$2.00 Coming, page-68

I wander if the name Albermarle should be changed to European Metals Holdings

The unstoppable trends in global lithium demand easily make Albemarle one of the safest dividends in 21st century materials stocks. Why? The lithium business is already the most profitable segment and promises to become a cash cow.
The progress has been hidden a bit in operating cash flow statements for the first half of 2017, thanks to a $255 million income tax payment made after an asset divestiture. Additionally, management has wisely used its recent good fortunes to reduce debt 50%, or by $1.5 billion, since the end of 2015, and capital expenditures are expected to increase up to 90% from 2016 levels as the company pours investment into expanding lithium production.
That obscures progress in the short-term, but by the end of the decade Albemarle should easily have record levels of cash rolling in. Returning it to shareholders in the form of dividend payments -- which have increased for 23 consecutive years -- will be an easy choice for management.