Palladium prices jumped by a fifth in 2016, and they have made a solid start to 2017, reaching a near-two-year high of almost $800 an ounce last week. And there may well be further to go.
The metal is a key component in catalytic converters, and the car industry accounts for80% of demand, notes Ira Iosebashvili in Barron's. China and the US use palladium in catalytic converters; Europe favours platinum.
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On the supply side, South Africa, the world's top supplier, is not expected to increase mined output much. Analysts reckon that dwindling sales from Russia's stockpiles means they are probably nearly depleted. TD Securities thinks the market deficit could double this year.
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Millions at risk of 'unnecessary' tax bill – how to shield your savingsMillions of Brits could be taxed on their savings interest this year as their savings interest exceeds the personal savings allowance. Are you at risk?
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Savers will have to wait as long as 48 years to build a £1m cash ISA pot if allowance is cutChancellor Rachel Reeves is rumoured to be planning a cut to the cash ISA allowance in the Autumn Budget, making it harder for savers to build wealth. Will you still be able to build a £1 million cash ISA pot?
