Why Eastman Kodak (KODK) Is Up 18.9% After Expanding Its Role in Cleaner Battery Materials

• In March 2026, Ateios Systems and Kodak announced the expansion of the Ateios RaiCore battery electrode platform to three leading cathode chemistries, LCO, LFP, and NMC, while securing third-party verification that the process eliminates PFA “forever chemicals” and aligning with NSF-backed efforts to strengthen the domestic battery supply chain.
• This collaboration highlights Kodak’s role as a manufacturing partner in next-generation, lower-toxicity energy storage materials, adding another layer to investor interest already fueled by a new EssilorLuxottica licensing deal, higher institutional ownership, and viral “Kodak Moment” references from Elon Musk.
• Against this backdrop, we’ll examine how Kodak’s expanding role in cleaner battery materials manufacturing shapes its investment narrative for long-term investors.

Find 59 companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value.

What Is Eastman Kodak's Investment Narrative?

To own Kodak today, you have to believe the company can turn its advanced materials, pharmaceuticals and licensing assets into a consistently profitable business, despite recent full year losses of US$128,000,000 and ongoing dilution. The Ateios RaiCore expansion strengthens the narrative that Kodak’s coating and manufacturing infrastructure has real optionality in cleaner battery materials, but for now it looks more like an emerging catalyst than a proven earnings driver, especially after a sharp 1-year total return above 100% and a recent 17.6% price spike. Near term, sentiment around meme-style interest, the EssilorLuxottica license, and institutional buying is likely to matter more for the share price than incremental technical milestones. The bigger risks remain profitability, cash needs, and legal overhangs such as the Fujifilm patent dispute.

However, investors should also weigh how Kodak’s ongoing losses and litigation might affect that optimism. Eastman Kodak's shares have been on the rise but are still potentially undervalued. Find out how large the opportunity might be.

Exploring Other Perspectives

Two Simply Wall St Community fair value estimates cluster between US$3.29 and US$6.97, well below recent prices, while our earlier section highlighted profit pressure and legal risk that could challenge Kodak’s momentum; you can compare these contrasting views to see how differently market participants are framing the same story.

Explore 2 other fair value estimates on Eastman Kodak - why the stock might be worth less than half the current price!

Form Your Own Verdict

Disagree with this assessment? Extraordinary investment returns rarely come from following the herd, so go with your instincts.

• A great starting point for your Eastman Kodak research is our analysis highlighting 1 key reward and 1 important warning sign that could impact your investment decision.
• Our free Eastman Kodak research report provides a comprehensive fundamental analysis summarized in a single visual - the Snowflake - making it easy to evaluate Eastman Kodak's overall financial health at a glance.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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