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Investing in platinum

Autor: Rolf van Zanten Date: 1 August 2024 Update: 1 August 2024 Reading time: 5 min

Everything you need to know about investing in platinum

Apart from investing in gold and silver, investing in platinum through The Silver Mountain can also be an interesting option. Although it is more common to invest in gold or silver, platinum offers unique properties and applications that make it valuable for investors and industries alike. 
Platinum, a durable precious metal, while not having the same history as gold and silver, is widely used in industries and technologies. Because of its scarcity and strong properties such as corrosion resistance at high temperatures, platinum is especially popular in the industrial and jewellery markets.

 

Why invest in platinum?

Unlike gold, which is often seen as a safe haven in times of economic uncertainty, platinum is valued mainly for its industrial value. Platinum is essential for products such as catalytic converters in diesel vehicles, which determines much of the demand for this metal.
Moreover, platinum is of interest to investors looking to expand their portfolios because its price is less sensitive to monetary factors and more dependent on industrial market conditions.

Platinum coin 1 troy ounce

Industrial use of platinum


Platinum has a unique role within several industries. It is often used in catalytic converters for diesel engines, due to its ability to reduce harmful emissions. This makes platinum essential in the automotive sector, where it is used to make vehicles more environmentally friendly.
Apart from this application, platinum is sought after in the jewellery industry and plays a role in several other technologies. Platinum's properties, such as resistance to high temperatures and corrosion, make the precious metal versatile and valuable for specific applications.

How to buy platinum: coins versus ingots

Buying platinum can be done in several ways, namely via coins or bars. In the Netherlands, however, platinum is taxed with 21% VAT, which directly affects the cost for private investors. Platinum ingots are often less attractive because of the VAT that has to be paid. This is because it cannot be reclaimed upon sale. This makes buying platinum coins a more attractive option for many private investors.
Popular platinum coins include the Maple Leaf, the Philharmoniker and the Platypus, each of which is produced in small editions. Because of their limited availability, they have an extra collector's value.

1 troy ounce platinum coin

The price of platinum and market conditions


The price of platinum is directly linked to the international stock market price, which fluctuates daily based on supply and demand. Unlike gold, whose price often rises in times of economic uncertainty, the platinum price is mainly determined by industrial market conditions. For instance, demand for platinum may increase with a growing automotive sector or the introduction of environmental legislation, which limits harmful emissions. 
Investors in platinum should be aware that the value of this precious metal is less predictable than that of gold, as it is highly dependent on industrial factors.

Advantages and disadvantages of investing in platinum


Advantages of platinum investments:
Scarcity: Platinum is rarer than gold, which positively influences its price.
Industrial demand: Constant demand from various industries makes platinum a valuable and sought-after metal.
Diversification: By investing in platinum, investors diversify their portfolio and benefit from a different type of precious metal in their portfolio.
Disadvantages of platinum investing:
21% VAT on bars: The VAT payable when buying bullion bars makes platinum bars less attractive for retail investors.
Fluctuation: Due to the strong dependence on industrial demand, the price of platinum can fluctuate.
Less ‘safe haven’: Unlike gold, platinum offers less protection during economic uncertainty as it is less seen as a store of value.
Are you interested in platinum as an investment? Check out our range of platinum coins and discover the possibilities of diversifying your portfolio with this versatile precious metal.
 
Disclaimer: The Silver Mountain does not provide investment advice and this article should not be considered as such. Past results offer no guarantees for the future.