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 Falls in London on Car Demand Speculation; Palladium Declines

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum fell for the first time this
week on speculation slowing car demand in Europe may add to a
surplus of the metal used mostly in catalysts to reduce vehicle
pollution. Palladium dropped for a second consecutive day.

New car registrations in Germany, Europe's biggest economy,
fell 7 percent in June compared with a year earlier, the Federal
Motor Vehicle Office in Flensburg said on July 4. French car and
light-truck sales dropped 3 percent in June.


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Platinum Gains on Production Curb at South African Mine; Palladium Climbs

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum rose in New York after
Anglo Platinum Ltd., the world's largest producer, said it will
cut production at its biggest mine. Palladium also advanced.

Output at the mine in Rustenburg, South Africa, will drop
by as much as 15,000 ounces. The company plans to improve safety
after five workers were killed at the mine in the past two
weeks.


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Platinum, Palladium Decline in New York as Dollar, Bond Yields Strengthen

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum fell the most in two weeks
in New York as a stronger dollar and higher bond yields reduced
the appeal of the metal as an alternative investment. Palladium
also dropped.

The dollar rose for the sixth-straight day against a basket
of six major currencies after a U.S. government report showed
retail sales increased more than economists had forecast. U.S.
10-year Treasuries surged the most since February as speculators
bet that yields at five-year highs will curb inflation.


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