$ALB · ALBEMARLE CORP
Albemarle reported Q3 2026 results (Item 2.02) with net sales of $1.553B, up 18.8% year over year. Net income attributable to Albemarle was $296.8M versus a $160.7M loss a year ago, and adjusted EBITDA rose 186.1% to $645.5M. Adjusted diluted EPS was $2.58 versus -$0.19. The company raised its Specialties adjusted EBITDA outlook to $350-$375M and cut full-year capex guidance to $300-$350M.
- Net sales rose 18.8% to $1.553B, driven by Energy Storage pricing (+68%) and Specialties price/volume gains.
- Adjusted EBITDA jumped 186.1% to $645.5M from $225.6M a year earlier.
- Energy Storage adjusted EBITDA surged 351% to $559.8M on a 94.7% higher realized lithium price of $20.02/kg LCE.
- Specialties adjusted EBITDA outlook raised to $350-$375M from $275-$325M.
- Full-year 2026 capex forecast cut to $300-$350M from approximately $500M.
Extended-hours last trade of $99.00 is +4.24% vs the $94.97 regular close, indicating a positive after-hours reaction to the swing to profitability and raised guidance.
A lithium producer swinging from loss to profit with a 186% EBITDA surge and raised guidance signals a meaningful pricing-cycle inflection.
The rebound reflects recovering lithium pricing, with global lithium demand up 48% year-to-date through August on EV and energy storage growth.
Q4 margins expected to compress sequentially from consumption of higher-cost spodumene inventory and lower market pricing. A June 9 fire delayed the Talison CGP3 ramp.