It is no secret that precious metals companies have been taking a pounding for some time now. The SPDR Gold Trust (GLD +1.95%) and iShares Silver Trust (SLV +1.72%), the gold and silver ETFs, have been hard hit and operating companies like First Majestic (AG -0.47%) and Barrick Gold (ABX +2.87%) have been hit even harder. Through all of these struggles, and in some cases because of them, one precious metals company continues to look attractive for the long term: Silver Wheaton (SLW +5.01%).

In the video below, Fool.com contributor Doug Ehrman discusses several reasons why Silver Wheaton continues to be worth the consideration of most investors.