olivLaw · US equity research
Albemarle Corporation ALB
Plastic Materials, Synth Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers · SIC 2821 · Vertical: Plastic Materials, Synth Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers (SIC 2821)
Albemarle is a world leader in turning essential resources, especially lithium and bromine, into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity and health. Demand for energy storage and electric vehicles has returned the company to focus, with the second quarter of 2026 far stronger than the prior year. The sale of the Ketjen Refining Solutions business and debt reduction have made it more concentrated on lithium and specialties.
The AI analysis may be outdated: new filings came after its sources (see the «AI analysis» section).
At the close of 04 Nov 2026, Albemarle Corporation (ALB) stock was 94.97 USD (+5.30% on the day), with market capitalisation 11.2 bn USD, P/E 21.1 on diluted EPS of 4.49 USD over the last 12 months, dividend yield 1.71%, beta 1.55, 52-week range 90.19–215.62 USD. Latest reported quarter (Q3 2026): revenue of 1.6 bn USD (+18.8% YoY), net income of 296.8 m USD, diluted EPS 2.15 USD.
Data as of · AI analysis dated · Source: SEC filings and closing prices, computed by olivLaw.
Price history
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Technical reading
- RSI (14)
- 42.5
- weak (30–45)
- Bollinger (20, 2)
- 89.03 – 102.12
- in the lower half of the band · %B 0.45 · band width 13.7%
- SMA 50 / 200
- 109.00 / 148.81
- downtrend (price < SMA50 < SMA200)
- MACD (12, 26, 9)
- -4.42 / -5.00
- MACD above signal
Indicators describe past prices; on their own they do not predict direction. On our history the RSI ≤ 40 filter added no return (see the signals methodology).
Performance
| Company | S&P 500 | vs S&P 500 | Vertical median | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −9.0% | −1.1% | −7.9 pp | — |
| 3 months | −20.1% | −0.5% | −19.6 pp | — |
| 6 months | −50.7% | +4.4% | −55.1 pp | — |
| Year to date | −32.9% | +12.3% | −45.2 pp | — |
| 1 year | +7.4% | +13.5% | −6.2 pp | +17.9% |
| 3 years | −25.8% | +76.4% | −102.2 pp | −9.9% |
| 5 years | −65.1% | +63.7% | −128.8 pp | — |
Price returns, dividends excluded.
Quarterly results
Latest quarter: Q3 2026 · 30 Sept 2026
Quarterly margins
Quarterly statements · USD
| Fiscal year | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | Q2 '26 | Q3 '26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1.2 bn | 1.1 bn | 1.3 bn | 1.3 bn | 1.4 bn | 1.4 bn | 1.7 bn | 1.6 bn |
| Cost of revenue | 1.1 bn | 920.6 m | 1.1 bn | 1.2 bn | 1.2 bn | 927.8 m | 1.2 bn | 1.3 bn |
| Gross profit | 138.2 m | 156.3 m | 196.9 m | 117.6 m | 197.9 m | 501.0 m | 590.3 m | 300.7 m |
| Research & development | 20.0 m | 14.1 m | 12.4 m | 12.7 m | 12.2 m | 9.2 m | 3.7 m | 8.2 m |
| SG&A | 136.0 m | 123.5 m | 132.5 m | 138.6 m | 155.5 m | 137.4 m | 126.4 m | 136.4 m |
| Operating income | 4.4 m | 19.8 m | 47.5 m | -217.0 m | -217.4 m | 233.5 m | 452.9 m | 148.2 m |
| Depreciation & amortisation | 163.1 m | 161.8 m | 168.7 m | 164.5 m | 163.7 m | 157.8 m | 155.8 m | 168.4 m |
| Interest expense | 44.7 m | 49.0 m | 49.9 m | 51.0 m | 57.8 m | 33.1 m | 30.9 m | 27.8 m |
| Pre-tax income | 76.7 m | -19.0 m | -9.0 m | -239.1 m | -285.0 m | 254.2 m | 441.6 m | 133.2 m |
| Income tax | 10.6 m | -4.0 m | 34.1 m | -30.6 m | 157.3 m | 21.5 m | 94.0 m | 21.9 m |
| Net income | 75.3 m | 41.3 m | 22.9 m | -160.7 m | -414.2 m | 319.1 m | 480.0 m | 296.8 m |
| Diluted EPS | 0.64 ≈ | 0.00 | -0.16 | -1.72 | -3.52 ≈ | 2.34 | 3.52 | 2.15 |
| Operating cash flow | -4.4 m | 547.2 m | -9.0 m ≈ | 355.6 m ≈ | 388.5 m | 346.2 m | 710.0 m ≈ | 405.8 m ≈ |
| Capex | 342.8 m | 182.6 m | 119.6 m ≈ | 132.2 m ≈ | 155.4 m | 98.7 m | 71.7 m ≈ | 80.4 m ≈ |
| Dividends paid | 47.6 m | 47.6 m | 47.6 m ≈ | 47.7 m ≈ | 47.6 m | 47.7 m | 47.7 m ≈ | 47.8 m ≈ |
≈ derived quarter (cumulative difference / share-days average)
E/P over time
E/P = trailing-12-month diluted EPS / price at quarter end. E/P is the inverse of P/E and stays defined when earnings are negative.
Today's P/E sits at the 50 percentile of its own 32-quarter history (min 6.0, median 21.8, max 264.8; quarters with earnings only).
Fiscal years
| Fiscal year | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 3.4 bn | 3.6 bn | 3.1 bn | 3.3 bn | 7.3 bn | 9.6 bn | 5.4 bn | 5.1 bn |
| Revenue YoY | +9.9% | +6.4% | −12.8% | +6.4% | +120.0% | +31.4% | −44.1% | −4.4% |
| Net income | 693.6 m | 533.2 m | 375.8 m | 123.7 m | 2.7 bn | 1.6 bn | -1.2 bn | -510.6 m |
| Net income YoY | +1,164.5% | −23.1% | −29.5% | −67.1% | +2,075.0% | −41.5% | −175.0% | unavailable |
| Diluted EPS | 6.34 | 5.02 | 3.52 | 1.06 | 22.84 | 13.36 | -11.20 | -5.76 |
| Diluted EPS YoY | +1,193.9% | −20.8% | −29.9% | −69.9% | +2,054.7% | −41.5% | −183.8% | unavailable |
| net % | 20.6% | 14.9% | 12.0% | 3.7% | 36.7% | 16.4% | -21.9% | -9.9% |
| Free cash flow | -153.8 m | -132.4 m | -51.6 m | -609.4 m | 646.2 m | -828.0 m | -992.7 m | 692.5 m |
Reported results vs expectations
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Balance sheet & financial health
Fiscal year 2025 · 31 Dec 2025
- Cash
- 1.6 bn USD
- Financial debt
- 3.2 bn USD
- Net debt
- 1.6 bn USD
- Equity
- 9.8 bn USD
- Total assets
- 16.4 bn USD
- Debt / equity
- 0.33x
- Current ratio
- 2.23x
- ROE
- -5.1%
- ROA
- -3.1%
- FCF margin
- 13.5%
Financial statements (source on every figure)
Revenue and net income (USD)
Margins
Income statement · USD
| Line | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 3.1 bn | 3.3 bn | 7.3 bn | 9.6 bn | 5.4 bn | 5.1 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Cost of revenue | 2.1 bn | 2.3 bn | 4.2 bn | 8.4 bn | 5.3 bn | 4.5 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Gross profit | 994.9 m | 998.0 m | 3.1 bn | 1.2 bn | 62.5 m | 668.7 m | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Research & development | 59.2 m | 54.0 m | 72.0 m | 85.7 m | 86.7 m | 51.4 m | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| SG&A | 429.8 m | 441.5 m | 524.1 m | 910.0 m | 618.0 m | 550.0 m | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Operating income | 505.8 m | 798.4 m | 2.5 bn | 251.9 m | -1.8 bn | -367.1 m | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Depreciation & amortisation | 232.0 m | 254.0 m | 300.8 m | 429.9 m | 588.6 m | 658.7 m | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| EBITDA | 737.8 m ≈ | 1.1 bn ≈ | 2.8 bn ≈ | 681.8 m ≈ | -1.2 bn ≈ | 291.6 m ≈ | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026derived |
| Interest expense | 73.1 m | 61.5 m | 123.0 m | 116.1 m | 165.6 m | 207.7 m | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Pre-tax income | 373.5 m | 133.6 m | 2.4 bn | 246.7 m | -1.8 bn | -552.1 m | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Income tax | 54.4 m | 29.4 m | 390.6 m | 430.3 m | 87.1 m | 156.9 m | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Net income | 375.8 m | 123.7 m | 2.7 bn | 1.6 bn | -1.2 bn | -510.6 m | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Diluted EPS | 3.52 | 1.06 | 22.84 | 13.36 | -11.20 | -5.76 | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Weighted average diluted shares | 106.8 m | 116.5 m | 117.8 m | 117.8 m | 117.5 m | 117.7 m | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Dividend per share | 1.54 | 1.56 | 1.58 | 1.60 | 1.61 | 1.62 | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
≈ computed by olivLaw from the reported lines of the same year: Operating income + Depreciation & amortisation.
Balance sheet · USD
| Line | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | 746.7 m | 439.3 m | 1.5 bn | 889.9 m | 1.2 bn | 1.6 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 06 May 2026verified |
| Receivables | 530.8 m | 556.9 m | 1.2 bn | 1.2 bn | 742.2 m | 593.5 m | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Inventories | 750.2 m | 798.6 m | 2.1 bn | 2.2 bn | 1.5 bn | 1.2 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Current assets | 2.2 bn | 2.0 bn | 5.2 bn | 5.2 bn | 3.8 bn | 4.0 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Property, plant & equipment, net | 5.4 bn | 5.9 bn | 7.0 bn | 9.5 bn | 9.3 bn | 8.6 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 06 May 2026verified |
| Goodwill | 1.7 bn | 1.6 bn | 1.6 bn | 1.6 bn | 1.6 bn | 1.5 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Intangibles (excl. goodwill) | 349.1 m | 308.9 m | 287.9 m | 261.9 m | 230.8 m | 214.2 m | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Total assets | 10.5 bn | 11.0 bn | 15.5 bn | 18.3 bn | 16.6 bn | 16.4 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Accounts payable | 483.2 m | 600.5 m | 1.5 bn | — | — | — | SEC (XBRL)· 15 Feb 2023verified |
| Short-term debt | 804.7 m | 389.9 m | 2.1 m | 625.8 m | 398.0 m | 74.1 m | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Long-term debt | 2.8 bn | 2.0 bn | 3.2 bn | 3.5 bn | 3.1 bn | 3.1 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Current liabilities | 1.8 bn | 1.9 bn | 2.7 bn | 3.6 bn | 2.0 bn | 1.8 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Equity | 4.5 bn | 5.8 bn | 8.2 bn | 9.7 bn | 10.2 bn | 9.8 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
Cash flow · USD
| Line | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating cash flow | 798.9 m | 344.3 m | 1.9 bn | 1.3 bn | 687.9 m | 1.3 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Capex | 850.5 m | 953.7 m | 1.3 bn | 2.2 bn | 1.7 bn | 589.8 m | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Free cash flow | -51.6 m ≈ | -609.4 m ≈ | 646.2 m ≈ | -828.0 m ≈ | -992.7 m ≈ | 692.5 m ≈ | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026derived |
| Investing cash flow | -863.6 m | -666.6 m | -1.4 bn | -2.6 bn | -1.6 bn | -146.0 m | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Financing cash flow | 177.3 m | 50.2 m | 611.9 m | 623.9 m | 1.2 bn | -834.2 m | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Dividends paid | 161.8 m | 177.9 m | 184.4 m | 187.2 m | 188.5 m | 190.5 m | SEC (XBRL)· 11 Feb 2026verified |
| Share repurchases | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2021verified |
≈ computed by olivLaw from the reported lines of the same year: Operating cash flow − Capex.
Computed indicators
Growth
Profitability
Returns
Balance sheet
Liquidity
Cash
Efficiency
Market and valuation
Risk
Valuation
olivLaw classification
Score: 65 / 100
A scoring methodology on indicators and valuation, not investment advice.
score >= 65 · margin_of_safety >= 0.15 · agreement in ['high', 'medium']
Closing price
04 Nov 2026Source: olivLaw, closing series
Market cap: 11.2 bn USD
Key indicators
Coverage and freshness
Score by group
- Valuation77
- Returns55
- Quality63
- Balance sheet82
- Growth0
Estimated value range
The combined range = the median of the valid methods' low, central and high values; it is not a probability interval and does not cover every result. Envelope of all methods: 21.29 – 238.55 USD.
Valuation assumptions are editorial choices, not measured; beta is not measured.
Method ranges (USD per share)
— — Mid · ▏ Price
Valuation methods
- DCF (discounted cash flow)151.03 – 238.55 (Mid 184.26)WACC 8.7% · starting FCFF 1.6 bn USD · terminal value share of EV 74%The WACC × g sensitivity gives the method's bounds; these are not probabilities.Reverse DCF: starting growth implied by the price (fading linearly to terminal growth, everything else fixed): -29.6%
- Peers: EV/EBITDAunavailable · not enough peers
- Peers: P/E110.00 – 228.74 (Mid 165.32)5 companies used · median multiple 36.8x · quartiles 24.5x – 50.9xAVNT, DD, EMN, HXL, ROG
- Dividend discount (DDM)21.29 – 28.63 (Mid 24.42)
Classification (SIC) comparables group by industry code, not by economic activity; the direct group is an editorial selection by activity. Members' multiples are on their own trailing twelve months, at their own latest close.
Assumptions (illustrative, editorial)
- Risk-free rate
- 4.3%
- Equity risk premium
- 5.0%
- Beta (default)
- 1.00
- Cost of equity
- 9.3%
- Terminal growth
- 2.5%
Factor scorecard
Attractive profile · Score 65/100
| Factor | Value | Score | Weight used |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROIC · Quality | 4.5% | 20 (on a fixed band) | 11% |
| Net margin · Quality | 11.1% | 100 (vs peers) | 7% |
| FCF conversion · Quality | 211.9% | 100 (on a fixed band) | 7% |
| Revenue CAGR 3Y · Growth | -11.1% | 0 (on a fixed band) | 9% |
| EPS CAGR 3Y · Growth | unavailable | unavailable | — |
| Net debt / EBITDA · Balance sheet | 0.0x | 100 (on a fixed band) | 11% |
| Interest coverage · Balance sheet | 4.1x | 40 (on a fixed band) | 7% |
| Current ratio · Balance sheet | 2.3x | 100 (on a fixed band) | 5% |
| P/E (TTM) · Valuation | 21.1x | 80 (vs peers) | 11% |
| EV/EBITDA · Valuation | 8.9x | 55 (on a fixed band) | 11% |
| FCF yield · Valuation | 12.9% | 100 (on a fixed band) | 9% |
| Shareholder yield (distributions) · Returns | 1.7% | 24 (on a fixed band) | 7% |
| Payout ratio (FCF) · Returns | 13.2% | 100 (on a fixed band) | 5% |
Factors without a value were dropped; the remaining weights were renormalised.
Score groups
- Balance sheet82/100 · 3/3 factors with a value
- Growth· partial0/100 · 1/2 factors with a value
- Quality63/100 · 3/3 factors with a value
- Returns55/100 · 2/2 factors with a value
- Valuation77/100 · 3/3 factors with a value
A «partial» group is computed from under half of its weight or from one factor: it is not a full assessment of the group.
Memo
ALBEMARLE CORPORATION (ALB). Latest full fiscal year: 2025; data up to 2026-09-30.
Figures computed from the financial statements: revenue 5.1 bn USD in 2025; YoY growth -4.4%; net margin 11.1%; ROE 6.6%; net debt/EBITDA 0.0x.
The estimated value range is 110.00–228.74 USD per share (median of 3 methods, agreement: medium); assumptions are illustrative. Against the central value of 165.32 USD, the price of 94.97 USD leaves a potential of 74.1% (value / price − 1) and a margin of safety of 42.6% (1 − price / value). The range is the median of the methods' low, central and high values, not a probability interval.
olivLaw score 65/100, methodological classification: attractive profile (score, margin of safety and method agreement together; not a judgement of the right price). Groups assessed only in part: growth. Not investment advice.
Text generated deterministically from the figures shown; no language model. Not investment advice.
What supports the thesis
- Net margin: 11.1%
- FCF conversion: 211.9%
- Net debt / EBITDA: 0.0x
- Current ratio: 2.3x
- P/E (TTM): 21.1x
- FCF yield: 12.9%
- Payout ratio (FCF): 13.2%
- The price is below the estimated value range
What contradicts it
- ROIC: 4.5%
- Revenue CAGR 3Y: -11.1%
- Shareholder yield (distributions): 1.7%
Not assessed (insufficient data or a ratio without meaning): EPS CAGR 3Y.
Versus the vertical median
Plastic Materials, Synth Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers (SIC 2821) · same industry (4-digit SIC) · compared with 8 companies
Multiples and returns vs the median
Price rebased to 100 (monthly, 5 years)
Companies in the vertical
| Market cap | P/E | ROE | Net margin | Revenue YoY | 1A / 3A | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOWDow Inc. | 23.7 bn | — | -4.3% | -1.7% | −7.0% | +37% / −37% |
| DDDupont De Nemours, Inc. | 20.0 bn | 73.5 | 1.7% | 4.3% | +1.9% | +26% / +68% |
| ALBAlbemarle Corporation | 11.2 bn | 21.1 | 6.6% | 11.1% | −4.4% | +7% / −26% |
| EMNEastman Chemical Co | 7.7 bn | 12.4 | 10.4% | 6.9% | −6.7% | +9% / −19% |
| HXLHexcel Corporation | 6.3 bn | 36.8 | 11.9% | 8.5% | −0.5% | +9% / +20% |
| AVNTAvient Corporation | 4.4 bn | 24.5 | 7.5% | 5.3% | +0.6% | +56% / +39% |
| ROGRogers Corp | 2.3 bn | 50.9 | 3.7% | 5.3% | −2.3% | +54% / −1% |
| PCTPureCycle Technologies, Inc. | 560.8 m | — | -432.6% | -1,370.9% | unavailable | −68% / −31% |
| ASIXAdvanSix Inc. | 419.2 m | — | -2.8% | -1.4% | +0.3% | +1% / −41% |
1- and 3-year price returns: for ALB from daily closes (the same as the performance table), for the other companies from month-end closes.
olivLaw engine forecast
The world engine ran after the company's latest material disclosure. Probabilities are of TOUCHING a level within the horizon (not closing there) and sit next to the random walk (p_rw), the no-information benchmark.
The engine has no published run for this company yet.
Valuation scenarios (editable assumptions)
Illustrative scenarios
Illustrative: not forecasts and without probabilities. Each case is one coherent set of assumptions, computed on today's figures.
Estimated price (USD)
| Estimated price | Bear | Base | Bull |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 years | 65.30 Total return -30% · Per year -30% | 116.03 Total return 24% · Per year 24% | 175.58 Total return 87% · Per year 87% |
| 3 years | 51.85 Total return -41% · Per year -16% | 104.72 Total return 16% · Per year 5% | 175.58 Total return 92% · Per year 24% |
| 5 years | 41.17 Total return -50% · Per year -13% | 94.51 Total return 9% · Per year 2% | 175.58 Total return 98% · Per year 15% |
- Exit P/E± 26.18
- Net margin± 18.33
- Annual revenue growth± 16.55
- Annual dilution± 1.54
AI analysis
AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.
Possibly outdated: the newest document it read is from 05 Aug 2026; since then the company filed 8-K (04 Nov 2026 · results), 10-Q (04 Nov 2026).
In brief
Albemarle is a world leader in turning essential resources, especially lithium and bromine, into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity and health. Demand for energy storage and electric vehicles has returned the company to focus, with the second quarter of 2026 far stronger than the prior year 3. The sale of the Ketjen Refining Solutions business and debt reduction have made it more concentrated on lithium and specialties 2.
SWOT
Strengths
- The company holds a leading position in lithium and bromine, with its own resources and long-term agreements with strategic customers 2.
- Operating cash flow has improved significantly, and debt has been reduced after the asset sales 23.
- Operations are spread geographically, giving a diversified base of customers and markets 1.
Weaknesses
- Results depend heavily on lithium prices, which are volatile and can fall quickly 12.
- A large share of activity is conducted abroad, exposing the company to currency and political risks 1.
- Some assets have been placed on care and maintenance or stopped, showing difficulty keeping capacity in weak periods 2.
Opportunities
- Rising demand for energy storage and electric vehicles could expand the lithium market in the coming years 2.
- Cost reduction and productivity programs could improve margins if they are sustained 3.
- Demand for semiconductors, fire safety and pharmaceuticals could support growth in the Specialties segment 23.
Risks
- Dependence on lithium priceshigh
Financial results depend largely on index-linked lithium prices, which can fluctuate significantly 12.
- Talison CGP3 firemedium
A fire at the CGP3 plant in Greenbushes delayed production growth, and recovery is expected in the second half of the year 23.
- International exposuremedium
Activity across many countries exposes the company to political, currency and regulatory risks, including in regions with instability 1.
- Debt and financinglow
The company needs significant cash to service its debt, and its ability to generate cash depends on factors beyond its control 1.
- Product regulationmedium
Regulation of products, including environmental and safety rules, can affect sales and profitability 1.
Investment thesis
What would need to be true (bull case)
- If demand for electric vehicles and energy storage stays strong, lithium revenues could keep improving 23.
- Cost reductions and the sale of non-lithium assets could strengthen financial flexibility and margins 23.
- The Specialties segment could keep growing if bromine and fire safety volumes are maintained 3.
What would break the thesis
What to watch
- Evolution of the average lithium price and its effect on Energy Storage salesQ3 2026
- Completion of the Talison CGP3 remediation and return to normal productionsecond half of 2026
Products, market & competition
AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.
Possibly outdated: the newest document it read is from 05 Aug 2026; since then the company filed 8-K (04 Nov 2026 · results), 10-Q (04 Nov 2026).
The business
Albemarle operates through the Energy Storage and Specialties segments, after the sale of the Refining Solutions business within Ketjen was completed in the first quarter of 2026 12. The company recorded net sales of 5.1 billion dollars in 2025 1 and 1.7 billion dollars in the second quarter of 2026, up 31% 3. It operates in about 70 countries, with about 83% of net sales to foreign countries 1.
Segments
Energy Storage
The Energy Storage segment produces lithium compounds such as carbonate, hydroxide and chloride for batteries used in electric vehicles, grid storage and solar panels 1. In the second quarter of 2026 segment net sales reached 1276.7 million dollars 3. Its revenue depends strongly on lithium prices, which are volatile, with many contracts indexed to market prices 2.
Market context
The lithium market is highly competitive and growing rapidly, with producers in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australia 1. Management expects demand for batteries and energy storage, especially for electric vehicles and storage systems, to continue to grow 2. Index-based lithium prices remain volatile, though they began rebounding from low levels at the end of 2025 1.
Trends
- Electric vehicle and energy storage demandtailwind
Rising demand for electric vehicles and storage systems could support lithium volumes and prices if the trend holds 2.
- Lithium price volatilitymixed
Lithium prices fluctuate widely and many contracts are linked to indices, which makes results sensitive to the market 12.
- Expansion costs and capital efficiencymixed
The high cost of expanding capacity has led companies to reduce capital spending, and pressure for efficiency could continue 23.
- Geopolitics and tradeheadwind
The situation in the Middle East, tariffs and shipping delays can raise costs and affect supply chains 2.
Competitive position
In lithium, the main competitors include Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile, Sichuan Tianqi Lithium, Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium, Rio Tinto, Pilbara Minerals and Tesla, along with many Chinese producers 1. In specialties, competition comes from Lanxess, Israel Chemicals and Rio Tinto, as well as producers in India and China 1.
- Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile
Major lithium compound producer, named as a principal competitor in lithium 1.
- Rio Tinto
Competitor in both lithium and specialties according to the sources 1.
- Lanxess AG
Competitor in specialties and in the organometallic products of the Ketjen segment 1.
- Pilbara Minerals
Australian lithium producer, named among the main competitors 1.
Links, dependencies and risks
Who the company is tied to, from its own SEC filings (customers, suppliers, production, partners, competitors, countries, regulation), from the 5 %+ holders' statements (13D/13G) and from what other companies say about it. Click a node for its evidence; on a listed company the graph moves to it.
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News & filings
In the press
- Is Albemarle Stock Outperforming the S&P 500?Yahoo Finance — News · 22 Sept 2026 · EN
- Albemarle’s Next CEO Inherits A $250 Million Swing Per DollarYahoo Finance — News · 05 Sept 2026 · EN
- Albemarle Names BHP Executive Ragnar Udd as Next CEOYahoo Finance — News · 04 Sept 2026 · EN
The latest news item in our archive is from 22 Sept 2026; the newest SEC filing is from 04 Nov 2026. The press archive comes from the RSS feeds we follow and does not necessarily cover the latest event — the filings alongside do.
SEC filings
- Quarterly report04 Nov 2026
- Current report04 Nov 2026Results of operations · Financial statements and exhibits
- Current report30 Oct 2026Material agreement · Termination of a material agreement · Creation of a direct financial obligation · Amendments to articles or bylaws · Financial statements and exhibits
- Current report03 Sept 2026Departure or appointment of officers · Regulation FD disclosure · Financial statements and exhibits
- Current report21 Aug 2026Departure or appointment of officers
- Quarterly report05 Aug 2026
- Current report05 Aug 2026Results of operations · Financial statements and exhibits
- Current report23 Jul 2026Departure or appointment of officers · Regulation FD disclosure · Financial statements and exhibits
- Current report05 Jun 2026Departure or appointment of officers
- Current report08 May 2026Departure or appointment of officers · Shareholder vote · Financial statements and exhibits
Sources
- [1] Form 10-K, fiscal year ended 2025-12-31 · SEC / Albemarle Corporation · 11 Feb 2026
- [2] Form 10-Q, quarter ended 2026-06-30 · SEC / Albemarle Corporation · 05 Aug 2026
- [3] Form 8-K, results release (exhibit 99.1) · SEC / Albemarle Corporation · 05 Aug 2026
Figures computed by olivLaw from SEC filings and closing prices; the qualitative analysis is AI-generated from cited sources. Not investment advice.