Albemarle Option Alert: Mar 21 $65 Puts Sweep (5) below Bid!: 8800 vs 1014 OI

Albemarle Option Alert: Mar 21 $65 Puts Sweep (5) below Bid!: 8800 @ $0.83 vs 1014 OI; Ref=$76.91

Albemarle (NYSE:ALB) Azioni

ALBEMARLE CORP

Albemarle

Albemarle is one of the world's largest lithium producers. In the lithium industry, the majority of demand comes from batteries, where lithium is used as the energy storage material, particularly in electric vehicles. Albemarle is a fully integrated lithium producer. Its upstream resources include salt brine deposits in Chile and the US and two hard rock mines in Australia, both of which are joint ventures. The company operates lithium refining plants in Chile, the US, Australia, and China. Albemarle is a global leader in the production of bromine, used in flame retardants. It is also a major producer of oil refining catalysts.

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Albemarle Corp

ALBA MINERALS RESOCES PLC by Alba Minerals Resources PLC.

Alba Mineral Resources PLC

ALIBABA HEALTH UNSP/ADR by Alibaba Health Information Technology Ltd

Alibaba Health Information Technology Ltd

Albemarle Corp PRF PERPETUAL USD 1000 - Ser A 1/20th Pref St

ALIBABA HEALTH INFO TECH by Alibaba Health Information Technology Ltd

ALPHA SVCS & HLDGS S A by Alpha Services and Holdings SA

Alpha Services and Holdings SA

ALPHA SVCS & HLDGS S/ADR by Alpha Services and Holdings SA

ALBERT LABS INTL CORP by ALBERT LABS INTL CORP.

Albert Labs International Corp

Avalon Globocare Corp

AllianceBlock - United States Dollar

COMMUTY CAP BNCSHS INC by Community Capital Bancshares, Inc.

Community Capital Bancshares Inc

Albemarle Corporation Depositary Shares each representing a 1/20th of 7.25% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock

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VALE

Shares of companies within the broader materials sector are trading lower as global markets continue to decline following President Trump's announcement of sweeping tariffs.

CENX

Shares of companies within the broader materials sector are trading lower as markets react to President Trump's announcement of sweeping tariffs.

Top U.S. technology multinationals, which have been the biggest beneficiaries of globalization, come to the fore as tariffs could heavily impact the cost of the goods sold by these firms.
What Happened: The data shared by Gina Martin Adams, the chief equity strategist and global director of equity strategy at Bloomberg Intelligence, shows the top tech companies in the U.S. that are likely to be impacted by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44621408/market-access-has-a-price-trump-unveils-list-of-tariffs-countries-targeted">tariffs announced</a> by President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
These firms &#8220;may suffer the most as tariffs spark trade turmoil and threaten the long-expanding margin domination of American companies,&#8221; explains Adams.
The graphic shared by her shows that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/04/44620411/mark-zuckerberg-led-meta-set-to-face-truth-at-senate-hearing-over-china-operations-and-communist-party-censorship-efforts">Mark Zuckerberg</a>&#8216;s Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) spends less than 10% of the total amount required for them to produce their products and services in the U.S., making it the most vulnerable to tariffs.
The top 10 firms also include Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), and AT&amp;T Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/T#NYSE">T</a>).
Adams says that these firms could face more challenges in the wake of retaliation by other countries, further influencing the global supply chain. &#8220;White House tariffs may only be the start, as retaliations further strain global supply chains,&#8221; she adds.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">US multinationals, arguably the biggest driver and beneficiary of globalization, may suffer most as tariffs spark trade turmoil and threaten margin domination of American companies. White House tariffs may only be the start, as retaliations further strain global supply chains. <a href="https://t.co/kbopS2fsT8">pic.twitter.com/kbopS2fsT8</a>
&mdash; Gina Martin Adams (@GinaMartinAdams) <a href="https://twitter.com/GinaMartinAdams/status/1907580802222690759?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/04/44602836/tesla-short-interest-soars-to-2116-making-it-the-4th-largest-shorted-stock-heres-what-its-charts-are-indicating">Tesla Short Interest Soars To 21.16%, Making It 4th Most Shorted Stock Currently: Here&#8217;s What Its Charts Indicate</a>
Why It Matters: According to Adams, &#8220;Contrary to popular belief, mega-cap U.S. tech may be at considerable risk, with extremely high valuations and assumptions that margin moats will remain intact.
Companies with high facilities exposure and elevated cost of goods sold outside the U.S. face the greatest direct threats in the short run, while those with elevated revenue exposure are not immune.&#8221;
However, she adds, &#8220;Non-domestic stocks and defensive U.S. sectors may provide some haven as U.S. companies adjust to the new regime.&#8221;
Wedbush&#8217;s Daniel Ives adds that &#8220;Negotiations the only option at this point for White House.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">We would characterize this slate of tariffs as &quot;worse than the worst case scenario&quot; the Street was fearing. The biggest focus will be the China 34% tariff and Taiwan 32% and how this impacts supply chain and demand. Negotiations the only option at this point for White House.
&mdash; Dan Ives (@DivesTech) <a href="https://twitter.com/DivesTech/status/1907611902047338791?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Whereas, Craig Shapiro of Bear Trap Reports contends by saying that Trump isn&#8217;t looking for concessions from trading partners, but &#8220;wants/needs the tariff revenues to help plug the fiscal deficit budget hole.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">What the market fails to realize is that Trump doesn&#39;t want concessions from trading partners. He wants/needs the tariff revenues to help plug the fiscal deficit budget hole <a href="https://t.co/nQf82Q2Zan">https://t.co/nQf82Q2Zan</a>
&mdash; Craig Shapiro (@ces921) <a href="https://twitter.com/ces921/status/1905609335599698141?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Price Action: Here&#8217;s how these top 10 firms listed by Adams have performed.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Companies</td>
<td>Wednesday After-Hours</td>
<td>YTD</td>
<td>One Year</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)</td>
<td>-4.83%</td>
<td>-2.55%</td>
<td>15.23%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Deckers Outdoor Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DECK#NYSE">DECK</a>)</td>
<td>-11.85%</td>
<td>-42.32%</td>
<td>-21.41%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Incyte Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INCY#NASDAQ">INCY</a>)</td>
<td>-3.74%</td>
<td>-10.36%</td>
<td>12.69%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>)</td>
<td>-5.79%</td>
<td>-14.65%</td>
<td>-43.04%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>)</td>
<td>-7.14%</td>
<td>-8.19%</td>
<td>31.97%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AT&amp;T Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/T#NYSE">T</a>)</td>
<td>-0.64%</td>
<td>23.26%</td>
<td>59.80%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Albemarle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>)</td>
<td>-3.32%</td>
<td>-15.23%</td>
<td>-43.94%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VZ#NYSE">VZ</a>)</td>
<td>0.02%</td>
<td>11.27%</td>
<td>4.44%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-Mobile Us Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMUS#NASDAQ">TMUS</a>)</td>
<td>-2.68%</td>
<td>20.51%</td>
<td>62.05%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Best Buy Co Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BBY#NYSE">BBY</a>)</td>
<td>-8.99%</td>
<td>-12.12%</td>
<td>4.51%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Ahead of the tariff announcements on Wednesday, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, rose in trade. The SPY was up 0.63% to $564.52, while the QQQ advanced 0.73% to $476.15, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
On Thursday, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44620686/sp-500-nasdaq-futures-plunge-over-3-as-trumps-reciprocal-tariff-plan-hits-market-confidence">futures</a> of the Dow Jones index dropped 2.25%, whereas the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indices also slumped by 3.02% and 3.52%, respectively.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44600269/mark-cuban-argues-ais-new-sht-will-drive-growth-not-deflation">Mark Cuban Dismisses Concerns of AI Causing Deflation, Calls It The &#8220;Greatest Growth And Productivity Engine Ever&#8221;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Meta, AMD, Apple, AT&T Among Biggest US Tech Giants That 'May Suffer The Most' As Tariffs Spark Trade Turmoil: Here's Why

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Albemarle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with ALB, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 8 uncommon options trades for Albemarle.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 50% bullish and 50%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 6 are puts, for a total amount of $279,415, and 2 are calls, for a total amount of $135,528.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $40.0 and $100.0 for Albemarle, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Albemarle's options for a given strike price. Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Albemarle's whale trades within a strike price range from $40.0 to $100.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Albemarle 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1743185731_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$26.75</td>
<td>$26.75</td>
<td>$26.75</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$88.2K</td>
<td>4.5K</td>
<td align="right">33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$4.7</td>
<td>$4.65</td>
<td>$4.65</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$72.0K</td>
<td>239</td>
<td align="right">259</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$4.65</td>
<td>$4.6</td>
<td>$4.6</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$70.8K</td>
<td>45</td>
<td align="right">191</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$32.35</td>
<td>$32.35</td>
<td>$32.35</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$64.6K</td>
<td>27</td>
<td align="right">30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$11.75</td>
<td>$11.5</td>
<td>$11.75</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$35.2K</td>
<td>5.5K</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Albemarle</h3>
Albemarle is one of the world's largest lithium producers. In the lithium industry, the majority of demand comes from batteries, where lithium is used as the energy storage material, particularly in electric vehicles. Albemarle is a fully integrated lithium producer. Its upstream resources include salt brine deposits in Chile and the US and two hard rock mines in Australia, both of which are joint ventures. The company operates lithium refining plants in Chile, the US, Australia, and China. Albemarle is a global leader in the production of bromine, used in flame retardants. It is also a major producer of oil refining catalysts.
In light of the recent options history for Albemarle, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Current Position of Albemarle</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 846,168, with ALB's price down by -3.67%, positioned at $72.01.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 33 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Albemarle</h3>
1 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $85.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Mizuho keeps a Neutral rating on Albemarle with a target price of $85. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Albemarle options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Options

Behind the Scenes of Albemarle's Latest Options Trends

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on Albemarle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with ALB, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 10 uncommon options trades for Albemarle.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 20% bullish and 60%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 2 are puts, for a total amount of $80,015, and 8 are calls, for a total amount of $268,624.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $70.0 to $110.0 for Albemarle during the past quarter. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for Albemarle's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across Albemarle's significant trades, within a strike price range of $70.0 to $110.0, over the past month.
<h3>Albemarle Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1742917559_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$6.9</td>
<td>$6.85</td>
<td>$6.9</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$41.4K</td>
<td>1.8K</td>
<td align="right">163</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/20/26</td>
<td>$11.8</td>
<td>$11.8</td>
<td>$11.8</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$41.3K</td>
<td>37</td>
<td align="right">37</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$13.8</td>
<td>$13.2</td>
<td>$13.53</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$40.5K</td>
<td>332</td>
<td align="right">30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$16.35</td>
<td>$16.0</td>
<td>$16.0</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$40.0K</td>
<td>459</td>
<td align="right">25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$13.35</td>
<td>$13.35</td>
<td>$13.35</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$38.7K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td align="right">29</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Albemarle</h3>
Albemarle is one of the world's largest lithium producers. In the lithium industry, the majority of demand comes from batteries, where lithium is used as the energy storage material, particularly in electric vehicles. Albemarle is a fully integrated lithium producer. Its upstream resources include salt brine deposits in Chile and the US and two hard rock mines in Australia, both of which are joint ventures. The company operates lithium refining plants in Chile, the US, Australia, and China. Albemarle is a global leader in the production of bromine, used in flame retardants. It is also a major producer of oil refining catalysts.
<h3>Current Position of Albemarle</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 450,596, with ALB's price down by -0.01%, positioned at $77.54.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 36 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Albemarle</h3>
1 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $85.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Mizuho has decided to maintain their Neutral rating on Albemarle, which currently sits at a price target of $85. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Albemarle, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

This Is What Whales Are Betting On Albemarle

KoBold Metals, a startup backed by billionaires Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, has approached the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) government with an offer to develop one of the world's largest hard rock <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/lithium" rel="noreferrer noopener">lithium mines</a>.
The mining startup looks to take over the disputed mining license for the Roche Dure deposit, taking advantage of the two governments' discussions about a potential <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44216408/dr-congo-explores-a-minerals-for-security-deal-with-the-us" rel="noreferrer noopener">minerals-for-security partnership</a>.
KoBold's bid could resolve an ongoing dispute between Australia's AVZ Minerals and China's Zijin Mining Group. AVZ, which previously controlled the lithium project, lost its rights in 2023 when the government split the permit, handing part of it to Zijin. Per Bloomberg's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-21/kobold-makes-offer-for-congo-lithium-as-country-courts-us" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a>, KoBold's proposal involves compensating AVZ and acquiring the remaining stake while allowing Zijin to maintain control over the northern section of the deposit.
Despite an 80% decline in lithium prices since a peak in 2022, Zijin has actively expanded its operations, acting greedy when others are fearful in anticipation of a future demand and price rebound.
Meanwhile, KoBold staked its claim as a unique company in this industry, using a proprietary AI-powered technology that analyzes geological data more accurately than traditional exploration methods.
This tech-driven approach has attracted over $400 million in funding from high-profile investors, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures (founded by Gates) and Bezos' Bezos Expeditions.
Arguably, the company's best success has been in neighboring Zambia, where it found the Mingomba asset – possibly the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/02/36940360/kobold-metals-announces-historic-copper-discovery-in-zambia" rel="noreferrer noopener">best copper asset in the country</a>. Experts believe that once operational in the early 2030s, it could rival Zijin's Kamoa-Kakula mine in DRC, which produced almost 400,000 tons of copper in 2023.
While DRC is the world's largest producer of cobalt, lithium extraction in the country has lagged behind other regions, such as Australia and South America.
Roche Dure could change the balance, placing the country on the map of major battery-grade lithium producers, as KoBold's interest aligns with the effort to bring this region closer under U.S. influence and pacify the unrest that threatens mineral production.
Still, extraction of hard rock lithium requires extensive open-pit excavation. This traditional method generates significantly more waste rock, consumes vast amounts of water, and uses toxic chemicals in processing, posing greater risks to local ecosystems and communities. Yet, in anticipation of lithium demand, companies are increasingly looking for large-scale projects.
KoBold Metals remains a private company, but CEO Josh Goldman told CNBC a year ago that it plans to go public within three to four years.
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HYMC

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Gates And Bezos-Backed Startup Makes Move For DR Congo's Lithium

Albemarle's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>) short percent of float has risen 6.87% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 12.01 million shares sold short, which is 11.66% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 4.69 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Albemarle Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1742325315_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Albemarle has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Albemarle's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Albemarle's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.18%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

What Does the Market Think About Albemarle?

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Albemarle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with ALB, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 9 uncommon options trades for Albemarle.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 55% bullish and 33%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 5 are puts, for a total amount of $410,943, and 4 are calls, for a total amount of $481,564.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $60.0 and $125.0 for Albemarle, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Albemarle's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Albemarle's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $60.0 to $125.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>Albemarle Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1742230838_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$19.0</td>
<td>$18.7</td>
<td>$19.0</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$380.0K</td>
<td>1.8K</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$14.35</td>
<td>$14.1</td>
<td>$14.1</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$211.5K</td>
<td>949</td>
<td align="right">150</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$0.85</td>
<td>$0.84</td>
<td>$0.84</td>
<td>$65.00</td>
<td>$74.4K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
<td align="right">886</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$24.5</td>
<td>$23.15</td>
<td>$23.41</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$58.5K</td>
<td>4.5K</td>
<td align="right">25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$16.7</td>
<td>$16.3</td>
<td>$16.48</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$41.2K</td>
<td>431</td>
<td align="right">25</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Albemarle</h3>
Albemarle is one of the world's largest lithium producers. In the lithium industry, the majority of demand comes from batteries, where lithium is used as the energy storage material, particularly in electric vehicles. Albemarle is a fully integrated lithium producer. Its upstream resources include salt brine deposits in Chile and the US and two hard rock mines in Australia, both of which are joint ventures. The company operates lithium refining plants in Chile, the US, Australia, and China. Albemarle is a global leader in the production of bromine, used in flame retardants. It is also a major producer of oil refining catalysts.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Albemarle, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Current Position of Albemarle</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 1,136,118, with ALB's price up by 4.12%, positioned at $78.33.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 44 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Albemarle</h3>
In the last month, 4 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $78.25.
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&#x2A; An analyst from Piper Sandler has decided to maintain their Underweight rating on Albemarle, which currently sits at a price target of $85. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Scotiabank continues to hold a Sector Perform rating for Albemarle, targeting a price of $75. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Morgan Stanley keeps a Underweight rating on Albemarle with a target price of $68. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Mizuho has decided to maintain their Neutral rating on Albemarle, which currently sits at a price target of $85. 
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Albemarle with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bullish move on Albemarle. Our analysis of options history for Albemarle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>) revealed 8 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 62% of traders were bullish, while 25% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 2 were puts, with a value of $88,092, and 6 were calls, valued at $483,146.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $60.0 to $100.0 for Albemarle over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Albemarle stands at 621.5, with a total volume reaching 1,182.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Albemarle, situated within the strike price corridor from $60.0 to $100.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>Albemarle Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1741883455_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$13.35</td>
<td>$12.55</td>
<td>$13.2</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$158.4K</td>
<td>1.7K</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$5.8</td>
<td>$5.7</td>
<td>$5.75</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$135.6K</td>
<td>626</td>
<td align="right">242</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$6.4</td>
<td>$6.35</td>
<td>$6.4</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$62.7K</td>
<td>461</td>
<td align="right">105</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$3.45</td>
<td>$3.35</td>
<td>$3.4</td>
<td>$73.00</td>
<td>$46.2K</td>
<td>195</td>
<td align="right">542</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$2.2</td>
<td>$2.16</td>
<td>$2.2</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$44.0K</td>
<td>710</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Albemarle</h3>
Albemarle is one of the world's largest lithium producers. In the lithium industry, the majority of demand comes from batteries, where lithium is used as the energy storage material, particularly in electric vehicles. Albemarle is a fully integrated lithium producer. Its upstream resources include salt brine deposits in Chile and the US and two hard rock mines in Australia, both of which are joint ventures. The company operates lithium refining plants in Chile, the US, Australia, and China. Albemarle is a global leader in the production of bromine, used in flame retardants. It is also a major producer of oil refining catalysts.
In light of the recent options history for Albemarle, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Current Position of Albemarle</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 545,996, the ALB's price is down by -1.62%, now at $71.63. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 48 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Albemarle</h3>
A total of 5 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $89.0.
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&#x2A; An analyst from Piper Sandler has decided to maintain their Underweight rating on Albemarle, which currently sits at a price target of $85. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Truist Securities persists with their Hold rating on Albemarle, maintaining a target price of $85. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Mizuho persists with their Neutral rating on Albemarle, maintaining a target price of $85. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Keybanc continues to hold a Overweight rating for Albemarle, targeting a price of $122. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Morgan Stanley persists with their Underweight rating on Albemarle, maintaining a target price of $68. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Albemarle options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Decoding Albemarle's Options Activity: What's the Big Picture?

During the last three months, 10 analysts shared their evaluations of Albemarle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>), revealing diverse outlooks from bullish to bearish.
The following table encapsulates their recent ratings, offering a glimpse into the evolving sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
In the assessment of 12-month price targets, analysts unveil insights for Albemarle, presenting an average target of $91.0, a high estimate of $122.00, and a low estimate of $68.00. Observing a downward trend, the current average is 3.53% lower than the prior average price target of $94.33. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1741384889_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis</h2>
In examining recent analyst actions, we gain insights into how financial experts perceive Albemarle. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>John Roberts</td>
<td>Mizuho</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Charles Neivert</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vincent Andrews</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$68.00</td>
<td>$73.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ben Isaacson</td>
<td>Scotiabank</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Aleksey Yefremov</td>
<td>Keybanc</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$122.00</td>
<td>$127.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Peter Osterland</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$96.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joshua Spector</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$86.00</td>
<td>$99.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Peter Osterland</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$96.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Roberts</td>
<td>Mizuho</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ben Kallo</td>
<td>Baird</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$103.00</td>
<td>$79.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: In response to dynamic market conditions and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their reaction to recent developments related to Albemarle. This insight gives a snapshot of analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Gaining insights, analysts provide qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Albemarle compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Understanding forecasts, analysts offer estimates for Albemarle's future value. Examining the current and prior targets provides insight into analysts' changing expectations.</li>
</ul>
Navigating through these analyst evaluations alongside other financial indicators can contribute to a holistic understanding of Albemarle's market standing. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ALB/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on Albemarle analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Discovering Albemarle: A Closer Look</h2>
Albemarle is one of the world's largest lithium producers. In the lithium industry, the majority of demand comes from batteries, where lithium is used as the energy storage material, particularly in electric vehicles. Albemarle is a fully integrated lithium producer. Its upstream resources include salt brine deposits in Chile and the US and two hard rock mines in Australia, both of which are joint ventures. The company operates lithium refining plants in Chile, the US, Australia, and China. Albemarle is a global leader in the production of bromine, used in flame retardants. It is also a major producer of oil refining catalysts.
<h3>Unraveling the Financial Story of Albemarle</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization is below the industry average, suggesting that it is relatively smaller compared to peers. This could be due to various factors, including perceived growth potential or operational scale.
Negative Revenue Trend: Examining Albemarle's financials over 3 months reveals challenges. As of 31 December, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately -47.72% in revenue growth, reflecting a decrease in top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the revenue growth lags behind its industry peers. The company achieved a growth rate lower than the average among peers in Materials sector.
Net Margin: Albemarle's net margin is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in maintaining strong profitability. With a net margin of 2.73%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Albemarle's ROE is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing equity capital. With an ROE of 0.43%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): Albemarle's ROA is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.2%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: Albemarle's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average at 0.47, reflecting a lower dependency on debt financing and a more conservative financial approach.
<h2>The Basics of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Ratings come from analysts, or specialists within banking and financial systems that report for specific stocks or defined sectors (typically once per quarter for each stock). Analysts usually derive their information from company conference calls and meetings, financial statements, and conversations with important insiders to reach their decisions.
Some analysts will also offer forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide further guidance on stocks. Investors who use analyst ratings should note that this specialized advice comes from humans and may be subject to error.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Analyst Ratings

Albemarle Stock: A Deep Dive Into Analyst Perspectives (10 Ratings)

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Albemarle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with ALB, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 16 uncommon options trades for Albemarle.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 43% bullish and 37%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 14 are puts, for a total amount of $1,021,656, and 2 are calls, for a total amount of $108,300.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $70.0 to $110.0 for Albemarle over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Albemarle's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Albemarle's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $70.0 to $110.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>Albemarle Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1741374949_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$13.15</td>
<td>$13.1</td>
<td>$13.15</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$241.9K</td>
<td>943</td>
<td>198</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$16.1</td>
<td>$15.95</td>
<td>$16.1</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$172.2K</td>
<td>280</td>
<td>172</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$2.98</td>
<td>$2.69</td>
<td>$2.82</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$70.5K</td>
<td>11.0K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$2.88</td>
<td>$2.71</td>
<td>$2.8</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$70.0K</td>
<td>11.0K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALB</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$2.99</td>
<td>$2.79</td>
<td>$2.8</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$70.0K</td>
<td>11.0K</td>
<td>769</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Albemarle</h3>
Albemarle is one of the world's largest lithium producers. In the lithium industry, the majority of demand comes from batteries, where lithium is used as the energy storage material, particularly in electric vehicles. Albemarle is a fully integrated lithium producer. Its upstream resources include salt brine deposits in Chile and the US and two hard rock mines in Australia, both of which are joint ventures. The company operates lithium refining plants in Chile, the US, Australia, and China. Albemarle is a global leader in the production of bromine, used in flame retardants. It is also a major producer of oil refining catalysts.
In light of the recent options history for Albemarle, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Current Position of Albemarle</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 1,455,108, the price of ALB is down -1.91% at $75.02. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 54 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Albemarle</h3>
A total of 5 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $89.2.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from UBS has decided to maintain their Neutral rating on Albemarle, which currently sits at a price target of $86. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Morgan Stanley keeps a Underweight rating on Albemarle with a target price of $68. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Truist Securities has decided to maintain their Hold rating on Albemarle, which currently sits at a price target of $85. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Mizuho persists with their Neutral rating on Albemarle, maintaining a target price of $85. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Keybanc continues to hold a Overweight rating for Albemarle, targeting a price of $122. 
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Albemarle with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Spotlight on Albemarle: Analyzing the Surge in Options Activity

Mizuho analyst John Roberts maintains Albemarle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>) with a Neutral and lowers the price target from $90 to $85.

Price Target

Mizuho Maintains Neutral on Albemarle, Lowers Price Target to $85

A high-stakes deal that could have reshaped global supply chains has crumbled. The negotiations between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were meant to secure a partnership granting the US priority access to Ukraine's vast reserves of critical minerals &#8211; resources vital for military technology, electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced electronics. 
However, the talks unraveled over security concerns and shifting priorities, leaving both nations scrambling for alternatives. Now, the fallout is poised to send ripples through markets, affecting stocks and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">ETFs linked to these key industries</a>. Investors should closely monitor the funds and equities most exposed to this disruption.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44064817/zelenskyy-says-not-sure-he-did-something-bad-after-public-spat-with-trump-jd-vance-we-have-to-be-very-honest-and-direct">Zelenskyy Says &#8216;Not Sure&#8217; He Did Something Bad After Public Spat With Trump, JD Vance: &#8216;We Have To Be Very Honest And Direct&#8217;</a>
ETFs In The Spotlight
With the deal off the table, ETFs tracking rare earth minerals, defense and EV industries could see increased volatility:
VanEck Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/REMX#NYSE">REMX</a>): Holds stocks involved in rare earth mining and processing, sectors now facing renewed uncertainty. Pilbara Minerals Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AU#NYSE">AU</a>) and Arcadium Lithium Plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALTM#NYSE">ALTM</a>) are among its top holdings.
Global X Lithium &amp; Battery Tech ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LIT#NYSE">LIT</a>): Focuses on lithium and battery-related companies, which depend on stable mineral supplies. The fund has allocated its assets to companies like Mineral Resources, Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and Albemarle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>).
iShares US Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#BATS">ITA</a>): Tracks major defense contractors like Raytheon Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>), Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>) and Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>), that may face cost pressures due to supply chain disruptions. 
What Was At Stake?
The abandoned agreement would have given the US <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43968607/trump-negotiates-a-very-big-deal-for-ukraines-mineral-wealth">priority access to Ukraine's reserves of critical minerals</a> essential for military technology, EVs and advanced electronics. In return, Ukraine expected a financial boost, with 50% of state-owned mineral revenues going into an investment fund for economic recovery. However, without US security guarantees, Ukraine hesitated to finalize the deal, ultimately leading to its collapse.
With no agreement in place, both the US and Ukraine face economic and strategic setbacks. The US remains reliant on China for rare earth processing, while Ukraine may now seek alternative partnerships—potentially with China or European nations.
Also Read: <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43974696/mark-cuban-surprisingly-loves-the-trump-administrations-push-for-ukrainian-rare-minerals-heres-why-he-thinks-its-good-for-both-sides">Mark Cuban Surprisingly &#8216;Loves&#8217; The Trump Administration&#8217;s Push For Ukrainian Rare Minerals—Here&#8217;s Why He Thinks It&#8217;s Good For Both Sides</a>
US Defense And Tech Stocks
The US defense and tech industries are major consumers of rare earth minerals. Companies like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Technologies rely on these materials for advanced weaponry and aerospace systems. The lack of a stable mineral supply chain outside China could make sourcing components more expensive, potentially affecting these stocks.
Semiconductor giants like NVIDIA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>), and Intel (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) could also see cost pressures, as rare earth elements are crucial for chip production. If US companies must continue depending on China for processing, it could impact supply chain stability and pricing.
Lithium and rare earth mining companies like MP Materials (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MP#NYSE">MP</a>), which processes rare earths domestically, might see increased interest as the US looks to expand its refining capabilities.
What's Next?
With the US unable to secure a direct supply of Ukrainian minerals for now, Washington may have to fast-track domestic refining projects or seek alternative deals. Meanwhile, Ukraine might turn to European nations or even China to fill the gap. For now, investors should brace for potential market fluctuations in defense, tech and EV sectors.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44113716/top-5-etfs-that-defied-februarys-market-turmoil">Top 5 ETFs That Defied February&#8217;s Market Turmoil</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

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Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

ALTM

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Broken Deal, Big Consequences: How ETFs And Stocks Will React

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Shares of companies in the broader materials sector are trading lower amid overall market uncertainty after President Trump confirmed March 4 tariffs.

Piper Sandler analyst Charles Neivert maintains Albemarle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>) with a Underweight and lowers the price target from $90 to $85.

Piper Sandler Maintains Underweight on Albemarle, Lowers Price Target to $85

Morgan Stanley analyst Vincent Andrews maintains Albemarle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>) with a Underweight and lowers the price target from $73 to $68.

Morgan Stanley Maintains Underweight on Albemarle, Lowers Price Target to $68

Scotiabank analyst Ben Isaacson maintains Albemarle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>) with a Sector Perform and lowers the price target from $85 to $75.

Scotiabank Maintains Sector Perform on Albemarle, Lowers Price Target to $75

Keybanc analyst Aleksey Yefremov maintains Albemarle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $127 to $122.

Keybanc Maintains Overweight on Albemarle, Lowers Price Target to $122

Truist Securities analyst Peter Osterland maintains Albemarle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>) with a Hold and lowers the price target from $96 to $85.

Truist Securities Maintains Hold on Albemarle, Lowers Price Target to $85

Throughout the last three months, 4 analysts have evaluated Albemarle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>), offering a diverse set of opinions from bullish to bearish.
The table below offers a condensed view of their recent ratings, showcasing the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts' evaluations of 12-month price targets offer additional insights, showcasing an average target of $97.5, with a high estimate of $105.00 and a low estimate of $86.00. This upward trend is evident, with the current average reflecting a 1.56% increase from the previous average price target of $96.00.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1739473220_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Decoding Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Look</h2>
The analysis of recent analyst actions sheds light on the perception of Albemarle by financial experts. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Joshua Spector</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$86.00</td>
<td>$99.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Peter Osterland</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$96.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Roberts</td>
<td>Mizuho</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ben Kallo</td>
<td>Baird</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$103.00</td>
<td>$79.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Albemarle. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analysts unravel qualitative evaluations for stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings offer insights into expectations for the relative performance of Albemarle compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts navigate through adjustments in price targets, providing estimates for Albemarle's future value. Comparing current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
To gain a panoramic view of Albemarle's market performance, explore these analyst evaluations alongside essential financial indicators. Stay informed and make judicious decisions using our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ALB/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Albemarle analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Get to Know Albemarle Better</h2>
Albemarle is one of the world's largest lithium producers. In the lithium industry, the majority of demand comes from batteries, where lithium is used as the energy storage material, particularly in electric vehicles. Albemarle is a fully integrated lithium producer. Its upstream resources include salt brine deposits in Chile and the US and two hard rock mines in Australia, both of which are joint ventures. The company operates lithium refining plants in Chile, the US, Australia, and China. Albemarle is a global leader in the production of bromine, used in flame retardants. It is also a major producer of oil refining catalysts.
<h3>Albemarle: Delving into Financials</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization reflects a smaller scale relative to peers. This could be attributed to factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Revenue Challenges: Albemarle's revenue growth over 3 months faced difficulties. As of 30 September, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately -41.37%. This indicates a decrease in top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Materials sector.
Net Margin: Albemarle's net margin is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of -81.99%, the company may encounter challenges in effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of -13.07%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): Albemarle's ROA falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of -6.2%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns from its assets.
Debt Management: Albemarle's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average at 0.45, reflecting a lower dependency on debt financing and a more conservative financial approach.
<h2>The Core of Analyst Ratings: What Every Investor Should Know</h2>
Experts in banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their comprehensive research involves attending company conference calls and meetings, analyzing financial statements, and engaging with insiders to generate what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Analysts may enhance their evaluations by incorporating forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, delivering additional guidance to investors. It is vital to acknowledge that, although experts in stocks and sectors, analysts are human and express their opinions when providing insights.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Assessing Albemarle: Insights From 4 Financial Analysts

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