ALBEMARLE CORPALB
ALBEMARLE CORP Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value of Financial Instruments:
In assessing the fair value of financial instruments, we use methods and assumptions that are based on market conditions and other risk factors existing at the time of assessment. Fair value information for our financial instruments is as follows:
Long-Term Debt—the fair values of our notes are estimated using Level 1 inputs and account for the difference between the recorded amount and fair value of our long-term debt. The carrying value of our remaining long-term debt reported in the
accompanying consolidated balance sheets approximates fair value as substantially all of such debt bears interest based on prevailing variable market rates currently available in the countries in which we have borrowings.
| December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recorded Amount | Fair Value | Recorded Amount | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | $ | 3,207,210 | $ | 3,112,590 | $ | 3,532,713 | $ | 3,332,064 | |||||||||||||||
During the fourth quarter of 2019, we entered into a foreign currency forward contract to hedge the cash flow exposure of non-functional currency purchases during the construction of the Kemerton plant in Australia. This derivative financial instrument is used to manage risk and is not used for trading or other speculative purposes. This foreign currency forward contract has been designated as a hedging instrument under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. As a result of the actions taken at Kemerton Trains 3 and 4 during 2024, the Company dedesignated the remaining hedged foreign currency forward contracts. The Company recorded a loss in Other income, net of $26.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from the reclassification of the hedged balance from Accumulated other comprehensive loss. The balance of the settled hedged foreign currency forward contracts associated with the construction of Kemerton Trains 1 and 2 assets that had been placed into service will be reclassified to earnings over the life of the related assets.
In connection with our risk management strategies, we also enter into other derivative financial instruments that have not been designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. These derivative financial instruments are used to manage risk and are not used for trading or other speculative purposes. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, we had outstanding non-designated derivative financial instruments with notional values totaling $2.4 billion and $6.9 billion, respectively. The non-designated derivative financial instruments are primarily comprised of foreign currency forward contracts that attempt to minimize the financial impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The fair values of our non-designated foreign currency forward contracts are estimated based on current settlement values. At December 31, 2025, these foreign currency forward contracts hedge our exposure to various currencies including the Chinese Renminbi, Euro and Australian Dollar.
The following table summarizes the fair value of our derivative financial instruments included in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):
| December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | Liabilities | Assets | Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Not designated as hedging instruments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other current assets | $ | 2,163 | $ | — | $ | 4,347 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses | — | 4,781 | — | 6,586 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities | — | — | — | 4,766 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total not designated as hedging instruments | $ | 2,163 | $ | 4,781 | $ | 4,347 | $ | 11,352 | |||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the net (losses) gains recognized for our derivative financial instruments during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Designated as hedging instruments: | |||||||||||||||||
(Loss) gain recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (194) | $ | (28,701) | $ | 5,986 | |||||||||||
Gain (loss) recognized in Other income, net | $ | 234 | $ | (25,766) | $ | 135 | |||||||||||
| Not designated as hedging instruments: | |||||||||||||||||
Gain (loss) recognized in Other income, net(a) | $ | 118,802 | $ | (14,728) | $ | 213,378 | |||||||||||
(a)Fluctuations in the value of our foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments are generally expected to be offset by changes in the value of the underlying exposures being hedged, which are also reported in Other income, net.
In addition, for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, we recorded net cash receipts (settlements) of $114.2 million, ($9.8) million and $218.0 million, respectively, in Proceeds (payments) from settlement of foreign currency forward contracts, net, in our consolidated statements of cash flows.
Unrealized gains and losses related to the cash flow hedges are reclassified to earnings over the life of the related assets that had been placed into service.
The counterparties to our foreign currency forward contracts are major financial institutions with which we generally have other financial relationships. We are exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by these counterparties. However, we do not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties.
Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Feb 11, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2024 | Feb 12, 2025 | |
| 2023 | Feb 15, 2024 | |
| 2022 | Feb 15, 2023 | |
| 2021 | Feb 22, 2022 | |
| 2020 | Feb 19, 2021 | |
| 2019 | Feb 26, 2020 | |
| 2018 | Feb 27, 2019 | |
| 2017 | Feb 28, 2018 | |
| 2016 | Feb 28, 2017 | |
| 2015 | Feb 29, 2016 | |
About Fair Value Disclosures
Fair value disclosures classify all assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy: Level 1 (quoted market prices), Level 2 (observable inputs like yield curves), and Level 3 (unobservable inputs requiring management estimates). The proportion of Level 3 assets directly reflects how much of the balance sheet depends on internal models rather than market evidence.
Key signals: a growing Level 3 balance relative to total fair-value assets increases valuation uncertainty and earnings volatility risk. Watch for transfers between levels — assets moving from Level 2 to Level 3 often signal deteriorating market liquidity. Unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 positions flow through earnings or other comprehensive income, so large swings deserve scrutiny. For financial institutions, examine the sensitivity disclosures that show how Level 3 valuations change under alternative assumptions. Compare the fair value of debt against its carrying amount to gauge hidden leverage.