Akhir 1432 / 14 March 2011, SPA -- Palladium and platinum prices are falling as some Japanese auto manufacturers suspended operations after a devastating earthquake and tsunami, according to AP. Palladium prices settled down 2.3 percent Monday and platinum settled down 1.7 percent. The metals are used in manufacturing automobile catalytic converters. Toyota, Nissan and Honda suspended production at plants in Japan. Investors are concerned that the shutdown will reduce demand for the metals, at least in the short term. Analysts say overall demand for both metals remains strong, particularly in emerging markets such as China. In other trading, energy contracts are mostly higher, as are wheat, corn and soybeans.
