The Basic Materials group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Compass Minerals (CMP) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Basic Materials sector should help us answer this question.Compass Minerals is one of 254 individual stocks in the Bas ...

Key Takeaways Hecla Mining lifted 2025 silver output 5% to 17M oz, driven by Greens Creek, Lucky Friday and Keno Hill.HL generated $563M in operating cash flow, cut net leverage to 0.1x and agreed to sell Casa Berardi.Avino Silver grew revenues 48% in nine months, with La Preciosa advancing and 2026 output guided higher.Hecla Mining Company (HL) and Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (ASM) are both familiar names operating in the Zacks Mining - Silver industry. As competitors, these two are focused on the extra ...

Core Insights - Pan American Silver (PAAS) reported quarterly earnings of $1.11 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.90 per share, and showing a significant increase from $0.35 per share a year ago, resulting in an earnings surprise of +23.64% [1] - The company generated revenues of $1.18 billion for the quarter ended December 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.00%, and up from $815.1 million in the same quarter last year [2] - Pan American Silver has outperformed the S&P 500 with an 8.3% increase in share price since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has shown a zero return [3] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.95 on revenues of $1.2 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $3.66 on revenues of $4.68 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Pan American Silver was mixed prior to the earnings release, resulting in a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market [6] Industry Context - The Mining - Silver industry is currently ranked in the top 5% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook for stocks within this sector [8] - Another company in the same industry, Avino Silver (ASM), is expected to report quarterly earnings of $0.06 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of -14.3%, with revenues projected at $29.1 million, up 19.4% from the previous year [9]

Core Viewpoint - Avino Silver (ASM) has shown strong stock performance, significantly outperforming both the S&P 500 and the Basic Materials sector over the past month, with a notable increase in stock price and positive earnings expectations for the upcoming quarter [1][2][3]. Group 1: Stock Performance - Avino Silver's stock closed at $9.22, reflecting a 2.56% increase from the previous trading session, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.56% [1]. - The stock has risen by 28.43% in the past month, while the Basic Materials sector gained 7.08% and the S&P 500 experienced a loss of 1.27% [1]. Group 2: Earnings Forecast - The upcoming earnings disclosure is anticipated to show an EPS of $0.06, which represents a 14.29% decrease compared to the same quarter last year [2]. - Quarterly revenue is projected to be $29.1 million, indicating a 19.36% increase from the previous year [2]. Group 3: Full Year Estimates - For the full year, earnings are expected to be $0.17 per share, reflecting a 13.33% increase from the previous year, with revenue projected at $90.3 million, a 36.45% increase [3]. - Recent analyst estimate revisions suggest a positive outlook for the business, as these changes often correlate with short-term stock movements [3][4]. Group 4: Zacks Rank and Valuation - Avino Silver currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), with the consensus EPS estimate rising by 25.86% over the past month [5]. - The company has a Forward P/E ratio of 24.63, which is higher than the industry's Forward P/E of 16.53, indicating a premium valuation [6]. Group 5: Industry Context - The Mining - Silver industry, part of the Basic Materials sector, is currently ranked 11th by Zacks, placing it in the top 5% of over 250 industries [6]. - The Zacks Industry Rank suggests that the top 50% of rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1, indicating a favorable environment for Avino Silver [7].

Core Viewpoint - Hecla Mining reported quarterly earnings of $0.19 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.14 per share, and showing significant growth from $0.04 per share a year ago, indicating a strong performance in the precious metals sector [1] Financial Performance - The company achieved revenues of $448.11 million for the quarter ended December 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 25% and showing a substantial increase from $249.65 million in the same quarter last year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Hecla Mining has consistently exceeded consensus EPS estimates, achieving this four times [2] Stock Performance - Hecla Mining shares have increased approximately 17.8% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with a slight decline of 0.1% in the S&P 500 [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near future [6] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.29, with projected revenues of $513.4 million, and for the current fiscal year, the consensus EPS estimate is $0.64 on revenues of $1.49 billion [7] - The trend of earnings estimate revisions is mixed ahead of the earnings release, which may influence future stock movements [6] Industry Context - The Mining - Silver industry, to which Hecla Mining belongs, is currently ranked in the top 5% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook for companies within this sector [8] - Another company in the same industry, Endeavour Silver, is expected to report a quarterly earnings increase of 50% year-over-year, with revenues projected to rise by 245.1% from the previous year [9]

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1] Company Overview: First Majestic Silver (AG) - First Majestic Silver has a Momentum Style Score of B, indicating potential for strong performance based on price changes and earnings estimate revisions [3] - The company currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting it is positioned for outperformance in the market [4] Price Performance - Over the past week, AG shares have increased by 4.41%, outperforming the Zacks Mining - Silver industry, which rose by 2.73% [6] - In a longer timeframe, AG's shares have surged by 90.38% over the past quarter and 322.06% over the last year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's gains of 1.76% and 13.08% respectively [7] Trading Volume - The average 20-day trading volume for AG is 29,463,580 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [8] Earnings Outlook - In the last two months, one earnings estimate for AG has increased, raising the consensus estimate from $0.25 to $0.30 for the full year, with two upward revisions for the next fiscal year [10] Conclusion - Given the positive momentum indicators and earnings outlook, AG is recommended as a strong buy candidate for investors seeking short-term opportunities [12]

Core Viewpoint - First Majestic Silver Corp. is set to report its fourth-quarter 2025 results, with earnings estimates showing a significant increase, indicating strong production performance and potential growth opportunities despite ongoing challenges in Mexico [1][10]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's quarterly earnings is currently at 27 cents per share, reflecting a 68.8% increase in estimates over the past 60 days and an 800% surge compared to the previous year [1][10]. Earnings Surprise History - The company has a poor earnings surprise history, having missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last four quarters, with an average negative surprise of 31.6% [2]. Production Performance - First Majestic's total production reached 7.8 million silver-equivalent ounces in Q4 2025, including a record 4.2 million silver ounces, marking a 37% year-over-year increase driven by a 77% surge in silver production [5][10]. Market Conditions - Silver prices have risen significantly due to strong safe-haven demand, geopolitical tensions, and increasing industrial demand, particularly in solar energy and electronics, which now account for over half of global silver demand [6]. Strategic Acquisitions - The acquisition of Gatos Silver in January 2025 has strengthened First Majestic's position as a primary silver producer, likely enhancing its performance in the quarter [7]. Operational Challenges - The company faces ongoing tax disputes with the Mexican government, which pose financial and operational risks to its four operating mines in Mexico [8]. Cost Pressures - First Majestic has been experiencing high costs related to increased production, labor, and integration expenses from acquisitions, which may impact its margins and profitability [9][11]. Stock Performance - First Majestic shares have increased by 98.8% over the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Mining - Silver industry and the S&P 500 [12]. Valuation Metrics - The company is trading at a forward P/E ratio of 57.93X, significantly higher than the industry average of 18.91X, which may expose the stock to pullbacks if market sentiment declines [15]. Competitive Position - First Majestic's market leadership, diversified assets, and strong liquidity position provide a competitive advantage to capitalize on long-term demand in the silver and gold markets [19]. Growth Prospects - The company's healthy production rates, rising metal prices, and strategic acquisitions are expected to drive performance in upcoming quarters, indicating positive growth potential [20]. Investment Considerations - Despite its high valuation, the company's strong market position and growth prospects suggest it may be an attractive investment opportunity for potential investors [21].

Company Performance - First Majestic Silver (AG) has returned approximately 37.8% year-to-date, outperforming the average gain of 21.3% in the Basic Materials sector [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AG's full-year earnings has increased by 4% over the past quarter, indicating an improving earnings outlook [4] - First Majestic Silver holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting a favorable investment opportunity [3] Industry Context - First Majestic Silver is part of the Mining - Silver industry, which consists of 9 individual stocks and currently ranks 13 in the Zacks Industry Rank [6] - The Mining - Silver industry has gained an average of 21.3% this year, with First Majestic Silver performing better than this average [6] - Another stock in the Basic Materials sector, McEwen (MUX), has also outperformed the sector with a year-to-date increase of 38.9% [5]

Core Insights - Pan American Silver Corp. (PAAS) stock is trading at a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 15.72X, which is lower than the Zacks Mining - Silver industry's average of 19.55X [1][5] - The stock has appreciated 114.7% over the past year, while the industry has risen 188.6% [3] - The company produced 22.8 million ounces of silver in 2025, an 8% increase from 2024, and expects silver production to reach 25-27 million ounces in 2026 [6][12] Valuation Comparison - PAAS is attractively priced compared to peers like Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (ASM) and First Majestic Silver Corp. (AG), which trade at 25.07X and 82.51X respectively [3][5] - The company has a solid liquidity position with $1.32 billion in cash and short-term investments, and total available liquidity of $2.07 billion as of December 31, 2025 [10] Production and Growth Outlook - The company expects higher silver output in 2026, supported by strong mine results and a favorable silver price environment, with silver trading above $73 per ounce [11][12] - The acquisition of MAG Silver enhances PAAS's reserves and growth potential, adding significant projects to its portfolio [13][14] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PAAS's earnings for 2025 is $2.21 per share, indicating a year-over-year increase of 179%, while the estimate for 2026 is $3.40, suggesting a 53.5% increase [18][20]

Company Overview - Air Products and Chemicals (APD) is part of the Basic Materials sector, which includes 254 individual stocks and holds a Zacks Sector Rank of 4 [2] - APD currently has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a favorable outlook based on earnings estimate revisions and improving earnings outlooks [3] Performance Analysis - Year-to-date, APD has gained approximately 14.8%, outperforming the average gain of 13.2% for Basic Materials stocks [4] - In comparison to its specific industry, Chemical - Diversified, which has an average gain of 18.2% this year, APD is slightly underperforming [6] Industry Context - The Chemical - Diversified industry consists of 29 companies and is ranked 210 in the Zacks Industry Rank [6] - Another notable stock in the Basic Materials sector, Hochschild Mining PLC, has returned 20% year-to-date and has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [5][7]