Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
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.
