April 30 (Reuters) - Albemarle, the world's

largest producer of lithium for electric vehicle batteries,

posted a small quarterly loss on Wednesday due to sliding prices

for the ultralight metal, although the company maintained its

2025 forecast.

The company reported a first-quarter net loss for common

shareholders of $340,000, or zero cents per share, compared to a

loss of $9.1 million, or 8 cents per share, in the year-ago

period.