Platinum is up 50% in last 6 months ($340 last summer; $504 today)

-- All that glitters etc. (@ .), February 03, 2000

Answers

-- whoops (@ .), February 03, 2000.

Any market for my catalytic converter?

-- (lars@indy.net), February 03, 2000.

the point being ...?

Platinum, despite being precious, is an industrial commodity with a volatile price. Demand is variable depending on the state of the economy, supply is also variable since the biggest supplier is Russia who starve the market until they can unload at whatever they regard as a good price. If their mines are still working, that is!

-- Nigel (nra@maxwell.ph.kcl.ac.uk), February 03, 2000.

The point being...most platinum comes from Russia, you know, in that area that is now without food and power?

The second point being, it appears to be at a 10 year high:

And the third point being, I bought $50K of it last year.

-- All etc. (@ .), February 03, 2000.

Volatility can be good if you're a trader. I've got some in an account at Gold & Silver Reserve (http://www.e-gold.com). I'll today or tomorrow sell a bit of it and buy a little more gold with the proceeds.

-- A (A@AisA.com), February 03, 2000.

Speaking of Russia, has anyone read the latest article in the National Geographic about Russia/China "Black Dragon River". It talks about the discrepancies of each society, though the live "next door" to one another.

I found it very enlightening as it described what more than a few Russians are enduring economically, and why a return to authoritarianism may be a grim reality in the near future...

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), February 03, 2000.

Is platinum's price manipulated, or is that just gold?

-- Imso (lame@prepped.com), February 03, 2000.

Can you say "fuel cell"?

-- Surrounded (hiding@thefirststate.com), February 03, 2000.

Hit $514 this morning...

-- All etc. (@ .), February 04, 2000.