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Hecla Mining Company (HL)
NYSE:HL

Hecla Mining Company (HL) AI Stock Analysis

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HLHecla Mining Company
(NYSE:HL)
71Outperform
Hecla Mining's stock score reflects strong financial performance and positive earnings highlights, tempered by high valuation and mixed technical indicators. The company's robust revenue growth and improved leverage are significant strengths, but operational challenges and increased costs pose risks. The high P/E ratio suggests caution, and while the company has made strategic progress, investor sentiment may be affected by recent changes such as the elimination of the silver-linked dividend. Overall, the stock presents opportunities but also requires careful consideration of its operational and valuation challenges.
Positive Factors
Debt Reduction
The company managed to significantly reduce its net debt and improve its net leverage ratio from 2.7x to 1.6x.
Financial Performance
Hecla Mining recorded a significant 29% increase in year-over-year revenue, driven by higher metal prices and increased sales volumes.
Negative Factors
Cost Increase
Silver AISC guidance of $15.75-$17.00/oz is up from $13.06/oz in 2024 due to higher capital investment.
Operational Delays
Keno Hill delays are expected to continue, with Q4 affected by 35 days of mill downtime due to permitting delays and power curtailments.

Hecla Mining Company (HL) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

Hecla Mining Company Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionHecla Mining Company (HL) is a leading precious metals mining company based in the United States. With operations primarily focused on silver and gold, Hecla has established itself as one of the largest and lowest-cost primary silver producers in the U.S. The company operates several mines in North America, including the Greens Creek mine in Alaska and the Lucky Friday mine in Idaho, and it is involved in exploration and development projects to sustain and expand its production capabilities.
How the Company Makes MoneyHecla Mining Company generates revenue primarily through the extraction and sale of precious metals such as silver, gold, lead, and zinc. The company's revenue model is based on the production outputs from its mining operations, where it extracts these metals from its owned and operated mines. After extraction, the metals are sold to various customers, including metals traders, smelters, and refineries, at market prices. Key revenue streams include the sale of silver and gold, which are often hedged to manage price volatility. Significant factors contributing to Hecla's earnings include metal grade, recovery rates, and production volumes from its mines, as well as strategic initiatives to control costs and optimize operations. Partnerships with local communities and governments play a role in facilitating operations and ensuring compliance with environmental and safety standards.

Hecla Mining Company Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Hecla Mining Company has shown commendable financial performance with strong revenue growth and a return to profitability. The balance sheet is robust with low leverage, and cash flow generation is strong, although capital expenditures are high. While the company is on a positive trajectory, continued focus on enhancing returns on equity and managing capital expenditures will be crucial for sustained financial health.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Hecla Mining Company has demonstrated strong revenue growth, with a notable increase from $720.23M in 2023 to $929.93M in 2024, reflecting a 29.1% growth rate. The company's net profit margin improved significantly, moving from a loss in previous years to a net profit of $96.63M in 2024, yielding a net profit margin of 10.4%. The gross profit margin is healthy at 21.3%. The EBIT margin shows recovery from negative values in 2023 to 11.4% in 2024, indicating improved operational efficiency. Overall, the income statement reflects positive growth and profitability trends.
Balance Sheet
75
Positive
The balance sheet shows a solid equity base with stockholders' equity at $2.04B, contributing to an equity ratio of 68.4%, which indicates financial stability. The debt-to-equity ratio is low at 0.02, suggesting minimal reliance on debt financing. However, the return on equity (ROE) stands at 4.7%, which, although positive, indicates room for improvement in generating returns on equity. Overall, the balance sheet is strong but could benefit from enhanced profitability.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
Cash flow from operations increased significantly to $218.28M in 2024, indicating robust cash generation. Free cash flow turned positive to $3.79M from negative values, showing improvement in cash management. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 2.26, highlighting efficient conversion of profits into cash. However, capital expenditure remains high, which could constrain free cash flow growth. Overall, the cash flow statement reflects strong operational cash generation but high investment levels.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
929.92M720.23M718.90M807.47M691.87M
Gross Profit
198.21M112.95M116.16M217.80M145.70M
EBIT
106.28M-44.67M28.30M120.52M78.76M
EBITDA
306.52M131.57M143.03M293.02M247.93M
Net Income Common Stockholders
35.80M-84.22M-37.35M35.09M-16.79M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
28.05M106.37M104.74M210.01M129.83M
Total Assets
2.98B3.01B2.93B2.73B2.67B
Total Debt
33.62M662.82M527.23M533.92M533.65M
Net Debt
5.57M556.44M422.48M323.91M403.82M
Total Liabilities
941.55M1.04B948.21M968.02M965.38M
Stockholders Equity
2.04B1.97B1.98B1.76B1.70B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
3.79M-148.39M-59.49M111.29M89.78M
Operating Cash Flow
218.28M75.50M89.89M220.34M180.79M
Investing Cash Flow
-212.87M-231.29M-187.27M-107.03M-92.90M
Financing Cash Flow
-83.82M156.33M-7.50M-32.60M-19.38M

Hecla Mining Company Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price5.50
Price Trends
50DMA
5.41
Positive
100DMA
5.73
Negative
200DMA
5.74
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.11
Positive
RSI
51.29
Neutral
STOCH
42.06
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For HL, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 5.5 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 5.58, above the 50-day MA of 5.41, and below the 200-day MA of 5.74, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.11 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 51.29 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 42.06 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for HL.

Hecla Mining Company Risk Analysis

Hecla Mining Company disclosed 55 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Hecla Mining Company reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Hecla Mining Company Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (47)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
73
Outperform
$12.36B81.162.37%1.70%23.70%
HLHL
71
Outperform
$3.23B90.281.79%0.78%29.12%
TSFVI
71
Outperform
$1.94B57.641.77%40.02%
CDCDE
65
Neutral
$3.30B38.995.49%27.30%
TSEDR
54
Neutral
$1.28B-7.77%-4.65%-304.16%
TSAG
53
Neutral
$3.76B-5.68%0.36%-9.39%54.38%
47
Neutral
$2.64B-4.00-31.55%3.33%2.93%-29.90%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
HL
Hecla Mining Company
5.50
1.58
40.31%
CDE
Coeur Mining
5.61
2.54
82.74%
TSE:AG
First Majestic Silver
7.78
0.92
13.38%
TSE:FVI
Fortuna Silver Mines
6.41
2.27
54.83%
TSE:PAAS
Pan American Silver
35.77
17.89
100.02%
TSE:EDR
Endeavour Silver
5.74
3.23
128.69%

Hecla Mining Company Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Feb 13, 2025 | % Change Since: -13.66% | Next Earnings Date: May 7, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mixed picture for Hecla Mining Company. While the company achieved record revenues and improved its leverage ratio, operational challenges at Keno Hill and strategic uncertainties at Casa Berardi present significant hurdles. Increased costs and the elimination of the silver-linked dividend further dampen the positive aspects of the call, leading to a balanced view of the company's current situation.
Highlights
Record Revenue and Free Cash Flow
Hecla achieved record revenues of over $900 million in 2024, with 44% of that revenue from silver and 34% from gold. The cornerstone assets, Greens Creek and Lucky Friday, generated $228 million in free cash flow.
Silver Reserve Increase
Hecla's silver reserves increased by 17% at Keno Hill, contributing to the second highest silver reserve in the company's history.
Strong Performance at Lucky Friday
Lucky Friday had a record-breaking year in 2024 with the highest ton mined and milled in its history and the highest silver and lead production since 2013.
Reduced Leverage
Hecla significantly improved its net leverage ratio from 2.7 times to 1.6 times, aided by $228 million of free cash flow generated by Greens Creek and Lucky Friday.
Lowlights
Operational Challenges at Keno Hill
Keno Hill faced operational and social challenges, including a 25-day mill shutdown and power curtailments, impacting production.
Casa Berardi Strategic Review
Casa Berardi has not realized its potential, prompting a strategic review of the asset due to high capital requirements and management bandwidth consumption.
Increased Costs
Higher labor and power costs are expected to increase the all-in sustaining cost per ounce at Greens Creek and Lucky Friday.
Elimination of Silver-Linked Dividend
Hecla eliminated its silver-linked dividend to reinvest in organic growth opportunities, which may be seen as a negative by some investors.
Company Guidance
In the Q4 2024 earnings call for Hecla Mining Company, a comprehensive guidance was provided, focusing on strategic priorities and operational insights. The company reported strong silver production, meeting its consolidated guidance with a production range set between 15.5 million to 17 million ounces for 2025. Gold production is expected to decrease as Casa Berardi transitions to surface-only mining. Key financial achievements included record revenues of over $900 million and a reduction in net leverage ratio from 2.7 times to 1.6 times, bolstered by $228 million in free cash flow from cornerstone operations, Greens Creek and Lucky Friday. The company is optimizing its portfolio through a strategic review of Casa Berardi and is committed to achieving operational excellence, focusing on standard operating systems, cost control, and advanced analytics. A significant increase in reserves was noted, with Keno Hill's reserves rising by 17%, contributing to the company's second-highest silver reserve in history at 240 million ounces. The call also highlighted a commitment to ESG leadership, operational improvements, and strategic investments to sustain and grow production, with a focus on maintaining financial flexibility and delivering consistent shareholder returns.

Hecla Mining Company Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Hecla Mining Reports Significant 2024 Silver Reserves
Positive
Feb 12, 2025

On February 12, 2025, Hecla Mining Company reported its exploration results and year-end mineral reserves for 2024, highlighting significant achievements. The company’s silver reserves reached 240 million ounces, marking the second highest in its history, and Keno Hill reserves grew by 17%. This growth was driven by successful exploration programs that expanded high-grade mineralization and strategically replaced silver production. These accomplishments position Hecla for future growth and reinforce its standing in the industry.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.