RBC Sees Improving Lithium Fundamentals Lifting Albemarle (ALB) Outlook

Group 1: Company Overview - Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) is recognized as the world's largest lithium producer, supplying essential materials for electric vehicle batteries, and also has significant exposure to bromine and catalyst markets, providing diversification to its earnings profile [5] Group 2: Market Outlook and Analyst Ratings - RBC Capital raised its price target on Albemarle Corporation to $159 from $120, maintaining an Outperform rating, citing improving lithium market fundamentals and a potential balance in global supply and demand sooner than expected [2] - Morgan Stanley upgraded Albemarle to an Equal-Weight rating, while UBS raised the stock to a Buy, highlighting rising energy storage demand and slower capacity growth in Western markets, which could lead to a lithium deficit by 2026 [3] - UBS analyst Joshua Spector expects lithium prices to increase throughout the year, projecting a price target of $185 for Albemarle, indicating approximately 28% upside from its December 29 close, contrasting with a previous target of $107 that suggested 26% downside [4]