A catalyst and a method for producing the catalyst, for catalytic reduction of NO.sub.x and oxidation of hydrocarbons, the catalyst comprises a zinc, copper and aluminum spinel to which, at least one element selected from palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium, iridium, rhenium and/or rare earth metals, such as lanthanum and cerium, vanadium, titanium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten and/or salts thereof and/or oxides thereof has been added.