Albemarle Corp. vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? Albemarle Corp. trades at $128.1 (market cap $15.27B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $227.41 (market cap $90.68B). The key difference: Waste Management, Inc. is far larger — about 5.9× Albemarle Corp.'s market cap, and Waste Management, Inc. pays the higher dividend (1.56%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALB | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $15.27B | $90.68B |
Sector | Basic Materials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $215.62 | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $72.58 | $196.77 |
Enterprise Value | $17.75B | $113.47B |
Dividend Yield | 1.27% | 1.56% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ALB trades at $128.21, down 2.29% today, amid a mixed technical picture with bullish moving averages but overbought RSI signals. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings, beating estimates with EPS of $3.75, driven by improved lithium pricing and cost savings. Revenue for 2025 was $5.14B, though net income remained negative at -$510.63M. Analyst consensus is a Buy with a $184.50 price target, reflecting optimism for recovery.
Outlook is cautiously optimistic as lithium demand supports earnings growth, but Q3 guidance warns of sequential declines. Key risks include volatile lithium prices and execution challenges. The stock offers potential upside to analyst targets if operational improvements continue, but investors face margin pressure and macroeconomic headwinds.
WM trades at $227.2, up 0.26% on the day, with a neutral technical signal and strong analyst support. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $2.02, beating estimates, and maintains robust profitability with a net income margin of 11.12%. Revenue growth is steady, reaching $25.20B in 2025, though valuation multiples like a P/E of 59.74 appear elevated. Recent news highlights institutional trading activity and earnings focus on pricing discipline.
The outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $263.43, implying 16% upside, supported by 57% buy ratings. Risks include high debt levels and sensitivity to economic cycles, but consistent cash flow generation and margin gains provide a solid foundation for long-term investors.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Albemarle is the world's largest lithium producer. Our outlook for robust lithium demand is predicated upon increased demand for electric vehicle batteries. Albemarle produces lithium from its salt brine deposits in Chile and the U.S. and its hard rock joint venture mines in Australia. Albemarle is also a global leader in the production of bromine, used in flame retardants. The company is also a major producer of oil refining catalysts.
Read more on ALB →Waste Management ranks as the largest integrated provider of traditional solid waste services in the United States, operating approximately 260 active landfills and about 340 transfer stations. The company serves residential, commercial, and industrial end markets and is also a leading recycler in North America.
Read more on WM →