Albemarle Corporation's stock rose 6.4% following recent company announcements and analyst activity. In February 2026, Albemarle idled Train 1 at its Kemerton lithium hydroxide plant in Western Australia, completing the shutdown of both operating trains at that facility. The company recorded long-lived asset impairment charges of $245.60 million. Despite the Kemerton closure, Albemarle confirmed 2026 production volumes would be maintained through other facilities and provided 2026 net sales guidance of $5.7 billion to $6.0 billion. The company has reduced capital expenditures by 60% year-over-year and is prioritizing cost discipline and financial flexibility. Analyst upgrades and improving lithium market sentiment have contributed to recent momentum, with the stock up 45.34% over 90 days.
Read full analysisAlbemarle Corporation's stock rose 6.4% following recent company announcements and analyst activity. In February 2026, Albemarle idled Train 1 at its Kemerton lithium hydroxide plant in Western Australia, completing the shutdown of both operating trains at that facility. The company recorded long-lived asset impairment charges of $245.60 million. Despite the Kemerton closure, Albemarle confirmed 2026 production volumes would be maintained through other facilities and provided 2026 net sales guidance of $5.7 billion to $6.0 billion. The company has reduced capital expenditures by 60% year-over-year and is prioritizing cost discipline and financial flexibility. Analyst upgrades and improving lithium market sentiment have contributed to recent momentum, with the stock up 45.34% over 90 days.
Albemarle is the world's largest lithium producer, supplying critical battery materials for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Now a pure-play lithium stock after divesting its Ketjen catalysts business, the company recently idled its Kemerton plant in Australia while maintaining 2026 revenue guidance of $5.7–$6.0 billion, signaling a strategic pivot toward profitability over capacity expansion. The stock's sharp recent rally reflects improving lithium sentiment and analyst upgrades after a prolonged downturn.