Palladium hurtles through $1 400 as breakneck rally continues

Palladium rocketed through $1 400/oz the first time, extending its precipitous rally despite signs that global vehicle sales are slowing.

The precious metal, primarily used in the auto industry for catalytic converters, has surged more than 65% since the middle of August. The bull run has been driven by an acute shortage of immediate supply as car manufacturers scramble to get hold of the metal to meet more stringent emission controls.