Albemarle CorporationNYSE: ALB
Materials · Specialty Chemicals
$160.04
-3.91%
Vol: 2.8M
Research Digest
Friday, June 19, 2026
Albemarle surged 7% on June 12 as multiple analysts raised price targets to $192-$257 on tightening lithium market outlook, with RBC calling for $257.
Albemarle stock jumped $8.53 to $167.19 on June 12, 2026, a 7.42% gain, after several Wall Street firms raised price targets citing a structurally tighter lithium market through at least 2027. Vertical Research upgraded ALB to Buy with a $224 target, calling the ~18% pullback since May 11 a buying opportunity. RBC set the street high at $257, citing brownfield expansions and new resource development. Scotiabank and Berenberg also raised targets. CFO Neal R. Sheorey is serving as interim Principal Accounting Officer following the retirement of former CAO Donald J. LaBauve Jr. The stock is currently around $160.35. Risk: lithium price volatility remains the primary earnings driver and any demand slowdown in EVs would pressure the thesis.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysJun 18No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
Jun 17No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
Jun 16No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
Jun 15Albemarle shares jumped as multiple analysts hiked price targets on tightening lithium supply, with RBC lifting its target to $257.Positive▶
Albemarle rallied (up roughly 7% in the session) after a wave of analyst price-target increases tied to a structurally tight lithium market projected to persist through at least 2027. RBC raised its target to $257 with an Outperform rating on stronger modeled 2026-2027 EBITDA from higher lithium volumes and cost cuts; Vertical Research upgraded the stock to Buy with a $224 target, calling an ~18% pullback from the May 11 high a buying opportunity; Scotiabank raised its target to $215 (Sector Outperform); and Berenberg lifted its target to $192 but kept a Hold. Street consensus sits overweight with mean targets in the low-to-mid $220s. The moves matter because they reflect rising conviction in Albemarle's lithium earnings power amid demand strength, with the stock up about 184% over the past year. The bear case is the high cyclicality of lithium pricing and the wide dispersion of analyst views (lowest target near $90), meaning the rally is heavily dependent on tight-supply assumptions holding. Sentiment is positive.
Jun 14Albemarle jumped 7.4% on June 12 as Vertical Research upgraded the lithium producer to Buy with a $224 target, citing improving lithium demand and pricing.Positive▶
Albemarle shares climbed about 7.42% on June 12, 2026 to roughly $171 amid upbeat sentiment on stronger lithium demand and pricing. Vertical Research upgraded the stock to Buy with a $224 price target, calling the roughly 18% pullback since May 11 a buying opportunity tied to improving fundamentals. Consensus earnings estimates have surged about 57% for the year, and the average analyst rating is Buy with a $214.51 target (about 26% upside). Albemarle is also reshaping its portfolio, agreeing to sell a controlling stake in Ketjen's refining catalyst business to KPS Capital Partners and its 50% Eurecat JV stake to Axens. The bull case is a lithium-pricing recovery and leaner portfolio; the bear case is that lithium remains highly cyclical and a pricing relapse would quickly pressure the still-elevated valuation.
May 21Albemarle posts blowout Q1 with lithium-driven 33% revenue surge, multiple analysts raise price targetsPositive▶
On May 6, Albemarle reported Q1 net sales up 33% to $1.4B, with adjusted EPS of $2.95 crushing the $1.31 estimate (125% beat) on higher lithium prices and volume (Energy Storage volumes +14%, price +51%). Net income reached $319M and adjusted EBITDA grew nearly 150% YoY. The board declared a $0.405 quarterly dividend. Multiple analyst hikes followed: Scotiabank to $215 (from $200), Deutsche Bank to $250 (from $210), UBS to $264 (from $230), and Truist to $260 (from $245). The company paid down $1.3B of debt in March, taking net debt/EBITDA to ~1.0. Risk: lithium price cyclicality could quickly reverse the windfall.
May 20Albemarle drops 6% in a day despite Q1 EBITDA up 150% YoY on stronger lithium pricing.Mixed▶
Albemarle trades at $167.94 on May 19 (down from $175.74 prior close), falling about 6% in a day, 11% in a week and 9% in a month despite strong Q1 fundamentals. Q1 2026 net sales rose 33% to $1.4B with adjusted EBITDA up nearly 150% YoY, driven by Energy Storage volume +14% and price +51%. Analysts raised price targets: RBC to $245 (from $216), Truist to $245 (from $210), Deutsche Bank to $250 (from $210). The board declared a $0.405 quarterly dividend. The company completed $1.3B debt reduction in March. Buy consensus across 18 analysts.
May 19No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
May 18Albemarle Q1 revenue surges 33% to $1.43B with EPS of $2.95 beating estimates by $1.71; shares up 6%+Positive▶
Albemarle reported strong Q1 2026 results on May 6, with revenue of $1.43 billion (up 32.67% YoY), adjusted EBITDA up 148% YoY, and EPS of $2.95 beating consensus of $1.24 by $1.71. Net income reached $319 million. Higher lithium prices and stronger volumes drove the beat, with shares up over 6% on May 7. At the May 5 annual meeting, shareholders elected all directors, approved the 2026 Incentive Plan replacing the 2017 plan, and ratified PwC as auditor. The board declared a $0.405 quarterly dividend. Multiple analysts raised price targets: Deutsche Bank to $250 from $210 and RBC Capital to $253 from $245. ALB carries a Buy consensus rating from 18 analysts.
May 15Albemarle Q1 2026 EPS of $2.95 crushed $1.24 estimate; multiple analysts raised PTs including Truist to $260, RBC to $253, Deutsche Bank to $250 on lithium price recovery.Positive▶
Albemarle reported Q1 2026 on May 6: revenue $1.43B (+33% YoY) and EPS $2.95 vs $1.24 consensus, beating by $1.71. Adjusted EBITDA reached $664M (+148% YoY) driven by Energy Storage volumes +14% and pricing +51%. Strong results triggered analyst upgrades: Deutsche Bank raised PT to $250 from $210 (Buy); RBC Capital to $253 from $245 (Outperform); Truist to $260 from $245 (Buy). Stock at $191.65 on May 15, day range $188.30-$199.20. May 5 AGM elected all directors, approved 2026 Incentive Plan, reaffirmed $0.405 quarterly dividend (ex-date June 12). North Carolina-based ALB is benefiting from lithium price recovery driven by EV/storage demand. Ketjen catalyst stake sale completed earlier reclassified to equity income. Buy consensus across 18 analysts. Risk: lithium price reversal.
May 14Albemarle posts blowout Q1 with adj EBITDA up 148% on lithium prices, prompting May analyst PT hikes to as high as $264Positive▶
Albemarle reported Q1 2026 net sales of $1.4B (+33%) on May 6, with Energy Storage volumes +14% and prices +51%. Adjusted EBITDA of $664M jumped 148% YoY; adjusted EPS came in at $2.95. Shares popped over 6% post-earnings. Analysts raised PTs: UBS to $264, RBC to $253, Deutsche Bank to $250. Stock has 238% one-year surge with Zacks Strong Buy rating. Quarterly dividend of $0.405 reaffirmed at May 5 annual meeting. Company maintained 2026 outlook with raised Specialties guidance. Risk: lithium price volatility and Middle East supply chain disruptions.
May 13RBC Capital raised Albemarle PT to $253 from $245 (Outperform) on May 11 following Q1 2026 net sales up 33% to $1.4B and EBITDA up 148%.Positive▶
RBC Capital analyst Arun Viswanathan maintained Outperform and raised the price target to $253 on May 11. Albemarle's Q1 2026 results showed net sales of $1.4B (+33% YoY) with Energy Storage volumes up 14% and pricing up 51%, plus adjusted EBITDA of $664M (+148% YoY). The company raised its full-year Specialties outlook and paid down $1.3B of debt. Argus and other firms also raised PTs on the lithium recovery outlook. ALB has rallied 26% in three months on rising lithium prices.
May 12Albemarle shares jumped 11.4% after Q1 adjusted EPS of $2.95 crushed the $1.31 consensus on a 33% revenue surge to $1.43B, with multiple analysts hiking targets.Positive▶
Q1 2026 net sales rose 33% to $1.43B and adjusted EBITDA jumped 148% to $664M, driven by Energy Storage volumes +14% and pricing +51%. UBS raised its target to $264 from $230 and Truist to $260 from $245, both reiterating Buy ratings. Shareholders at the May 5 meeting approved the 2026 Incentive Plan and a quarterly dividend of $0.405 was reaffirmed. The company also completed $1.3B in debt paydown in March, lowering its weighted average interest rate. Bullish sentiment as the lithium recovery thesis is validated by results.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALBALBEMARLE | $160.04 | -3.91% | +4.5% | 11.0x | 1.35 | $16.0B |
| SHWSHERWIN | $321.36 | +2.41% | +2.4% | 26.6x | 1.10 | $86.9B |
| ECLECOLAB | $269.94 | +0.33% | +1.7% | 29.6x | 0.90 | $79.7B |
| PPGPPG | $118.25 | +0.95% | +3.7% | 14.4x | 1.04 | $27.9B |
| IFFINTL | $76.96 | +1.19% | +9.6% | 17.4x | 0.94 | $21.4B |
| DDDUPONT | $47.82 | -0.28% | +3.1% | 17.8x | 1.08 | $18.9B |
Key Fundamentals
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52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price between 50d and 200d. Testing 50d support.