Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL) Trading Down 4.1% – What’s Next?

Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) fell 4.1% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $22.94 and last traded at $22.96. 14,103,196 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 51% from the average session volume of 28,799,602 shares. The stock had previously closed at $23.94.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

HL has been the subject of a number of research reports. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on Hecla Mining from $16.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. HC Wainwright increased their price objective on shares of Hecla Mining from $16.50 to $36.50 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce raised their price objective on shares of Hecla Mining from $27.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Hecla Mining from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Sunday, November 2nd. Finally, Roth Mkm reiterated a “sell” rating and set a $16.00 target price on shares of Hecla Mining in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Hecla Mining presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $22.00.

Hecla Mining Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of $15.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 74.06 and a beta of 1.25. The company’s fifty day moving average is $21.96 and its 200 day moving average is $14.93. The company has a quick ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 2.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11.

Insider Activity

In other news, VP Kurt Allen sold 52,219 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.91, for a total value of $1,144,118.29. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 216,641 shares in the company, valued at $4,746,604.31. This trade represents a 19.42% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, VP David C. Sienko sold 207,553 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.42, for a total value of $4,030,679.26. Following the sale, the vice president owned 906,370 shares in the company, valued at $17,601,705.40. The trade was a 18.63% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 1.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hecla Mining

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Greenwich Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Hecla Mining by 68.1% during the fourth quarter. Greenwich Wealth Management LLC now owns 150,109 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $2,881,000 after buying an additional 60,827 shares during the last quarter. AXQ Capital LP bought a new position in shares of Hecla Mining in the 4th quarter valued at about $510,000. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board acquired a new position in shares of Hecla Mining during the 4th quarter worth about $2,633,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its holdings in shares of Hecla Mining by 20.1% in the 4th quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 281,169 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $5,396,000 after purchasing an additional 47,104 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Hecla Mining in the 4th quarter valued at about $6,271,000. 63.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Hecla Mining

Hecla Mining Company, founded in 1891 and headquartered in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, is one of the oldest publicly traded precious metals companies in the United States. Originally established to develop the rich silver deposits of the Coeur d’Alene district, Hecla has evolved into a diversified mining enterprise focused on the exploration, development and production of silver and gold, with by-product credits from lead and zinc.

The company’s principal operations are located in North America and Latin America.