Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL) Shares Gap Up to $5.54

Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL)’s stock price gapped up before the market opened on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $5.54, but opened at $5.67. Hecla Mining shares last traded at $5.68, with a volume of 999,210 shares traded.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have weighed in on HL shares. StockNews.com raised shares of Hecla Mining to a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 9th. Roth Mkm boosted their target price on shares of Hecla Mining from $4.60 to $6.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 9th. HC Wainwright reissued a “buy” rating and set a $10.25 target price on shares of Hecla Mining in a research report on Thursday, May 9th. Cibc World Mkts raised shares of Hecla Mining to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 22nd. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Hecla Mining to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $6.97.

Hecla Mining Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.67. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $5.39 and its 200-day moving average is $4.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -35.60 and a beta of 2.12.

Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.02) by $0.03. Hecla Mining had a negative net margin of 12.22% and a negative return on equity of 0.28%. The firm had revenue of $189.53 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $190.31 million. Analysts forecast that Hecla Mining will post 0.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hecla Mining Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 11th. Investors of record on Friday, May 24th will be paid a $0.006 dividend. This represents a $0.02 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 23rd. Hecla Mining’s dividend payout ratio is currently -20.00%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hecla Mining

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Byrne Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Hecla Mining during the first quarter worth $34,000. Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in shares of Hecla Mining by 27.7% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 13,447 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $65,000 after buying an additional 2,916 shares in the last quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Hecla Mining during the fourth quarter worth $72,000. Cetera Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Hecla Mining by 48.9% during the first quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC now owns 15,532 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $75,000 after buying an additional 5,104 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Hecla Mining during the fourth quarter worth $76,000. 63.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Hecla Mining

Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metal properties in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and China. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and doré containing silver and gold.