Leibman Financial Services Inc. Boosts Stock Holdings in Albemarle Co. (NYSE:ALB)

Leibman Financial Services Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Albemarle Co. (NYSE:ALB - Free Report) by 50.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 38,964 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock after purchasing an additional 13,075 shares during the period. Albemarle comprises approximately 2.5% of Leibman Financial Services Inc.'s holdings, making the stock its 14th largest position. Leibman Financial Services Inc.'s holdings in Albemarle were worth $3,354,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC increased its holdings in shares of Albemarle by 9,108.7% during the 3rd quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 574,805 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $54,440,000 after acquiring an additional 568,563 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in Albemarle by 38.2% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,020,590 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $96,660,000 after purchasing an additional 282,194 shares during the period. FMR LLC grew its holdings in Albemarle by 67.3% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 658,145 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $62,333,000 after buying an additional 264,756 shares during the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its position in Albemarle by 7,667.4% in the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 163,659 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $155,000,000 after buying an additional 161,552 shares during the period. Finally, Empower Advisory Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Albemarle by 28.7% during the third quarter. Empower Advisory Group LLC now owns 705,719 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $66,839,000 after buying an additional 157,319 shares during the last quarter. 92.87% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Albemarle Trading Up 1.3 %

NYSE:ALB traded up $1.20 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $92.71. The stock had a trading volume of 1,890,678 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,053,280. The company has a quick ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 2.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $98.55 and a 200 day moving average of $93.89. The company has a market capitalization of $10.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.53 and a beta of 1.58. Albemarle Co. has a one year low of $71.97 and a one year high of $143.19.

Albemarle Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, December 13th were given a dividend of $0.405 per share. This represents a $1.62 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.75%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 13th. Albemarle's payout ratio is currently -9.67%.

Insider Transactions at Albemarle

In related news, CEO J Kent Masters sold 2,525 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.12, for a total transaction of $255,328.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 73,747 shares in the company, valued at $7,457,296.64. The trade was a 3.31 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.38% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ALB has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on Albemarle from $79.00 to $103.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 18th. Mizuho reduced their target price on shares of Albemarle from $110.00 to $105.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Oppenheimer lowered their price target on shares of Albemarle from $171.00 to $170.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 8th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on Albemarle from $108.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Finally, KeyCorp decreased their price target on Albemarle from $132.00 to $127.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $115.65.

Albemarle Company Profile

Albemarle Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets engineered specialty chemicals worldwide. It operates through three segments: Energy Storage, Specialties and Ketjen. The Energy Storage segment offers lithium compounds, including lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, and lithium chloride; technical services for the handling and use of reactive lithium products; and lithium-containing by-products recycling services.