Albemarle Corporation (ALB) Earnings
Albemarle Corporation is expected to report next earnings on July 29, 2026 (in NaN days), with a consensus EPS estimate of $3.08. ALB has beaten EPS estimates in 8 of its last 12 reported quarters (average surprise +74.2% over the last four).
| Report date | EPS est | EPS actual | Surprise | Revenue | Rev. surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2026 | $1.24 | $2.95 | +137.9% | $1.4B | +6.6% |
| Feb 11, 2026 | $-0.40 | $-0.53 | -32.5% | $1.4B | +6.0% |
| Nov 5, 2025 | $-0.86 | $-0.19 | +77.9% | $1.3B | +2.4% |
| Jul 30, 2025 | $-0.83 | $0.11 | +113.3% | $1.3B | +4.6% |
| Apr 30, 2025 | $-0.62 | $-0.18 | +71.0% | $1.1B | -7.5% |
| Feb 12, 2025 | $-0.60 | $-1.09 | -81.7% | $1.2B | -7.8% |
| Jul 31, 2024 | $0.53 | $0.04 | -92.5% | $1.4B | +6.9% |
| May 1, 2024 | $0.25 | $0.26 | +2.9% | $1.4B | +5.1% |
| Feb 14, 2024 | $0.99 | $1.85 | +86.9% | $2.4B | +8.1% |
| Nov 1, 2023 | $3.99 | $2.74 | -31.3% | $2.3B | -9.5% |
| Aug 2, 2023 | $4.27 | $7.33 | +71.7% | $2.4B | -2.4% |
| May 3, 2023 | $6.93 | $10.32 | +48.9% | $2.6B | -3.3% |
Source: company filings + earnings calendar. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
Earnings call summary
Q1 FY2026 · May 7, 2026
AI summary of management’s prepared remarks and analyst Q&A. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
Management highlights
Albemarle's performance for 2026 has started strongly. Net sales grew by 33% year-over-year, and adjusted EBITDA more than doubled. The company maintained its outlook for robust lithium market growth led by energy storage demand. It repaid $1.3 billion of debt. Progress was made in enhancing operational excellence, cost, and productivity discipline. The Specialties segment had a stronger-than-expected quarter. Energy Storage saw increases in sales volumes and net sales. Operations at Wodgina and Greenbushes were operating as expected. The company initiated the environmental permitting process for a commercial DLE project at the Salar de Atacama and was obtaining permits for the Kings Mountain project.
Guidance
The total company outlook for 2026 across all 3 price scenarios was maintained despite global supply chain disruptions. The Specialties segment's net sales outlook was raised to $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion and adjusted EBITDA to $225 million to $275 million. The Energy Storage outlook scenario ranges were retained. The company expected full-year cost and productivity improvements of $100 million to $150 million, with $40 million achieved in the first quarter. Full-year CapEx was expected to be between $550 million and $600 million. At a $20 per kilogram lithium price scenario, operating cash flow conversion was expected to be within the 60% to 70% range.
Segment performance
In the first quarter, net sales reached $1.4 billion, marking a 33% year-over-year increase. Adjusted EBITDA stood at $664 million, more than doubling the prior-year period. For the Energy Storage segment, first-quarter sales volumes were 53,000 tons lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), with net sales jumping 70% year-over-year driven by higher pricing and volumes, and adjusted EBITDA nearly tripling. The Specialties segment saw net sales rise 12% year-over-year and adjusted EBITDA increase 30% primarily due to higher pricing, favorable product mix, and cost and productivity improvements. The Specialties net sales outlook was raised to $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion and adjusted EBITDA to $225 million to $275 million.
Risks & headwinds
Global supply chain disruptions related to the Middle East had an unmitigated full-year cost impact of approximately $70 million to $90 million. Geopolitical tensions and disruptions in the region affected operations. End markets like petrochemicals and oil and gas were volatile. Uncertainty existed regarding the impact of regulations and market dynamics on the business.
Analyst Q&A
Q: Kent, have you observed any change in buyer behavior in the lithium market at higher pricing?
A: Jerry Masters stated there was no real change yet, and Eric Norris added about interest in the carbonate supply chain and a cautious approach to contract mix.
Q: Regarding Greenbushes, is it in line with the assessment?
A: Jerry Masters said Greenbushes was operating in line with expectations, and the ramp of CGP3 was on schedule.
Q: What are the hurdle rates and capacity addition for brownfield projects?
A: Jerry Masters said brownfield investments could add a high single-digit growth rate, with returns based on market growth, pricing, and costs.
Q: How was the energy storage margin in the first quarter explained?
A: Neal Sheorey said the main driver was the spodumene cost lag and inventory consumption.
Q: Why does the Specialties outlook drop in the back half?
A: Neal Sheorey said it was due to uncertainty from the Middle East situation.
Q: Discussion on Greenbushes output reduction?
A: Jerry Masters said Greenbushes was operating on plan, and the CGP3 ramp was on schedule.
Q: Demand improvement in ESS and EV?
A: Eric Norris said customers' order books were full from now through early 2027, with strong demand.
Q: Impact of LFP producers switching to yellow phosphorus and sulfur prices?
A: Eric Norris said LFP producers had upstream capabilities, and sulfuric acid cost affected supply.
Q: Kings Mountain balance sheet and metrics?
A: Neal Sheorey said the company was taking a conservative balance sheet posture.
Q: Quarterly cadence of lithium sales volumes?
A: Neal Sheorey said the first quarter was the softest, with volumes expected to pick up in the second and third quarters and the fourth quarter being tougher.
Q: Visibility of lithium molecules in EV vs energy storage?
A: Jerry Masters said there was visibility, and order books were understood.
Q: Lithium market supply response and specialties business?
A: Jerry Masters said supply response took time, and bromine price had various factors.
Q: Lithium market pricing and supply shocks?
A: Jerry Masters said current price might have upside, and supply shocks in the lithium market were regular.
Q: Major contracts and product mix shift?
A: Jerry Masters said there was no update on major contracts, with business as usual.