Hecla Mining (HL)
NYSEMaterialsOther Precious MetalsSnapshot 2026-09-04
$20.68-2.50%
Close 2026-09-04 · 1-day change
NYSEMaterialsOther Precious MetalsSnapshot 2026-09-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · HL
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within materials on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-09-04.
The screen ranks HL against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 4 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 1 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Materials names rated strong grew net income 61% of the time over the next year (vs 47% for the rest of the cohort, n=1943).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
A guidance track record builds as the company issues and delivers on guidance.
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Complete redemption of remaining senior notes and maintain strongest balance sheet in company history to enable financial flexibility for growth investments.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Management completed redemption of $263 million senior notes in April 2026, ending 2026-Q2 debt free with $483 million cash, the strongest balance sheet in company history. Net debt improved from $523 million in 2024-Q4 to $34 million in 2025-Q4. The trajectory is delivering on the stated balance sheet strengthening and debt elimination.
“Company ends second quarter debt free (excluding financial leases) and strongest balance sheet in history.”
“Redeemed remaining $263 million senior notes in April, leaving Company debt free with strongest balance sheet in recent history.”
“Total debt of $276 million, net debt of $34 million, net leverage ratio improved to 0.1x from 1.6x prior year.”
Sustain strong cash flow generation with record free cash flow to support operations and growth initiatives.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Free cash flow from continuing operations was $135 million in 2025-Q4, increased to a record $144 million in 2026-Q1, and remained strong at $136 million in 2026-Q2. The trajectory shows sustained strong cash flow generation supporting operational and growth objectives.
Invest in project pipeline including Greens Creek pyrite circuit, tailings reprocessing, Midas restart, and increased exploration spending.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Management plans to nearly double exploration and pre-development spending to $55 million in 2026 from prior year levels. Project pipeline initiatives such as Greens Creek pyrite circuit and Midas restart are advancing. The trajectory shows active investment and progress in organic growth projects.
“Organic project pipeline continues to advance, demonstrating real potential for meaningful value creation.”
Sustain operational profitability with focus on cost control, improving cash costs and AISC per ounce at key mines.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Consolidated silver cash costs improved from ($0.23) per ounce in 2025-Q4 to ($8.10) per ounce in 2026-Q2, and AISC decreased from $18.11 to $6.07 per ounce over the same period. Management lowered cost guidance reflecting outperformance in first half 2026. The trajectory shows delivering on cost discipline and operational profitability.
“Silver cash cost of ($8.10) per ounce and AISC of $6.07 per ounce, lower than prior quarter.”
Increase consolidated silver production with record outputs at Lucky Friday and growth at Greens Creek and Keno Hill.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Consolidated silver production increased from 3.8 million ounces in 2025-Q4 to 4.2 million ounces in 2026-Q2, an 8% increase from prior quarter. Lucky Friday set a new quarterly production record of 1.5 million ounces in 2026-Q2. The trajectory shows delivering growth in silver production volumes.
“Consolidated silver production of 4.2 million ounces, up 8% from prior quarter; Lucky Friday record silver production of 1.5 million ounces.”
Over the trailing year it converted -6.39x of net income into operating cash flow.
Most sensitive to the US dollar and the broad stock market.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to real (inflation-adjusted) rates, long-term interest rates, Fed net liquidity (low R² over the window).
21 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by capital-allocation actions. Historically, Materials names rated volatile grew net income 52% of the time over the next year (vs 50% for the rest of the cohort, n=717).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-09-04.
“Free cash flow from continuing operations of $136 million, second best quarterly free cash flow.”
“Record quarterly free cash flow from continuing operations of $144 million.”
“Free cash flow of $135 million, up from $90 million prior quarter.”
“Near doubling of exploration investment in 2026 to $55 million, advancing growth initiatives.”
“Plan to nearly double exploration and pre-development spending to $55 million in 2026.”
“Silver cash cost of ($3.24) per ounce and AISC of $8.17 per ounce, improved from prior quarter.”
“Silver cash cost of ($0.23) per ounce and AISC of $18.11 per ounce.”
“Consolidated silver production of 3.9 million ounces, 3% higher than prior quarter.”
“Consolidated silver production of 3.8 million ounces.”