HL vs. MU

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

HL (Hecla Mining Company) and MU (Micron Technology, Inc.) are both stocks. HL operates in Gold (Basic Materials), while MU operates in Semiconductors (Technology). Over the past 10 years, HL returned 13.95%/yr vs 55.83%/yr for MU. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

HL vs. MU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hecla Mining Company (HL) and Micron Technology, Inc. (MU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HL achieves a -20.29% return, which is significantly lower than MU's 244.07% return. Over the past 10 years, HL has underperformed MU with an annualized return of 13.95%, while MU has yielded a comparatively higher 55.83% annualized return.

HL

• 1D: 2.00%
• 1M: -27.35%
• YTD: -20.29%
• 6M: -18.68%
• 1Y: 155.56%
• 3Y*: 42.93%
• 5Y*: 11.61%
• 10Y*: 13.95%

MU

• 1D: -1.43%
• 1M: 22.15%
• YTD: 244.07%
• 6M: 307.41%
• 1Y: 746.93%
• 3Y*: 144.69%
• 5Y*: 66.21%
• 10Y*: 55.83%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

HL vs. MU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HL Hecla Mining Company	-20.29%	291.70%	2.82%	-12.93%	6.99%	-18.97%	91.83%	44.43%	-40.37%	-24.08%
MU Micron Technology, Inc.	244.07%	240.24%	-0.96%	71.93%	-45.93%	24.21%	39.79%	69.49%	-22.84%	87.59%

Correlation

The correlation between HL and MU is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 1989	0.11

The correlation between HL and MU shifts across timeframes, from 0.11 (all time) to 0.30 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap HL : $10.32B MU : $1.12T
EPS HL : $0.84 MU : $21.26
PE Ratio HL : 18.18 MU : 46.18
PEG Ratio HL : 0.08 MU : 0.17
PS Ratio HL : 6.47 MU : 19.16
PB Ratio HL : 4.02 MU : 15.44
Total Revenue (TTM) HL : $1.57B MU : $58.12B
Gross Profit (TTM) HL : $788.95M MU : $33.96B
EBITDA (TTM) HL : $864.40M MU : $25.99B

Return for Risk

HL vs. MU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

HL

HL Risk / Return Rank: 85
HL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
HL Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
HL Omega Ratio Rank: 84
HL Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
HL Martin Ratio Rank: 81

MU

MU Risk / Return Rank: 99
MU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
MU Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
MU Omega Ratio Rank: 98
MU Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
MU Martin Ratio Rank: 100

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

HL vs. MU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hecla Mining Company (HL) and Micron Technology, Inc. (MU). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	HL	MU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	10.83	-8.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.61	6.14	-3.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.78	-0.46
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.80	24.91	-22.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.33	94.64	-88.30

HL vs. MU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HL Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is lower than the MU Sharpe Ratio of 10.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HL and MU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

HL vs. MU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HL drawdown since its inception was -97.92%, roughly equal to the maximum MU drawdown of -98.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HL and MU.

Drawdown Indicators

	HL	MU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.92%	-98.25%	+0.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-55.81%	-30.28%	-25.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-55.81%	-57.63%	+1.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-61.90%	-57.63%	-4.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-82.45%	-57.63%	-24.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-51.91%	-9.07%	-42.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-69.93%	-58.16%	-11.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	24.67%	7.95%	+16.72%

Volatility

HL vs. MU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hecla Mining Company (HL) is 22.72%, while Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) has a volatility of 32.86%. This indicates that HL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HL	MU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	22.72%	32.86%	-10.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	54.93%	57.74%	-2.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	72.59%	69.66%	+2.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	59.35%	53.18%	+6.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	62.77%	50.12%	+12.65%

Dividends

HL vs. MU - Dividend Comparison

HL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.10%, more than MU's 0.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HL Hecla Mining Company	0.10%	0.08%	0.81%	0.65%	0.40%	0.72%	0.25%	0.29%	0.42%	0.25%	0.19%	0.53%
MU Micron Technology, Inc.	0.05%	0.16%	0.55%	0.54%	0.89%	0.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Financials

HL vs. MU - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Hecla Mining Company and Micron Technology, Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

HL - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Hecla Mining Company reported a gross profit of 253.26M and revenue of 411.43M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 61.6%.

MU - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Micron Technology, Inc. reported a gross profit of 17.75B and revenue of 23.86B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 74.4%.

HL - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Hecla Mining Company reported an operating income of 223.11M and revenue of 411.43M, resulting in an operating margin of 54.2%.

MU - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Micron Technology, Inc. reported an operating income of 16.13B and revenue of 23.86B, resulting in an operating margin of 67.6%.

HL - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Hecla Mining Company reported a net income of 266.45M and revenue of 411.43M, resulting in a net margin of 64.8%.

MU - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Micron Technology, Inc. reported a net income of 13.79B and revenue of 23.86B, resulting in a net margin of 57.8%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HL and MU in my portfolio?

HL and MU have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HL or MU?

MU has higher volatility (32.86%) compared to HL (22.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HL dropped -97.92% vs MU's -98.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (10.83 vs 2.16), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.