Albemarle (ALB) Q3 2026 Earnings Report
MX:ALB Q3 2026 EPS Results
- Actual EPS
- MXN 48.31
- Consensus EPS
- MXN 47.38
- Beat/Miss
- Beat by +MXN 0.94
- One Year Ago EPS
- -MXN 3.56
MX:ALB Q3 2026 Revenue Results
- Actual Revenue
- MXN 29.08B
- Expected Revenue
- MXN 28.44B
- Beat/Miss
- Beat by +MXN 647.73M
- YoY Revenue Growth
- +18.75%
Earnings Announcement Details
- Quarter
- Q3 2026
- Date
- 11/04/2026
- Time
- After Close
- Conference Call
- Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Albemarle's next earnings date is estimated for February 17, 2027, based on past reporting schedules.
Q3 2026 Earnings Call Audio
Q3 2026 Earnings Slide Deck
Q3 2026 Earnings Call Summary
The call was strongly positive overall. Albemarle reported substantial year-over-year growth in sales, adjusted EBITDA, margins, cash generation, energy-storage pricing, and specialties performance, while also achieving more than $150 million of productivity improvements and reducing capital expenditure guidance. Management highlighted strong lithium and stationary-storage demand, improving resource operations, and multiple growth opportunities. The principal challenges were lower lithium pricing and expected sequential declines in fourth-quarter energy-storage results, the earlier CGP3 outage, Middle East-related cost escalation, supply and contract uncertainty, and lithium-market volatility.
Albemarle raised its full-year specialties adjusted EBITDA outlook to $350 million-$375 million; expected full-year energy storage sales volumes remain in the range of 225,000-235,000 tons LCE, with fourth-quarter energy storage net sales and adjusted EBITDA expected to decrease sequentially, assuming today's lower market pricing persists for the remainder of the quarter, while volumes will be steady with the third quarter. For 2027, energy storage LCE sales volume is expected to be between 240,000 and 260,000 tons, with the full benefit of CGP3 and some other incremental production, while the more than $150 million in run rate cost and productivity improvements should translate into next year, though not all of it. Expected 2026 total capital expenditures were reduced to $300 million-$350 million from approximately $500 million, including less than $300 million of sustaining capital spending, and 2027 CapEx is expected to go up modestly, not a spike in CapEx spending.
- Strong Third-Quarter Financial PerformanceThird-quarter net sales were $1.6 billion, up 19% year-over-year, while adjusted EBITDA was $646 million, up 186%. Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded to 42%. Net income attributable to Albemarle was $297 million, or $2.15 per share, and adjusted earnings per share were $2.58.
- Energy Storage and Specialties GrowthEnergy storage adjusted EBITDA increased 351% due to higher lithium pricing. Specialties adjusted EBITDA increased 31% on higher pricing and volumes, driven by increased demand for bromine products.
- Cost and Productivity ImprovementsYear-to-date cost and productivity improvements exceeded $150 million in run-rate benefits, reaching the high end of the full-year target. Benefits span manufacturing cost, incremental volume and yield gains, supply chain, and back-office initiatives.
- Strong Cash Generation and ConversionYear-to-date cash from operations was $1.5 billion and free cash flow was $1.2 billion. Operating cash flow conversion was 67%, at the high end of the company’s 60%-70% benchmark range.
- Specialties Outlook IncreasedThe full-year specialties adjusted EBITDA outlook was increased to $350 million-$375 million, reflecting strong year-to-date performance, steady expected fourth-quarter demand, and continued cost and productivity actions.
- Reduced 2026 Capital Expenditure GuidanceExpected 2026 total capital expenditures were reduced to $300 million-$350 million from approximately $500 million. The reduction reflects capital-efficiency improvements, best-cost-country sourcing, third-party spend optimization, streamlined capital planning, and resequencing of early-stage project spending. Sustaining capital spending is now targeted at less than $300 million in 2026.
- Strong Lithium Demand GrowthGlobal lithium consumption increased 48% year-to-date, led by continued strong demand for energy storage systems and rebounding electric-vehicle demand. Management said lithium demand continues to outpace supply growth.
- Stationary Storage MomentumStationary storage production nearly doubled year-over-year through September. Lithium battery demand for stationary storage is expected to grow at a 25% CAGR through 2030, and stationary storage was described as a demand driver as significant as EVs in 2026. Approximately 1,000 GWh of stationary storage projects are in the pipeline for 2027.
- Broadening Electric-Vehicle DemandGlobal electric-vehicle sales increased 11% year-over-year through September. Europe was up 35%, while the rest of the world was up 94%. Rest-of-world EV sales nearly doubled year-over-year and represented 14% of global EV sales, up from 8% in the prior-year period.
- Greenbushes CGP3 Ramp ProgressThe Greenbushes CGP3 expansion achieved 30 days of nameplate performance in September, resumed a successful ramp, and is expected to provide its full benefit in 2027.
- Wodgina and Chile Operating ProgressWodgina continued to operate three trains successfully, with higher production and recoveries. Chile delivered solid operating progress, with lithium production up year-over-year at the Salar and La Negra through September.
- Advancement of Growth ProjectsAlbemarle is progressing near-term growth opportunities at Greenbushes, Wodgina, and the Salar de Atacama. The Salar de Atacama direct lithium extraction project advanced to the feasibility stage, permitting is progressing on schedule, and pilot-plant results have provided confidence in the technology.
- Salar de Atacama Recovery ImprovementsThe Salar yield project improved lithium recovery without increasing pumping. The planned direct lithium extraction project would initially use one train and could ultimately reach up to six trains, subject to further feasibility work, permitting, and approvals.
- Specialties Supply Flexibility and Production RecordGeographic diversity in Jordan and the United States has provided flexibility to meet customer needs. Despite geopolitical volatility, the Jordan Bromine Company joint venture achieved record quarterly production in the third quarter.
- Demand Supported by Supply-Security ConcernsA tighter petrochemical supply chain increased customer concerns around security of supply, supporting demand for Albemarle’s bromine products. The company’s dual-geography supply base allows it to serve customers from either region as needed.
- Positive 2027 Volume FrameworkManagement expects 2027 energy-storage lithium carbonate equivalent sales volumes of 240,000-260,000 tons, compared with 225,000-235,000 tons expected in 2026. The increase is expected to be supported by CGP3 reaching full operation and additional production from existing assets such as the Salar.
- Ongoing Organic Growth OpportunitiesManagement cited brownfield opportunities at Wodgina, Greenbushes, and the Salar de Atacama, as well as longer-term greenfield projects at Kings Mountain and Antofalla. The company said these opportunities are located in jurisdictions and resources it knows and with familiar partners.
- Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation FlexibilityManagement said the company has strengthened its balance sheet and may hold cash on the balance sheet while growth projects progress. Share repurchases remain part of the capital allocation strategy if project timing is not right, although the company views its growth projects as the preferred long-term investment.
- Leadership Transition PlannedRag Udd is scheduled to become CEO on February 1, while Kent Masters will become executive chairman to support a smooth transition.
MX:ALB Earnings History
| Report Date | Fiscal Quarter | Forecast / EPS | Last Year's EPS | EPS YoY Change | Press Release |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 17, 2027 | 2026 (Q4) | 31.61- | -9.93 | ― | ― |
| Nov 04, 2026 | 2026 (Q3) | 47.3848.31 | -3.56 | 1457.89% (+51.87) | |
| Aug 05, 2026 | 2026 (Q2) | 59.9870.22 | 2.06 | 3309.09% (+68.16) | |
| May 06, 2026 | 2026 (Q1) | 22.3655.24 | -3.37 | 1738.89% (+58.61) | |
| Feb 11, 2026 | 2025 (Q4) | -7.83-9.93 | -20.41 | 51.38% (+10.49) | |
| Nov 05, 2025 | 2025 (Q3) | -16.12-3.56 | -29.03 | 87.74% (+25.47) | |
| Jul 30, 2025 | 2025 (Q2) | -15.672.06 | 0.75 | 175.00% (+1.31) | |
| Apr 30, 2025 | 2025 (Q1) | -12.38-3.37 | 4.87 | -169.23% (-8.24) | |
| Feb 12, 2025 | 2024 (Q4) | -12.92-20.41 | 34.64 | -158.92% (-55.06) | |
| Nov 06, 2024 | 2024 (Q3) | -8.22-29.03 | 51.31 | -156.57% (-80.34) |
The table shows recent earnings report dates and whether the forecast was beat or missed. See the change in forecast and EPS from the previous year.
