palladium investment & finance definition

An important industrial metal that has a variety of uses. Automotive catalysts use 63 percent of the demand for palladium; electronic equipment accounts for about 21 percent; dental alloys make up about 12 percent; and the remainder is used for jewelry. Most of the production, around two-thirds, comes from Russia; South Africa makes up just under one-fourth of production; the remainder comes from North America. Palladium futures are traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange; however, the volume is very modest. Other exchanges also trade palladium futures.