While many precious-metals companies have been in a slump of late, there is one that belongs perpetually in your portfolio: Silver Wheaton (WPM 1.02%). The company is not like other miners -- including Pan American Silver (PAAS 1.81%) and First Majestic (AG 2.52%) -- in that it has a unique business plan that insulates it against many of the vagaries of the mining business. Moreover, because silver will always have a significant industrial demand component, even with the heightened volatility you see in the silver market, maintaining exposure to silver is appropriate.
In the following video, Fool.com contributor Doug Ehrman discusses the appeal of Silver Wheaton, both against other miners and against the iShares Silver Trust (SLV -0.52%), and he explains why this is the one precious-metals company you should hold forever.
