Is Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (WPM) the Best Junior Silver Mining Stock to Buy According to Analysts?

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 Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (NYSE:WPM) 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).

Is Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (WPM) the Best Junior Silver Mining Stock to Buy According to Analysts?

A representation of gold bars, highlighting the companies success in their gold industry.

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (NYSE:WPM)

Average Upside Potential: 9.96%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 36

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (NYSE:WPM) is one of the top metals streaming companies with operations across North America, South America, and Europe. The company deals with multiple metals, but silver contributes significantly to its revenue and long-term growth strategy.

The company reported operating cash flows of $254 million for Q3 ended September 30, 2024. Furthermore, its production for silver was higher than expected, reaching 20.7 million ounces during the year, compared to the forecasted 18.5 to 20.5 million ounces. This growth was primarily driven by higher-than-expected grades at Salobo and Constancia. In 2025, Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (NYSE:WPM) projects production between 20.5 and 22.5 million ounces, supported by expected growth at Antamina and the initiation of projects like Blackwater and Goose.

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (NYSE:WPM) continues to expand its streaming portfolio strategically with a $100 million expansion at Rio2’s Phoenix project and a $625 million gold streaming agreement at Montage’s Kona project. These investments strengthen its project pipeline, supporting the projected 40% increase in production by 2029 to 870,000 gold equivalent ounces (GEOs). The company holds a strong financial position with $700 million in cash and $2 billion in undrawn credit, providing ample flexibility for investments. Investor confidence remains high, with its stock rising 19.05% year-to-date, reflecting strong production growth and strategic investments.

However, the company still faces challenges due to lower grades at Peñasquito and Pampacancha. This decline can impact the short-term production of silver by Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (NYSE:WPM). Regardless, with strategic capital allocation, rising silver prices, and a robust project pipeline, the company remains a top pick among the best junior silver mining stocks to buy.

Overall, WPM ranks 9th on our list of best junior silver mining stocks to buy according to analysts. While we acknowledge the potential of WPM 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 WPM but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and Complete List of 59 AI Companies Under $2 Billion in Market Cap

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.