Hecla Mining's stock soared 5.00% during intraday trading on Friday, reflecting strong buying interest in the precious metals mining sector.
The surge came as gold and silver stocks and ETFs jumped broadly after U.S. economic data showed slower-than-expected GDP growth and higher-than-anticipated inflation in December. This combination of economic indicators typically boosts demand for precious metals as safe-haven assets, benefiting mining companies like Hecla Mining.
The Commerce Department reported that U.S. GDP increased at a 1.4% annualized rate in the fourth quarter, significantly below the 3% rate economists had forecast. Meanwhile, the Personal Consumption Expenditure index, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, rose 0.4% month-over-month in December, exceeding the 0.3% increase economists had expected.