Investing in Platinum Could Bring Profits of 36.6% in 2017

Investing in platinum has been a market-beating profit strategy so far in 2017.

While the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 4.9% since Jan. 1, platinum prices have climbed 5.1% from $906 to $952 per ounce over the same period. That means any investors who bought platinum futures at the start of the year have since earned a $46 return per ounce.

However, Money Morning Resource Specialist Peter Krauth sees even bigger returns for investors willing to hold on to platinum in 2017. In fact, he expects investors to net a $348 profit by the end of the year as the price of platinum rises 36.6% to $1,300.

And there are two important factors that will fuel the platinum price rally…

2 Huge Factors That Will Make Investing in Platinum Profitable in 2017

Factor No. 2: Platinum's Huge Role in Motor Vehicles

Platinum is a primary component of catalytic converters – a device used in cars, motorcycles, and buses that reduces emission toxicity.

Instead of discharging harmful exhaust directly into the air, vehicles send it through catalytic converters, which make the gas less harmful for the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has required most auto manufacturers to install catalytic converters in their vehicles since 1975.

Platinum is critical to catalytic converters because it helps oxidize harmful carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon gases. Krauth says roughly 43% of all consumed platinum is used in catalytic converters. That makes the auto industry the largest industrial source of platinum demand, beating the 35% used by jewelry producers.

And platinum's use in these converters will only increase as car sales in Western Europe and the United States rise…

According to IHS Markit, Western Europe – which includes France and the UK – will see a 1% increase in auto sales this year from 14 million to 14.14 million. In the United States, Trading Economics forecasts car sales will rise 1.1% from 18.5 million right now to 18.7 million by 2020.

It's important to remember these estimates are conservative since analysts don't know how consumers will react to various geopolitical events. These include the French election and ongoing Brexit talks in Europe, as well as Trump's pressuring of auto manufacturers to keep production operations here in the United States.

If sales surpass those estimates, platinum prices could top our 2017 forecast of $1,300. That would make investing in platinum more profitable this year.

What's more, we've just come across new data showing how traders and investors are growing more confident in the metal's long-term profit potential.

Here's the second bullish catalyst that could hand investors a 36.6% profit this year…