Bank of America 13F: Cuts Albemarle (ALB) Stake by $4.6M
Bank of America has trimmed its position in Albemarle Corporation, reflecting a strategic adjustment in its investment portfolio.
Reviewed by automated data checks against the source filing. How we make and check alerts
Bank of America sold 33,986 shares from its stake in Albemarle Corporation ($ALB), a 1.13% decrease, according to a 13F filing with the SEC dated May 18, 2026. It reported 2,976,335 shares worth $398.65 million at the end of the quarter.
Since the filing, $ALB is down 0.6% after 1 week, down 5.0% after 1 month and down 45.4% to date (from the $174.70 close on May 18, 2026).
Key Points
- Bank of America trimmed its stake in Albemarle Corporation by 33,986 shares, reducing its total holdings to 2,976,335 shares valued at about $398.7 million as of May 18, 2026.
- Albemarle's stock was trading at $133.94, significantly above its 52-week low of $79.30, and has shown a revenue growth of 31.1% year-over-year.
- The company's next earnings report is scheduled for November 4, 2026, and analysts maintain a consensus recommendation of 'buy' with a mean price target of $171.56.
Get $ALB trade alerts by text
We text you when insiders, Congress or big funds trade $ALB. Free.
Not investment advice. TradeTexts is not a registered investment adviser, and this automated Albemarle Corporation alert may contain errors. Disclosures
Bank of America Cuts Its Albemarle Holdings
Bank of America has trimmed its stake in Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB) by 33,986 shares, reducing its total holdings to 2,976,335 shares valued at approximately $398.7 million, according to its latest Form 13F filing with the SEC. This filing reflects the fund's position as of May 18, 2026.
Understanding the Recent Move
The reduction in shares marks about a 1.1% decrease from Bank of America's previous holdings of 3,010,321 shares. The reported value of the stake now stands at $398.7 million, based on a cost basis of $148.93 per share. This strategic adjustment indicates a shift in the fund's investment approach, although it still maintains a substantial position in the company.
Institutional Activity in the Sector
No other funds reported changes in their positions regarding Albemarle Corporation at this time. The absence of peer activity highlights Bank of America's unique stance in adjusting its holdings amid the specialty chemicals sector's fluctuations.
Stock Performance Overview
As of the publication date, Albemarle's stock was trading at $133.94, which is well above its 52-week low of $79.30. The stock has shown resilience and growth potential, having increased its revenue by 31.1% year-over-year. This performance may reflect broader market trends and the company's strong position in the energy storage solutions sector.
Recent Earnings
Albemarle Corporation reported revenue of approximately $5.91 billion, with a net margin of 3.8% and an ROE of 2.6%. The company's next earnings report is scheduled for November 4, 2026, which investors will likely watch closely to gauge future performance.
Earnings drift grade
Outlook vs expectations on the last report — not price action.
-
Forward outlook
8 analysts raised price targets.
-
EPS & revenue
EPS beat estimates by 166.8%. Revenue beat estimates by 7.2%.
-
Profit surprise
EBITDA missed by 36 percent. Operating income beat by 41 percent.
-
Pre-earnings setup
Expectations were about average.
-
Analyst signal
8 target raises.
-
Earnings quality
Gross margin up 20.7 points. Operating margin up 14.7 points. Positive free cash flow.
Earnings Call Summary
Albemarle had a strong first quarter with $1.43 billion in revenue, up 33 percent from last year, and $664 million in adjusted earnings, more than double the prior year. The company benefited from higher lithium prices (up 51 percent), increased volumes in Energy Storage of 14 percent, and successful cost cutting that saved $40 million so far this year. The company paid down $1.3 billion of debt, improving its financial flexibility, and generated $248 million in free cash flow in the quarter.
Guidance Management raised their full year outlook for the Specialties business, now expecting between $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion in sales and $225 million to $275 million in adjusted earnings. They kept their Energy Storage outlook unchanged despite supply chain disruptions from the Middle East, estimating the cost impact at $70 million to $90 million. The company expects to offset these costs through lower interest expense from debt paydown and better than expected Specialties pricing and volumes.
Good report. The company beat and showed some forward improvement, with a few meaningful caveats.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
On October 15, 2026, RBC Capital maintained its 'Outperform' rating for Albemarle with a price target of $129.00, down from a prior target of $157.00. Mizuho upgraded its rating to 'Outperform' with a target of $130.00 on October 14, 2026. Additionally, Barclays initiated coverage with an 'Equal-Weight' rating and a target of $109.00 on October 13, 2026. The consensus recommendation remains a 'buy' with a mean price target of $171.56 based on 20 analyst opinions.
About Albemarle Corporation
Albemarle Corporation provides energy storage solutions globally, focusing on lithium compounds for batteries in consumer electronics and electric vehicles. The company operates through three segments: Energy Storage, Specialties, and Ketjen, serving various industries from automotive to pharmaceuticals.
What's Ahead for Albemarle Corporation
Investors should keep an eye on the upcoming earnings report on November 4, 2026, as it will provide further insights into the company's performance. Remember that this filing reflects holdings as of May 18, 2026, and may not represent Bank of America's current position.
Source: Bank of America's 13F filing on $ALB (May 18, 2026). 13F filings show holdings as of the end of the reporting quarter and may not reflect the fund's current position. Find the original filing: Bank of America 13F filings on SEC EDGAR. Written by software, not financial advice. How we make alerts