Albemarle Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets engineered specialty chemicals worldwide. It operates through three segments: Energy Storage, Specialties and Ketjen. The Energy Storage segment offers lithium compounds, including lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, and lithium chloride; technical services for the handling and use of reactive lithium products; and lithium-containing by-products recycling services. The Specialties segment provides bromine-based specialty chemicals, including elemental bromine, alkyl and inorganic bromides, brominated powdered activated carbon, and other bromine fine chemicals; lithium specialties, such as butyllithium and lithium aluminum hydride; develops and manufactures cesium products for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries; and zirconium, barium, and titanium products for pyrotechnical applications that include airbag initiators. The Ketjen segment offers clean fuels technologies (CFT), which is composed of hydroprocessing catalysts (HPC) together with isomerization and akylation catalysts; fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts and additives; and performance catalyst solutions (PCS), which is composed of 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.

Albemarle Corporation демонстрирует смешанную фундаментальную картину. С одной стороны, компания имеет хорошие показатели ликвидности, включая высокий текущий коэффициент и отношение долга к капиталу, что указывает на устойчивую финансовую позицию. Тем не менее, низкие значения коэффициентов рентабельности, таких как ROE и ROA, а также отрицательные значения EPS и EBITDA, сигнализируют о том, что компания испытывает трудности с эффективностью. В то время как выручка значительно превышает медиану отрасли, низкие маржи прибыли и рост долговой нагрузки создают риски для будущего роста. Дивидендная доходность находится на приемлемом уровне, но её динамика показывает снижение, что может оттолкнуть инвесторов. Учитывая все эти факторы, необходимо проявить осторожность при оценке компании, так как текущее переоцененное состояние по мультипликаторам может указывать на необходимость коррекции прогноза.

Albemarle Corporation

In the latest trading session, Albemarle (ALB) closed at $88.76, marking a -1.16% move from the previous day. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.29%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.32%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.5%.
The the stock of specialty chemicals company has risen by 0.73% in the past month, lagging the Basic Materials sector's gain of 1.82% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.52%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Albemarle in its upcoming release. The company plans to announce its earnings on February 12, 2025. On that day, Albemarle is projected to report earnings of -$0.37 per share, which would represent a year-over-year decline of 120%. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $1.4 billion, down 40.69% from the year-ago period.
It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Albemarle. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the company's business and profitability.
Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-team stock moves. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 4.28% lower within the past month. Albemarle presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
In terms of valuation, Albemarle is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 50.71. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 14.92, which means Albemarle is trading at a premium to the group.
Meanwhile, ALB's PEG ratio is currently 3.17. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. The Chemical - Diversified industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 1.32 as of yesterday's close.
The Chemical - Diversified industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 232, this industry ranks in the bottom 8% of all industries, numbering over 250.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.
Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Albemarle (ALB) Sees a More Significant Dip Than Broader Market: Some Facts to Know

Investors often turn to recommendations made by Wall Street analysts before making a Buy, Sell, or Hold decision about a stock. While media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm employed (or sell-side) analysts often affect a stock's price, do they really matter?
Before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage, let's see what these Wall Street heavyweights think about Albemarle (ALB).
Albemarle currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.85, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 26 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.85 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.
Of the 26 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 14 are Strong Buy and two are Buy. Strong Buy and Buy respectively account for 53.9% and 7.7% of all recommendations.
Brokerage Recommendation Trends for ALB
While the ABR calls for buying Albemarle, it may not be wise to make an investment decision solely based on this information. Several studies have shown limited to no success of brokerage recommendations in guiding investors to pick stocks with the best price increase potential.
Do you wonder why? As a result of the vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover, their analysts tend to rate it with a strong positive bias. According to our research, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" recommendation.
This means that the interests of these institutions are not always aligned with those of retail investors, giving little insight into the direction of a stock's future price movement. It would therefore be best to use this information to validate your own analysis or a tool that has proven to be highly effective at predicting stock price movements.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, which classifies stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), is a reliable indicator of a stock's near-term price performance. So, validating the Zacks Rank with ABR could go a long way in making a profitable investment decision.
ABR Should Not Be Confused With Zacks Rank
Although both Zacks Rank and ABR are displayed in a range of 1--5, they are different measures altogether.
The ABR is calculated solely based on brokerage recommendations and is typically displayed with decimals (example: 1.28). In contrast, the Zacks Rank is a quantitative model allowing investors to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.
It has been and continues to be the case that analysts employed by brokerage firms are overly optimistic with their recommendations. Because of their employers' vested interests, these analysts issue more favorable ratings than their research would support, misguiding investors far more often than helping them.
In contrast, the Zacks Rank is driven by earnings estimate revisions. And near-term stock price movements are strongly correlated with trends in earnings estimate revisions, according to empirical research.
In addition, the different Zacks Rank grades are applied proportionately to all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide current-year earnings estimates. In other words, this tool always maintains a balance among its five ranks.
There is also a key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank when it comes to freshness. When you look at the ABR, it may not be up-to-date. Nonetheless, since brokerage analysts constantly revise their earnings estimates to reflect changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in predicting future stock prices.
Is ALB a Good Investment?
In terms of earnings estimate revisions for Albemarle, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 76.6% over the past month to $8.15.
Analysts' growing optimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to soar in the near term.
The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) for Albemarle. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>
Therefore, the Buy-equivalent ABR for Albemarle may serve as a useful guide for investors.
Just Released: Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2026
Hurry – you can still get in early on our 10 top tickers for 2026. Handpicked by Zacks Director of Research Sheraz Mian, this portfolio has been stunningly and consistently successful.
From inception in 2012 through November, 2025, the Zacks Top 10 Stocks gained +2,530.8%, more than QUADRUPLING the S&P 500’s +570.3%.
Sheraz has combed through 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank and handpicked the best 10 to buy and hold in 2026. You can still be among the first to see these just-released stocks with enormous potential.
See New Top 10 Stocks >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Wall Street Bulls Look Optimistic About Albemarle (ALB): Should You Buy?

BASF SE BASFY recently announced a collaboration with Niber Technologies to develop high-performance electrospun textile solutions using Freeflex thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The innovation will be showcased at CHINAPLAS 2026 and highlights BASF’s push into advanced technical textile materials.
The partnership combines BASF polymer expertise with Niber’s electrospinning technology to create ultrafine nanofiber membranes for next-generation performance apparel. The companies introduced a Freeflex E 130 TPU-based electrospun nanomembrane integrated into a demonstration outdoor jacket.
The membrane consists of fibers about 100 to 600 nanometers in diameter, which form a porous structure that improves breathability, moisture vapor transmission and comfort. The solution also delivers uniform membranes and higher lamination temperature resistance, which supports wider textile processing applications.
The technology is produced without intentionally added Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), which positions it as a more sustainable alternative to conventional expanded polytetrafluoroethylene used in outdoor apparel.
BASF seeks to advance sustainable transformation with customers in the apparel and textile industries by delivering high-performance, compliant and environmentally responsible material solutions.
Shares of BASFY are down 3.1% over the past year compared with the industry’s 7.8% fall.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
BASFY’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks
BASFY carries a Zacks Rank of #5 (Strong Sell).
Better-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space include Albemarle Corporation ALB, DuPont de Nemours, Inc. DD and Compass Minerals International, Inc. CMP. ALB, DD and CMP sport a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ALB’s current-year earnings is pegged at $8.15 per share, indicating a 1,132% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with the average earnings surprise being 58%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DD’s current fiscal-year earnings stands at $2.28 per share, implying a 36% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 6.5%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CMP’s current fiscal-year earnings is pegged at 89 cents per share, indicating a 285.42% year-over-year rise. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters and missed twice, with the average earnings surprise being 35%.
Just Released: Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2026
Hurry – you can still get in early on our 10 top tickers for 2026. Handpicked by Zacks Director of Research Sheraz Mian, this portfolio has been stunningly and consistently successful.
From inception in 2012 through November, 2025, the Zacks Top 10 Stocks gained +2,530.8%, more than QUADRUPLING the S&P 500’s +570.3%.
Sheraz has combed through 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank and handpicked the best 10 to buy and hold in 2026. You can still be among the first to see these just-released stocks with enormous potential.
See New Top 10 Stocks >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
BASF SE (BASFY) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

BASFY Advances High-Performance Textile Innovation With Niber

Albemarle Corporation’s ALB shares have popped 121.3% in the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Chemical - Diversified industry’s rise of 2.7% and the S&P 500’s increase of 4%. The rally has been fueled by the company’s forecast-topping earnings performance, supported by volume growth in the Energy Storage segment, ongoing cost-reduction initiatives and a rebound in lithium prices amid strengthening demand and tighter supply conditions.
ALB’s peers, Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. SQM and Rio Tinto Group RIO, have rallied 68.1% and 45.2%, respectively, over the same period.
ALB’s 6-month Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
ALB stock slipped below its 50-day simple moving average (SMA) on March 5, 2026. It is currently trading above its 200-day SMA, suggesting a long-term uptrend. Following a golden crossover on Sept. 3, 2025, the 50-day SMA is reading higher than the 200-day SMA, indicating a bullish trend.
Albemarle Trades Below 50-Day SMA
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Let’s take a look at ALB’s fundamentals to analyze the stock better.
Growing Lithium Demand, Productivity & Higher Prices Aid ALB
Albemarle is well-placed to gain from long-term growth in the battery-grade lithium market. The market for lithium batteries and energy storage remains strong, especially for electric vehicles (EVs), offering significant opportunities for the company to develop innovative products and expand capacity. Lithium demand is expected to grow on the back of significant global EV penetration. ALB expects lithium demand to witness a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10-20% from 2025 to 2030 and sees stationary storage as a significant driver for lithium demand along with EVs. Lithium demand increased more than 30% year over year, and the company expects demand to grow roughly 15-40% this year.
The company is strategically executing its projects aimed at boosting its global lithium conversion capacity. It remains focused on investing in high-return projects to drive productivity. Healthy customer demand, capacity expansion and plant productivity improvements are supporting its volumes. ALB saw higher sales volumes in its Energy Storage unit in the fourth quarter of 2025 on strong production from its integrated conversion facilities. The Salar yield improvement project in Chile has achieved a 50% operating rate, and ramp-up continues to deliver encouraging outcomes. The ramp-up at the Meishan lithium conversion facility in China is also progressing ahead of schedule.
Albemarle is taking aggressive cost-saving and productivity actions. The company delivered roughly $450 million in cost and productivity improvements for full-year 2025, having surpassed its initial target of $300-$400 million. It expects additional cost and productivity improvements of $100-$150 million in 2026. ALB is taking actions to maintain its competitive position, including the initiation of a comprehensive review of cost and operating structure, optimization of the conversion network and reduction of capital expenditure. Its capital expenditures of $590 million for 2025 decreased 65% year over year.
ALB recently announced that it will idle Train 1, the remaining operating train at its Kemerton lithium hydroxide processing plant in Western Australia, and place it into care and maintenance effective immediately. This move follows earlier actions in 2024 to idle Train 2 for care and maintenance and stop expansion plans for Trains 3 and 4. The Kemerton facility processes spodumene from the Greenbushes mine, one of the world’s best deposits. The move is a result of ongoing efforts over the past two and a half years to reduce operating costs. The company expects higher flexibility and optionality to benefit adjusted EBITDA starting in the second quarter of 2026.
Higher lithium prices, driven by strong demand from EVs and energy storage systems, along with supply disruptions due to recent supply reductions in China, should also aid ALB’s performance. Lithium prices have rebounded lately from trough levels, supported by tightening supply and strong demand in China and globally.
ALB’s Capital Allocation Backed by Strong Financial Health
Albemarle remains committed to driving shareholder value by leveraging healthy cash flows and strong liquidity. At the end of 2025, ALB had liquidity of around $3.2 billion, including cash and cash equivalents of around $1.6 billion. Its operating cash flow was around $1.3 billion in 2025, up roughly 86% from a year ago. ALB generated free cash flow of $692 million for full-year 2025, driven by strong cash conversion, lower capital spending and productivity measures. It expects to generate meaningful free cash flow in 2026.
ALB recently completed the divestment of a controlling stake in its Ketjen Corporation’s refining catalyst solutions business to affiliates of KPS Capital Partners, LP. The transaction was followed by Albemarle’s divestment of its 50% interest in the Eurecat joint venture to Axens SA, completed in January 2026. The two deals combined generated $670 million in pre-tax proceeds, which are expected to be used for debt reduction and other general corporate purposes, enhancing its financial flexibility.
The company remains focused on maintaining its dividend payout. It has raised its quarterly dividend for 30 consecutive years. ALB offers a dividend yield of 1% at the current stock price. Backed by healthy cash flows and sound financial health, the company's dividend is perceived to be safe and reliable.
ALB’s Estimates Reflect Positive Sentiment
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 for ALB has been revised upward over the past 60 days. The consensus estimate for 2027 has been going up over the same time frame.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is currently pegged at $7.87, suggesting a year-over-year rise of 1,096.2%. Earnings are expected to increase roughly 21.5% in 2027.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
A Look at ALB’s Valuation
ALB is currently trading at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 3.35, well above the industry. It is trading at a premium to Sociedad Quimica and Rio Tinto. Albemarle and Sociedad Quimica currently have a Value Score of C, while Rio Tinto has a Value Score of A.
ALB’s P/S F12M Vs. Industry, SQM and RIO
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Final Thoughts: Buy ALB Shares
Albemarle is benefiting from higher lithium volumes driven by project ramp-ups, as well as initiatives to expand global lithium conversion capacity and enhance productivity. The company is well-positioned to capitalize on the substantial growth opportunity in the battery-grade lithium market, supported by the global transition toward EVs. Higher lithium prices amid robust demand and tight supply conditions also provide a tailwind.
Rising earnings estimates and a strong growth outlook further strengthen Albemarle’s investment case. Although the stock trades at a premium valuation, it appears justified given the company’s solid fundamentals and earnings potential. With robust growth prospects ahead, investors may consider betting on this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the coming year. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +112%, +171%, +209% and +232%.
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Rio Tinto PLC (RIO) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Albemarle Surges 121% in 6 Months: Here's How to Play the Stock

Among the underlying components of the Russell 3000 index, we saw noteworthy options trading volume today in Rivian Automotive Inc (Symbol: RIVN), where a total of 143,134 contracts have traded so far, representing approximately 14.3 million underlying shares. That amounts to about 42.6% of RIVN's average daily trading volume over the past month of 33.6 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $5 strike put option expiring December 15, 2028, with 19,202 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 1.9 million underlying shares of RIVN. Below is a chart showing RIVN's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $5 strike highlighted in orange:
Range Resources Corp (Symbol: RRC) saw options trading volume of 14,052 contracts, representing approximately 1.4 million underlying shares or approximately 41.2% of RRC's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 3.4 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $40 strike call option expiring March 20, 2026, with 11,017 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 1.1 million underlying shares of RRC. Below is a chart showing RRC's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $40 strike highlighted in orange:
And Albemarle Corp. (Symbol: ALB) options are showing a volume of 10,663 contracts thus far today. That number of contracts represents approximately 1.1 million underlying shares, working out to a sizeable 40.7% of ALB's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 2.6 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $260 strike call option expiring June 18, 2026, with 3,097 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 309,700 underlying shares of ALB. Below is a chart showing ALB's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $260 strike highlighted in orange:
For the various different available expirations for RIVN options, RRC options, or ALB options, visit StockOptionsChannel.com.
Also see:
BSPM market cap history
Top Ten Hedge Funds Holding DRL
QCOR Options Chain
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Noteworthy Friday Option Activity: RIVN, RRC, ALB

Albemarle (ALB) ended the recent trading session at $94.32, demonstrating a -0.87% swing from the preceding day's closing price. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.21%. Elsewhere, the Dow lost 0.16%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.89%.
Prior to today's trading, shares of the specialty chemicals company had gained 5.09% over the past month. This has outpaced the Basic Materials sector's loss of 5.13% and the S&P 500's loss of 1.56% in that time.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Albemarle in its upcoming release. The company plans to announce its earnings on February 12, 2025. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be -$0.36, reflecting a 119.46% decrease from the same quarter last year. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $1.4 billion, down 40.69% from the year-ago period.
Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Albemarle. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the company's business operations and its ability to generate profits.
Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.
The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 5.57% fall in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Albemarle presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Valuation is also important, so investors should note that Albemarle has a Forward P/E ratio of 54.47 right now. This denotes a premium relative to the industry's average Forward P/E of 13.57.
We can also see that ALB currently has a PEG ratio of 3.4. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. The Chemical - Diversified was holding an average PEG ratio of 1.34 at yesterday's closing price.
The Chemical - Diversified industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 230, putting it in the bottom 9% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.
Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor Stock
It's only 1/9,000th the size of NVIDIA which skyrocketed more than +800% since we recommended it. NVIDIA is still strong, but our new top chip stock has much more room to boom.
With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $803 billion by 2028.
See This Stock Now for Free >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Albemarle (ALB) Registers a Bigger Fall Than the Market: Important Facts to Note

PPG Industries, Inc. PPG has partnered with IPG Photonics and Whirlpool Corporation to expedite the commercialization of laser curing systems for powder coatings. The collaboration with a leader in fiber laser technology and a top home appliance brand is aimed at reducing curing costs and emissions while boosting speed.
The laser curing uses infrared light to trigger crosslinking. This chemical reaction converts powder into a durable protective finish. The technology works with standard powder chemistries, as well as those optimized for laser curing. In comparison to conventional thermal curing, it cures in a fraction of the time that was required. By significantly fastening the process, energy is saved as lower heat input and higher throughput is expected.
PPG installed a state-of-the-art pilot finishing line that features IPG’s PhotoniCURE laser curing system at its powder manufacturing and technical facility in Strongsville, OH, and a laboratory system for research feasibility studies at the PPG Coatings Innovation Center near Pittsburgh. IPG’s PhotoniCURE is expected to face growing demand as it starts to gain a stronghold in the coatings industry, as its joint value proposition with PPG is proven in volume manufacturing, aided by intensifying trends towards sustainable manufacturing practices. The company has begun pilot trials with Whirlpool to test various powder formulations on appliance components, with customer availability expected soon.
Sustainability remains the core idea behind this collaboration. PPG’s commitment to the cause is reflected through investments in radiation-curable technologies and powder coatings formulated with recycled PET, free of PFAS, and designed to cure with lower heat and produce minimal waste.
PPG stock has gained 3.5% over the past year compared with the industry’s 4.7% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
PPG’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks
PPG currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space are Albemarle Corporation ALB, Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. BVN and Balchem Corporation BCPC.
While ALB and BVN sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) each at present, BCPC carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ALB’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $7.87 per share, indicating a rise of 1,096.2% year over year. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters while missing once, with an average surprise of 57.8%. ALB’s shares have soared 121.2% over the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BVN’s 2026 earnings is pinned at $3.45 per share, indicating a 4.6% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average surprise of 80.4%. BVN’s shares have jumped 185.2% over the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BCPC’s 2026 earnings is pinned at $5.47 per share, indicating a 6.2% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the four trailing quarters. BCPC’s shares have gained 4% over the past year.
Free Report: Profiting from the 2nd Wave of AI Explosion
The next phase of the AI explosion is poised to create significant wealth for investors, especially those who get in early. It will add literally trillion of dollars to the economy and revolutionize nearly every part of our lives.
Investors who bought shares like Nvidia at the right time have had a shot at huge gains.
But the rocket ride in the "first wave" of AI stocks may soon come to an end. The sharp upward trajectory of these stocks will begin to level off, leaving exponential growth to a new wave of cutting-edge companies.
Zacks' AI Boom 2.0: The Second Wave report reveals 4 under-the-radar companies that may soon be shining stars of AI’s next leap forward.
Access AI Boom 2.0 now, absolutely free >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

PPG Teams Up With IPG and Whirlpool to Advance Laser Curing

An updated edition of the Jan. 12, 2026, article.
The global auto industry is in the middle of a major reset. Electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous vehicles (AVs) are redefining how the world moves. Better battery technology and a wider charging network are making EVs more practical for everyday use.
For a long time, Tesla TSLA was the face of the EV revolution. But the market is no longer a one-horse race. China’s BYD Co Ltd BYDDY overtook Tesla in global annual sales last year, signaling a shift in leadership. Chinese automakers are scaling aggressively, traditional car companies are also making investments and new EV-only players are entering the field. Competition is intensifying and consumers now have more choices than ever.
Growth projections continue to support the long-term case. Global battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales are expected to rise about 19% in 2026 to roughly 17.4 million units, accounting for nearly 19% of total global auto sales, per S&P Global Mobility. When hybrids and plug-in hybrids are included, electrified vehicles could make up close to 30% of worldwide sales by 2026. The journey, however, is becoming more measured. Policy adjustments in the United States and Europe, evolving subsidy frameworks and shifting automaker targets are slowing momentum in some regions. Even so, the broader move toward electrification remains firmly intact, with hybrids acting as a practical bridge.
At the same time, autonomy is emerging as the next powerful growth engine. The global autonomous vehicle market, valued at $3.37 trillion in 2025, is expected to reach $4.4 trillion in 2026 and more than $41 trillion by 2034, at a compound annual growth rate of 32.3% during 2026-2034, according to Fortune Business Insights.
Advances in artificial intelligence, sensors, connectivity and machine learning are making AVs safer and more capable. Companies like Baidu’s BIDU Apollo Go and Tesla are already testing robotaxis in real-world conditions.
For investors, EVs and AVs represent a strong long-term opportunity. They combine growth, innovation and rising demand.Our Electric Vehicles & Autonomous Driving Screen highlights companies positioned to benefit from these trends, including Albemarle Corporation ALB, Beam Global BEEM and WeRide Inc. WRD.
Ready to uncover more transformative thematic investment ideas? Explore 37 cutting-edge investment themes with Zacks Thematic Investing Screens and discover your next big opportunity.
3 Stocks to Buy
Albemarle: While EV makers grab headlines, the battery supply chain is equally significant. Albemarle sits at the heart of that chain as one of the world’s leading lithium producers. Albemarle expects global lithium demand to witness a 10-20% compound annual growth rate between 2025 and 2030, driven primarily by rising EV penetration. Beyond vehicles, energy storage is emerging as another powerful demand engine, adding a second layer of growth to the lithium market.
To prepare for that demand, Albemarle is expanding its global lithium conversion capacity while staying disciplined in terms of returns. The company is prioritizing high-return projects, improving plant productivity and optimizing its conversion network to protect margins in a volatile pricing environment. It is also taking actions to cut costs, optimize its conversion network and increase efficiencies to preserve its long-term competitive position.
Operationally, volumes are moving in the right direction. ALB’s Energy Storage segment reported higher sales volumes in fourth-quarter 2025, supported by strong output from integrated conversion facilities. In Chile, the Salar yield improvement project has reached a 50% operating rate and continues to ramp steadily. Meanwhile, the Meishan conversion facility in China is progressing ahead of schedule. Albemarle currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Beem Global: The company is betting on the infrastructure that powers EVs. Beam Global develops sustainable solutions for transportation electrification, energy security and smart city needs. Its flagship product, the EV ARC — an off-grid, solar-powered charging station— requires no trenching, no construction and no connection to the utility grid. That flexibility allows customers to deploy charging quickly, especially in locations where grid access is limited or costly.
Beam Global operates across the United States, Europe and the Middle East, and recent numbers suggest momentum is building. Preliminary fourth-quarter 2025 revenues rose more than 50% sequentially, marking a strong finish to the year. Growth was supported by new product launches, expanding international operations and higher commercial sales.
Beam Global is also expanding its role in the autonomous ecosystem. A partnership with Hevo is set to introduce an integrated wireless charging solution powered by EV ARC, designed for autonomous and commercial fleets where hands-free charging is valuable. A joint venture with the Platinum Group also strengthens its presence in the Middle East market. Beam Global positions itself as an infrastructure enabler— and that’s becoming increasingly important as EV and AV adoption grows. BEEM currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
WeRide: It is one of the early leaders in autonomous driving. The company operates a fleet of more than 1,000 autonomous vehicles and has tested or run services in over 40 cities across 11 countries. It has secured autonomous driving permits in eight markets, including China, the UAE, Singapore, France, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Belgium and the United States— giving it one of the broadest regulatory footprints in the industry.
Its partnership with Uber marked a major milestone. The two recently launched a commercial robotaxi service in downtown Abu Dhabi, the city’s first AV deployment in its core area. The service now covers roughly 70% of central Abu Dhabi, with the fleet size quadrupling since operations began in late 2024.
Beyond robotaxis, WeRide is deploying robobuses for public transport, robosweepers for urban sanitation and a production-ready L2+ advanced driver-assistance solution for passenger vehicles. On the technology side, the company is also strengthening its ecosystem. Robotaxi bookings in China can now be made directly through Tencent’s WeChat super-app. In addition, WeRide recently introduced GENESIS1, its proprietary general-purpose simulation model. By linking physical AI with generative AI, the platform connects real-world driving data with simulated environments, helping accelerate training, testing and large-scale validation of autonomous systems. WRD currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Top EV and Self-Driving Stocks for the Next Mobility Shift

Reliance, Inc. RS is gaining from a diversified business model and product base, growth through strategic acquisitions and strong liquidity amid pricing and demand headwinds.
RS’ shares have lost 5.8% in the past year compared with the Zacks Mining – Miscellaneous industry’s 17.3% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Let’s find out why RS stock is worth retaining at the moment.
Acquisitions & Strong Liquidity Bode Well for RS Stock
Reliance benefits from its resilient business model serving diverse end markets, strong execution and actions to drive growth through acquisitions. RS has been following an aggressive acquisition strategy for a while as part of its core business policy to drive operating results. It has completed 76 acquisitions since its IPO in 1994, which have expanded its product diversification and value-added processing capabilities.
The acquisitions of Rotax Metals, Admiral Metals and Nu-Tech Precision Metals are in sync with its strategy of investing in high-quality businesses. The buyout of Southern Steel Supply also expands the company’s reach in the Southern United States and boosts its value-added processing services. The buyout of Cooksey Iron & Metal Co also boosts Reliance's presence in the fast-growing Southeastern market. The acquisition of American Alloy has expanded Reliance's product portfolio with specialty carbon steel plates as well as new production capabilities.
RS, in August 2024, also completed the acquisition of FerrouSouth toll processing assets. The integration of FerrouSouth’s tolling operations enhances its toll processing capabilities and expands capacity for Feralloy’s existing operations in the Southeastern United States.
Reliance's strong liquidity position also allows it to drive shareholder value. During the third quarter of 2024, the company returned $60.6 million to shareholders in cash dividends and repurchased shares worth $432 million. Its board, in October 2024, approved an amendment of its share repurchase plan, replenishing the buyback authorization to $1.5 billion. RS ended the third quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $314.6 million. It generated $463.9 million in cash flow from operations during the quarter, driven by solid profitability and prudent working capital management.
RS, during the third quarter, entered into an amended and restated five-year unsecured revolving credit facility worth $1.5 billion. This amended and restated credit agreement not only strengthens its already strong liquidity position but also increases its ability to continue pursuing its capital allocation strategies.
Soft Pricing, Demand Headwinds Ail Reliance
Reliance continued to face pricing pressure in the third quarter. Its average selling price per ton sold declined around 12% year over year in the quarter. Weaker metals pricing hurt its sales and the bottom line in the quarter. Reliance expects its average selling price per ton sold to be down 1.5-3.5% sequentially in the fourth quarter due to continued pricing pressure across carbon steel products. Weaker prices are likely to weigh on its performance in the fourth quarter.
Reliance anticipates underlying demand to weaken across most of the end markets it serves in the fourth quarter factoring in the current significant uncertainty surrounding economic policy in the United States. RS expects its tons sold to be down 6-8% in the fourth quarter from the third quarter of 2024, considering normal seasonal trends and increased macroeconomic and political uncertainty.
Reliance, Inc. Price and Consensus
RS’ Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks
RS currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Better-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space are Carpenter Technology Corporation CRS, Gold Royalty Corp. GROY and ICL Group Ltd ICL. While both CRS and GROY sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), ICL carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Carpenter Technology beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 14.1%. CRS’ shares have soared 170% in the past year.
Gold Royalty beat the consensus estimate in three of the trailing four quarters while delivering in-line results on the other occasion. In this time frame, it has delivered an earnings surprise of roughly 125%, on average. GROY has expected earnings growth of 66.7% for the current year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ICL Group’s current-year earnings has increased by 2.9% in the past 60 days. ICL beat the consensus estimate in each of the last four quarters with the average surprise being 18.1%.
Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"
Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.
This top pick is among the most innovative financial firms. With a fast-growing customer base (already 50+ million) and a diverse set of cutting edge solutions, this stock is poised for big gains. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Here's Why You Should Retain Reliance Stock in Your Portfolio

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.’s CF shares have popped 36.5% over the past three months. The company has also outperformed the Zacks Fertilizers industry’s 40.7% decline over the same time frame. CF has also topped the S&P 500’s roughly 0.2% decline over the same period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Let’s take a look into the factors that are driving this fertilizer maker.
CF Stock Gains on Healthy Nitrogen Demand, Higher Prices
CF Industries is capitalizing on the growing global demand for nitrogen fertilizers, driven by strong agricultural activity. After pandemic-related challenges, industrial demand for nitrogen has recovered.
Global nitrogen requirement is expected to remain strong in the near future due to recovering industrial demand and farmer economics. High levels of corn-planted acres in the United States should drive the demand for nitrogen. Demand in North America is expected to be fueled by favorable farm economics. CF Industries is also seeing strong demand for urea from Brazil and India. Brazil and India are expected to remain the largest importers of urea globally, driven by higher domestic demand.
CF, on its fourth-quarter call, said that the global nitrogen outlook remains positive in the near term, supported by strong demand and tight supply. India and Brazil will remain the world’s largest importers of urea, driving robust consumption, while inventories remain below historical averages.
Higher nitrogen prices have also contributed to a boost in CF Industries’ revenues. In the fourth quarter, net sales rose roughly 23% year over year to roughly $1.87 billion. The average selling prices for most of the company’s core products increased compared to the prior year, driven by supply disruptions and strong global nitrogen demand. Looking ahead, CF should continue to benefit from favorable pricing trends.
CF Industries continues to focus on enhancing shareholder value by utilizing its strong cash flow. Net cash provided by operating activities was $539 million in the fourth quarter, up nearly 28.3% year over year. CF Industries repurchased 4.1 million shares for $340 million in the fourth quarter, and also bought back 16.6 million shares for $1.34 billion during 2025. It returned $1.7 billion to its shareholders in 2025. The company completed the $3 billion share repurchase program in October 2025. It started a new $2 billion share repurchase program effective through 2029, with $1.7 billion remaining at the end of 2025.
CF’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks
CF currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Better-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space include Albemarle Corporation ALB, Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. BVN and Balchem Corporation BCPC.
While ALB and BVN sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) each at present, BCPC carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ALB’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $7.87 per share, indicating a rise of 1,096.2% year over year. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with an average surprise of 57.8%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BVN’s 2026 earnings is pinned at $3.45 per share, indicating a 4.6% year-over-year increase. BVN’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average surprise of 80.4%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BCPC’s 2026 earnings is pinned at $5.47 per share, indicating a 6.2% year-over-year increase. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BCPC’s 2026 earnings has been revised 1.1% upward over the past 60 days.
Free Report: Profiting from the 2nd Wave of AI Explosion
The next phase of the AI explosion is poised to create significant wealth for investors, especially those who get in early. It will add literally trillion of dollars to the economy and revolutionize nearly every part of our lives.
Investors who bought shares like Nvidia at the right time have had a shot at huge gains.
But the rocket ride in the "first wave" of AI stocks may soon come to an end. The sharp upward trajectory of these stocks will begin to level off, leaving exponential growth to a new wave of cutting-edge companies.
Zacks' AI Boom 2.0: The Second Wave report reveals 4 under-the-radar companies that may soon be shining stars of AI’s next leap forward.
Access AI Boom 2.0 now, absolutely free >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Albemarle Corporation

Trend

Trend Class

Trend Power

Pattern

EMA

EMA-20

EMA-50

EMA-100

EMA-20

EMA-50

EMA-100

Oscillators

Stochastic

RSI

MACD

Candle pattern type