Palladium prices have been falling for quite some time - the main reason being an expected oversupply of the metal next year. One of the world's largest producers of the metal, Russian giant Nornickel estimates that the palladium market will reach a surplus of up to 300,000 ounces in 2024 against an estimated 200,000 ounce deficit in 2023. The company accounts for 40% of global palladium production. Among other things, palladium is used to reduce exhaust fumes in automobiles.
According to Nornickel, 80% of the world's palladium supply is absorbed by the automotive industry, where demand for palladium is expected to grow by 1% y/y in 2023. On the other hand, however, electric cars where palladium is not used because they do not emit exhaust fumes are growing in popularity. In addition, manufacturers are increasingly replacing palladium with cheaper substitutes. Increased consumption of palladium in 2022 and 2023 has resulted in the sale of accumulated stocks by automotive companies, but these sales are expected to end in the second half of the year as companies potentially empty their inventories. Nornickel also expects 180,000 tons of surplus nickel in 2024.
PALLADIUM is slipping towards $1,300 per ounce and has fallen below the 71.6 Fibonacci retracement of the upward wave from January 2016. From this level, declines may deepen even to $1100 per ounce where previous price reactions are located.
Source: xStation5
