PAAS vs. AG: Which Silver Mining Stock is the Better Buy?

Core Insights - Pan American Silver Corp. (PAAS) and First Majestic Silver Corp. (AG) are prominent players in the silver mining sector, both headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, and providing exposure to silver and gold [1] Silver Market Overview - Silver prices have increased by 75.9% year over year, while gold prices rose by 56.9%, driven by strong safe-haven demand, geopolitical tensions, and trade conflicts [2] - Industrial demand for silver, particularly in solar energy and electronics, now constitutes over half of global silver demand [2] - Current silver trading price is near a record high at $53.70, with expectations of a rate cut supporting further price increases [2] Pan American Silver (PAAS) Highlights - PAAS operates 12 mines across the Americas and has a significant stake in the Juanicipio project, expected to produce 14.7-16.7 million ounces of silver in 2025 [4][5] - Third-quarter silver production for PAAS was 5.5 million ounces, maintaining the same level as the previous year, with an increased production outlook for 2025 to 22-25 million ounces [6] - Gold production in the third quarter was 183.5 thousand ounces, down from 225 thousand ounces year-over-year, with a maintained guidance of 735-800 thousand ounces for 2025 [7] - All-in sustaining costs (AISC) for silver were $15.43 per ounce, significantly lower than $20.90 in the previous year [8] - PAAS reported a record free cash flow of $252 million in the third quarter, raising its cash and short-term investments to $910.8 million [9] - The company increased its quarterly dividend by 17% to 14 cents, up from 12 cents [10] First Majestic Silver (AG) Highlights - AG focuses on silver and gold production primarily in Mexico and the U.S., operating four underground mines and holding various development assets [13] - The acquisition of Gatos Silver in January 2025 solidified AG's position as a primary silver producer, contributing significantly to its production numbers [14][15] - AG's total production reached 7.7 million silver-equivalent ounces in the third quarter, a 39% year-over-year increase, with record silver production of 3.9 million ounces [15][16] - Free cash flow for AG increased by 67.5% year-over-year to $98.8 million, with liquidity reaching $682 million [17] Earnings Estimates Comparison - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PAAS's 2025 earnings is $2.15 per share, indicating a 172% year-over-year growth [18] - For AG, the 2025 earnings estimate is 25 cents per share, improving from a loss of 14 cents in 2024 [20] Stock Performance and Valuation - Over the past year, PAAS stock has surged by 99.2%, while AG has gained 120.6% [21] - PAAS is trading at a forward price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 4.38X, while AG is at 5.71X, both higher than their five-year medians [22] Investment Outlook - Both PAAS and AG are positioned to benefit from rising silver and gold prices, increased production expectations, and expansion efforts through acquisitions [24]