Platinum Sideways at Two-Month Lows
2026-02-20 04:17
By
Joshua Ferrer
1 min. read
Platinum futures hovered below $2,100 an ounce, moving in a tight range near two-month lows as a strong US dollar weighed on the market amid thin trading volumes in Asia.
The greenback strengthened on robust US economic data and hawkish signals from the Federal Reserve.
Minutes from the latest FOMC meeting revealed policymakers were split on the rate outlook, with some signaling further hikes could be warranted if inflation remains elevated.
Meanwhile, trading remained subdued due to Lunar New Year closures in major Asian markets, while heightened geopolitical tensions provided support after President Donald Trump warned Tehran to reach a nuclear deal or face consequences, with Iran hinting at possible retaliation.
Supply constraints, particularly from South Africa, are also expected to continue, supporting platinum prices, while demand remains underpinned by automotive catalysts.