How much platinum is stored in NYMEX warehouses?

NYMEX platinum inventory varies over time based on deliveries and withdrawals. Platinum stocks are measured in troy ounces. Check the chart above for the most current figures.

What causes changes in NYMEX platinum inventory?

Platinum inventory changes reflect physical deliveries against futures contracts, industrial demand (particularly from automotive catalytic converters), and investment flows. Platinum is rarer than gold, so inventory changes can be more significant relative to total supply.

Why is platinum inventory important?

Platinum is a critical industrial metal used in catalytic converters, jewelry, and as an investment. NYMEX inventory levels provide insight into physical supply availability. Low inventory combined with strong industrial demand can support higher prices.

How does platinum compare to palladium in COMEX warehouses?

Both metals are stored in the same NYMEX-approved depositories and reported in the PA-PL stock report. Palladium has seen more dramatic inventory swings due to automotive demand shifts, while platinum inventory tends to be more stable.

Where does most platinum come from?

South Africa produces approximately 70-75% of the world's platinum, with Russia and Zimbabwe being the second and third largest producers. This supply concentration means platinum prices are particularly sensitive to South African mining conditions, labor disputes, and energy availability.

NYMEX Platinum Inventory

Physical platinum stocks in NYMEX-approved warehouses

Silver Gold Copper Platinum Palladium Aluminum Zinc Lead

Delivery Notices

Daily Delivery History

What Is NYMEX Platinum Inventory?

NYMEX platinum inventory represents the total physical platinum stored in CME Group-approved depositories. Platinum is one of the rarest precious metals, with annual mine production around 6 million troy ounces globally. The inventory is divided into registered (warranted for delivery) and eligible (meets standards but not warranted) categories. These stocks back NYMEX platinum futures contracts.

Why Platinum Inventory Matters

Platinum has significant industrial demand, particularly from the automotive sector for catalytic converters, as well as from jewelry, chemical processing, and hydrogen fuel cells. NYMEX inventory provides visibility into deliverable supply. With the energy transition driving demand for hydrogen technology, platinum supply-demand dynamics are closely watched by analysts and investors.

NYMEX Platinum Futures Contract Specifications

The NYMEX platinum futures contract (symbol PL) represents 50 troy ounces of platinum, with delivery months in January, April, July, and October. Platinum must meet a minimum purity of 99.95% and be delivered in approved plate or ingot form to NYMEX-designated depositories. Margin requirements vary based on market volatility but typically range from 5-10% of contract value.

Trading hours for NYMEX platinum futures run nearly 23 hours per day on the CME Globex electronic platform, from Sunday evening through Friday afternoon (US Eastern Time). The NYMEX platinum price is closely related to the LBMA Platinum Price, which is set twice daily in London and serves as the global benchmark for physical platinum transactions. Differences between NYMEX futures and the LBMA fix reflect carrying costs, delivery logistics, and regional supply-demand dynamics.

Platinum Supply and Demand Fundamentals

Approximately 70-75% of the world's platinum is mined in South Africa, primarily from the Bushveld Igneous Complex. Russia and Zimbabwe are the second and third largest producers. This extreme geographic concentration makes platinum supply vulnerable to South African mining conditions, including labor disputes, electricity shortages from Eskom, and regulatory changes.

On the demand side, automotive catalytic converters for diesel vehicles have historically been the largest source of platinum consumption, followed by jewelry (particularly strong in Japan and China) and industrial applications including chemical catalysts, glass manufacturing, and petroleum refining.

The emerging hydrogen economy represents a significant potential demand driver for platinum. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells use platinum as a catalyst, and widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and stationary power systems could substantially increase platinum demand in the coming decades. This future demand potential is a key factor watched by long-term investors.

Data Sources & Methodology

NYMEX platinum inventory data is sourced from the CME Group's daily warehouse stock reports, specifically the PA-PL (Palladium- Platinum) stock report. This report is published each business day after market close and provides a depository-by-depository breakdown of registered and eligible platinum stocks.

MetalCharts collects and processes this data daily, calculating net changes, tracking historical trends, and presenting warehouse stock movements in an accessible chart format. Our historical records allow users to analyze long-term inventory trends and correlate stock changes with price movements and market events.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much platinum is stored in NYMEX warehouses?: NYMEX platinum inventory varies over time based on deliveries and withdrawals. Platinum stocks are measured in troy ounces. Check the chart above for the most current figures.
What causes changes in NYMEX platinum inventory?: Platinum inventory changes reflect physical deliveries against futures contracts, industrial demand (particularly from automotive catalytic converters), and investment flows. Platinum is rarer than gold, so inventory changes can be more significant relative to total supply.
Why is platinum inventory important?: Platinum is a critical industrial metal used in catalytic converters, jewelry, and as an investment. NYMEX inventory levels provide insight into physical supply availability. Low inventory combined with strong industrial demand can support higher prices.
How does platinum compare to palladium in COMEX warehouses?: Both metals are stored in the same NYMEX-approved depositories and reported in the PA-PL stock report. Palladium has seen more dramatic inventory swings due to automotive demand shifts, while platinum inventory tends to be more stable.
Where does most platinum come from?: South Africa produces approximately 70-75% of the world's platinum, with Russia and Zimbabwe being the second and third largest producers. This supply concentration means platinum prices are particularly sensitive to South African mining conditions, labor disputes, and energy availability.