Albemarle
ALBNYSEUSD
- Source valuation snapshot. Not a live recalculation.
- Latest filed annual earnings; price snapshot date unavailable. Not forward P/E.
- Diluted earnings per share from the latest filed annual.
- $94.93 Prior regular-session close from the quote source.
- $95.40–$97.21 Regular-session low and high so far today.
- 1.5M Regular-session shares traded · Nov 11, 4:00 PM ET.
- Feb 10 projected Projected for 2027-02-10 from the company’s own results filings (SEC 8-K Item 2.02). The company has not confirmed the date.
- $89.77–$221.00 52-week trading low and high returned by the quote source.
Understand the Business
Why the Stock Moved
Period-matched expectations history is not yet available. Current metrics are not a substitute for a historical explanation.
The core investment thesis
Own ALB if Albemarle’s durable value comes from its control of large, hard-to-replicate lithium and specialty-chemicals production capacity that converts cyclical lithium price recoveries into cash flow and reinvestable returns.
ALB price history
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Investment thesis
What must happen next
Albemarle’s topline is driven by lithium/specialty-chemicals market cycles; a market-price-led recovery in lithium demand and pricing will restore revenue to materially higher levels.HoldingMateriality: High
Revenue fell from 9,617,203,000 (2023) to 5,377,526,000 (2024) and 5,142,733,000 (2025), consistent with a commodity-price-driven cycle. If revenue recovers with lithium prices, margin and cash generation should follow and support reinvestment and optionality; if not, the firm remains a lower-return commodity business.
Watch: A sustained slowdown in EV adoption or battery demand growth globally that reduces lithium consumption.
Supporting sources
Source notes are factual paraphrases; read the original disclosures below.
Revenue fell from 9,617,203,000 (2023) to 5,377,526,000 (2024) and 5,142,733,000 (2025), consistent with a commodity-price-driven cycle.
Open source ↗Albemarle’s business can fund necessary capex and retain strategic optionality because operating cash flow remains positive through cycles.StrengtheningMateriality: High
Operating_cash_flow was 1,282,267,000 in 2025 and 1,326,583,000 in 2023 despite GAAP volatility. Positive operating_cash_flow lets Albemarle invest in expansion, service debt, and avoid equity dilution; a loss of cash-generation would force dilutive financing or halted projects.
Watch: Large, sustained capital programs or cost overruns that push cash needs beyond internally generated cash.
Supporting sources
Source notes are factual paraphrases; read the original disclosures below.
Operating_cash_flow was 1,282,267,000 in 2025 and 1,326,583,000 in 2023 despite GAAP volatility.
Open source ↗Recent GAAP operating losses reflect impairments, inventory and revaluation effects rather than a permanent loss of operational cash profitability; therefore GAAP earnings will be more volatile than cash flow.HoldingMateriality: Medium
Operating_income swung from 2470061000 (2022) to 251,881,000 (2023) to -1,776,545,000 (2024) and improved to -367,084,000 (2025), showing large swings consistent with impairment/inventory effects. If losses are primarily noncash and one-time, the company can still compound intrinsic value via cash; if losses become recurring operating losses, the thesis fails.
Watch: Recurring, repeated large impairment or revaluation charges in successive years signifying structural asset overhang.
Supporting sources
Source notes are factual paraphrases; read the original disclosures below.
Operating_income swung from 2470061000 (2022) to 251,881,000 (2023) to -1,776,545,000 (2024) and improved to -367,084,000 (2025), showing large swings consistent.
Open source ↗Albemarle’s balance sheet and cash position provide the liquidity buffer to pursue capex, smoothing, or M&A when cycle conditions warrant.StrengtheningMateriality: Medium
Cash and cash equivalents were 1,618,001,000 at 2025 year-end. A strong liquidity position reduces the risk that cyclicality forces asset sales, unwanted dilution, or halted strategic projects.
Watch: A rapid deterioration in operating_cash_flow or a need for large recapitalization that exhausts cash.
Supporting sources
Source notes are factual paraphrases; read the original disclosures below.
Cash and cash equivalents were 1,618,001,000 at 2025 year-end.
Open source ↗
Full investment case & evidence
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Original research
Albemarle’s topline is driven by lithium/specialty-chemicals market cycles; a market-price-led recovery in lithium demand and pricing will restore revenue to materially higher levels. If revenue recovers with lithium prices, margin and cash generation should follow and support reinvestment and optionality; if not, the firm remains a lower-return commodity business.
Albemarle’s business can fund necessary capex and retain strategic optionality because operating cash flow remains positive through cycles. Positive operating_cash_flow lets Albemarle invest in expansion, service debt, and avoid equity dilution; a loss of cash-generation would force dilutive financing or halted projects.
Recent GAAP operating losses reflect impairments, inventory and revaluation effects rather than a permanent loss of operational cash profitability; therefore GAAP earnings will be more volatile than cash flow. If losses are primarily noncash and one-time, the company can still compound intrinsic value via cash; if losses become recurring operating losses, the thesis fails.
Albemarle’s balance sheet and cash position provide the liquidity buffer to pursue capex, smoothing, or M&A when cycle conditions warrant. A strong liquidity position reduces the risk that cyclicality forces asset sales, unwanted dilution, or halted strategic projects.
All standing thesis claims
Original report summary
Albemarle’s durable value comes from its control of large, hard-to-replicate lithium and specialty-chemicals production capacity that converts cyclical lithium price recoveries into cash flow and reinvestable returns.
Bull case and bear case
Bull case and bear case for Albemarle
Where the evidence on Albemarle stands: Holding on the latest evidence (Oct 12, 2026). Of its 4 thesis points, 2 strengthening and 2 holding.
Bull case: what the evidence supports
Albemarle’s topline is driven by lithium/specialty-chemicals market cycles; a market-price-led recovery in lithium demand and pricing will restore revenue to materially higher levels.
Albemarle’s business can fund necessary capex and retain strategic optionality because operating cash flow remains positive through cycles.
Recent GAAP operating losses reflect impairments, inventory and revaluation effects rather than a permanent loss of operational cash profitability; therefore GAAP earnings will be more volatile than cash flow.
Albemarle’s balance sheet and cash position provide the liquidity buffer to pursue capex, smoothing, or M&A when cycle conditions warrant.
Bear case: what would count against it
A sustained slowdown in EV adoption or battery demand growth globally that reduces lithium consumption.
Large, sustained capital programs or cost overruns that push cash needs beyond internally generated cash.
Recurring, repeated large impairment or revaluation charges in successive years signifying structural asset overhang.
Thesis-Break Engine
What has broken in Albemarle’s thesis
Each break OptimistFi flagged on Albemarle, dated — with what has historically followed the same kind of break across the market, not a forecast for Albemarle.
- CEO / officer changecondition set before this filing
Across all companies, this kind of break has happened 16,849 times before. Those stocks trailed comparable companies by a median of 2% over the next six months, and 38% of them trailed it by 10 points or more.
MARKET + FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT
The numbers behind the thesis
What Changed
- MixedDirector or principal officer change.
Albemarle filed an SEC 8-K on 2026-09-03: Director or principal officer change. It is a dated development that tests the current thesis.
- MixedDirector or principal officer change.
Albemarle filed an SEC 8-K on 2026-08-21: Director or principal officer change. It is a dated development that tests the current thesis.
- MixedReported results of operations (earnings release).
Albemarle filed an SEC 8-K on 2026-08-05: Reported results of operations (earnings release). It is a dated development that tests the current thesis.
Risks / falsifiers
What could break the thesis
- A sustained slowdown in EV adoption or battery demand growth globally that reduces lithium consumption.
- Large, sustained capital programs or cost overruns that push cash needs beyond internally generated cash.
- Recurring, repeated large impairment or revaluation charges in successive years signifying structural asset overhang.
- A rapid deterioration in operating_cash_flow or a need for large recapitalization that exhausts cash.
ALB news
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Financial statements
ALB income statement
Annual filed results · USD · Oldest to newest. Margins are calculated from the reported figures.
ALB: quick answers
- When does Albemarle (ALB) report earnings next?
- Albemarle's next results are projected for February 10, 2027, from the dates of its own results filings with the SEC. The company has not confirmed the date. It last reported on November 4, 2026. Earnings calendar
- What is ALB's short interest?
- As of October 30, 2026, 12.4M ALB shares were sold short, 10.5% of its shares outstanding, up 1.2% from the count before. At the stock's average daily volume that is 5.3 days to cover. FINRA publishes the count twice a month. ALB short interest history
- Have members of Congress traded ALB?
- Reports made public in the last 90 days disclose 1 trade in ALB by 1 filer: 1 purchase and 0 sales. They are filed under the STOCK Act by members of Congress, the President and senior officials. Every disclosed ALB trade
- Which well-known investors own ALB?
- 1 of the 37 well-known funds tracked here reported ALB shares in their latest 13F filing. By share of the fund's portfolio: Bridgewater Associates (Ray Dalio), 0.1%. Fund portfolios
ALB in well-known investors’ portfolios
1 of 37 funds reported ALB shares in their latest 13F filing. A 13F shows quarter-end positions and arrives up to 45 days later.
| Fund | Of its portfolio | Value | Change | Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ray DalioBridgewater Associates | 0.06% | $15.7M | +253.1% | Q2 2026 |