What Investors Need to Watch When Albemarle Reports Q1 Earnings
As early as October 2019, specialty chemicals supplier Albemarle (NYSE: ALB) was preparing investors to withstand a transition year in 2020. It expected revenue and earnings to decline compared to prior-year levels due to broader market conditions, but the business was to rebound quickly and generate positive free cash flow as soon as 2021.
Now investors need to prepare for another dose of disappointing news: The coronavirus pandemic has very likely nixed that outlook. Any hope of a relatively hasty transition to a better, more financially flexible future is probably unrealistic in light of recent events. In fact, all three of Albemarle's business segments -- lithium, catalysts, and bromine specialties -- are exposed to unique risks from the economic impacts of the global health crisis.
Here's what investors need to watch ahead of the company's first-quarter 2020 earnings report.
Source Fool.com
