We expect demand for Hecla’s silver to rise

Article Excerpt

Like most silver stocks, Hecla Mining is heavily influenced by silver prices. But we think the direction of silver prices—and for Hecla shares—is upward. That’s in part because global demand for silver, used in solar panels, electric vehicles and other key green technologies continues to rise. HECLA MINING, $5.46, is a buy. The company (New York symbol HL; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (www.hecla-mining.com; Shares outstanding: 607.8 million; Market cap: $3.4 billion; Dividend yield: 0.3%) explores for, mines and processes silver and gold in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. In the three months ended December 31, 2022, Hecla produced 3.66 million ounces of silver. That was up 13.5% from a year earlier. Revenue gained 5.3%, to $194.8 million from $185.1 million a year earlier as the higher production offset lower silver and gold prices. Hecla now expects its silver production to increase from 14.18 million ounces in 2022 to between 18.5 million and 20 million ounces by 2025. As well, it forecasts production costs will remain roughly flat…