Albemarle's Trading Volume Plunges 37% to 331st on NYSE Amid UBS Upgrade and Institutional Buy-In

On August 28, 2025, Albemarle (ALB) closed at $85.00, down 3.15% from the previous day, with a trading volume of $300 million, a 36.98% decline compared to the prior session. This marked a significant drop in liquidity, ranking the stock 331st in trading activity on the NYSE.

UBS upgraded Albemarle’s rating to “neutral” from “sell” and raised its price target to $89, reflecting optimism about China’s efforts to stabilize lithium supply. The firm projected a 20% price increase for lithium by 2026, driven by reduced production at 10 Chinese sites, potentially cutting oversupply by 6%. This analysis underscored confidence in Albemarle’s exposure to lithium markets despite near-term volatility.

Institutional investors also signaled support. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. increased its stake by 9.9%, holding 37,021 shares valued at $2.65 million. Other firms, including WealthPlan Investment Management and Grandfield & Dodd LLC, added to their positions in the first quarter, collectively reinforcing institutional confidence in the company’s strategic direction.

Analyst sentiment remained mixed. While UBS and JPMorgan raised price targets, others like Wells Fargo and Piper Sandler maintained cautious stances. The stock carries a consensus “reduce” rating, with a median target of $90.67, highlighting diverging views on its short-term trajectory amid broader market uncertainty.

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