Albermarle Corp. Announces Cost-Cutting Measures

Shares of Albermarle Corp. (ALB, -0.08%) rose 1.4% in premarket trading Wednesday, following the specialty chemical company's announcement of cost-cutting actions aimed at enhancing cash flow in response to changing market conditions, particularly in the lithium value chain.

Reducing Costs for Long-Term Stability

Albermarle Corp. plans to reduce costs by approximately $95 million per year through various measures, including expense reduction and downsizing its workforce. The company aims to achieve over $50 million in savings by 2024.

Streamlining Capital Expenditures

In addition to cutting costs, Albermarle Corp. also expects to decrease its capital expenditures for the year 2024. The company anticipates capital spending to fall within the range of $1.6 billion to $1.8 billion, compared to $2.1 billion in 2023.

Recording a Charge in Q1

While the specifics of the charge were not disclosed, as a result of these corrective actions, Albermarle Corp. will incur a charge in the first quarter.

Chief Executive Kent Masters expressed that these strategic actions will not only pave the way for near-term growth but also safeguard future opportunities in their key end-markets.

Market Performance

Over the past three months, Albermarle Corp.'s stock has experienced a decline of 25.7%. In contrast, the S&P 500 (SPX, -0.37%) has seen a 9% increase during the same period.