Overview
The following information is from the perspective of private investors with access to western (North American, European) and Japanese markets.
Investors have a broad range of choices to consider when making an investment in platinum, as with gold and silver, depending upon their individual circumstances, location and preferences. These include: direct ownership of platinum bullion (coins, bars); online/digital bullion accounts with fractional ownership; shares in physically-backed platinum exchange-traded funds. Options for those taking positions on the price of platinum but not requiring physical ownership include futures contracts and other derivatives; direct equity investment in companies that mine platinum group metals (PGMs) brings exposure to company performance and indirectly to PGM prices.
In fact, investors are often surprised to discover just how accessible platinum investment is, with ownership of physical platinum possible without the onus of vaulting. Fractional ownership is also an option and, depending on the type of investment, minimum investment levels can start at less than 1 gram.
What is more, as a rare metal with unique properties, in demand as both an industrial and precious metal, platinum is attractive as a long-term store of value. It can form part of a retirement savings plan, in much the same way as shares in a listed company or an exchange traded fund. There can also be tax benefits from holding certain platinum investments, although this varies depending upon jurisdiction and the tax rules applicable to individual investors or trusts. Sales taxes (Value Added Tax) are applicable for physically-delivered platinum bullion in many jurisdictions.