Core Viewpoint - Platinum prices have experienced significant volatility, with a notable drop of 5.90% on June 27, 2023, closing at $1,337.30 per ounce, despite a year-to-date increase of 47.93% [1][4][9] Group 1: Market Performance - Platinum has become one of the best-performing precious metals in the first half of the year, driven by investment overflow from rising gold prices, which increased by approximately 24% during the same period [4][5] - The price of platinum surged dramatically, with a cumulative increase of 42.49% from May 20 to June 26, 2023, reaching an intraday high of $1,435.22 per ounce on June 27 [6][9] Group 2: Supply and Demand Dynamics - The World Platinum Investment Council reported a 10% year-on-year decline in global platinum supply to 45 tons in Q1 2023, while demand rose by 10% to 71 tons, indicating a supply-demand imbalance [6] - Investment demand for platinum surged by 28% quarter-on-quarter to 14 tons, with monetary demand increasing by 17% year-on-year to 2 tons [6] Group 3: Investor Sentiment and Market Risks - Industry insiders suggest that the recent price surge is driven by speculative trading and the push for platinum as a substitute for gold, with a cautionary note on potential volatility in the future [7][8] - Analysts express a cautious outlook on future price movements, indicating that the recent sharp increases and subsequent declines may lead to further fluctuations [8] Group 4: Market Behavior and Recovery - Despite the rising prices, the platinum recycling market remains subdued, with recovery prices around 200 yuan per gram, significantly lower than current market prices [5] - Retail sales of platinum jewelry are lagging behind gold, with consumers often preferring K-gold due to shorter processing times and similar pricing [5]