S&P 500 Stocks: Lithium Play Albemarle Eyes Breakout On Blowout Earnings

Higher lithium prices and rising demand for stationary energy storage systems to support the electric grid amid increased demand from AI data centers powered the best quarterly earnings per share since the second quarter of 2023. On Thursday, the price lithium carbonate rose 1.6% to nearly $28,000 per ton, according to Trading Economics, providing more fuel for lithium stocks. "As the global operating environment remains uncertain, we are focused on the things within our control, including operational excellence, cost and productivity discipline and cash generation to enable long-term volume and earnings growth," CEO Kent Masters said in the earnings statement.