We recently published a list of 10 Best Junior Silver Mining Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Hudbay Minerals Inc. (NYSE:HBM) stands against other best junior silver mining stocks to buy according to analysts.
Silver not only plays a key role in the global industry, it is also considered an investment asset. Although gold is considered a top alternative investment, silver is much more significant due to its multifaceted usage. It is used for various purposes, including but not limited to solar panels, and electric vehicles. Silver’s position has strengthened even more in 2025 due to elevated industrial demand, economic uncertainty, and changes in monetary policies.
During the previous year, silver saw a steady increase in its price, going above $30 per ounce for the first time since 2011. Analysts are closely following the key resistance zones that could trigger breakouts looking at $37 and even $40 per ounce in bullish cases, according to Dukascopy. This increase is driven by multiple macroeconomic factors, including inflation, geopolitical instability, and a global financial easing cycle, making silver an attractive asset to hold. With a weakening U.S. dollar and falling interest rates, investors’ interest in non-yielding assets like silver has increased.
Furthermore, silver’s uses in the industry have multiplied, causing its demand to increase. It is projected that silver will reach a record high in 2025, as per the Silver Institute, with a demand of over 700 million ounces by the industry. A major portion of the demand can be attributed to solar panel production, where silver’s high conductivity grants it a unique place in photovoltaic cells. Moreover, the expansion of electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, as well as consumer electronics further solidified the demand for silver.
On the other hand, supply-related concerns are a growing issue. Consecutively, for the fifth year, the silver market is expected to be in deficit despite an expected 2% increase in production, as reported in Global Newswire. Top producers and companies are looking to meet the increasing demand. Further complications arise from worldwide trade tensions. With a new government in the U.S. and its aggressive tariff policies, fears of a new trade war loom. Although this creates risks, it also presents opportunities to those who understand the market dynamics of silver.
Methodology
To compile our list of the 10 Best Junior Silver Mining Stocks to Buy According to Analysts, we selected top junior mining companies with significant exposure to silver exploration and production. We prioritized companies with strong market capitalizations and evaluated hedge fund sentiment to ensure investor confidence in these stocks. To assess hedge fund interest, we looked into the hedge funds holding stakes in these stocks, as of Q4 2024, with data fetched from Insider Monkey’s extensive hedge fund database, which tracks over 1,000 hedge funds. Finally, we ranked the stocks based on their upside potential.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
An aerial view of a copper mine, showing the intricate workings of heavy machinery.
Hudbay Minerals Inc. (NYSE:HBM)
Average Upside Potential: 89%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 39
Hudbay Minerals Inc. (NYSE:HBM) is a mining company with operations spanning across North and South America. The company produces gold concentrates containing zinc, and copper concentrates containing gold, silver, and molybdenum. Its leading project is its Constancia mine in Peru, which drives production growth, with a key contribution to its gold output by its Snow Lake operations in Manitoba.
The company reported its financials for the year ended 31 December 2024, highlighting revenue of $2.02 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $822.5 million. Overall, silver production was 3.98 million ounces, an increase of 11% when compared with the previous year. This was driven by higher-grade silver at Pampacancha in Peru. On the other hand, Manitoba operations produced silver around 995,090 ounces, which is a 17% year-on-year uptick. Even with operational concerns, Hudbay Minerals Inc. (NYSE:HBM) was able to meet its production and cost forecasts for the year.
Looking ahead, the company has forecasted its silver production to be around 3.55 million ounces in 2025. The company’s drilling project at the 1901 deposit in Snow Lake and other exploration efforts supplement the company’s long-term output growth. Moreover, its Copper World project in Arizona remains a major development opportunity with the potential to increase its copper output by over 50%.
The company holds a strong balance sheet and has made significant operational advancements with strategic growth initiatives, positioning it well for success in 2025.
Overall, HBM ranks 1st on our list of best junior silver mining stocks to buy according to analysts. While we acknowledge the potential of HBM as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that certain AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than HBM but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
