Silver has a variety of uses. It is a major component in electronics as a conductor. It may also be used for medical purposes, like wound dressings. It can also be employed in the construction of green energy appliances, like solar panels and electric vehicles.
As both a precious and industrial metal, it is largely unique in the world, with a track record of limited supply and high demand. This can make silver stocks attractive investments.
What are silver stocks?
Silver stocks are publicly listed constituents of the stock market engaged in the exploration, mining and production of silver. They might also mine other metals, like gold.
Silver stocks are equities, because buying them means buying shares in a company, not the raw material itself.
Most companies mining silver tend to be focused on specific geographical areas where it is in plentiful supply. The most popular areas of the world to mine silver are Central and South America, especially Mexico, and parts of Russia.
Shares in silver stocks may be loosely correlated with the underlying silver price itself because this will largely dictate the value of a mining company’s silver assets. This is why production and output figures are so important in the context of company reports by firms mining silver.
While investors can gain exposure to silver through stocks, they can also purchase a variety of other products, both of a financial and a physical nature. Aside from shares, these products include coins, bars, certificates and contracts in both the options and futures markets.
Top silver shares in the UK
While the mining of precious metals like gold and platinum is relatively popular across the world, the number of firms exclusively devoted to silver mining is quite limited. Aside from sometimes being discovered when mining other precious metals, the extraction of silver ore and its rock can cause many difficulties because of its weight.
There are, however, a few silver stocks listed on the UK markets. Furthermore, some feature on both the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 indices.
| Company | Description |
| Fresnillo (LSE:FRES) | Fresnillo is a UK-based silver and gold mining firm operating throughout Mexico |
| Hochschild Mining (LSE:HOC) | Hochschild Mining conducts mining activities throughout Peru, Argentina, and Chile, and specialises in silver and gold |
1. Fresnillo
Headquartered in Mexico City, Fresnillo is the largest silver stock in the FTSE 100 index and the biggest silver producer in the world. It listed publicly on the London and Mexican Stock Exchanges on the same day in 2008.
The company operates exclusively in Mexico, but it is undertaking exploration in Peru and Chile. Its business model comprises the exploration of land, development of mining capabilities, and extraction of silver. The metals will then be transferred to third parties for refining and smelting, then into the metals market.
It is currently focused on growing its exploration budget, so that it can better understand the grade of silver within its projects. By 2025, it aims to have two development projects, Rodeo and Orisyvo, at the production stage.
It completed the construction of its Juanicipio plant in the final quarter of 2021, in a joint venture with MAG Silver. This plant is set in one of the most silver-abundant areas in the world. It is now operational and will ramp up silver production for the business in the years ahead.
Fresnillo is also environmentally aware and throughout 2021, nearly half of its electricity came from renewable resources. It seeks to improve this in the future.
2. Hochschild Mining
Hochschild Mining is a UK-based precious metals firm, mining both silver and gold. It listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2006, but the company was founded in 1911. It is currently a constituent of the FTSE 250 index.
It operates in three countries in South America: Peru, Chile, and Argentina. The bulk of its mining activity takes place in Peru, where it has three of its four current operations, the fourth being in Argentina.
The oldest two current operations, San Jose and Pallancata mines, began work in 2007. They are located in Argentina and southern Peru respectively.
In 2021, the company implemented a mining plan for Pallancata that will guarantee its future use for at least the next two years. This is part of Hochschild’s long-term business model.
A major part of the company’s strategy is growth projects, of which there are currently three: two in Peru and one in Chile. The firm uses advanced expertise to discover new areas containing silver within long-term and familiar mining zones. According to its business model, it seeks efficiency in the development stages to operate and carry out mining activities.
Finally, it has developed a strong knowledge base for the extraction stage that is capable of dealing with the challenges posed by silver mining in remote areas.
Are silver stocks right for you?
Silver stocks can be incredibly volatile because the share price movement may be linked to the underlying price of silver. They may therefore not provide as consistent growth over the long term as more regular companies in market indices. When investing in silver stocks, it can be helpful to first gain an understanding of the factors and motivations that drive the silver price up and down.
While silver stocks can mirror the underlying silver price, this is not always the case. Public companies that mine silver are, after all, equities. When equity markets fall, there is no guarantee that silver shares will rise.
Although investors may see increased volatility in silver stocks, they can also play a critical role within a diverse portfolio. Generally speaking, they are a ‘safe-haven’ during times of crisis and may rise when the market is going through an unpredictable or unstable period.
During inflation, silver stocks may also protect investors against the loss of purchasing power to some extent, because silver is viewed as alternative asset to cash. This means that silver stocks can help to balance a portfolio that is heavily populated by other sectors, like the technology and travel sectors.