ZACKS·2025-12-30 16:15Core Insights - Coeur Mining, Inc. (CDE) and First Majestic Silver Corp. (AG) are well-positioned to benefit from the strong upcycle in gold and silver markets [1] - Both companies are experiencing favorable industry trends, including rising precious-metal prices driven by inflation hedging, central-bank buying, and geopolitical uncertainty [4] Coeur Mining (CDE) - Coeur Mining focuses on silver and gold production in North America, with key assets in the U.S. and Canada, and has improved margins and cash flow due to higher metal prices and operational optimization [2] - In Q3 2025, Coeur reported record production of 111,364 ounces of gold and 4.8 million ounces of silver, with revenues reaching $555 million, reflecting a 15% increase in silver prices and a 4% increase in gold prices [5][11] - The Las Chispas mine acquisition significantly contributed to Coeur's growth, producing 1.6 million ounces of silver and 16.5 thousand ounces of gold in Q3 2025 [6] - Coeur's flagship assets, Rochester and Palmarejo, are expected to support a total production of 392,500–438,000 ounces of gold and 17.1–19.2 million ounces of silver in 2025 [7] - As of September 2025, Coeur's cash and cash equivalents were approximately $266 million, with a debt-to-capital ratio of 10.5% and free cash flow of about $189 million in Q3 [8] First Majestic Silver Corp. (AG) - First Majestic, primarily focused on silver with growing gold exposure, reported a record production of 3.9 million ounces of silver in Q3 2025, a 96% year-over-year increase [9] - The Los Gatos Silver Mine, acquired in 2025, was a key contributor, producing 2.13 million silver-equivalent ounces during the quarter [10] - Overall, First Majestic produced 7.7 million silver-equivalent ounces in Q3 2025, with significant contributions from San Dimas and other properties [12][13] - At the end of September 2025, First Majestic's cash and cash equivalents were around $575 million, with a debt-to-capital ratio of 6.9% and free cash flow of about $55 million in Q3 [14] Price Performance & Valuation - CDE stock has increased by 104.2% over the past six months, while AG stock has risen by 99.8% [15] - CDE is trading at a forward 12-month sales multiple of 4.38X, compared to AG's 7.68X [16] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CDE's fiscal 2025 sales implies a year-over-year growth of 96%, with EPS suggesting a 322.22% rise [19] - For AG, the fiscal 2026 sales and EPS estimates imply year-over-year increases of 87% and 279%, respectively [21] Comparative Analysis - CDE is viewed as the stronger overall pick due to its balanced gold-and-silver portfolio, operational execution, and stronger earnings visibility, alongside disciplined cost management and improved balance-sheet profile [23] - CDE holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), while AG has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [24]