Albemarle Reports First Quarter 2025 Results
CHARLOTTE, N.C.,
First-Quarter
2025 and Recent Highlights
(Unless otherwise stated, all percentage changes represent year-over-year comparisons)
- Net sales of
$1.1 billion , with double-digit volume growth in Specialties (+11%) and record Energy Storage lithium salt production from the company's integrated conversion network - Net income of
$41 million , or ($0.00 ) per diluted share attributable to common shareholders; adjusted diluted loss per share attributable to common shareholders of ($0.18 ) - Adjusted EBITDA of
$267 million ; year-over-year gains in Specialties (+30%) and Ketjen (+76%) - Cash from operations of
$545 million , which included a$350 million customer prepayment; excluding the prepayment, operating cash flow conversion(a) was 73%; line of sight to breakeven free cash flow assuming current lithium market pricing - Through April, achieved approximately 90% run-rate against midpoint
$350 million cost and productivity improvement target; identified opportunities to reach high-end of the$300 to$400 million range - Maintaining full-year 2025 outlook considerations, including ranges based on recently observed lithium market price scenarios; ranges include the anticipated direct impact of tariffs announced as of
April 29, 2025
(a) Defined as Operating Cash Flow divided by Adj. EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure. See Non-GAAP Reconciliations for further details. |
"Our business continues to perform in line with our outlook considerations, including first-quarter adjusted EBITDA of
First Quarter 2025 Results
In millions, except per share amounts |
Q1 2025 |
|
Q1 2024 |
|
$ Change |
|
% Change |
Net sales |
$ 1,076.9 |
|
$ 1,360.7 |
|
$ (283.9) |
|
(20.9) % |
Net income attributable to |
$ 41.3 |
|
$ 2.4 |
|
$ 38.9 |
|
1,620.8 % |
Adjusted EBITDA(a) |
$ 267.1 |
|
$ 291.2 |
|
$ (24.1) |
|
(8.3) % |
Diluted loss per share attributable to common |
$ (0.00) |
|
$ (0.08) |
|
$ 0.08 |
|
(100.0) % |
Non-recurring and other unusual items(a) |
(0.18) |
|
0.34 |
|
|
|
|
Adjusted diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable |
$ (0.18) |
|
$ 0.26 |
|
$ (0.44) |
|
(169.2) % |
|
(a) See Non-GAAP Reconciliations for further details. |
(b) Totals may not add due to rounding. |
Net sales for the first quarter of 2025 were
The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2025 was 21.0% compared to 2.2% in the same period of 2024. On an adjusted basis, the effective income tax rates were (42.8)% and (12.4)% for the first quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively, with the decrease primarily due to changes in geographic income mix and the impact of tax valuation allowances in
Energy Storage Results
In millions |
Q1 2025 |
|
Q1 2024 |
|
$ Change |
|
% Change |
|
$ 524.6 |
|
$ 800.9 |
|
$ (276.3) |
|
(34.5) % |
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ 186.4 |
|
$ 198.0 |
|
$ (11.6) |
|
(5.9) % |
Energy Storage net sales for the first quarter of 2025 were
Specialties Results
In millions |
Q1 2025 |
|
Q1 2024 |
|
$ Change |
|
% Change |
|
$ 321.0 |
|
$ 316.1 |
|
$ 4.9 |
|
1.6 % |
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ 58.7 |
|
$ 45.2 |
|
$ 13.5 |
|
29.8 % |
Specialties net sales for the first quarter of 2025 were
Ketjen Results
In millions |
Q1 2025 |
|
Q1 2024 |
|
$ Change |
|
% Change |
|
$ 231.3 |
|
$ 243.8 |
|
$ (12.5) |
|
(5.1) % |
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ 38.6 |
|
$ 22.0 |
|
$ 16.6 |
|
75.6 % |
Ketjen net sales for the first quarter of 2025 were
2025 Outlook Considerations
Total Corporate Outlook Considerations are Unchanged
The table below reflects expected outcomes for the total company based on recently observed lithium market price scenarios, unchanged from the prior quarter. Ranges include the anticipated direct impact of announced tariffs as of
|
Total Corporate FY 2025E Including Energy Storage Scenarios |
||
Observed market price case(a) |
YE 2024 |
H1 2024 range |
Q4 2023 average |
Average lithium market price ($/kg LCE)(a) |
|
|
|
Net sales |
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Price represents blend of relevant market pricing including spot and regional indices for the periods referenced. |
(b) |
The company does not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP, as the company is unable to estimate significant non-recurring or unusual items without unreasonable effort. See "Additional information regarding Non-GAAP Measures" for more information. |
Energy Storage Market Price Scenarios
|
Energy Storage FY 2025E |
||
Observed market price case(a) |
YE 2024 |
H1 2024 range |
Q4 2023 average |
Average lithium market price ($/kg LCE)(a) |
|
|
|
Net sales |
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
|
|
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Price represents blend of relevant market pricing including spot and regional indices for the periods referenced. |
(b) |
Included in adjusted EBITDA on a pre-tax basis. |
Specialties and Ketjen Outlook Considerations
Specialties outlook reflects modest volume growth in key end markets led by pharma, automotive, and oilfield, partially offset by weakness in building and construction.
Ketjen outlook assumes favorable product revenue mix, lower input costs and the continuation of its turnaround plan execution.
|
Segment FY 2025E |
Specialties net sales |
|
Specialties adjusted EBITDA |
|
Ketjen net sales |
|
Ketjen adjusted EBITDA |
|
Other Corporate Outlook Considerations
|
Other Corporate FY 2025E |
Capital expenditures |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
Adjusted effective tax rate(a) |
(40%) - 25% |
Corporate costs(b) |
|
Interest and financing expenses |
|
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (diluted) |
118 million |
|
(a) Adjusted effective tax rate dependent on lithium market prices and geographic income mix |
(b) FY 2025E outlook includes FX impact year to date |
Cash Flow and Capital Deployment
Cash from operations of
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
As of
Earnings Call
Date: |
|
Time: |
|
Dial-in ( |
1-800-590-8290 |
Dial-in (International): |
1-240-690-8800 |
Conference ID: |
ALBQ1 |
The company's earnings presentation and supporting material are available on Albemarle's website at https://investors.albemarle.com.
About
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements concerning our expectations, anticipations and beliefs regarding the future, which constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, which are based on assumptions that we have made as of the date hereof and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, often contain words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "guidance," "intend," "may," "outlook," "scenario," "should," "would," and "will". Forward-looking statements may include statements regarding: our 2025 company and segment outlooks, including expected market pricing of lithium and spodumene and other underlying assumptions and outlook considerations; expected capital expenditure amounts and the corresponding impact on cash flow; expected impact of tariffs and other trade restrictions; market pricing of lithium carbonate equivalent and spodumene; plans and expectations regarding other projects and activities, cost reductions and accounting charges, and all other information relating to matters that are not historical facts. Factors that could cause
|
|||
|
Three Months Ended |
||
|
|
||
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
Net sales |
|
|
|
Cost of goods sold |
920,582 |
|
1,321,798 |
Gross profit |
156,299 |
|
38,938 |
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
123,502 |
|
161,376 |
Restructuring charges and asset write-offs |
(1,063) |
|
33,536 |
Research and development expenses |
14,099 |
|
23,532 |
Operating profit (loss) |
19,761 |
|
(179,506) |
Interest and financing expenses |
(48,977) |
|
(37,969) |
Other income, net |
10,250 |
|
49,901 |
Loss before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments |
(18,966) |
|
(167,574) |
Income tax benefit |
(3,978) |
|
(3,721) |
Loss before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments |
(14,988) |
|
(163,853) |
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax) |
64,286 |
|
180,500 |
Net income |
49,298 |
|
16,647 |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(7,950) |
|
(14,199) |
Net income attributable to |
41,348 |
|
2,448 |
Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends |
(41,688) |
|
(11,584) |
Net loss attributable to |
$ (340) |
|
$ (9,136) |
Basic loss per share attributable to common shareholders |
$ (0.00) |
|
$ (0.08) |
Diluted loss per share attributable to common shareholders |
$ (0.00) |
|
$ (0.08) |
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic |
117,603 |
|
117,451 |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted |
117,603 |
|
117,451 |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
ASSETS |
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ 1,518,511 |
|
$ 1,192,230 |
Trade accounts receivable |
670,775 |
|
742,201 |
Other accounts receivable |
137,080 |
|
238,384 |
Inventories |
1,656,365 |
|
1,502,531 |
Other current assets |
124,551 |
|
166,916 |
Total current assets |
4,107,282 |
|
3,842,262 |
Property, plant and equipment |
12,660,018 |
|
12,523,368 |
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
3,356,979 |
|
3,191,898 |
Net property, plant and equipment |
9,303,039 |
|
9,331,470 |
Investments |
1,124,777 |
|
1,117,739 |
Other assets |
628,277 |
|
504,711 |
|
1,606,144 |
|
1,582,714 |
Other intangibles, net of amortization |
229,739 |
|
230,753 |
Total assets |
$ 16,999,258 |
|
$ 16,609,649 |
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
Accounts payable to third parties |
$ 778,658 |
|
$ 793,455 |
Accounts payable to related parties |
139,296 |
|
150,432 |
Accrued expenses |
379,871 |
|
467,997 |
Current portion of long-term debt |
410,477 |
|
398,023 |
Dividends payable |
61,312 |
|
61,282 |
Income taxes payable |
174,779 |
|
95,275 |
Total current liabilities |
1,944,393 |
|
1,966,464 |
Long-term debt |
3,128,655 |
|
3,118,142 |
Postretirement benefits |
31,908 |
|
31,930 |
Pension benefits |
115,846 |
|
116,192 |
Other noncurrent liabilities |
1,125,943 |
|
819,204 |
Deferred income taxes |
378,171 |
|
358,029 |
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
|
Equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock |
1,177 |
|
1,176 |
Mandatory convertible preferred stock |
2,235,105 |
|
2,235,105 |
Additional paid-in capital |
2,991,389 |
|
2,985,606 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(633,136) |
|
(742,062) |
Retained earnings |
5,433,704 |
|
5,481,692 |
|
10,028,239 |
|
9,961,517 |
Noncontrolling interests |
246,103 |
|
238,171 |
Total equity |
10,274,342 |
|
10,199,688 |
Total liabilities and equity |
$ 16,999,258 |
|
$ 16,609,649 |
|
|||
|
Three Months Ended
|
||
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
$ 1,192,230 |
|
$ 889,900 |
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
Net income |
49,298 |
|
16,647 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
161,754 |
|
123,751 |
Stock-based compensation and other |
6,966 |
|
9,317 |
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax) |
(64,286) |
|
(180,500) |
Dividends received from unconsolidated investments and nonmarketable |
60,335 |
|
50,756 |
Pension and postretirement expense |
1,696 |
|
1,273 |
Pension and postretirement contributions |
(5,196) |
|
(4,824) |
Realized loss on investments in marketable securities |
— |
|
33,746 |
Unrealized loss on investments in marketable securities |
5,331 |
|
6,737 |
Deferred income taxes |
(5,669) |
|
116,447 |
Working capital changes |
(21,992) |
|
(52,320) |
Noncurrent liability changes and other, net |
357,146 |
|
(23,076) |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
545,383 |
|
97,954 |
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
Capital expenditures |
(182,624) |
|
(579,322) |
Sales of marketable securities, net |
3,381 |
|
84,893 |
Investments in equity investments and nonmarketable securities |
(60) |
|
(74) |
Net cash used in investing activities |
(179,303) |
|
(494,503) |
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of mandatory convertible preferred stock |
— |
|
2,236,750 |
Repayments of long-term debt and credit agreements |
(9,615) |
|
(29,019) |
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt and credit agreements |
— |
|
29,019 |
Other debt repayments, net |
(1,195) |
|
(620,753) |
Dividends paid to common shareholders |
(47,607) |
|
(46,908) |
Dividends paid to mandatory convertible preferred shareholders |
(41,688) |
|
— |
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests |
(18,169) |
|
— |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
1,186 |
|
86 |
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions |
(2,904) |
|
(10,619) |
Other |
(14) |
|
(1,256) |
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
(120,006) |
|
1,557,300 |
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents |
80,207 |
|
5,162 |
Increase in cash and cash equivalents |
326,281 |
|
1,165,913 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ 1,518,511 |
|
$ 2,055,813 |
|
|||
|
Three Months Ended |
||
|
|
||
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
Net sales: |
|
|
|
Energy Storage |
$ 524,565 |
|
$ 800,898 |
Specialties |
321,014 |
|
316,065 |
Ketjen |
231,302 |
|
243,773 |
Total net sales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA: |
|
|
|
Energy Storage |
$ 186,355 |
|
$ 197,996 |
Specialties |
58,666 |
|
45,181 |
Ketjen |
38,588 |
|
21,979 |
Total segment adjusted EBITDA |
283,609 |
|
265,156 |
Corporate |
(16,465) |
|
26,080 |
Total adjusted EBITDA |
$ 267,144 |
|
$ 291,236 |
See accompanying non-GAAP reconciliations below.
Additional Information regarding Non-GAAP Measures
It should be noted that adjusted net income attributable to
A description of other non-GAAP financial measures that
Non-GAAP Reconciliations
(Unaudited)
See below for a reconciliation of adjusted net income attributable to
|
Three Months Ended |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
||||
In thousands, except percentages and per share amounts |
$ |
|
% of |
|
$ |
|
% of |
Net income attributable to |
|
|
|
|
$ 2,448 |
|
|
Add back: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-operating pension and OPEB items (net of tax) |
125 |
|
|
|
(351) |
|
|
Non-recurring and other unusual items (net of tax) |
(21,200) |
|
|
|
40,044 |
|
|
Adjusted net income attributable to |
20,273 |
|
|
|
42,141 |
|
|
Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends |
(41,688) |
|
|
|
(11,584) |
|
|
Adjusted net (loss) income attributable to |
|
|
|
|
$ 30,557 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders |
$ (0.18) |
|
|
|
$ 0.26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted |
117,603 |
|
|
|
117,451 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable to |
|
|
3.8 % |
|
$ 2,448 |
|
0.2 % |
Add back: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and financing expenses |
48,977 |
|
4.5 % |
|
37,969 |
|
2.8 % |
Income tax (benefit) |
(3,978) |
|
(0.4) % |
|
(3,721) |
|
(0.3) % |
Depreciation and amortization |
161,754 |
|
15.0 % |
|
123,751 |
|
9.1 % |
EBITDA |
248,101 |
|
23.0 % |
|
160,447 |
|
11.8 % |
Proportionate share of |
25,326 |
|
2.4 % |
|
73,689 |
|
5.4 % |
Non-operating pension and OPEB items |
275 |
|
— % |
|
(325) |
|
— % |
Non-recurring and other unusual items |
(6,558) |
|
(0.6) % |
|
57,425 |
|
4.2 % |
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
|
24.8 % |
|
|
|
21.4 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales |
$ 1,076,881 |
|
|
|
$ 1,360,736 |
|
|
Non-operating pension and OPEB items, consisting of mark-to-market actuarial gains/losses, settlements/curtailments, interest cost and expected return on assets, are not allocated to
|
Three Months Ended |
||
|
|
||
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
Interest cost |
$ 8,810 |
|
$ 8,505 |
Expected return on assets |
(8,535) |
|
(8,830) |
Total |
$ 275 |
|
$ (325) |
In addition to the non-operating pension and OPEB items disclosed above, the company has identified certain other items and excluded them from
|
Three Months Ended |
||
|
|
||
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
Restructuring charges and asset write-offs(1) |
$ (0.02) |
|
$ 0.23 |
Acquisition and integration related costs(2) |
0.01 |
|
0.01 |
Loss in fair value of public equity securities(3) |
0.03 |
|
0.35 |
Other(4) |
(0.08) |
|
(0.15) |
Tax related items(5) |
(0.12) |
|
(0.10) |
Total non-recurring and other unusual items |
$ (0.18) |
|
$ 0.34 |
|
|
|
(1) |
The Company took several actions during 2024 as part of a broader effort that will focus on preserving its world-class resource advantages, optimizing its global conversion network, improving the Company's cost competitiveness and efficiency, reducing capital intensity and enhancing the Company's financial flexibility. Those actions included stopping construction of Kemerton Trains 3 and 4, as well as certain other capital projects, placing Kemerton Train 2 in care and maintenance and transitioning the Company's operating structure to a fully integrated functional model (excluding Ketjen). Subsequently, in early 2025, the Company announced its additional decision to put the |
|
|
|
|
(2) |
Costs related to the acquisition, integration and divestitures for various significant projects, recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended |
|
|
|
|
(3) |
Loss of |
|
|
|
|
(4) |
Other adjustments for the three months ended |
|
|
• |
Selling, general and administrative expenses - |
• |
Other income, net - |
|
After income taxes, these net gains totaled |
||
|
||
Other adjustments for the three months ended |
||
• |
Cost of goods sold - |
|
• |
Selling, general and administrative expenses - |
|
• |
Other income, net - |
|
|
After income taxes, these net gains totaled |
|
|
|
|
(5) |
Included in Income tax benefit for the three months ended |
|
|
|
|
|
Included in Income tax benefit for the three months ended |
See below for a reconciliation of the adjusted effective income tax rate, the non-GAAP financial measure, to the effective income tax rate, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and reporting in accordance with GAAP (in thousands, except percentages).
|
(Loss) income |
|
Income tax (benefit) |
|
Effective income tax |
Three months ended |
|
|
|
|
|
As reported |
$ (18,966) |
|
$ (3,978) |
|
21.0 % |
Non-recurring, other unusual and non-operating pension and OPEB |
(6,283) |
|
14,792 |
|
|
As adjusted |
$ (25,249) |
|
$ 10,814 |
|
(42.8) % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|
|
|
As reported |
$ (167,574) |
|
$ (3,721) |
|
2.2 % |
Non-recurring, other unusual and non-operating pension and OPEB |
57,100 |
|
17,407 |
|
|
As adjusted |
$ (110,474) |
|
$ 13,686 |
|
(12.4) % |
See below for the calculation of operating cash flow conversion, which the Company defines as Net cash provided by operating activities from the statement of cash flows divided by adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure. A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA, the non-GAAP financial measure, from net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and reporting in accordance with GAAP, is provided in the above tables (in thousands, except percentages).
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ 545,383 |
Less: Customer prepayment |
350,000 |
Net cash provided by operating activities excluding customer prepayment |
$ 195,383 |
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ 267,144 |
|
|
Operating cash flow conversion |
204 % |
Operating cash flow conversion excluding customer prepayment |
73 % |
Contact: |
|
1.980.299.5700 |
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