Portman Square Capital 13F: Cuts Albemarle (ALB) Stake by $23M

Portman Square Capital disclosed in a filing on October 15, 2026, that it has cut its position in Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB) by 500,000 shares. The fund now holds 41,000 shares, reducing its stake by approximately 92.4% and valuing its position at about $1.86 million.

What Changed in Portman Square Capital's Albemarle Position

Portman Square Capital significantly reduced its holdings in Albemarle Corporation, decreasing its shares from 541,000 to 41,000. This move reflects a substantial reduction in its investment in the specialty chemicals company.

Other Institutional Activity in Albemarle

While Portman Square Capital cut its position in Albemarle, other institutional investors made adjustments as well. Blackrock Inc. grew its stake by 766,905 shares, holding a total of 9,501,587 shares worth about $907.2 million. Capital World Investors added 66,878 shares, bringing its total to 9,901,852 shares valued at approximately $945.4 million. Vanguard Capital Management LLC increased its holdings slightly by 40,611 shares, now owning 7,703,012 shares worth about $735.5 million.

Albemarle Corporation Stock Down 2.8%

Albemarle shares recently traded around $95.44 as of October 16, 2026, which is significantly below their 200-day moving average of $153.46 and their 52-week high of $221. This positioning suggests the stock may be lagging compared to past performance metrics.

Recent Earnings

Albemarle Corporation reported trailing twelve-month revenue of approximately $5.91 billion, demonstrating a year-over-year growth of 31.1%. The company has a net margin of 3.8% and a return on equity of 2.6%. Its next earnings report is scheduled for November 4, 2026, which will provide further insights into its performance.

Dividend

Albemarle pays an annual dividend rate of $1.64, yielding approximately 1.67%. This payout ratio is notably high at 600%, which indicates that the company is paying out significantly more dividends than its earnings might suggest.

Insider Buying and Selling at Albemarle Corporation

Several insiders have sold shares of Albemarle, including CEO Jerry Kent Masters Jr. He sold 11,783 shares on March 10, 2026, valued at about $2.01 million, and another 16,393 shares on May 15, 2026, worth approximately $3.01 million. These transactions were not part of any planned trading strategy.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

On October 5, 2026, UBS maintained a Buy rating on Albemarle with a price target of $150, lowered from $175. Argus Research also maintained a Buy rating but reduced its target to $135 from $230 on October 7. Barclays initiated coverage with an Equal-Weight rating and a target of $109 on October 13. Most recently, RBC Capital maintained an Outperform rating with a target of $129 on the same day as Portman Square's filing.

About Albemarle Corporation

Albemarle Corporation focuses on energy storage solutions, producing lithium compounds essential for batteries in electric vehicles and consumer electronics. The company's diverse segments also include specialty chemicals and high-performance greases. This strategic focus on energy storage aligns with market demand for sustainable energy solutions.

Bottom Line

Portman Square Capital's significant reduction in its Albemarle position is a notable move, especially as other institutional investors adjust their stakes as well. Investors should keep an eye on the upcoming earnings report on November 4, 2026, for further updates on Albemarle's performance. Keep in mind that 13F filings are backward-looking: they show holdings as of the end of the reporting quarter and may not represent the fund's current position.