Palladium (XPD/USD) surged 4.71% as buyers responded to steady industrial demand from the automotive and chemical sectors, with the recent rebound underscored by cautious restocking patterns in the face of ongoing price volatility. The move looks limited, with XPD/USD trading above its 20-day average but still sitting beneath the 50-day and 200-day trendlines.
Highlights
- Palladium posted the largest decline among precious metals in September as a stronger US dollar and rising Treasury yields dented demand for non-yielding assets.
- Automotive and chemical sector demand for palladium remains steady, but buyers are restocking in smaller batches due to price volatility.
- XPD/USD trades above short-term averages yet remains below medium- and long-term levels, with technical forecasts calling for consolidation between $1,011 to $1,094 and a 61% chance of a downward move.
V-shaped reversals as dollar weakness offsets prolonged losses
In September, palladium extended a multi-month slide, recording the steepest losses among precious metals due to a stronger U.S. dollar and higher Treasury yields that weighed on interest in dollar-denominated, non-yielding metals. During the week of the US midterm elections, palladium and platinum experienced sharp V-shaped reversals, initially hitting new lows from inflation data before rebounding as the dollar and Treasury yields pulled back and oil prices fell. Demand from automotive and chemical buyers remains steady, with restocking occurring in smaller batches due to price volatility.
Short-term gains constrained by resistance and persistent bearish signals
XPD/USD is positioned above its 20-day moving average at $1,049, while staying under the 50-day and 200-day levels at $1,166 and $1,321, suggesting short-term strength exists within a longer-term bearish context. Resistance forms at $1,054, with $1,049 as support, both matching closely with recent intraday trading ranges. MACD and ADX indicators signal continuing selling pressure in a bearish environment. RSI and CCI are neutral, while the Stochastic RSI is overbought, indicating a possible near-term correction risk for that oscillator. Bull/Bear Power remains negative, pointing to seller dominance intraday. XPD/USD gained $47.4, or 4.71%, today, closing near session highs as volatility reached 6.17%. This price action highlights firm intraday demand against a backdrop of mixed momentum signals.
Earlier, analysts noted that palladium was experiencing persistent downside momentum within a broader bearish trend due to weakening industrial demand and sustained selling pressure. With current price action underscoring a backdrop of mixed momentum signals amid heavy volatility, traders should monitor potential breakouts above $1,054 or breakdowns below $1,011 for directional cues in the coming sessions.