Precious metals prices

Reasons precious metals are popular investments

Precious metals have always held the imagination, but their value as an investment is not based purely on their decorative, aesthetic appeal or as bullion in bank vaults. Precious metals are highly resistant to corrosion, malleable and good conductors, making them useful in industrial processes especially in computers and new technology. Much of the demand for precious metals is from industry. This in conjunction with their relative scarcity makes them an important part of any portfolio as a hedge against inflation.

The future contract for gold is a popular choice for investors wishing to have exposure to gold but who don't wish to deal directly with the metal itself. The CME has now produced cut down versions of the gold contract with its Gold E-mini, a more affordable entry place for private investors.

Platinum, sometimes referred to as white gold, is an extremely rare metal, which like palladium is used in catalytic converters but is more popularly known as a metal used in jewellry. Platinum is used in computer hard disks, in fact this highly conductive metal is used in many electronic devices. it is a catalyst in the manufacture of high octane gasoline, and in the creation of petrochemical synthetics like polyester. 

This metal is used extensively as jewellry and has industrial applications

Palladium futures are traded on Nymex which is now part of the CME.