Hecla Raises Funds

Article Excerpt

HECLA MINING COMPANY $1.77 (New York symbol HL; SI Rating: Extra Risk) (208- 769-4100; www.hecla-mining.com; Shares outstanding: 206.3 million; Market cap: $365.2 million) has sold 36.6 million shares at $2.05 each to raise $75 million. Hecla has also rescheduled all 2009 debt payments to 2010 and 2011. Hecla’s debt (net of cash) of $117.3 million before the share issue was somewhat high, at 32% of market cap. But Hecla now has the flexibility to meet all of its debt payments. As well, silver prices are rising — up 23% so far this year to $14.11 an ounce. Hecla is a buy for aggressive investors. investors…