How should investors evaluate Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB)?

In yesterday’s Wall Street session, Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) shares traded at $216.07, up 4.63% from the previous session.

As of this writing, 28 analysts cover Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB). The consensus rating among analysts is ‘Overweight’. As we calculate the median target price by taking the range between a high of $360.00 and a low of $155.00, we find $265.50. Given the previous closing price of $206.50, this indicates a potential upside of 28.57 percent. ALB stock price is now 7.09% away from the 50-day moving average and -13.48% away from the 200-day moving average. The market capitalization of the company currently stands at $26.10B.

There are 6 analysts who have given it a hold rating, whereas 17 have given it a buy rating. Brokers who have rated the stock have averaged $263.73 as their price target over the next twelve months.

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In other news, Norris Eric, President, Energy Storage bought 1,260 shares of the company’s stock on May 10. The stock was bought for $246,317 at an average price of $195.49. Upon completion of the transaction, the President, Energy Storage now directly owns 26,596 shares in the company, valued at $5.75 million. An SEC document containing details of the transaction can be found on the SEC’s website. On May 05, Chairman & CEO Masters J Kent bought 5,470 shares of the business’s stock. A total of $993,571 was incurred on buying the stock at an average price of $181.64. This leaves the insider owning 51,466 shares of the company worth $11.12 million. Insiders disposed of 114,542 shares of company stock worth roughly $24.75 million over the past 1 year. A total of 0.10% of the company’s stock is owned by insiders.

There have been several recent changes in the stakes of large investors in ALB stock. A new stake in Albemarle Corporation shares was purchased by TWIN TREE MANAGEMENT, LP during the first quarter worth $25,088,000. LOMBARD ODIER ASSET MANAGEMENT (EUROPE) LTD invested $11,976,000 in shares of ALB during the first quarter. In the first quarter, HAP TRADING, LLC acquired a new stake in Albemarle Corporation valued at approximately $11,185,000. CAPITAL WORLD INVESTORS acquired a new stake in ALB for approximately $8,821,000. COBALT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. purchased a new stake in ALB valued at around $8,643,000 in the second quarter. In total, there are 1,429 active investors with 85.80% ownership of the company’s stock.

Tuesday morning saw Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB) opened at $206.42. During the past 12 months, Albemarle Corporation has had a low of $171.82 and a high of $334.55. As of last week, the company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.90, and a quick ratio of 1.00. According to the stock market information, the enterprise value for the company is $22.25B, which is based on a 6.93 price-to-earnings ratio, a 0.14 price-to-earnings-growth ratio, and a beta of 1.52. The fifty day moving average price for ALB is $201.62 and a two-hundred day moving average price translates $249.62 for the stock.

The latest earnings results from Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB) was released for Mar, 2023. According to the Specialty Chemicals Company, earnings per share came in at $10.32, beating analysts’ expectations of $7.03 by 3.29. This compares to $2.39 EPS in the same period last year. The net profit margin was 41.90% and return on equity was 49.00% for ALB. The company reported revenue of $2.58 billion for the quarter, compared to $1.13 billion a year earlier. Comparatively to last year’s same quarter, the company’s quarterly revenue rose 128.8 percent. For the current quarter, analysts expect ALB to generate $2.44B in revenue.

Moreover, the firm recently paid out its quarterly dividend on 07/03/2023. Investors who held shares on 06/16/2023 were paid a $0.40 dividend. On an annualized basis, this represents a $1.60 dividend and a 0.74% percent yield. There was an ex-dividend date of 06/15/2023 for this dividend. In terms of dividend payout ratio, ALB is presently at 5.00%.

Albemarle Corporation(ALB) Company Profile

Albemarle Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets engineered specialty chemicals worldwide. It operates through three segments: Lithium, Bromine, and Catalysts. The Lithium segment offers lithium compounds, including lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium chloride, and lithium specialties and reagents, such as butyllithium and lithium aluminum hydride for use in lithium batteries for consumer electronics and electric vehicles, high performance greases, thermoplastic elastomers for car tires, rubber soles, plastic bottles, catalysts for chemical reactions, organic synthesis processes in the areas of steroid chemistry and vitamins, life sciences, pharmaceutical industry, and other markets. It also provides cesium products for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries; zirconium, barium, and titanium products for pyrotechnical applications that include airbag initiators; technical services for the handling and use of reactive lithium products; and lithium-containing by-products recycling services. The Bromine segment offers bromine and bromine-based products used in fire safety solutions; specialty chemicals, including elemental bromine, alkyl and inorganic bromides, brominated powdered activated carbon, and other bromine fine chemicals for use in chemical synthesis, oil and gas well drilling and completion fluids, mercury control, water purification, beef and poultry processing, and other industrial applications; and other specialty chemicals, such as tertiary amines for surfactants, biocides, disinfectants, and sanitizers. The Catalysts segment provides hydroprocessing, isomerization, and akylation catalysts; fluidized catalytic cracking catalysts and additives; and organometallics and curatives. The company serves the energy storage, petroleum refining, consumer electronics, construction, automotive, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, and crop protection markets. Albemarle Corporation was founded in 1887 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.