, as well as expectations high prices are here to stay. “Sometimes investors look for a reason to justify buying an asset even if prices have already rallied massively,” said ABN Amro Bank NV strategist Georgette Boele. “Normally gold and palladium don’t rally like this. This time, they hope it is the new normal.”

Spot gold added 0.1 percent to US$1,603.91 an ounce. Prices had touched US$1,611.42 in early January, the highest since 2013, as geopolitical tensions flared. The unfolding health emergency has seen holdings in global exchange-traded funds backed by bullion expand to a record.

READ MORE: Asian shares higher, euro teeters on weak economic outlook

Gold investors are assessing the impact of the disease on economic growth and appetite for risk amid speculation that the Federal Reserve will feel increased pressure to reduce interest rates. The U.S. central bank has said the effects of the virus have presented a “new risk” to the outlook and traders will study minutes from the Fed’s latest meeting, due later Wednesday, for any hint of a dovish tone.

Among other main precious metals, silver rose 0.6 percent and platinum advanced 1.2 percent.

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