How To Invest in Palladium

NEW YORK (TheStreet ) -- With gold prices hitting record highs, palladium is becoming a cheaper alternative for investors who want exposure to precious metals without the high price tag.

Palladium prices have popped almost 10% year to date after hitting a low of $395 and a high of $571. Palladium is typically used in auto manufacturing and prices are dependent on car sales and an improving global economic recovery.

The advent of the physically backed palladium exchange-traded fund, ETFS Physical Palladium Shares(PALL), however, has provided an easier way to invest and trade palladium. Since its creation in early January, the ETF has amassed a total of 788,505 ounces of palladium. The more metal ETF Securities removes from circulation, the higher prices rise. Shares have risen 3.2% year to date and the ETF currently has $358 million assets under management.

For investors looking for exposure to a riskier precious metal, many analysts recommend palladium. Soma sekhar Chereddy, analyst at Karvy Global Services, dubs the metal his favorite for 2010.

What is your long-term and short-term price target for the metal?

Chereddy: In 2010, we [think] the metal [will] touch around $675. By the end of this year, we [think prices will be] between $650 and $675. And over the next five years, we expect palladium to touch $1,000 an ounce. It's basically dependent on the long-term supply and demand situation. [We think] prices are going to double in the next five years.

What are some of the risks? What if China's growth slows [resulting in] deceasing auto demand, how do you hedge against those risks?

Chereddy: So 50% of demand comes from auto demand ... China just accounts for 13% for the auto production in the world. So ... we expect [a possible slowdown in China] not too dent [prices] so much ... Other metals, such as nickel, copper, are mainly dependent on China, but palladium is a different case, [palladium is] not dependent on China.