Catalog year: 2018
The global metals, investment coins and bullion markets experienced significant fluctuations in 2018 due to a number of economic, political, and financial factors.
At the beginning of 2018, gold prices rose, peaking in the middle of the year but then declining by the end. The reason for this fluctuation was economic instability and changes in political situations. Demand for gold has traditionally been high in times of uncertainty as it is a safe haven asset, but in 2017 investors also took into account the strength of the US dollar. The US Federal Reserve's policy of increasing interest rates led to a stronger dollar and less attractive investment in gold.
Unlike gold, silver prices were more unstable and showed a moderate decline over the year. Silver is an important component in industrial production, especially in electronics and solar energy. Despite its affordability compared to gold, silver did not enjoy the same high interest among investors in 2018.
The price of palladium has been rising for most of the year, surpassing the price of platinum. This was due to an increase in demand for catalysts for gasoline-powered vehicles.
The price of platinum has fallen due to a decrease in demand from the automotive industry, especially in Europe, where the production of diesel cars is decreasing.
At the beginning of 2018, gold prices rose, peaking in the middle of the year but then declining by the end. The reason for this fluctuation was economic instability and changes in political situations. Demand for gold has traditionally been high in times of uncertainty as it is a safe haven asset, but in 2017 investors also took into account the strength of the US dollar. The US Federal Reserve's policy of increasing interest rates led to a stronger dollar and less attractive investment in gold.
Unlike gold, silver prices were more unstable and showed a moderate decline over the year. Silver is an important component in industrial production, especially in electronics and solar energy. Despite its affordability compared to gold, silver did not enjoy the same high interest among investors in 2018.
The price of palladium has been rising for most of the year, surpassing the price of platinum. This was due to an increase in demand for catalysts for gasoline-powered vehicles.
The price of platinum has fallen due to a decrease in demand from the automotive industry, especially in Europe, where the production of diesel cars is decreasing.
| Metal | Average Closing Price | Year Open | Year Low | Year High | Year Close | Annual % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver (XAG) | $15.71 | $17.21 | $13.98 | $17.62 | $15.52 | -9.4% |
| Gold (XAU) | $1268.93 | $1312.8 | $1176.7 | $1360.25 | $1281.65 | -1.15% |
| Palladium (XPD) | $1016.46 | $1087.35 | $837.2 | $1201.3 | $1197.2 | 12.84% |
| Platinum (XPT) | $882.18 | $947.8 | $771.9 | $1032.1 | $799.66 | -14.7% |
* The table shows the average prices for the year based on stock exchange data for 1 ounce of metal.
Price guide:
