---
title: "BUZZ-Albemarle falls on weak Q4 results; to idle Australia lithium plant"
description: "Albemarle's shares fell 9% to $159.72 after reporting a larger-than-expected Q4 loss of 53 cents per share, compared to analysts' estimates of 41 cents. The company announced it would idle a major Aus"
type: "news"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/275785230.md"
published_at: "2026-02-12T16:37:15.000Z"
---

# BUZZ-Albemarle falls on weak Q4 results; to idle Australia lithium plant

> Albemarle's shares fell 9% to $159.72 after reporting a larger-than-expected Q4 loss of 53 cents per share, compared to analysts' estimates of 41 cents. The company announced it would idle a major Australian lithium processing plant amid a 90% drop in lithium prices over two years due to oversupply from China. Despite challenges, CEO Kent Masters expects global lithium demand to grow by 25% this year. Year-to-date, Albemarle's stock is up approximately 12%.

(Updates) Shares of world’s largest lithium producer Albemarle (ALB.N) drop 9% to $159.72 ALB late on Wednesday said it would idle a major Australian processing plant

It also posted a larger-than-expected quarterly loss of 53 cents per share vs. analysts’ estimates of 41 cents per share - data compiled by LSEG

Lithium prices have plunged more than 90% over the last two years due in part to oversupply from China ALB CEO Kent Masters says in an earnings call that recent lithium price improvements do not offset challenges facing Western Lithium Hard Rock conversion operations

Expects global lithium demand to grow by 25% this year

Says CATL’s lithium mines in China to come back online in the coming year; CATL is the world’s largest manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for EVs and energy storage systems

Including session’s moves, ALB up ~12% YTD

### Related Stocks

- [ALB.US - Albemarle](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ALB.US.md)

## Related News & Research

| Title | Description | URL |
|-------|-------------|-----|
| Lithium giant's monster 250% rally faces test with Q4 earnings | Albemarle has run up almost uninterrupted since last year's low, finding support at the 10-week moving average throughou | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/275645539.md) |
| ALBEMARLE CORP SEC 10-K Report | Albemarle Corporation has released its 2025 10-K report, detailing financial performance with net sales of $5,142.7 mill | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/275665031.md) |
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| Albemarle to idle Australia lithium plant after profit miss | Albemarle, the largest lithium producer, reported a larger-than-expected quarterly loss of $455.9 million, leading to a  | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/275667338.md) |
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> **Disclaimer**: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.
