Tom, my guess is that it is mostly because HL is the lowest cost silver miner period and and has been for decades. Also, they continue expanding the resource and added a nice property. Maybe there are some, but I do not know of a more stable silver producer than HL. That's my take.
Oh, probably didn't hurt that they had a 71% increase and the highest production Q ever.
"Net income applicable to common shareholders of $25.7 million, or $0.07 per share.
Sales of $179.4 million, up 71%, a record.
Adjusted EBITDA of $75.2 million, up 323%.1
Cash provided by operating activities of $87.0 million, up 225%. Includes $16 million of insurance proceeds for the Troy Mine reclamation.
Free cash flow of $27.7 million, up $38 million.2
Total silver production of 4.3 million ounces, up 67%.
Gold production of 52,126 ounces, up 19%.
Silver equivalent production of 10.3 million ounces, up 17%.3
Last 12 months net loss of $13.7 million and adjusted EBITDA of $234 million.1
Net debt/adjusted EBITDA (last 12 months) of 1.4x, a 49% decline.1,4
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $192.4 million at September 30, 2016, up $33 million over the second quarter.
Completed the acquisition of the Montanore project, located near the Rock Creek project.
Reduced estimate for 2016 cash cost, after by-product credits, per silver ounce to $4.00 and increased estimate for 2016 cash cost, after by-product credits, per gold ounce to $750.5."
LOL, can you guess it is one of my favs.