After a 6% Fall on Lithium Gluts, Can Albemarle Stock Recover in 2026?

Wiltone Asuncion3 minute read
Reviewed by: Thomas Richmond
Last updated Jan 23, 2026

Key Stats for Albemarle Stock

  • Price Change: -6.2%
  • Current Price: $163
  • Analyst Consensus Price Target: $148

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What Happened?

Shares of Albemarle (ALB) tumbled 6.2% on Friday, closing at $163 as lithium prices hover near multi-year lows.

The stock gap-dropped after UBS downgraded the sector, forecasting a “prolonged lithium oversupply” that will last through 2026.

According to their data, the market is pricing in a recovery that isn’t coming, with 2026 lithium prices expected to be 6% to 15% below consensus as the industry adjusts to a “lower for longer” environment.

Albemarle Stock Price Target (TIKR)

Is Albemarle Undervalued Today?

Contrarians are circling, but the supply data suggests the bottom is not in yet.

Wood Mackenzie warns that the pain isn’t over. They predict the oversupply will actually peak in 2027, confirming that “supply is expected to outpace demand over the next decade.”

Even management is capitulating to this reality.

CEO Kent Masters confirmed in the Q4 report that he slashed capital expenditures by ~50% (down to the $800M range) to preserve cash, admitting the company is forcing itself to adapt to “lower year-over-year lithium pricing.”

According to TIKR’s Street Target Data, the “Value Buy” thesis is risky at current levels.

  • Analyst Mean Target: $148
  • Current Price: $163
  • Potential Downside: -9.4%

The consensus assumes that Albemarle will struggle to grow earnings until the global lithium supply glut resolves, likely well into 2027.

Unless spot lithium prices stage a miraculous recovery, the data suggests the stock could drift lower toward $148 before finding true support.

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How Much Upside Does Albemarle Stock Have From Here?

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Disclaimer:

Please note that the articles on TIKR are not intended to serve as investment or financial advice from TIKR or our content team, nor are they recommendations to buy or sell any stocks. We create our content based on TIKR Terminal’s investment data and analysts’ estimates. Our analysis might not include recent company news or important updates. TIKR has no position in any stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading, and happy investing!

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