Palladium at 6-1/2-yr high on firm platinum

SINGAPORE, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Palladium rose to its best
level in more than six years on Tuesday, as sister metal
platinum rallied to another record high for 14th straight
session on persistent supply problems in South Africa.

Spot palladium <XPD=> firmed to $472/477 an ounce from
$466/470 an ounce late in London on Monday.

Spot platinum <XPT=> hit a high of $2,120 an ounce, up from
$2,105/2,115 an ounce late in London. The metal has gained more
than 30 percent this year on speculative buying ignited by
worries of a widening supply and demand gap.
(Reporting Lewa Pardomuan; Editing by Valerie Lee)