The information provided on EL7.AI is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
The information provided on EL7.AI is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
| Factor | Score | Distribution | Value | Avg | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Valuation | 58 | — | 20.8x | Around median | |
Growth | 87 | 7.9% | 6.1% | Top tier | |
Quality | 18 | -2.1% | 6.6% | Bottom tier | |
Safety | 63 | 2.3x | 0.7x | Around median | |
Capital Return | 65 | 1.41% | 2.02% | Around median | |
Momentum | 39 | 141.2% | 4.1% | Bottom tier | |
Sentiment | 70 | 12 | 3 | Top tier |
Estimates — analyst targets and a simplified DCF, not investment advice.
Ten ratios that matter, each compared against its sector median and average — so you can see whether a number is rich or cheap relative to peers in the same sector.
Albemarle Corporation (ALB) is a global leader in providing essential elements, specifically lithium and bromine, primarily serving the energy storage and specialty chemicals markets. The company generates its revenue by extracting and processing lithium from world-class assets such as the Salar de Atacama in Chile and hard rock mines like Greenbushes and Wodgina in Australia, selling these vital materials to battery manufacturers and automotive companies to power electric vehicles and energy storage grids. Additionally, the company's specialties segment serves diverse end markets including electronics, building and construction, and the pharmaceutical industry.
In the first quarter of 2026, Albemarle achieved strong financial results, reporting net sales of $1.4 billion, an increase of 33% compared to the previous year. The company recorded a gross profit of $501.0 million and a net income of $319.1 million, which translates to earnings per share of $2.34. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) also doubled to reach $664 million, driven by a 51% increase in energy storage segment pricing and a 14% rise in sales volumes for the same segment, alongside a 30% growth in specialties segment earnings.
Albemarle stock currently trades at a notable discount to the average analyst price target of $212.79, indicating potential room for growth according to market estimates. Despite recent strong earnings and a high price target reaching $264, the overall analyst consensus remains at a hold rating. This valuation reflects a cautious balance between expectations of strong lithium demand and the inherent risks of commodity price volatility and geopolitical supply chain disruptions.
Figures in the text are as of 2026-07-15; the live price is shown at the top of the page.
The energy storage segment experienced exceptional growth, with net sales rising 70% year-over-year. This growth was driven by first-quarter sales volumes reaching 53,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) at an average realized price of approximately $17 per kilogram. As a result, the segment's adjusted EBITDA nearly tripled, achieving a 196% increase compared to the same period last year thanks to higher market prices and increased volumes.
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have caused global supply chain disruptions that are expected to result in an unmitigated full-year cost impact ranging between $70 million and $90 million. However, management expects to fully offset these headwinds through strategic financial maneuvers and operational performance. Specifically, lower interest expenses resulting from a $1.3 billion debt repayment, combined with stronger-than-expected pricing and volumes in the specialties segment, will offset these increased costs.
At the Greenbushes joint venture, the CGP3 investment has become fully operational and is ramping up production on schedule for 2026. Meanwhile, at the Salar de Atacama in Chile, the company has initiated the environmental permitting process for a commercial direct lithium extraction (DLE) project after its pilot plant achieved recovery rates exceeding 94%. Additionally, the Kings Mountain project in the United States recently secured federal mining permits, marking a significant milestone prior to a final investment decision.
Automated analysis for informational purposes only — not investment advice.
Albemarle raised its full-year 2026 guidance for the specialties segment to reflect stronger-than-expected first-quarter results, where net sales increased by 12% and earnings grew by 30%. The updated forecast, which now anticipates net sales between $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion, is based on higher pricing opportunities for bromine specialties and a favorable product mix. Furthermore, operations at the Jordan Bromine Company joint venture have fully recovered from previous flooding, contributing to the segment's strong operational execution.
Following successful exits from the Eurecat joint venture and its controlling stake in Ketjen, Albemarle aggressively optimized its capital structure by repaying $1.3 billion of debt in the first quarter. This strategic move reduced the company's weighted average interest rate to approximately 3.1% and cut annual interest expenses by about $60 million. As a result, Albemarle ended the quarter with a highly conservative leverage ratio of 1x net debt to earnings, with no major debt maturities until late 2028.