World Platinum Investment Council releases bullish 2021 platinum report

The World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) released a report this month with a bullish view of the platinum market in 2021.
The WPIC is bullish on the basis of stronger investment demand and restricted production in South Africa.
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Platinum in deficit

The WPIC is predicting a record deficit of 1.2 million ounces in 2020. The projected deficit would mark a sharp uptick up from a deficit of 100,000 ounces in 2019.
The report states supply in 2020 fell by 18% due to virus-induced lockdowns. Meanwhile, demand fell only 5% as automakers managed to maintain output, resulting in a deficit of -1,202 Koz.
Next year, the council is expecting demand growth of 2%. That growth, it expects, will come on the back of stronger consumer and industrial demand as consumers return to less cautious ways and increase spending on jewelry and cars.
Automotive will see support not just from increased car sales but also greater per-vehicle PGM use as implementation of new, tighter Euro 6 emission standards in Europe come into effect.
This is expected to result in supply increasing by 17% and demand rising by 2%, resulting in a lower deficit of -224 Koz.

Platinum boosters

Resilient automotive demand this year and an expected return to growth of Chinese jewelry demand have boosted platinum. In addition, platinum’s role in the hydrogen economy as a catalyst in the hydrolysis of water has also driven investor sentiment.
More positive as the global economy’s outlook is for 2021 we wonder whether the WPIC may be over-egging the pudding here.
Lockdown restrictions in top producer South Africa have suppressed supply in 2020.
However, those restrictions are now easing. Furthermore, the prospects of a vaccine further weaken the probability authorities will implement new crippling lockdown measures. As such, supply can be expected to come back strongly.
We further question the demand picture.
Yes, automotive sales are looking promising. Despite a strong summer recovery, there remains considerable pent-up demand. Consumers who have remained in employment have been hoarding cash.
The arrival of new emission standards is already baked into current demand. Most vehicles will be meeting the new standards ahead of time. Although the U.S. has seen a sharp rise in unemployment, Europe has mostly staved off mass layoffs with generous state support schemes.
As those programs end, employment may yet rise further. All of the European economies are operating at significantly lower levels than prior to the pandemic.
The U.K., for example, is some 10% under the level it was this time last year. In addition, it is not expected to regain even pre-pandemic levels much before 2023.
As economies find a way to operate in the run-up to widespread vaccine availability later next year, the recycling market will also return to something approaching full production. That development will further add to the supply side.

China’s platinum jewelry demand

We also question the WPIC’s expectation of a bullish return of the jewelry market, particularly in China.
By the WPIC’s own admission, the Chinese market for platinum jewelry hasn’t shown growth for seven years. The economy is recovering well and is already above pre-pandemic levels. While imports picked up in the second half of this year, a recovery in demand sufficient to move the market seems a stretch based on historic levels.

Investor interest in platinum

Finally, investor interest in platinum due to its role in the hydrogen economy has echoes of the run-up of lithium prices when the early hype around electric vehicles drove speculation around a supposedly constrained supply base.
Lithium prices rose strongly but subsequently fell. The hydrogen economy requires immense investment before it will achieve its promise, likely on a 5- to 10-year time frame. So, while investors typically do look 3-30 months out, even that horizon is a stretch for hydrogen demand to drive a surge in platinum consumption.
In total, a more nuanced 2021 supply-demand landscape is likely for platinum. Whether prices have the ability to rise further remains doubtful.
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