The king of the lithium industry returns! American Albemarle (ALB.US) follows the surge in lithium prices, with Q1 profits crushing expectations.

According to the Wise Finance APP, in the first quarter of 2026, the world's largest lithium producer, American Albemarle Corporation (ALB.US), announced with a much higher-than-expected report that the lithium industry is officially coming out of its low point. The chemical giant, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, reported a net profit of $319.1 million in the first quarter, or $2.34 per share, compared to just $49.3 million in the same period last year, which was equivalent to break-even per share. Excluding one-time items, adjusted earnings per share reached $2.95, far exceeding the analyst average forecast of $1.09 reported by LSEG.