** Brokerage RBC Capital Markets and Citigroup raise price targets on lithium miner Albemarle ALB.N

** RBC raises PT to $150 from $100; an 11.3% upside to the stock's last close

** Citigroup raises PT to $150 from $100; also an 11.3% upside to the stock's last close

** Shares of the lithium miner rose 1% to $135.70 premarket

** RBC favors ALB on continued energy storage systems $(ESS)$ demand growth

** "Lithium markets have stood out as demand growth into ESS could mean global supply/demand becomes balanced sooner than investors previously thought, partly driving the recent lithium price rally" - RBC

** Citigroup sees potential for more balanced-to-tight supply in 2026 and to frame a constructive guidance given higher conviction into improved lithium prices supported by demand growth, particularly in ESS

** "We also think the company's prudent cost and productivity actions could further improve operating leverage and FCF visibility" - Citigroup

** Up to last close, ALB up 56.4% YTD

(Reporting by Pranav Mathur in Bengaluru)

((mail to: Pranav.Mathur@thomsonreuters.com;))