Stock Analysis on Net

Albemarle Corp. (NYSE:ALB)

$22.49

This company has been moved to the archive! The financial data has not been updated since May 3, 2023.

Economic Value Added (EVA)

Microsoft Excel

EVA is registered trademark of Stern Stewart.

Economic value added or economic profit is the difference between revenues and costs,where costs include not only expenses, but also cost of capital.

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Economic Profit

Albemarle Corp., economic profit calculation

US$ in thousands

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1
Cost of capital2
Invested capital3
 
Economic profit4

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).

1 NOPAT. See details »

2 Cost of capital. See details »

3 Invested capital. See details »

4 2022 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= × =


The financial performance between 2018 and 2022 is characterized by a prolonged period of economic value destruction followed by a sharp recovery and a transition to value creation in the final year.

Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
A steady decline in NOPAT is observed from 2018 to 2021, with figures decreasing from US$ 827.2 million to a low of US$ 230.4 million. This downward trend was abruptly reversed in 2022, when NOPAT surged to US$ 3,022.0 million, indicating a massive increase in operational efficiency or market demand.
Cost of Capital
The cost of capital exhibited relative stability, fluctuating within a range of 18.00% to 21.93%. After a dip in 2019, a gradual upward trajectory is noted, peaking at 21.93% in 2022, which suggests an increasing hurdle rate for the company's investments.
Invested Capital
The capital base expanded significantly over the period, growing from US$ 5.43 billion in 2018 to US$ 10.05 billion in 2022. Despite a slight reduction in 2021, the overall trend indicates a substantial increase in the resources deployed into the business.
Economic Profit
Economic profit remained negative for four consecutive years, indicating that the returns generated were insufficient to cover the cost of capital. This value destruction intensified annually, reaching its lowest point in 2021 at negative US$ 1.22 billion. However, 2022 marked a pivotal turnaround, with economic profit shifting to a positive US$ 817.9 million.

The reversal from consistent economic losses to a significant profit in 2022 was driven by the exponential growth in NOPAT, which successfully overcame the combined pressure of a larger invested capital base and a rising cost of capital.


Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Albemarle Corp., NOPAT calculation

US$ in thousands

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts2
Increase (decrease) in LIFO reserve3
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents4
Interest and financing expenses
Interest expense, operating lease liability5
Adjusted interest and financing expenses
Tax benefit of interest and financing expenses6
Adjusted interest and financing expenses, after taxes7
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).

1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »

2 Addition of increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts.

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in LIFO reserve. See details »

4 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation.

5 2022 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

6 2022 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest and financing expenses = Adjusted interest and financing expenses × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

7 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation.


Net Income Attributable to Albemarle Corporation
The net income showed a declining trend from 2018 to 2021, decreasing from approximately 693.6 million USD in 2018 to 123.7 million USD in 2021. This represents a substantial drop over four years. However, in 2022, there was a significant and notable rebound, with net income reaching approximately 2.69 billion USD, marking an exceptional increase compared to previous years.
Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
NOPAT followed a similar pattern to net income over the observed period. From 2018 to 2021, NOPAT steadily decreased from around 827.2 million USD to 230.4 million USD, indicating a reduction in operating profitability after taxes. In 2022, there was a strong recovery, with NOPAT rising to approximately 3.02 billion USD, which surpasses all previous years by a wide margin.
Overall Trend Analysis
Both net income and NOPAT experienced a clear downward trend during the period from 2018 to 2021, reflecting challenges that negatively impacted profitability. The drastic improvement in 2022 suggests a significant positive change in the company's operational performance or market conditions, resulting in substantially higher earnings and operating profits. This marked turnaround may warrant further investigation into underlying drivers, such as changes in revenue, cost structure, or market factors.

Cash Operating Taxes

Albemarle Corp., cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in thousands

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Income tax expense
Less: Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Add: Tax savings from interest and financing expenses
Cash operating taxes

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).


Income Tax Expense
The income tax expense shows a decreasing trend from 2018 to 2021, moving from 144,826 thousand US dollars in 2018 down to 29,446 thousand US dollars in 2021. This represents a significant reduction over the four-year period. However, in 2022, the income tax expense sharply increased to 390,588 thousand US dollars, indicating a reversal of the previous downward trend and a substantial rise compared to all prior years in the dataset.
Cash Operating Taxes
Cash operating taxes decreased steadily from 107,671 thousand US dollars in 2018 to 72,906 thousand US dollars in 2020. There was a slight increase in 2021, with cash operating taxes rising to 82,002 thousand US dollars. In 2022, there was a notable surge to 324,092 thousand US dollars, mirroring the sharp increase seen in income tax expense for the same year. Overall, the trend from 2018 through 2021 was downward with a peak drop in 2020, followed by a steep upward movement in 2022.
Summary of Tax-Related Expenses
Both income tax expense and cash operating taxes generally declined from 2018 through 2021, reaching their lowest values in 2021. The year 2022, however, saw a pronounced increase in these tax-related costs, with figures markedly higher than previous years. This substantial rise in 2022 may reflect changes in taxable income, tax rates, or other external factors affecting the company's tax obligations in that period.

Invested Capital

Albemarle Corp., invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in thousands

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Current portion of long-term debt
Long-term debt, excluding current portion
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Allowance for doubtful accounts3
LIFO reserve4
Equity equivalents5
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax6
Noncontrolling interests
Adjusted total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity
Construction in progress7
Marketable securities8
Invested capital

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).

1 Addition of capitalized operating leases.

2 Elimination of deferred taxes from assets and liabilities. See details »

3 Addition of allowance for doubtful accounts receivable.

4 Addition of LIFO reserve. See details »

5 Addition of equity equivalents to total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity.

6 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

7 Subtraction of construction in progress.

8 Subtraction of marketable securities.


Total reported debt & leases
The total reported debt and leases exhibit a fluctuating pattern over the analyzed period. Starting from approximately 1.84 billion at the end of 2018, the debt level increased substantially to about 3.19 billion by the end of 2019, marking a notable escalation. This upward trend continued into 2020, reaching roughly 3.71 billion, before experiencing a decline to around 2.55 billion in 2021. However, in 2022, the debt surged again, rising to approximately 3.35 billion. Overall, this indicates periods of increased leveraging interspersed with some reduction, pointing to possible strategic financing adjustments or capital restructuring during these years.
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity
Shareholders’ equity showed a consistent upward trajectory throughout the five-year span. Beginning with about 3.59 billion at the end of 2018, equity rose steadily each year, reaching approximately 7.98 billion by the end of 2022. The rate of increase became more pronounced in the later years, particularly from 2021 to 2022, suggesting strong retention of earnings and/or additional equity financing. This growth in equity signifies an improvement in the company's net asset base and financial strength, supporting sustainable long-term operations.
Invested capital
Invested capital also demonstrated an overall increasing trend, albeit with some variability. Starting at about 5.43 billion in 2018, it increased to roughly 6.90 billion in 2019 and 7.38 billion in 2020. In 2021, there was a noticeable decline to approximately 6.79 billion, before a significant jump to about 10.05 billion in 2022. The sharp increase in the final year suggests substantial new investments or acquisitions that expanded the company’s capital base. Fluctuations in invested capital correspond closely with changes in debt and equity, reflecting shifts in funding strategy and capital deployment over time.

Cost of Capital

Albemarle Corp., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31).

1 US$ in thousands

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 US$ in thousands

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).

1 US$ in thousands

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 US$ in thousands

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Long-term debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).

1 US$ in thousands

2 Equity. See details »

3 Long-term debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

Albemarle Corp., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands)
Economic profit1
Invested capital2
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3
Benchmarks
Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4
Linde plc
Sherwin-Williams Co.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 Invested capital. See details »

3 2022 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =

4 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The financial performance between 2018 and 2022 is characterized by a prolonged period of economic value destruction followed by a significant recovery in the final year. From 2018 to 2021, there was a consistent decline in economic profitability, culminating in a sharp reversal in 2022 when the entity transitioned to generating positive economic profit.

Economic Profit
A negative trajectory is observed from 2018 through 2021, with losses widening from -281,986 thousand US$ to -1,223,029 thousand US$. This represents a period of increasing value erosion. However, 2022 marks a pivotal shift, with economic profit turning positive at 817,936 thousand US$, indicating that returns on capital exceeded the cost of capital for the first time in the analyzed period.
Invested Capital
Invested capital exhibited an overall growth trend, rising from 5,433,093 thousand US$ in 2018 to 10,052,399 thousand US$ by 2022. While a slight contraction occurred in 2021, the subsequent surge in 2022 suggests a substantial increase in capital deployment coinciding with the return to profitability.
Economic Spread Ratio
The economic spread ratio mirrors the trend in economic profit, showing a steady deterioration from -5.19% in 2018 to a trough of -18.01% in 2021. This indicates a widening gap where the return on invested capital failed to meet the required cost of capital. The ratio experienced a dramatic reversal in 2022, reaching 8.14%, which confirms a transition toward sustainable value creation.

Economic Profit Margin

Albemarle Corp., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018
Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands)
Economic profit1
Net sales
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Linde plc
Sherwin-Williams Co.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 2022 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Net sales
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The financial trajectory between 2018 and 2022 is characterized by a prolonged period of economic value destruction followed by a sharp pivot toward value creation in the final year of the period.

Economic Profit Trends
A consistent downward trend in economic profit is observed from 2018 through 2021. The deficit expanded from -281,986 thousand US$ in 2018 to a peak loss of -1,223,029 thousand US$ in 2021. This trajectory indicates that the cost of capital exceeded the net operating profit after tax for four consecutive years. However, 2022 marked a significant reversal, with economic profit shifting to a positive 817,936 thousand US$, representing a complete recovery and a transition to positive economic value added.
Net Sales Performance
Net sales remained relatively stable between 2018 and 2021, fluctuating within a range of approximately 3.1 billion to 3.6 billion US$. A substantial growth surge occurred in 2022, where net sales increased to 7,320,104 thousand US$. This represents a growth of approximately 120% compared to the previous year, suggesting a massive expansion in market demand or a significant pricing increase that coincided with the return to economic profitability.
Economic Profit Margin Analysis
The economic profit margin reflects a deepening erosion of value from 2018 to 2021, falling from -8.36% to a low of -36.75%. This suggests that the efficiency of capital utilization declined steadily throughout this period. The trend inverted abruptly in 2022, with the margin climbing to 11.17%. The correlation between the surge in net sales and the shift to a positive margin indicates that the increase in revenue was sufficient not only to cover operating expenses but also to exceed the required return on invested capital.