Hecla Mining (HL) vs Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. (SQM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. (SQM) has outperformed Hecla Mining (HL) over the past year, gaining 48.9% versus a gain of 37.2%. Over five years, HL leads with a +193.7% price change compared with +19.1% for SQM. Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. is the larger company by market cap ($18.31 billion vs $11.03 billion), about 1.7 times the size, while Hecla Mining is growing revenue faster (+53.0% vs -39.4%).
On valuation, Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. trades at a lower forward P/E (9.2x vs 15.9x for Hecla Mining). Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. offers the higher dividend yield (2.24% vs 0.09%). Hecla Mining converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 22.6% versus 15.1%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | HL | SQM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $16.42 | $64.10 |
| Market cap | $11.03B | $18.31B |
| 1-day change | +0.21% | -0.74% |
| YTD return | -14.59% | -6.09% |
| 1-year return | +37.15% | +48.91% |
| 5-year return | +193.73% | +19.14% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 21.32 | 13.19 |
| Forward P/E | 15.90 | 9.20 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.77 | $4.86 |
| Dividend yield | 0.09% | 2.24% |
| Annual dividend | $0.015 | $1.44 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.42B | $4.53B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +53.03% | -39.35% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $321.71M | $685.12M |
| Gross margin | 43.72% | 29.30% |
| Operating margin | 36.18% | 23.54% |
| Net margin | 22.61% | 15.13% |
| 52-week high | $34.17 | $98.00 |
| 52-week low | $11.81 | $40.58 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -51.95% | -34.59% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +40.56% | +31.40% |
| Average volume | 37.81M | 963.45K |
| Shares outstanding | 671.77M | 142.82M |
| Employees | 1,865 | 7,637 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Mining & Quarrying of Nonmetallic Minerals (No Fuels) | Mining & Quarrying of Nonmetallic Minerals (No Fuels) |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- SQM has outperformed HL by 11.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Hecla Mining trades at a higher earnings multiple (21.3x vs 13.2x trailing P/E).
- Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.24% vs 0.09%).
- Hecla Mining is more profitable, keeping 22.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 15.1 cents for Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A..
- Hecla Mining grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+53.03% vs -39.35%).
About Hecla Mining
HL stock →Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metals in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, China, and internationally. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and unrefined doré containing silver and gold.
Industrials · Mining & Quarrying of Nonmetallic Minerals (No Fuels) · 1,865 employees
About Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A.
SQM stock →Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. produces and sells specialty plant nutrients, and iodine and its derivatives in Chile, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, North America, Asia, and internationally.
Industrials · Mining & Quarrying of Nonmetallic Minerals (No Fuels) · 7,637 employees
HL vs SQM FAQ
Which is bigger, Hecla Mining or Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A.?
Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. (SQM) is larger, with a market capitalization of $18.31B compared with $11.03B for Hecla Mining (HL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HL or SQM?
SQM returned +48.91% over the past 12 months, compared with +37.15% for HL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, HL or SQM?
SQM has the lower trailing P/E at 13.2, versus 21.3 for HL. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Hecla Mining or Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A.?
Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. has the higher yield at 2.24%, compared with 0.09% for Hecla Mining.
Are Hecla Mining and Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Mining & Quarrying of Nonmetallic Minerals (No Fuels) industry within the Industrials sector.