ASML, a top tier supplier of chip-making equipment based in Netherlands, is harbouring a strong positive outlook on future AI demand, even in the face of potentially detrimental trade policies. The firm is confident in maintaining its present sales performance into 2026, despite there being a significant drop expected for sales in China. This confidence arises from a solid demand for their devices used to manufacture chips crucial for data centers working on artificial intelligence (AI).
According to the company’s CEO, Christophe Fouquet, ASML has noticed a continued positive trend around investments directed at AI and a broadening of its customer base beyond the traditional ones. Despite a lacklustre performance for the semiconductor sector overall, ASML’s U.S-listed stocks showed a 3% rise in recent trading. This trend was also reflected in the stocks of other industry players such as Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Nvidia (NVDA), Lam Research (LRCX), and Broadcom (AVGO), all of which noted gains post a disappointing day previously.
ASML has repercussions on the entire chip-making industry, with its performance being considered as an indicator of the overall busineßss prospects for other chip makers. For the third quarter, ASML posted earnings per share of €5.49 ($6.38), above the estimates put together by Visible Alpha. However, with a revenue of €7.52 billion ($8.74 billion), it did miss its mark slightly.
CEO Fouquet also shared an estimated range for current-quarter sales, placing it between €9.2 billion to €9.8 billion ($10.7 billion to $11.4 billion), a figure above analyst consensus. He also mentioned that detailed information about the company’s outlook till 2026 would be shared in January next year. After the recent spike, ASML shares have noted a 46% rise in the year 2025 to date.