Albemarle Wraps Up Controlling Stake Sale in Ketjen to KPS

Albemarle Corporation ALB has completed the divestment of a controlling stake in its Ketjen Corporation’s refining catalyst solutions business to affiliates of KPS Capital Partners, LP. It continues to hold a minority stake in Ketjen, while KPS will hold a majority of Ketjen’s board of directors and assume operational control. Albemarle maintains full ownership of Ketjen’s Performance Catalyst Solutions unit, which has now been integrated into its broader product portfolio.The transaction was followed by Albemarle’s recent divestment of its 50% interest in the Eurecat joint venture to Axens SA, completed in January 2026. The two deals combined generated $670 million in pre-tax proceeds. The proceeds are expected to be used for debt reduction and other general corporate purposes, enhancing its financial flexibility.Albemarle’s moves demonstrate confidence in Ketjen’s value-creation potential. The company will strengthen its portfolio while supporting Ketjen’s next phase of development. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC served as a financial advisor to Albemarle, with K&L Gates LLP acting as legal advisor for the transaction.ALB stock has gained 121.2% over the past year against the industry’s 11.7% decline.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchALB’s Zacks Rank & Other Key PicksALB currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).Some other top-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space are Agnico Eagle Mines Limited AEM, Compañía de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. BVN and Balchem Corporation BCPC.While AEM and BVN sport a Zacks Rank #1 each at present, BCPC carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AEM’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $13.28 per share, indicating a rise of 60.39% year over year. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average surprise of 10.77%. AEM’s shares have soared 135.4% over the past year.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BVN’s 2026 earnings is pinned at $3.45 per share, indicating a 4.6% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average surprise of 80.4%. BVN’s shares have jumped 185.2% over the past year.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BCPC’s 2026 earnings is pinned at $5.47 per share, indicating a 6.2% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the four trailing quarters. BCPC’s shares have gained 4% over the past year.Free Report: Profiting from the 2nd Wave of AI ExplosionThe next phase of the AI explosion is poised to create significant wealth for investors, especially those who get in early. It will add literally trillion of dollars to the economy and revolutionize nearly every part of our lives.Investors who bought shares like Nvidia at the right time have had a shot at huge gains.But the rocket ride in the "first wave" of AI stocks may soon come to an end. The sharp upward trajectory of these stocks will begin to level off, leaving exponential growth to a new wave of cutting-edge companies.Zacks' AI Boom 2.0: The Second Wave report reveals 4 under-the-radar companies that may soon be shining stars of AI’s next leap forward.Access AI Boom 2.0 now, absolutely free >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Albemarle Corporation (ALB): Free Stock Analysis Report Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM): Free Stock Analysis Report Buenaventura Mining Company Inc. (BVN): Free Stock Analysis Report Balchem Corporation (BCPC): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks