Platinum Falls Most in Eight Months on Stronger Dollar; Palladium Declines

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum fell the most in eight
months in New York as the dollar strengthened, reducing the
metal's appeal as an alternative investment. Palladium also
dropped.

Platinum is traded mostly in dollars, which rose to a two-
week high against the euro, making the metal more expensive for
holders of the European currency. U.S. stocks extended
yesterday's drop, the biggest in five months, as investors
shunned riskier investments in favor of bonds.


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Platinum Rises as Wage Disputes at South Africa Mines May Disrupt Supplies

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum rose, heading for its
second weekly gain in three weeks in New York on concern wage
disputes will lead to strikes at mines in South Africa, the
biggest producer of the metal. Palladium also gained.

Anglo Platinum Ltd. last week raised a wage offer in an
attempt to avert a strike, and employees at Impala Platinum
Holdings Ltd. turned down a proposed pay increase. The two
South African companies are the world's biggest platinum
producers.


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Platinum Climbs in London After Impala Labor Talks; Palladium Also Gains

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum climbed to a one-week high
in London after pay talks continued without an agreement at
Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd., reviving speculation miners will
strike in South Africa, the biggest producer of the metal.
Palladium also rose.

Negotiations that continued until 11 p.m. local time
yesterday failed to bring a breakthrough, Eddie Majadibodu,
chief negotiator for the National Union of Mineworkers, said
today. Anglo Platinum Ltd., the biggest platinum producer, is
halting output at its Rustenburg underground mine for safety
checks in two days' time following the deaths of five workers in
the past two weeks.


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Platinum Gains as Anglo Platinum Halts Rustenberg Mine; Palladium Advances

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum rose the most in two weeks
after South Africa's Anglo Platinum Ltd., the world's biggest
producer, halted output at its largest mine following the deaths
of five workers in the past two weeks. Palladium also advanced.

The Rustenburg mine will be closed for as long as seven
days, reducing annual production by between 10,000 and 15,000
ounces, Johannesburg-based Anglo Platinum said in a statement
today. Platinum supply fell short of demand in seven of the past
eight years, helping prices to more than triple since 1998.


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Platinum Falls in London as Higher Rates May Slow Demand; Palladium Drops

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum fell for a fourth successive
day in London on speculation rising borrowing costs in Europe
will slow demand from car manufacturers. Palladium also dropped.

Europe was the biggest user of platinum last year, dominated
by demand from manufacturers of auto catalysts to reduce
pollution, according to London-based manufacturer Johnson Matthey
Plc. The European Central Bank, the Swiss National Bank and the
Bank of England have raised interest rates this year.


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