JPMorgan Chase & Co. Cuts Albemarle (NYSE:ALB) Price Target to $145.00

Albemarle (NYSE:ALB) had its price objective decreased by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $195.00 to $145.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday,MarketScreener reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. currently has a neutral rating on the specialty chemicals company’s stock.

Several other brokerages have also weighed in on ALB. Truist Financial upgraded shares of Albemarle from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price objective for the company from $125.00 to $205.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Oppenheimer upped their price target on Albemarle from $109.00 to $207.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on Albemarle from $145.00 to $210.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Albemarle in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an “equal weight” rating on shares of Albemarle in a report on Friday, December 19th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $162.72.

Albemarle Price Performance

Shares of ALB opened at $166.42 on Friday. Albemarle has a 52-week low of $49.43 and a 52-week high of $195.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 2.23. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $158.16 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $115.66. The firm has a market cap of $19.61 billion, a PE ratio of -28.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 1.44.

Albemarle (NYSE:ALB) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The specialty chemicals company reported ($0.53) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.40) by ($0.13). Albemarle had a positive return on equity of 0.41% and a negative net margin of 10.74%.The company had revenue of $1.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.34 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned ($1.09) EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 15.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Albemarle will post -0.04 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Albemarle

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. PGGM Investments increased its stake in shares of Albemarle by 10.8% in the third quarter. PGGM Investments now owns 1,185,005 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $96,080,000 after buying an additional 115,081 shares during the period. Occidental Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Albemarle in the 3rd quarter worth $3,313,000. CWM LLC grew its holdings in Albemarle by 14.8% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 165,074 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $13,384,000 after acquiring an additional 21,257 shares during the last quarter. AXQ Capital LP purchased a new position in shares of Albemarle in the second quarter valued at about $267,000. Finally, Empower Advisory Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Albemarle by 11.4% during the second quarter. Empower Advisory Group LLC now owns 866,575 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $54,308,000 after acquiring an additional 88,457 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.87% of the company’s stock.

Albemarle News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Albemarle this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Revenue beat and strong Energy Storage demand — Q4 revenue topped estimates with ~16% y/y growth driven by Energy Storage volumes and pricing, a primary reason bulls cite for upside in ALB. ALB Q4 Earnings Miss, Revenues Beat on Higher Volumes & Pricing
• Positive Sentiment: Raised FY‑2026 revenue guidance — management issued a FY‑26 revenue range (~$5.7B–$6.0B) above consensus, giving investors a forward revenue anchor amid lithium price swings. Is Albemarle Setting Up for a Lithium-Fueled Rebound?
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upside moves — Morgan Stanley and Mizuho raised price targets (to $170 and $185 respectively), signaling some sell‑side conviction on medium-term fundamentals. Morgan Stanley raises price target on Albemarle Mizuho raises price target on Albemarle
• Positive Sentiment: U.S. production support and grants — company commentary and coverage highlight DOE support (Kings Mountain reactivation) and domestic production steps that improve supply‑chain optionality. Is Albemarle Setting Up for a Lithium-Fueled Rebound?
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call tone — management emphasized cash strength, disciplined capacity management and flexibility across cycles; those points reduce tail‑risk but leave near‑term volatility intact. Albemarle Earnings Call: Cash Strength Amid Lithium Cycles Albemarle Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Positive Sentiment: Potential policy tailwinds — the House passed H.R.3617 (Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act), which could support domestic critical‑minerals investment over time. Congress Vote: The House has passed H.R.3617
• Negative Sentiment: EPS miss and wider loss — Albemarle reported a larger-than-expected Q4 loss (missed EPS estimates), a headline that keeps short-term sellers active. ALB Q4 Earnings Miss, Revenues Beat on Higher Volumes & Pricing
• Negative Sentiment: Not all analysts are bullish — JPMorgan cut its price target to $145 (neutral), a headline that can cap near‑term upside. JPMorgan adjusts price target on Albemarle to $145 from $195
• Negative Sentiment: Macro and lithium price volatility — broader market rate/volatility concerns and swings in lithium prices mean ALB can move sharply both ways; expect continued choppy trading. MarketBeat Week in Review

About Albemarle

Albemarle Corporation is a leading global specialty chemicals company primarily engaged in the production and distribution of lithium, bromine, and catalysts. Its lithium segment supplies key components used in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles, portable electronics, and grid storage systems. The company’s bromine specialty products serve a wide range of industries, including oil and gas drilling fluids, fire safety solutions, and water treatment. In its catalysts division, Albemarle provides products for petroleum refining, chemical processing and emissions control.

Founded in 1994 as a spin-off from Ethyl Corporation, Albemarle has grown through strategic acquisitions and capacity expansions to become one of the world’s foremost chemical producers.