Hindustan Zinc Shares Retreat as Silver Prices Correct Sharply From Lifetime Highs
Shares of Hindustan Zinc witnessed sharp intraday pressure on December 29, slipping as much as 5 percent after a steep correction in silver prices dented near-term sentiment around the stock. The decline came after the counter touched a fresh 52-week high earlier in the session, underscoring the growing volatility in metal stocks amid rapid swings in global commodity prices.
The stock, part of the Vedanta Group, erased all its morning gains and was trading over 2 percent lower at Rs 622.25 apiece in afternoon deals, after hitting an intraday high of Rs 656.35. Despite the sharp pullback, the broader trend in the stock remains strong, supported by a robust rally in silver prices over the past few months.
Silver Prices See Sharp Pullback After Record Run
The immediate trigger for the decline in Hindustan Zinc shares was a sharp correction in silver prices, which fell sharply after scaling lifetime highs earlier in the day.
After touching an all-time high of Rs 2,54,174 per kg, silver futures with March expiry on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) dropped more than 8 percent to around Rs 2,33,120 per kg. Contracts with May and July expiries saw even steeper intraday declines, falling 9 percent and 10 percent respectively after hitting record highs during the session.
The pullback followed an extended bull run in precious and industrial metals, prompting traders to lock in profits. Market participants attributed the fall to a mix of profit-taking and easing geopolitical concerns.
“A combination of profit-taking and seemingly productive talks between Trump and Zelensky regarding a potential peace deal have put gold and silver on the back foot,” said Tim Waterer, Chief Market Analyst at KCM Trade, as quoted by Reuters.
However, analysts remain constructive on the longer-term outlook for silver. Waterer added that “rate cuts and a continuation of robust industrial appetite paired with supply shortages could have silver primed for a run towards $100 in 2026,” highlighting that the broader structural drivers for the metal remain intact.
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Why Silver Prices Matter for Hindustan Zinc
Hindustan Zinc’s stock price has shown a strong correlation with silver prices in recent months, reflecting its position as India’s largest producer of silver. The company produces refined silver with a minimum purity of 99.9 percent, making silver a meaningful contributor to its revenue and profitability.
The recent rally in Hindustan Zinc shares was largely driven by the surge in silver prices, which benefited from:
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Strong industrial demand, particularly from electronics, renewable energy and EV supply chains
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Tight global supply, with limited new mine additions and declining ore grades
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Supportive macro conditions, including expectations of rate cuts and a softer US dollar
As a result, any sharp correction in silver prices tends to trigger near-term volatility in Hindustan Zinc’s share price, even if the company’s underlying fundamentals remain unchanged.
Strong Medium-Term Performance Still Intact
Despite Monday’s intraday decline, Hindustan Zinc’s broader performance remains impressive. The stock has gained nearly 4 percent over the past five trading sessions and around 26 percent over the last one month. On a year-to-date basis, shares are up about 42 percent in 2025, significantly outperforming broader market indices.
The company currently commands a market capitalisation of over Rs 2.66 lakh crore and trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of around 26. Analysts say the valuation reflects both improved earnings visibility and optimism around metal prices.
Market participants note that such sharp pullbacks after record highs are not unusual in cyclical stocks and often represent consolidation rather than a trend reversal.
What Analysts Are Watching Next
Going ahead, analysts believe Hindustan Zinc’s stock trajectory will largely hinge on the direction of silver and base metal prices, along with broader global cues. Key factors to track include:
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Silver price stability: Whether prices hold above key support levels after the sharp correction
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Global macro signals: US interest rate expectations, dollar movement and geopolitical developments
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Industrial demand trends: Especially from renewable energy, electronics and infrastructure
While short-term volatility may persist, many analysts argue that the structural case for silver and zinc remains intact, supported by long-term supply constraints and steady demand growth.
Investor Takeaway
For investors, Monday’s decline highlights the risks of chasing momentum at elevated levels, particularly in commodity-linked stocks. However, the broader uptrend in Hindustan Zinc remains supported by strong fundamentals and favourable long-term demand drivers.
As one market participant put it, “Corrections like these are part of any strong rally. The key is to focus on whether the long-term drivers have changed—and in this case, they haven’t.”
With metal markets likely to remain volatile, analysts advise investors to stay selective, keep an eye on commodity price trends, and avoid overreacting to short-term price swings in otherwise fundamentally strong stocks.
