Albemarle (ALB) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Albemarle (ALB) reported sharply higher second-quarter earnings on Aug. 6, 2026, with momentum across energy storage and specialties. Net sales rose to $1.7 billion, up 31% year over year, driven by higher pricing in energy storage and both price and volume gains in specialties. Adjusted EBITDA jumped to $858 million, up 155%, and enterprise EBITDA margin expanded to 49.2% from 25.3% a year earlier. Operating cash flow was $710 million with an 83% conversion rate, and free cash flow totaled $638 million after $71.7 million in capital expenditures. In energy storage, net sales were $1.3 billion (+78%) amid higher lithium pricing. Specialties net sales increased 20% to $424 million. The company cut its full-year capex forecast to about $500 million and set cost savings targets of $100 million to $150 million.