Upside case
Bull case
—
The bull case requires both strong earnings delivery and the market pricing ALB more generously than it does today.
Analysis OverviewHoldUpdated May 1, 2026
Albemarle Corporation (ALB) Stock Analysis
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Analyst consensus
Hold
Covering
45
analysts
18 bullish · 6 bearish · 45 covering ALB
Strong Buy
0
Buy
18
Hold
21
Sell
6
Strong Sell
0
Consensus Target
$191
-0.9% vs today
Scenario Range
— – —
Model bear to bull value window
Coverage
45
Published analyst ratings
Valuation Context
21.7x
Forward P/E · Market cap $22.7B
ALB price targets
Three scenarios for where ALB stock could go
Current
~$193
Confidence
33 / 100
Updated
May 1, 2026
Market caseClosest to today
Base case
—
The base case reflects analyst consensus expectations — steady delivery without requiring a major catalyst or re-rating.
Stress case
Bear case
—
The bear case reflects a scenario where earnings shortfalls or multiple compression combine to materially reduce the stock from its current level.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.
Albemarle Corporation
ALB · NYSEBasic MaterialsChemicals - SpecialtyDecember year-end
Albemarle is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, primarily lithium compounds used in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage. The company generates most of its revenue from lithium sales—roughly 70%—with the remainder coming from bromine-based flame retardants and catalysts for refining and petrochemicals. Its key competitive advantage lies in owning low-cost lithium brine assets in Chile and hard rock resources in Australia, giving it scale and cost leadership in a supply-constrained market.
Market Cap
$22.7B
Revenue TTM
$5.5B
Net Income TTM
-$275M
Net Margin
-5.0%
ALB Revenue and Earnings Performance
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
EPS Beat Rate
58%Exceptional
12 quarters tracked
Revenue Beat Rate
50%Exceptional
vs consensus estimates
Avg EPS Surprise
-1.1%
above Street consensus
Beat / Miss Record
BeatMissLeft = EPS · Right = Revenue
Q2 2025
Q3 2025
Q4 2025
Q1 2026
Last 4 Quarters
EPS beats: 3 of 4Q2 2025
EPS
$-0.18/$-0.62
Revenue
$1.1B/$1.2B
Q3 2025
EPS
$0.11/$-0.83
Revenue
$1.3B/$1.3B
Q4 2025
EPS
$-0.19/$-0.86
Revenue
$1.3B/$1.3B
Q1 2026
EPS
$-0.53/$-0.42
Revenue
$1.4B/$1.3B
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 2025 | $-0.18/$-0.62 | +71.0% | $1.1B/$1.2B | -7.5% |
| Q3 2025 | $0.11/$-0.83 | +113.3% | $1.3B/$1.3B | +4.6% |
| Q4 2025 | $-0.19/$-0.86 | +77.9% | $1.3B/$1.3B | +2.4% |
| Q1 2026 | $-0.53/$-0.42 | -26.8% | $1.4B/$1.3B | +6.0% |
FY1–FY2 Estimates
Revenue Outlook
FY1
$4.5B
-13.1% YoY
FY2
$3.6B
-19.3% YoY
EPS Outlook
FY1
$1.37
+129.1% YoY
FY2
$1.41
+3.4% YoY
Trailing FCF (TTM)$577M
FCF Margin: 10.5%
Next Earnings
May 6, 2026
Expected EPS
$1.18
Expected Revenue
$1.3B
ALB beat EPS estimates in 3 of 4 tracked quarters. A strong delivery record supports forward estimate credibility.
ALB Revenue Breakdown by Segment
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest disclosure
FY 2025
Total disclosed revenue $5.1B
Product Mix
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
Energy Storage
52.7%
-10.1% YoY
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Geographic Mix
Latest annual revenue by reported region
UNITED STATES
100.0%
-1.3% YoY
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Energy Storage is the largest disclosed segment at 52.7% of FY 2025 revenue, down 10.1% YoY.
UNITED STATES is the largest reported region at 100.0%, down 1.3% YoY.
ALB Valuation Snapshot
Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Relative Value Signal
Fairly Valued
Fair value est. $186 — implies -4.0% from today's price.
Premium to Fair Value
4.0%
above fair value
Deep DiscountFair ValueVery Expensive
vs S&P 500 Trailing P/E
ALB
-33.5x
vs
S&P 500
25.2x
233% discount
vs Basic Materials Trailing P/E
ALB
-33.5x
vs
Basic Materials
22.9x
246% discount
vs ALB 5Y Avg P/E
Today
-33.5x
vs
5Y Average
10.2x
430% discount
Forward PE
21.7x
S&P 500
19.1x
+14%
Basic Materials
15.4x
+41%
5Y Avg
—
—
Trailing PE
-33.5x
S&P 500
25.2x
-233%
Basic Materials
22.9x
-246%
5Y Avg
10.2x
-430%
PEG Ratio
—
S&P 500
1.75x
—
Basic Materials
1.22x
—
5Y Avg
—
—
EV/EBITDA
32.3x
S&P 500
15.3x
+112%
Basic Materials
11.4x
+183%
5Y Avg
25.4x
+27%
Price/FCF
32.8x
S&P 500
21.3x
+54%
Basic Materials
27.5x
+19%
5Y Avg
31.8x
+3%
Price/Sales
4.4x
S&P 500
3.1x
+41%
Basic Materials
2.0x
+125%
5Y Avg
3.7x
+19%
Dividend Yield
0.84%
S&P 500
1.88%
-55%
Basic Materials
1.37%
-39%
5Y Avg
1.10%
-23%
| Metric | ALB | S&P 500 | Basic Materials | 5Y Avg ALB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 21.7x | 19.1x+14% | 15.4x+41% | — |
| Trailing PE | -33.5x | 25.2x-233% | 22.9x-246% | 10.2x-430% |
| PEG Ratio | — | 1.75x | 1.22x | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 32.3x | 15.3x+112% | 11.4x+183% | 25.4x+27% |
| Price/FCF | 32.8x | 21.3x+54% | 27.5x+19% | 31.8x |
| Price/Sales | 4.4x | 3.1x+41% | 2.0x+125% | 3.7x+19% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.84% | 1.88% | 1.37% | 1.10% |
ALB trades above S&P 500 benchmarks on 4 of 5 measured multiples — commands a broad premium across most valuation dimensions.
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolALB Financial Health
Verdict
Stressed
ALB generates $577M in free cash flow at a 10.5% margin.
Cash Engine
Revenue, margins, and cash generation
Revenue (TTM)
Trailing-twelve-month sales base
$5.5B
Revenue Growth
TTM vs prior year
+7.9%
Gross Margin
Gross profit as a share of revenue
18.5%
Operating Margin
Operating income divided by revenue
5.6%
Net Margin
Net income divided by revenue
-5.0%
EPS (TTM)
Diluted earnings per share, trailing twelve months
$-2.31
Free Cash Flow (TTM)
Cash generation after capex
$577M
FCF Margin
FCF as share of revenue — the primary cash quality signal
10.5%
Capital Quality
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
ROIC
Return on invested capital — primary competitive quality signal
0.6%
ROA
Return on assets, trailing twelve months
-1.7%
Cash & Equivalents
Liquid assets on the balance sheet
$1.6B
Net Debt
Total debt minus cash
$1.7B
Debt Serviceability
Net debt as a multiple of annual free cash flow
2.9× FCF
~2.9 years to full repayment at current FCF run-rate
ROE
Return on equity, trailing twelve months
-2.7%
Shareholder Returns
How capital is returned to owners
Total shareholder yield
0.8%
Dividend
0.8%
Buyback
0.0%
Share Repurchases
Trailing buyback outflow — dollar magnitude of capital returned
$0
Dividend / Share
Annualized trailing dividend per share
$1.62
Payout Ratio
Share of earnings distributed as dividends
—
Shares Outstanding
Current diluted share count
118M
All figures from the trailing twelve months. ROIC uses invested capital (equity + net debt).
Open full ratios pageALB Stock Risk Factors
Key factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
High Risk
Profitability and Efficiency
Albemarle has demonstrated a weak growth index and a very weak efficiency index, with a negative profit margin of -9.92% as of February 2026. Additionally, the company reported a net margin of 0% and a negative return on equity of -110.73% as of January 2026, indicating significant challenges in maintaining profitability.
High Risk
Lithium Market Dynamics
A persistent supply glut in the lithium market, driven by mine output outpacing EV-driven demand, poses a major concern for Albemarle. This situation has led to price instability and challenges for the company's financial fundamentals.
High Risk
Debt and Financing
Concerns regarding Albemarle's debt levels and financing activities present a significant risk. High debt levels can limit financial flexibility and increase vulnerability to market fluctuations.
Medium
Commodity Price Volatility
Fluctuations in commodity prices, particularly for lithium, pose a considerable risk to Albemarle's financial performance. Changes in market prices can directly impact revenue and profit margins.
Medium
Project Execution Delays
Delays in the execution of company projects can hinder growth and operational efficiency. Such delays may result in increased costs and missed revenue opportunities.
Medium
Market Volatility
The stock exhibits high market volatility due to its beta, which can lead to significant price fluctuations. This volatility may deter potential investors and affect the company's market capitalization.
Lower
Technological Change and Development
Risks associated with advancements in technology may impact Albemarle's competitive position. The company faces challenges in scaling up new technologies, such as direct lithium extraction (DLE), which could affect future growth.
Lower
Analyst Downgrades
Recent analyst downgrades have raised concerns about the lag between improving lithium market pricing and Albemarle's near-term financial benefits. Such downgrades can negatively influence investor sentiment and stock performance.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Why ALB Stock Could Outperform
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
Strong Lithium Demand
The increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and growth in utility-scale energy storage are expected to drive sustained demand for lithium, a critical battery component. Albemarle's existing low-cost assets and expansion plans position it well to meet this demand.
Company-Specific Growth
Albemarle's infrastructure and brownfield expansion projects are strategically positioned to capitalize on future lithium demand. Analysts believe the company's Energy Storage earnings are currently underappreciated, suggesting potential for significant growth.
Potential for Margin Improvement
The bull case anticipates that cost and productivity gains will lead to margin expansion from current loss-making levels to the mid-30% range. Albemarle has already achieved substantial cost savings and productivity improvements while reducing capital expenditures.
Analyst Optimism
Several Wall Street firms have raised their price targets for ALB, reflecting a more optimistic outlook on the lithium sector and expectations of multi-year supply tightening. Analysts maintain 'Buy' or 'Outperform' ratings, indicating confidence in the stock's potential.
Resilience and Strategic Positioning
Albemarle is a leading global specialty chemicals company with a strong focus on lithium, bromine, and catalysts. Its strategic positioning in the energy storage market is considered a key advantage, enhancing its competitive edge.
Positive Free Cash Flow Potential
The company generated significant free cash flow in 2025 and expects to maintain positive full-year free cash flow if current lithium prices persist. This financial strength supports the company's growth initiatives and operational stability.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
ALB Stock Price Performance
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Current Price
$192.61
52W Range Position
86%
52-Week Range
Current price plotted between the 52-week low and high.
52-Week Low
$53.70
+258.7% from the low
52-Week High
$215.69
-10.7% from the high
1 Month
+11.32%
3 Month
+17.90%
YTD
+33.8%
1 Year
+235.0%
3Y CAGR
+1.2%
5Y CAGR
+4.7%
10Y CAGR
+10.9%
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
ALB vs Peers
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
Peer Set
Accurate peer set
Forward PE
21.7x
vs 14.9x median
+45% above peer median
Revenue Growth
-13.1%
vs -0.3% median
-4687% below peer median
Net Margin
-5.0%
vs -13.5% median
+63% above peer median
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ALB ALB Albemarle Corporation | $22.7B | 21.7x | -13.1% | -5.0% | Hold | -0.9% |
SQM SQM Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. | $13.3B | 15.3x | +16.3% | 12.1% | Hold | -19.2% |
LAC LAC Lithium Americas Corp. | $1.5B | — | — | — | Hold | +16.9% |
ECL ECL Ecolab Inc. | $74.4B | 31.5x | +6.8% | 12.9% | Buy | +24.2% |
ASH ASH Ashland Inc. | $2.5B | 14.5x | -7.8% | -39.0% | Buy | +22.7% |
FMC FMC FMC Corporation | $1.8B | 8.4x | -7.4% | -72.9% | Hold | +5.3% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
ALB Dividend and Capital Return
ALB returns 0.8% total yield, led by a 0.84% dividend, raised 26 consecutive years.
Dividend UnknownFCF Well Covered
Total Shareholder Yield
0.8%
Dividend + buyback return per year
Buyback Yield
0.0%
Dividend Yield
0.84%
Payout Ratio
—
How ALB Splits Its Return
Div 0.84%
Dividend 0.84%Buybacks 0.0%
Dividend Profile
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
Dividend / Share
Trailing annualized cash dividend
$1.62
Growth Streak
Consecutive years of dividend increases
26Y
3Y Div CAGR
0.8%
5Y Div CAGR
1.0%
Ex-Dividend Date
—
Payment Cadence
Quarterly
4 payments over the last 12 months
Buyback Engine
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
Repurchases (TTM)
Cash used for buybacks in the latest trailing period
$0
Estimated Shares Retired
0
Approx. Share Reduction
0.0%
Shares Outstanding
Current diluted share count from the screening snapshot
118M
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.41 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | $1.62 | +0.6% | 0.0% | 1.1% |
| 2024 | $1.61 | +0.6% | 0.0% | 1.9% |
| 2023 | $1.60 | +1.3% | 0.0% | 1.1% |
| 2022 | $1.58 | +1.3% | 0.0% | 0.7% |
FAQ
7 questionsALB Investor Questions
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
01Is Albemarle Corporation (ALB) stock a buy or sell in 2026?
Albemarle Corporation (ALB) is rated Hold by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 45 analysts covering the stock, 18 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 21 rate it Hold, and 6 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $191, implying -0.9% from the current price of $193.
02What is the ALB stock price target for 2026?
The Wall Street consensus price target for ALB is $191 based on 45 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $245 (+27.2% from today), and the low-end target is $136 (-29.4%).
03Is Albemarle Corporation (ALB) stock overvalued in 2026?
ALB trades at 21.7x times forward earnings. The stock currently trades at a discount to the broader market. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals fairly valued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
04What are the main risks for Albemarle Corporation (ALB) stock in 2026?
The primary risks for ALB in 2026 are: (1) Profitability and Efficiency — Albemarle has demonstrated a weak growth index and a very weak efficiency index, with a negative profit margin of -9. (2) Lithium Market Dynamics — A persistent supply glut in the lithium market, driven by mine output outpacing EV-driven demand, poses a major concern for Albemarle. (3) Debt and Financing — Concerns regarding Albemarle's debt levels and financing activities present a significant risk. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
05What is Albemarle Corporation's revenue and earnings forecast?
Analyst consensus estimates ALB will report consensus revenue of $4.5B (-13.1% year-over-year) and EPS of $1.37 (+129.1% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $3.6B in revenue.
06When does Albemarle Corporation (ALB) report its next earnings?
Albemarle Corporation is expected to report its next earnings on approximately 2026-05-06. Consensus expects EPS of $1.18 and revenue of $1.3B. Over recent quarters, ALB has beaten EPS estimates 58% of the time.
07How much free cash flow does Albemarle Corporation generate?
Albemarle Corporation (ALB) generated $577M in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 10.5%. ALB returns capital to shareholders through dividends (0.8% yield) and share repurchases ($0 TTM).