Despite their recent underperformance, David H. Smith, Senior Analyst with The Morgan Report, remains bullish on precious metals, especially silver and palladium, as the "love trade" heats up and the global economy adds more debt to the system.
It has been a tough year for investors in silver mining stocks, with the precious metal seeing its price plunging by over 14% and stubbornly remaining under US$20 per ounce.
Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL) has expanded its operations in the western United States with the purchase on Friday of Revett Minerals (TSX:RVM) in an all-stock deal worth $20 million.
At the end of January, the company announced it was placing the mine in care and maintenance, citing a commodity price crash, and earlier this month was forced to seek creditor protection.