它，比“黄金平替”涨幅还猛！

Core Viewpoint - Ruthenium, a rare precious metal, has seen a price increase of over 100% this year, surpassing platinum's impressive growth of over 40% [2][4]. Group 1: Price Trends - Ruthenium's price has reached approximately $800 per ounce, nearly matching its peak levels from 2021 and just shy of its historical high of $870 set 18 years ago [3]. - The global annual production of ruthenium was only 30 tons last year, indicating its scarcity [3]. Group 2: Demand Drivers - The surge in ruthenium prices is largely attributed to its unique applications in the current artificial intelligence revolution, particularly in hard disk production [4]. - Ruthenium enhances data density in hard drives and possesses excellent catalytic activity, conductivity, and resistance to high temperatures and corrosion [4][5]. - The increasing demand for cost-effective and efficient data storage solutions, driven by the rise of artificial intelligence, is expected to lead to a supply shortage in the ruthenium market next year [5]. Group 3: Market Growth - The development of cloud computing is projected to boost global hard disk sales by 16% this year, further driving the consumption of ruthenium [6].