3 Silver Mining Stocks to Ride the Solid Industry Trends

Industry Overview - The Zacks Mining - Silver industry is experiencing promising prospects due to rising silver prices and a projected demand of around 1.15 billion ounces, primarily driven by industrial use [1][4] - The industry comprises companies engaged in the exploration, development, and production of silver, with only 20% of silver coming from mining activities where silver is the primary revenue source [3] Demand and Supply Dynamics - Total silver demand is expected to dip slightly by 1% to 1.148 billion ounces in 2025, with industrial use projected at approximately 677.4 million ounces, accounting for about 59% of total demand [4] - The solar energy industry is a significant driver of silver demand, particularly in photovoltaic applications, alongside rising usage in 5G infrastructure and electric vehicles [4] - Global silver supply is projected to rise by 2% in 2025 to 1.031 billion ounces, but this will still result in a deficit of 117.6 million ounces, marking the fifth consecutive year of supply shortfall [5] Price Trends - Silver prices increased by approximately 22% in 2024 and 14.9% year-to-date, supported by economic uncertainties and solid demand amid tight supply expectations [5] - The industry's current valuation based on the forward 12-month EV/EBITDA ratio is 12.05X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 24.69X, indicating potential for growth [13] Company Performance - Avino Silver Mines produced 678,458 silver equivalent ounces in Q1 2025, an 8% year-over-year increase, and is on track to achieve a production range of 2.5 - 2.8 million silver equivalent ounces in 2025 [17] - Fresnillo produced 107 million silver-equivalent ounces in 2024 and expects a decline in total production for 2025, focusing on profit margins and optimizing its mining operations [23] - Endeavour Silver recently acquired Compañia Minera Kolpa S.A. for $145 million, which is expected to enhance its production profile by approximately 5 million silver equivalent ounces [25] Market Outlook - The Zacks Industry Rank for the Mining-Silver industry is 15, placing it in the top 6% of 245 Zacks industries, indicating bright prospects in the near term [8] - The industry has outperformed the Basic Materials sector but has lagged behind the Zacks S&P 500 composite over the past year, with a collective loss of 7.6% compared to the sector's 9.9% decline [10]