Barry Stuppler

HSBC expects the platinum and palladium markets to move into supply deficits during 2012, underpinning prices.Analysts said auto, industrial and investment demand should improve during the year. Output from the mining sector is unlikely to maintain pace, the bank said.“Hence, we expect the supply/demand balance for both metals to move from a surplus into modest deficits, propelling prices higher,” HSBC said in a report issued Monday.

HSBC foresees the platinum market swinging to ....

Sturdy investment demand has pushed the silver price up 20 percent in the first ten weeks of 2012, outperforming platinum, palladium and gold during the period.Investors are increasingly acquiring silver in many forms.  Globally, silver-based exchange-traded-funds (ETFs) account for 586 million ounces (Moz) of silver, up from 576 Moz at the end of 2011.  Demand for physical silver bars is also strong.  According to several precious metals dealers silver bar sales continue to be brisk....

February 29 was an astonishingly volatile day in the precious metals markets. The silver market began the day by trading through resistance at $36; it cut through this level like a hot knife through butter! Silver traded all the way up to $37.58 an ounce, and gold went up to over $1792.

Then Uncle Ben Bernanke started testifying before Congress....