Free cash flow
Albemarle Free cash flow increased by 6.2% to $247.57M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 32.1%, from $364.58M to $247.57M. Over 3 years (FY 2021 to FY 2024), Free cash flow shows a downward trend with a 17.0% CAGR. This is a positive signal — higher values indicate stronger performance for this metric.
Analysis
How to read this metric
An increase suggests improved operational efficiency or reduced capital intensity, providing more flexibility for capital allocation. A decrease may indicate higher investment in R&D or infrastructure, or potential challenges in converting earnings into cash.
Detailed definition
Free cash flow represents the cash generated by a company after accounting for cash outflows to support operations and m...
Peer comparison
Large-cap medical device and pharmaceutical peers typically maintain strong, positive free cash flow, though levels vary based on the intensity of R&D spending and the lifecycle stage of major product lines.
free_cash_flowHistorical Data
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $0.00 | -$151.09M | -$447.26M | -$25.52M | -$416.77M | $581.96M | $511.10M | $305.37M | -$429.98M | -$206.99M | -$786.31M | -$485.56M | -$83.89M | -$76.02M | -$347.19M | $364.58M | $223.44M | $233.10M | $247.57M |
| QoQ Change | — | — | -196.0% | +94.3% | <-999% | +239.6% | -12.2% | -40.3% | -240.8% | +51.9% | -279.9% | +38.2% | +82.7% | +9.4% | -356.7% | +205.0% | -38.7% | +4.3% | +6.2% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | — | +485.2% | +214.3% | >999% | -3.2% | -135.6% | -253.8% | -259.0% | +80.5% | +63.3% | +55.8% | +175.1% | +393.9% | +167.1% | -32.1% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Albemarle's free cash flow?
- Albemarle (ALB) reported free cash flow of $247.57M in Q1 2026.
- How has Albemarle's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- Albemarle's free cash flow decreased by 32.1% year-over-year, from $364.58M to $247.57M.
- What is the long-term trend for Albemarle's free cash flow?
- Over 3 years (2021 to 2024), Albemarle's free cash flow has grown at a 17.0% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from -$620.08M to -$992.65M.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.