In MAT12 manual, typical hfe is indicated almost stable from 0.001 mA to 1 mA at 590.
But if we use the "Small Signal Input Resistance vs. Collector Current" figure and the "Small Signal Output Conductance vs. Collector Current" to calculate small signal hfe for various collector currents, we found different result. Ie at 0.1 mA Input Res is ~ 160 KOhm, while Conductance is 0.9 μmho. So it means that with 1mV input (AC) voltage we will have 6.25 nA current. And using the conductance figure, we will have 0.9 nA for 1 mV input. These figures are completely out of any logic. Even if Conductance Level is wrong and, it is not 0.9μmho and is 0.9 mmho, the output current for 1 μV input is 0.9μΑ. And 0.9μΑ / 6.25 nA = 144, far away from 590.
So what figure(s) is(are) wrong?