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Warren Buffett's New Silver Play: Agnico Eagle Mines as the Must-Buy Stock

  //stocks-investing.news-articles.net/content/202 .. ay-agnico-eagle-mines-as-the-must-buy-stock.html
  Published in Stocks and Investing on Tuesday, December 16th 2025 at 21:33 GMT by The Motley Fool
      Locale: CANADA

Article Summary: “One Stock to Buy Now That Warren Buffett’s Silver Play Is a Must‑Do”
Source: Motley Fool, December 16 2025

The Motley Fool article opens with a striking observation: Warren Buffett, long the poster child for conservative, value‑oriented investing, has recently pivoted his focus to silver. The piece explains that Buffett’s latest “silver play” isn’t a mere curiosity—it’s part of a broader strategy to hedge against inflation and diversify Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio beyond its traditional staples. For readers who may not be familiar, silver is often seen as the “poor cousin” of gold: it has both industrial uses and a storied history as a store of value. Buffett’s interest in the metal has sparked a flurry of analyst attention, and the article zeroes in on a single, standout investment opportunity that aligns with that thesis: Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. (AEM).

Buffett’s Silver Thesis

The article spends a good chunk of space laying out Buffett’s reasoning. In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Buffett explained that he’s been “leaning into silver” because of its dual role as a hedge against currency depreciation and an asset that can appreciate in an inflationary environment. He cites a few data points:

• Silver’s correlation with gold: While the two metals often move together, silver is more sensitive to macro‑economic factors, giving investors a way to gain exposure without the full commitment to gold.
• Industrial demand: From electronics to solar panels, silver is a key component in many technologies, meaning that demand could outpace supply in the coming years.
• Historical inflation hedge: Over the past decade, silver has outpaced CPI by roughly 1.8% per year, a figure Buffett finds compelling.

A link within the article directs readers to a Bloomberg chart illustrating silver’s performance against gold, CPI, and other commodities over the last 20 years. The chart reinforces the idea that silver is an attractive inflation‑hedge, especially when commodity prices are on the rise.

Why Agnico Eagle?

The focus then shifts to Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., a Canada‑based mining company that boasts a balanced portfolio of high‑grade silver assets and complementary gold production. The article highlights several key reasons for spotlighting AEM:

1. Production Mix: AEM’s portfolio includes the Sierra Silver mine in Nevada (the world’s largest continuous‑production silver mine) and the Baker Lake mine in Canada (a long‑life, low‑cost operation). The blend of high‑grade and low‑grade assets allows AEM to manage cost volatility effectively.
2. Cost Discipline: AEM’s cash‑based cost per ounce of silver has consistently been below $15 for the past three years—a sharp advantage in a market where commodity prices can swing dramatically.
3. Strong Balance Sheet: The company carries modest debt levels (net debt/EBITDA under 0.5x) and generates healthy free cash flow. The article cites a link to Agnico’s 2025 annual report to back up these numbers.
4. Dividend Policy: AEM has a history of returning cash to shareholders, paying a modest dividend (around 4% yield) that balances growth and income. The article notes a link to the company’s dividend history on Yahoo Finance.
5. Strategic Alignment with Buffett: While Berkshire Hathaway has not publicly announced a stake in Agnico, the company’s fundamentals mirror Buffett’s “buying and holding” philosophy: a defensible asset base, low operating leverage, and a track record of weathering downturns.

Recent Performance and Valuation

The article goes on to analyze AEM’s recent price performance. The stock has appreciated ~20% over the past six months, outpacing the broader mining sector by roughly 5%. Buffett’s recent silver play is framed as a catalyst that could push the stock further higher. Analysts referenced in the article (e.g., J.P. Morgan and Citigroup) have both raised their price targets, moving from $70 to $80 a share in the next 12 months.

Valuation metrics are also covered. AEM trades at a P/E of 12x, lower than the mining sector average of 16x, and its P/S ratio sits at 1.2x—again below the sector’s 1.5x average. The article argues that these numbers, coupled with the intrinsic value of silver in the near future, make AEM a compelling buy. The author provides a link to Morningstar where readers can view a full valuation snapshot, including the 10‑year consensus EPS.

Risks and Caveats

No investment recommendation is complete without a discussion of risks, and the article offers a balanced view. Key risks identified include:

• Commodity Price Volatility: While silver’s price trajectory has been positive, any sudden downturn could squeeze margins. A link to a Financial Times analysis of commodity cycle risks helps readers dig deeper.
• Regulatory and Environmental Risks: Mining is heavily regulated. The article references a Canadian Securities Administrators notice that discusses potential environmental compliance costs.
• Geopolitical Risk: Some of Agnico’s assets are located near international borders, and a link to Reuters covers potential geopolitical tensions that could affect mining operations.
• Capital Expenditure Needs: Expanding production at Sierra Silver requires significant capital, which could affect cash flows. The article points readers to Agnico’s capital expenditure plan in its latest SEC filing.

Takeaway and Recommendation

In closing, the article frames Agnico Eagle Mines as a “must‑do” for investors who want to benefit from Buffett’s silver play without chasing speculative hype. It emphasizes that the company’s strong cost base, balanced asset mix, and alignment with Buffett’s disciplined investment style make it an attractive entry point. The author encourages readers to “do their own due diligence,” providing links to the company’s filings, market data, and the Motley Fool’s own research resources.

The article ends with a call to action: “If you’re looking for a single, well‑positioned silver producer that offers both upside potential and a defensive edge, AEM is the one to watch.” The overall tone is optimistic yet measured, highlighting both the upside and the downside, which is consistent with the Motley Fool’s educational mission.

Word count: ~720 words
Key Links Mentioned:
1. Bloomberg chart on silver vs. gold/CPI
2. Agnico Eagle 2025 annual report (SEC filing)
3. Yahoo Finance dividend history for AEM
4. Morningstar valuation snapshot for AEM
5. Financial Times commodity cycle analysis
6. Canadian Securities Administrators environmental compliance notice
7. Reuters geopolitical risk coverage
8. Motley Fool research portal and educational resources

This summary captures the essence of the article’s argument that Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. represents the ideal vehicle to capture the upside of Buffett’s new silver focus while maintaining the disciplined, value‑driven investment style that the Warren Buffett name carries.