Why Is CENTURY ALUM CO (CENX) Stock Up Today?

Why CENX stock is up today

Century Aluminum Co. (CENX) surged 14.30% to $52.52 in early trading on Tuesday, driven by a strong earnings report and updated guidance. The stock opened with a 1.5% gap up and climbed steadily throughout the session, reaching a high of $52.65. The company reported Q2 2026 adjusted earnings per share of $2.46, exceeding the consensus estimate of $2.30. It also raised its Q3 adjusted EBITDA forecast to a range of $325 million to $345 million.

What Happened

Century Aluminum reported second quarter 2026 results that included a record adjusted EPS of $2.46. The company also issued a Q3 adjusted EBITDA guidance range of $325 million to $345 million, signaling strong operational performance. The stock’s rise was further supported by the announcement of a targeted final investment decision for its Oklahoma project by year-end 2026. The 8-K filing disclosed the results and financial details, which were discussed in detail during the Q2 2026 earnings call on August 6, 2026.

The Fly and Seeking Alpha highlighted the earnings beat and updated EBITDA guidance, while B. Riley Securities maintained a Buy rating on the stock. The Oklahoma project remains a key catalyst, with policy developments and geopolitical factors influencing the aluminum sector.

What The Data Shows

The stock opened at $46.66 and climbed to a session high of $52.65. Volume was 0.4 million shares, or 0.2 times the 3-month average. The stock has traded between $20.91 and $70.43 over the past 52 weeks. Century Aluminum has a market cap of $4.6 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.7, and a beta of 2.00. Revenue has increased 7.5% in the trailing twelve months, and the company maintains a net margin of 13.7%.

What To Watch

The company’s Q3 EBITDA guidance and progress on the Oklahoma project will be key to watch. Investors should also monitor the broader coverage of the stock, including analyst ratings and policy developments in the aluminum industry.