SQM

This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Revenue: Not explicitly quantified in the provided transcript excerpt. Earnings: Not explicitly quantified in the provided transcript excerpt. Lithium Sales Volume: Record quarterly sales volumes of more than 84,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent from operations in Chile and Australia. Lithium Production Guidance (Chile): Expects Novandino and Dinolithio to produce between 280,000 and 290,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent in 2026. Lithium Production Capacity (Chile): Approximately 300,000 metric tons of production capacity expected by next year. Lithium Market Demand: Global lithium demand expected to exceed 2.1 million metric tons in 2026. Iodine Production: Total iodine production expected to reach approximately 15,500 metric tons this year. Specialty Plant Nutrition Sales Volume: Full-year sales volumes expected to increase by approximately 10% compared to 2025. Capital Expenditures: Approximately $3 billion expected over the 2026-2028 period. Payments to Chilean Government: More than $1.6 billion accrued in the first half of the year, including taxes, contributions to local governments, and payments to Corfu. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Signs with SQM. Is SQM fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator. Release Date: August 19, 2026 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Record quarterly lithium sales volumes of over 84,000 metric tons LCE, driven by strong demand and higher prices. Raised 2026 global lithium demand forecast to exceed 2.1 million metric tons, reflecting robust market fundamentals. Successful submission of environmental and technical documentation for the Salar Futuro project, a key milestone for future growth. Strong performance in iodine and specialty plant nutrition, with SPN sales volumes expected to grow ~10% year-over-year. Continued cost improvements in lithium production, with Q3 costs expected to remain in line with Q2 and lower than last year. Lithium prices remain volatile and difficult to predict, with Q3 prices expected to be roughly flat versus the first half. International lithium sales prices lagged the spodumene price increase due to shipment timing, creating a temporary gap. Iodine sales volumes are expected to remain flat year-over-year as new supply from a Chilean project enters the market. Potential slowdown in battery storage deployment could cap lithium demand growth in the near term. Mount Holland expansion first production is not expected until 2030, with construction starting only in mid-2027. Q: Can you talk about Q3 for the lithium segment? You're guiding to prices about flat and volumes about flat, and costs kept down a lot in Q2. Should we expect Q3 lithium earnings gross margin to be about the same as Q2?A: Felipe Smith (Commercial Vice President of Lithium Chile Division) confirmed that Q3 2026 sales volumes are expected to remain strong and in line with Q2. Regarding pricing, he noted that based on index-linked contracts, the average price for Q3 should be more or less in line with the first semester average, though he cautioned that the market remains volatile and difficult to predict. Carlos Diaz (CEO of the SQM Lithium Division, Chile) added that costs in Q3 are expected to be similar to Q2, benefiting from continued efficiency improvements and economies of scale, with full-year 2026 costs expected to be lower than 2025. Q: You raised your lithium demand expectations for the full year by 200,000 tons. Where is the extra 200,000 tons of supply coming from this year to meet the growing demand?A: Pablo Hernandez (Vice President of Strategy and Development of the Lithium Chile Division) stated that the increased supply is expected to come mainly from China, both from spodumene and brine operations, as well as ramp-up projects in Africa and Argentina. He also noted that due to the current price scenario, there are some restarts in Australia coming into the market as well. Q: You're ramping up production in Novandino faster than initially expected. You mentioned about 300,000 tons next year, but beyond that, what could be a feasible production level when the new concession starts?A: Carlos Diaz (CEO of the SQM Lithium Division, Chile) explained that this year production is expected to be between 280,000 and 290,000 metric tons, with production close to 300,000 expected next year. For the coming years, he noted that growth will initially be more moderated as the company continues reducing brine extraction. He stated that they are still studying different initiatives to keep and slightly increase production, but they are not ready to share specifics yet, potentially providing an update in the next conference call. Q: Can you break down the expected production capacity increase to 300,000 in 2027? How much is coming from Chile, given that you're converting the hydroxide plant, and how much is coming from tolling contracts?A: Carlos Diaz (CEO of the SQM Lithium Division, Chile) clarified that production comes from the Salar de Atacama in two ways: lithium chloride refined in Chile and lithium sulfate refined in China. For next year's expected 300,000 tons, approximately 80,000 tons will come from lithium sulfate, with the remaining 220,000 tons from lithium chloride at the Antofagasta chemical plant. He also noted that only about 10% of total production (20,000-30,000 tons) will be hydroxide, with the remainder being carbonate. Q: On Mount Holland, you recently approved the expansion of the mine and concentrator. Are you planning a potential extension in the refinery? How are you thinking about the mix between hydroxide and spodumene sales going into 2027?A: Mark Fones (CEO of the SQM International Lithium Division) stated that the decision on expanding the refinery remains open and will be subject to continued analysis by Covalent and with Wesfarmers as partner, depending on reaching full ramp-up by the second semester of next year. He noted that next year is expected to have higher hydroxide production than this year based on the ramp-up curve, which means spodumene concentrate sales should probably be lower than this year. Q: Regarding the tolling process in China for sulfate production, how long are these tolling contracts? Do you see any risk of having to give some away or find new partners at different costs?A: Carlos Diaz (CEO of the SQM Lithium Division, Chile) confirmed that they have been increasing sulfate production very strongly over the last three to four years, expecting to produce 80,000 to 90,000 tons LCE equivalent next year. He noted that their own plant in China (Qin plant) will produce close to 24,000-25,000 tons, expanding to reach 30,000 tons. The difference is done through tolling with different suppliers, and while they don't disclose the contract details, they are very happy with the current contracts and expect to continue working with those suppliers in the coming years. Q: The Mount Holland expansion has first production expected in 2030, which seems like an extended period for a brownfield project. What are the next big milestones and main challenges?A: Mark Fones (CEO of the SQM International Lithium Division) explained that the timeline reflects normal sequencing for a project of this scale, with the goal of de-risking rather than rushing. The next relevant milestone is the start of construction in mid-next year, with construction taking 18-24 months, followed by commissioning in 2029 to reach first product by early 2030. He noted there are opportunities to compress the schedule that Covalent and technical teams are actively analyzing, but emphasized that as a brownfield expansion, there are both opportunities and increased challenges that require careful management of mining and safety considerations. Q: You said Q3 volumes will be in line with Q2. How do we think about Q4? Normally Q4 is your highest quarter on seasonality. Do you expect Q4 to be high 70 to 80 kilotons LCE, or a strong Q3 followed by a softer Q4?A: Felipe Smith (Commercial Vice President of Lithium Chile Division) said Q4 is too far away to predict, but expressed hope that they can at least maintain the volume of Q2 and Q3 levels, with a minimum expectation of similar volumes in Q4 and hope for more. Andres Fontannaz (Commercial Vice President of International Lithium Division) added that international sales are expected to be around 27,000 to 30,000 tons LCE for the full year. Q: Can you talk about what happens after 2030-2031? We know Codelco will probably be much more in charge. How should we think about strategic decisions and CapEx?A: Ricardo Ramos (CEO) stated that while it's difficult to predict that far out, the agreement with Codelco has been working better than expected in terms of coordination and cooperation. He noted that the Salar Futuro project submission was made in July For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

SANTIAGO, Chile, Aug. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) (NYSE: SQM; Santiago Stock Exchange: SQM-B, SQM-A) reported today net income for the six months ended June 30, 2026, of US$1,024.7 million or US$3.59 per share, an increase of 353.5% compared to US$225.9 million or US$0.79 per share reported for the same period last year. Gross profit(1) reached US$2,038.6 million (48.2% of revenues) for the six months ended June 30, 2026, 267.2% higher than US$555.2 million (26.7% of revenues) recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2025. Revenues totaled US$4,228.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, representing an increase of 103.4% compared to US$2,079.3 million reported for the six months ended June 30, 2025. The Company also announced net income for the second quarter of 2026 of US$660.0 million or US$2.31 per share, an increase of 646.4% compared to US$88.4 million or US$0.31 per share for the second quarter of 2025. Gross profit for the second quarter of 2026 reached US$1,260.0 million, 398.1% higher than the US$253.0 million reported for the second quarter of 2025. Revenues totaled US$2,468.4 million for the second quarter of 2025, an increase of 136.7% compared to US$1,042.7 million for the second quarter of 2025. SQM’s Chief Executive Officer, Ricardo Ramos, stated, “I am pleased to announce SQM’s second-quarter results. As we close the first half of the year and look ahead to the remainder of 2026, I am encouraged by the solid performance we have delivered across our main business lines.” He added, “In lithium, we achieved record quarterly sales volumes of over 84 thousand metric tons of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) from our lithium operations in Chile through Nova Andino Litioii and in Australia through Covalent Lithiumiii. As anticipated in our previous earnings report, prices increased during the second quarter, supported by stronger-than-expected market demand. We now expect global lithium demand to be over 2.1 million metric tons in 2026, further strengthening our confidence in the long-term fundamentals of the market. To see full press release please visit: https://ir.sqm.com/ For media inquiries, contact: Nova Andino Litio: Ignacia Lopez / [email protected] International Lithium Division: Gonzalo Colazo / [email protected] Iodine & Plant Nutrition Division: Carolina Guzman / [email protected] i Includes accrued corporate income taxes and mining taxes (part of which has already been paid), and payments related to the Corfo contracts such as the lease payment (paid quarterly), and other accrued payments to local governments (paid annually) in connection with said contracts. This amount also includes the dividend accrued to be paid to Codelco.ii Nova Andino Litio (or Novandino) is the joint company between SQM and Codelco.iii Covalent Lithium is a joint venture between SQM and Wesfarmers Limited.

Interested in Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A.? Here are five stocks we like better. SQM reported strong second-quarter performance, driven by record lithium sales of more than 84,000 metric tons of LCE, higher lithium prices, favorable iodine pricing and increased specialty plant nutrition sales. The company now expects global lithium demand to exceed 2.1 million metric tons in 2026. SQM and Codelco submitted documentation for the Salar Futuro project, which could require about $3 billion over seven years to expand production and introduce lower-impact technology. Separately, the Mt Holland expansion in Australia is expected to double SQM’s attributable spodumene concentrate capacity to roughly 350,000 metric tons annually, with first production targeted for the first half of 2030. The company expects 2026–2028 capital spending of approximately $3 billion, focused mainly on growth and cost competitiveness. Iodine demand remains favorable, while specialty plant nutrition sales volumes are projected to rise about 10% from 2025. Gold and Silver Rebound, But This Metal Is Outperforming Both Sociedad Quimica y Minera (NYSE:SQM) said its second-quarter performance was supported by strong results across its principal businesses, including record lithium sales volumes, favorable iodine pricing and increased specialty plant nutrition sales. Chief Executive Officer Ricardo Ramos said the company sold more than 84,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent, or LCE, during the quarter from its Chilean operations through Novandino Litio and its Australian operations through Covalent Lithium. Lithium prices increased during the second quarter as demand proved stronger than expected, he said. → Looking Beyond CrowdStrike? 3 AI Security Stocks Stand Out This ETF Is Up 146% as the Battle Over Rare Earths Heats Up SQM now expects global lithium demand to exceed 2.1 million metric tons in 2026. Company executives attributed additional expected supply this year primarily to increased production in China from spodumene and brine, ramp-ups in Africa and Argentina, and some Australian production restarts under the current pricing environment. In July, Novandino Litio, SQM’s association with Chilean state-owned Codelco, submitted environmental and technical documentation for the Salar Futuro project. Subject to approvals, the project would represent the next stage of SQM’s operations at the Salar de Atacama. → 3 Robotics Stocks Under $10: Value, Momentum, or Bet? Chinese Lithium Production Halt Means Upside for These 3 Stocks Ramos said Salar Futuro contemplates about $3 billion of investment over seven years. The project is intended to increase production while reducing the environmental footprint of the company’s operations. He emphasized during the question-and-answer session that the investment should not be viewed solely as spending for an incremental 30,000 metric tons of capacity. “The Salar Futuro project is not only increasing capacity, it is changing technology,” Ramos said. “You have to analyze the Salar Futuro project as a whole in terms of having a new beginning of the Salar de Atacama for the next 60 years’ operation.” → Michael Burry Is Betting Against Palantir Again—Should Investors Care? The company expects Novandino Litio to produce between 280,000 and 290,000 metric tons of LCE in 2026 and to have roughly 300,000 metric tons of production capacity next year. Carlos Díaz, CEO of Novandino, said the company expects about 80,000 metric tons of next year’s production to come from lithium sulfate, with the remaining approximately 220,000 metric tons coming from lithium chloride processing or the Antofagasta chemical plant. Díaz said SQM’s Chinese Xing plant currently produces roughly 24,000 to 25,000 metric tons of LCE and is being expanded toward about 30,000 metric tons. The company also uses tolling arrangements with undisclosed third-party suppliers in China and expects to continue working with those suppliers in coming years. For the third quarter, Felipe Smith, commercial vice president of Novandino, said sales volumes are expected to remain strong and broadly in line with the second quarter. He said third-quarter average lithium prices, based on published indexes used in company contracts, are expected to be generally in line with the first-half average, while noting the market remains volatile. Díaz said lithium costs in the third quarter are expected to be similar to the second quarter, reflecting ongoing efficiency initiatives and production scale. He added that 2026 costs should be lower than in 2025. In Australia, SQM and its Covalent Lithium partner Wesfarmers recently approved an expansion of the Mt Holland mine and concentrator. The project is expected to double spodumene concentrate capacity to approximately 350,000 metric tons annually attributable to SQM’s share, with first production expected in the first half of 2030. Mark Fones, CEO of the International Lithium Division, said the timeline reflects the scale of the expansion and an effort to reduce execution risks rather than rush development. Construction is expected to begin in the middle of next year, following procurement of long-lead items and site preparation. Construction is expected to take 18 to 24 months, followed by commissioning in 2029. Fones said Covalent and Wesfarmers have not decided whether to expand the refinery. SQM expects higher lithium hydroxide production next year as the existing operation continues its ramp-up, which could reduce direct spodumene concentrate sales compared with this year. SQM said iodine demand and pricing remained favorable in the quarter. The company is commissioning a seawater pipeline that Ramos said will provide added flexibility to optimize production in response to market conditions. SQM is producing iodine from four operations and expects total iodine production of about 15,500 metric tons in 2026. Pablo Altimiras, CEO of the Iodine and Plant Nutrition Division, said SQM expects iodine demand to grow by about 3% this year. The company anticipates new capacity, including from a Chilean project associated with Caliche Oro, will broadly offset that demand growth. As a result, SQM expects its iodine sales volumes this year to be similar to recent years, though volumes could rise if supply conditions differ from expectations. In specialty plant nutrition, Ramos said the company reported higher sales, prices and volumes. SQM continues to expect full-year sales volumes to increase by approximately 10% from 2025. Market conditions have benefited from supply constraints in certain markets, although the company expects those constraints to gradually normalize toward year-end. SQM updated its capital expenditure outlook to include 2028 and now expects total capital spending of about $3 billion during the 2026-to-2028 period. Ramos said the spending is focused primarily on future growth and improving competitiveness through lower production costs. The company also said SQM and its subsidiaries accrued more than $1.6 billion in payments to the Chilean government during the first half of 2026. Those payments included taxes, contributions to local governments and payments to Corfo. Looking further ahead, Ramos said SQM is working closely with Codelco under the Novandino arrangement and is preparing for investment in Salar Futuro. He said the company plans to provide an initial view of expected volumes for the following year during its next conference call. Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile SA (NYSE: SQM) is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals and minerals headquartered in Santiago, Chile. The company focuses on the extraction and processing of key inputs for the agricultural, industrial and high‐tech sectors. Its core business activities include the mining of lithium, potassium and iodine, as well as the manufacture of value‐added products derived from these raw materials. SQM's product portfolio spans lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide used in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems; potassium chloride and potassium nitrate fertilizers designed for precision agriculture; and iodine and its derivatives for pharmaceutical, food and electronics applications. This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected]. The article "Sociedad Quimica y Minera Q2 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. View MarketBeat's top stocks for August 2026.

Barrick Mining Corporation B is slated to come up with second-quarter 2026 results before the opening bell on Aug. 10. Barrick beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in three of the last four quarters and reported in-line results on the other occasion. In this timeframe, it delivered an earnings surprise of roughly 14.1%, on average. Higher realized gold prices and increased production are expected to have aided its second-quarter performance amid cost headwinds.B’s shares have shot up 78% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Mining – Gold industry’s 29.7% increase. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Let’s see how things are shaping up for this announcement. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Barrick’s second-quarter consolidated sales is currently pegged at $4,487.7 million, calling for an increase of 21.9% from the year-ago quarter’s tally. Higher realized gold prices are likely to have supported the company’s performance in the second quarter. While gold prices have pulled back sharply from their January 2026 highs, they remain supportive. Heightened geopolitical tensions, a weaker U.S. dollar and tariff-related worries drove bullion to a record high of nearly $5,600 per ounce in late January. Since then, gold has pulled back sharply due to inflation concerns triggered by a surge in crude oil prices amid Middle East tensions. While gold started April near $4,800 per ounce, prices tumbled to $4,500 per ounce around the end of May. Bullion continued to retreat in June, with prices slipping below $4,000 per ounce to a near eight-month low amid rate-hike expectations and a stronger greenback, despite reduced inflation concerns following the interim agreement between the United States and Iran. Notwithstanding the pullback, Barrick is expected to have gained from higher year-over-year realized prices.  The consensus estimate for B’s average realized gold price is pinned at $4,507 per ounce for the second quarter, indicating a roughly 37% year-over-year increase. Higher production is expected to have aided B’s sales volumes in the second quarter. Barrick saw a 5% year-over-year and 17% sequential decline in first-quarter 2026 gold production to 719,000 ounces. However, it expects production to increase sequentially, with second-quarter gold production projected in the band of 730,000-770,000 ounces. The uptick is expected to be driven by the ramp-up across Loulo-Gounkoto and Goldrush mines, as well as mine sequencing across the NGM sites.  The consensus estimate calls for a gold production of roughly 764,000 ounces in the second quarter, indicating a roughly 6% sequential rise.  Barrick is likely to have faced headwinds from higher production costs in the second quarter. It saw an 8% sequential increase in all-in-sustaining costs (AISC) — a critical cost metric for miners — in the first quarter, reaching $1,708 per ounce. Cost pressures are expected to have continued in the second quarter. The consensus estimate for AISC for the second quarter is pegged at $1,884, indicating a roughly 12% year-over-year and 10% sequential increase. Barrick Mining Corporation price-eps-surprise | Barrick Mining Corporation Quote Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Barrick this season. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. But that’s not the case here.Earnings ESP: Earnings ESP for B is -0.49%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the second quarter is currently pegged at 81 cents. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.Zacks Rank: B currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Here are some companies you may want to consider as our model shows they have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter:Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. SQM, scheduled to release earnings on Aug. 18, has an Earnings ESP of +0.08% and carries a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.The consensus estimate for SQM’s earnings for the second quarter is currently pegged at $2.03.Ferguson Enterprises Inc. FERG, slated to release earnings on Aug. 10, has an Earnings ESP of +1.22% and carries a Zacks Rank #3 at present.The consensus mark for FERG’s second-quarter earnings is currently pegged at $3.23. Resideo Technologies, Inc. REZI, scheduled to release earnings on Aug. 12, has an Earnings ESP of +6.83%.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for REZI's earnings for the second quarter is currently pegged at 68 cents. REZI currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. 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 Barrick Mining Corporation (B) : Free Stock Analysis Report Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. (SQM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Resideo Technologies, Inc. (REZI) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ferguson plc (FERG) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Silvercorp Metals SVM is set to release its first-quarter fiscal 2027 results on Aug. 10, after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Silvercorp Metals’ sales for the quarter is pegged at $138.7 million, indicating a 70.5% increase from the year-ago quarter's reported figure. The consensus mark for earnings has moved down 12.5% over the past 60 days to 21 cents per share. The figure indicates a 110% year-over-year surge. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Silvercorp Metals’ earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 13.87%, on average. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Silvercorp Metals this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, but that is not the case here. Earnings ESP: The Earnings ESP for Silvercorp Metals is 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Zacks Rank: SVM currently has a Zacks Rank of 3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Silvercorp Metals recently released its production and sales results for the first quarter of fiscal 2027, providing an early indication of its expected quarterly performance. The company’s total silver production declined 17% year over year to 1.5 million ounces in the quarter, while gold production increased 24% to 2,536 ounces. Silver-equivalent production fell 15% to 1.7 million ounces. Lead and zinc production decreased 15% each to 13.4 million pounds and 4.4 million pounds, respectively. The Ying Mining District processed 323,216 tonnes of ore, marking a 14% increase year over year. The operation produced approximately 1.4 million ounces of silver, 2,536 ounces of gold or 1.6 million silver-equivalent ounces. It also produced 12.4 million pounds of lead and 1.6 million pounds of zinc. Gold production was up 24% while silver sales were down 16%, leading to a 17% decline in silver-equivalent ounces. Meanwhile, lead and zinc were down 15%. Lower production was due to lower head grades associated with an increase in shrinkage mining and a production suspension in June to conduct comprehensive self-reviews and complete the "Six Major Safety Systems" underground upgrades in compliance with new government regulations. During the quarter, the company completed 74,084 meters of drilling and 17,413 meters of exploration tunneling. At the GC Mine, ore processed declined 16% year over year to 63,237 tonnes. Production totaled approximately 0.1 million ounces of silver, 1 million pounds of lead and 2.9 million pounds of zinc, down 39%, 12% and 16%, respectively, from the prior-year quarter. A total of 12,020 m of drilling and 1,336 m of exploration tunneling were completed during the quarter. Sales volumes largely mirrored the production trends. Silver sales declined 17% year over year to 1.5 million ounces, while gold sales increased 26% to 2,454 ounces. Lead sales fell 10% to 13.7 million pounds and zinc sales decreased 19% to 4.2 million pounds. Despite lower sales volumes for silver, lead and zinc, Silvercorp Metals is expected to report first-quarter revenues of $138.7 million, up 70% from the prior-year quarter. The projected increase is likely to have been driven by significantly higher realized metal prices and increased gold sales. The company is also expected to report a meaningful improvement in cash cost per ounce of silver compared with the year-ago quarter, primarily reflecting the adoption of the more mechanized and lower-cost shrinkage mining method. In a year, shares of Silvercorp Metals have gained 122.5% compared with the industry’s 35% growth. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Here are some Basic Material stocks with the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in their upcoming releases. Avient Corporation AVNT, scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 earnings on Aug. 6, has an Earnings ESP of +0.87% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for Avient for the second quarter of 2026 is 89 cents per share, indicating an 11.2% year-over-year increase. Avient has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 2.1%.Wheaton Precious Metals WPM is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 6, after market close. WPM currently carries a Zacks Rank of 3 and an Earnings ESP of +3.20%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Wheaton Precious Metals’ second-quarter earnings is pegged at $1.11 per share, suggesting year-over-year growth of 76.1%. Sociedad Quimica y Minera SQM is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results later this month. SQM currently carries a Zacks Rank of 3 and an Earnings ESP of +0.08%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sociedad Quimica y Minera’s second-quarter earnings is pegged at $2.03 per share, suggesting a year-over-year surge of 555%. 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 Silvercorp Metals Inc. (SVM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. (SQM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (WPM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Avient Corporation (AVNT) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Albemarle Corporation ALB is slated to report second-quarter 2026 results after the closing bell on Aug. 5. ALB is likely to have benefited from its cost and productivity actions and higher volumes in its Energy Storage unit in the second quarter.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter earnings has been revised upward over the past 60 days. The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $3.35 per share, suggesting a 2,945.5% year-over-year rise. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter revenues is currently $1.59 billion, indicating a roughly 19.2% increase from the year-ago quarter. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research ALB beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in three of the last four quarters. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 74.5%, on average. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for ALB this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. That is just the case here. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. ALB has an Earnings ESP of +2.21% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. ALB is expected to have gained from higher lithium volumes in the June quarter. Healthy customer demand, capacity expansion and plant productivity improvements are expected to have supported volumes. ALB saw higher sales volumes (up 14% year over year) in its Energy Storage unit in the first quarter on the strength of its integrated conversion facilities. The consensus estimate for Energy Storage sales for the second quarter is pegged at $1,192 million, suggesting a 66% year-over-year growth.Cost-saving, pricing and productivity initiatives are also expected to have aided ALB’s performance in the second quarter, supporting margins. Efforts to drive operating efficiency and improve the utilization of raw materials are likely to aid the company’s results.Albemarle is taking aggressive cost-saving and productivity actions. The company delivered roughly $450 million in cost and productivity improvements in 2025, having surpassed its initial target of $300-$400 million. It expects additional cost and productivity improvements of $100-$150 million in 2026, with $40 million already delivered.While the Specialties segment faces challenges from the ongoing volatility in petrochemicals and oil & gas markets due to geopolitical tensions, higher bromine prices as well as benefits of cost and productivity actions, are expected to have supported results in the quarter to be reported.Falling lithium market prices are weighing on ALB stock. Lithium prices have pulled back amid slowing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in China, an inventory glut and prospects of increased supply from mine restarts and capacity additions. EV orders have slowed in China, the world’s biggest lithium consumer, while demand in energy storage systems remains healthy. Some impacts of the price retreat are expected to reflect on the company’s performance in the June quarter. ALB’s shares are down 16.1% year to date, underperforming the Zacks Chemical - Diversified industry’s 17.6% increase and the S&P 500’s rise of 9.5%. Its peers Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. SQM and Rio Tinto Group RIO have lost 2.6% and gained 19.8%, respectively, over the same period. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research ALB is currently trading at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 2.17, above the industry. It is trading at a discount to Sociedad Quimica and a premium to Rio Tinto. Albemarle currently has a Value Score of C. Sociedad Quimica and Rio Tinto have a Value Score of B and A, respectively. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Albemarle is well-positioned to capitalize on the substantial growth opportunity in the battery-grade lithium market, supported by the global transition toward EVs. The market for lithium batteries and energy storage remains strong, especially for EVs, offering significant opportunities for the company to develop innovative products and expand capacity. The company is strategically executing its projects aimed at boosting its global lithium conversion capacity. It remains focused on investing in high-return projects to drive productivity.ALB also remains committed to driving shareholder value by leveraging healthy cash flows and strong liquidity. However, the pullback in lithium prices casts a pall on its prospects. Albemarle is gaining from higher lithium volumes driven by project ramp-ups, as well as initiatives to expand global lithium conversion capacity and enhance productivity. The company is well-placed to gain from long-term growth in the battery-grade lithium market.  Rising earnings estimates and a strong growth outlook are other positives. However, retreating lithium prices could dampen its prospects. Its stretched valuation also might not offer an attractive entry point at this time. Investors who already own ALB shares may consider maintaining their positions while awaiting greater visibility following the company’s upcoming earnings release. 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 Rio Tinto PLC (RIO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. (SQM) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Lithium Sales Volume: Increased by 25% year-over-year, reaching approximately 69,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent. Contribution to Chilean State: Over $530 million in contributions through payments, taxes, and transfers to local governments in the first quarter. Projected Lithium Sales Volume Growth: Expected to grow by approximately 15% compared to 2025. Specialty Plant Nutrition Sales Volume Growth: Expected to grow by approximately 10% compared to 2025. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Signs with SQM. Is SQM fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator. Release Date: May 27, 2026 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA (NYSE:SQM) reported strong results for the first quarter of 2026, reflecting robust performance across key business lines. The partnership with Codelco through Novandinolithium completed its first full quarter of operations, generating over $530 million in contributions to the Chilean state. Lithium sales volumes increased by 25% year-over-year, with expectations for total lithium sales volumes to grow by approximately 15% compared to 2025. The specialty plant nutrition business line is expected to see a 10% growth in sales volumes, driven by reduced potassium nitrate exports from China. The company is advancing in the Salar Futuro project and expects to begin the environmental permitting process soon, indicating future growth potential. The company faces a high volatile price scenario in the lithium market, making it difficult to predict prices beyond the second quarter. Despite higher cash and cash equivalents, the company has significant obligations, including payments to Corfo and tax-related payments, which may limit cash availability for other uses. The iodine market faces potential supply disruptions, and there is uncertainty about whether supply will accelerate in the next two to three years, affecting pricing. Inflation and global uncertainties could impact the cost and returns of the Salar Futuro project, although the company remains optimistic about its viability. The effective tax rate was higher than usual due to increased profitability in the lithium business, leading to higher mining taxes. Q: How does the movement in the lithium battery business over the last year affect SQM's outlook on mid-cycle pricing? A: Pablo Hernandez, Vice President of Strategy and Development of the Lithium Chile Division, noted that the average sales price in Q1 2026 was approximately $18 per kilo, significantly higher than the $10 per kilo in Q4 2025. Prices are expected to remain volatile, making it difficult to predict beyond Q2 2026. Q: How does SQM plan to utilize the windfall free cash flow generated by higher lithium prices? A: Gerardo Illanes Gonzalez, Chief Financial Officer, stated that while the company has historically distributed special dividends, no decision has been made yet for this quarter. The company is assessing opportunities for dividend distribution while considering tax-related payments and investments. Q: What is causing the increase in specialty plant nutrition (SPN) business volumes, and how sustainable is this trend? A: Pablo Altimiras, Executive Vice President - Nitrates and Iodine, explained that the increase is due to China's suspension of potassium nitrate exports, allowing SQM to capture market share. The sustainability of this trend is uncertain due to potential changes in China's export policies. Q: What gives SQM confidence that iodine prices will remain elevated despite potential supply increases? A: Pablo Altimiras highlighted that the iodine market has evolved with increased demand from applications like contrast media. Marginal projects are costlier, and strong demand growth supports current price levels. Q: Can you provide details on the Salar Futuro project's CapEx and the impact of inflation on returns? A: Ricardo Ramos Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer, mentioned that the estimated investment is around $30 billion. Inflation affects costs but also increases commodity prices, which should maintain project returns. The environmental study is expected to be filed by Q3 2026, with investment starting in 2030. Q: What is the outlook for lithium volume growth, and how is it being achieved? A: Pablo Hernandez stated that SQM expects a 15% increase in lithium sales volumes year-over-year, driven by strong demand and production capacity maximization. The company aims to meet market needs with over 270,000 metric tons of production. Q: How does SQM view the impact of inflation on the Salar Futuro project and its returns? A: Ricardo Ramos Rodriguez explained that while inflation is a concern, it also raises commodity prices, which should offset cost increases and maintain project returns. The project is expected to start investment in 2030. Q: Can you explain the higher effective tax rate in the quarter? A: Gerardo Illanes Gonzalez noted that the higher tax rate is due to increased profitability from higher lithium prices, which raised the mining tax rate. The mining tax is based on profitability and export revenues. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Interested in Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A.? Here are five stocks we like better. SQM posted a strong Q1 2026 with lithium sales volumes up 25% year over year to about 69,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent, helped by better pricing across lithium, iodine and nitrates. The company raised full-year lithium guidance, now expecting sales volumes to grow about 15% versus 2025, and said second-quarter lithium prices and volumes should be higher than in Q1. Management also improved outlooks for specialty plant nutrition and iodine, citing supply shortages from China and rising spot iodine prices, while advancing major growth projects in Chile and Australia. Gold and Silver Rebound, But This Metal Is Outperforming Both Sociedad Quimica y Minera (NYSE:SQM) reported a strong first quarter of 2026, with management citing higher lithium volumes, favorable pricing trends across several businesses and the first full quarter of operations for its Novandino Lithium partnership with Codelco. Chief Executive Officer Ricardo Ramos said the quarter marked “an important milestone” for SQM and the partnership, which is focused on developing lithium resources in the Salar de Atacama. Ramos said Novandino Lithium generated more than $530 million in contributions to the Chilean state during the quarter through payments to CORFO, taxes and transfers to local governments. → Voya Financial Grows Earnings Across All 3 Business Segments This ETF Is Up 146% as the Battle Over Rare Earths Heats Up “We are operating at full capacity, delivering strong operational and financial results, while continuing to invest in future growth and production expansion,” Ramos said. SQM said total lithium sales volumes rose 25% year over year in the first quarter to approximately 69,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent across its operations. Ramos said the company now expects global lithium demand to exceed 1.9 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent this year, with market conditions indicating a tight supply-demand balance. → SpaceX Gets the Attention, But These 4 Stocks Could Get the Returns Chinese Lithium Production Halt Means Upside for These 3 Stocks Based on that outlook, SQM increased its full-year lithium sales volume guidance and now expects total lithium sales volumes to grow approximately 15% compared with 2025. Management also said average realized lithium prices in the second quarter could be higher than those reported in the first quarter. During the question-and-answer session, Pablo Hernández, Vice President of Strategy and Development of Novandino Lithium, said SQM’s first-quarter average lithium sales price was roughly $18 per kilogram, up from about $10 per kilogram in the fourth quarter of 2025. He said realized prices remain mainly linked to pricing indexes and added that the company expects second-quarter sales prices to be higher than in the first quarter, though he cautioned that volatility makes it difficult to predict prices beyond the second quarter. → Quantum Stocks Just Got a Lifeline—Who Benefits Most? Hernández said the company expects strong lithium sales volumes in the second quarter and aims to surpass the first-quarter 2026 level by more than 10%, which would represent a record for any calendar quarter. He said SQM expects more than 270,000 metric tons of production from the Salar de Atacama this year and sees “significant appetite for lithium units in the market.” In Chile, Ramos said Novandino Lithium delivered solid first-quarter sales volumes and that volumes are expected to increase quarter over quarter. He said SQM continues to advance the Salar Futuro project and expects to begin the environmental permitting process in the coming months. Asked about capital spending and inflation, Ramos said the company expects to file the environmental study for Salar Futuro in the next few months, probably before the end of the third quarter. He said SQM’s first estimate for total investment is in the range of CLP 3 billion, while acknowledging uncertainty around costs and raw material prices. However, he said inflation should also affect the prices of SQM’s commodities and that the company does not expect the project’s returns or profitability to be affected. Ramos said SQM expects final approval for the project during 2029 and expects to begin investment in Salar Futuro during 2030. In Australia, Ramos said Mount Holland and its concentrator are operating at full capacity, while SQM continues to ramp up the Kwinana refinery, which is expected to be fully operational during 2027. Andres Fontannaz, Commercial Vice President of the International Lithium Division, said the company expects to present the Mount Holland expansion for board review and decision in early third-quarter 2026. He said permitting is progressing and that the public review period was scheduled to close at midnight on May 28. Fontannaz said SQM’s share of capital spending considered for 2027 is CLP 200 million. SQM also raised its guidance for the Specialty Plant Nutrition business, now expecting sales volumes to grow approximately 10% compared with 2025. Ramos said the increase is driven by reduced potassium nitrate exports from China, which have created supply gaps in international markets. Pablo Altimiras, CEO of the Iodine and Plant Nutrition Division, said China suspended exports of potassium nitrate at the end of March, allowing SQM to enter markets where it does not normally sell. He said the company has the installed capacity, inventories and global supply chain to respond if the market needs additional potassium nitrate. Altimiras said SQM is optimistic about specialty fertilizer prices, citing the lack of supply from China and higher raw material and related fertilizer costs. He said prices for potassium sulfate have been rising, supporting potassium nitrate pricing, and that SQM believes prices will continue increasing in coming quarters. In iodine, Ramos said SQM delivered a strong quarter and expects the trend to continue into the second quarter, with spot transaction prices continuing to rise, particularly in Asian markets. The company continues to expect full-year iodine sales volumes to be broadly in line with last year or slightly higher. Altimiras said first-quarter iodine demand was strong and that SQM believes the market grew more than 3% in the quarter, supporting its view that the market can grow 3% this year. He said the market has changed compared with prior cycles, with X-ray contrast media now playing a larger role. He also said marginal supply projects tend to have higher costs than in the past. Chief Financial Officer Gerardo Illanes said SQM ended the first quarter with higher cash and cash equivalents than at the end of 2025, driven by higher prices for lithium, iodine and nitrates. However, he said the company subsequently paid dividends equal to 50% of last year’s net income and has obligations including CORFO payments, taxes and other payments. Illanes said SQM has not made a decision on special or interim dividends for the current quarter. He said the company is assessing opportunities, noting that higher lithium volumes and prices will likely mean higher payments to CORFO, the Chilean government and local communities in coming quarters. He also pointed to a high capital expenditure program in Chile, iodine operations and the international lithium division. On taxes, Illanes said SQM pays Chile’s 27% corporate income tax, along with taxes abroad that average around 30% depending on jurisdiction. He said the company also pays a Chilean mining royalty that ranges from 0% to 14%, depending on profitability. Based on current lithium profitability, he said the royalty is between 11% and 12% on lithium profit, excluding CORFO payments. Management also said battery energy storage systems now account for about 30% of overall lithium demand, according to Max Vial, Head of Studies of the International Lithium Division. Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile SA (NYSE: SQM) is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals and minerals headquartered in Santiago, Chile. The company focuses on the extraction and processing of key inputs for the agricultural, industrial and high‐tech sectors. Its core business activities include the mining of lithium, potassium and iodine, as well as the manufacture of value‐added products derived from these raw materials. SQM's product portfolio spans lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide used in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems; potassium chloride and potassium nitrate fertilizers designed for precision agriculture; and iodine and its derivatives for pharmaceutical, food and electronics applications. This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected]. The article "Sociedad Quimica y Minera Q1 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. View MarketBeat's top stocks for May 2026.

SANTIAGO, Chile, May 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) (NYSE: SQM; Santiago Stock Exchange: SQM-B, SQM-A) reported today net income for the three months ended March 31, 2026, of US$364.7 million or US$1.28 per share, an increase of 165.2% compared to US$137.5 million or US$0.48 per share reported for the same period last year. Gross profit(1) reached US$778.6 million (44.2% of revenues) for the three months ended March 31, 2026, higher than US$304.7 million (29.4% of revenues) recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Revenues totaled US$1,760.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, representing an increase of 69.8% compared to US$1,036.6 million reported for the three months ended March 31, 2025. SQM’s Chief Executive Officer, Ricardo Ramos, stated, “We delivered strong results during the first quarter of the year. In lithium, sales volumes reached approximately 69 thousand metric tons of LCE across our operations, as we continued to operate at full capacity to meet strong customer demand. Based on our current estimates, global lithium demand could exceed 1.9 million metric tons of LCE this year, while market dynamics continue to suggest a tight supply-demand balance. As a result, we have upgraded our sales volume guidance for the year, increasing our expected growth from 10% to 15%.” He added, “The first quarter of 2026 marked our first full quarter operating alongside CODELCO through our partnership Nova Andino Litio, and the results underscore the strength of this partnership. We are operating at full capacity, delivering strong financial results, while we continue to expand production capacity. In the first quarter alone, Nova Andino Litio generated more than US$530 million in contributions to the Chilean state, including payments to CORFO, local governments, and taxes.” “We are currently finalizing the documentation required to begin the environmental permitting process for the Salar Futuro project. We expect to submit the project to the environmental authorities in the coming months and to share further details with the market in the near term. This project will be developed by Nova Andino, and we are very enthusiastic about its potential to establish a new benchmark in lithium production.” Mr. Ramos continued, “In our SPN business lines, we are also increasing our sales volume guidance for the year. We now expect total sales volumes to grow by approximately 10% compared to last year, driven by tighter supply conditions in Asia. This reflects reduced export availability, as Chinese producers prioritize domestic consumption and scale back potassium nitrate shipments, creating opportunities for us to serve previously undersupplied markets.” He further noted, “In Iodine, we observed strong sales volumes and higher year-over-year prices, a trend we expect to continue into the next quarter. We are maintaining our full-year sales volume guidance, with volumes expected to be in line with last year. The seawater pipeline is currently in the commissioning phase, and we expect to bring it online during the second half of the year.” The CEO concluded, “We continue to see positive market dynamics across our key business lines, particularly in lithium, while remaining optimistic about our iodine and specialty plant nutrition segments. We believe we are well positioned to deliver solid results and improved returns to our shareholders, while continuing to advance our expansion plans in both lithium and iodine” To see full press release please visit: https://ir.sqm.com/ CONTACT: Contact information Nova Andino Litio: Ignacia Lopez / [email protected] International Lithium Division: Diana Wearing Smith / [email protected] Iodine & Plant Nutrition Division: Carolina Guzman / [email protected]