ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) Trading Down 1.4% – What’s Next?

Shares of ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) fell 1.4% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $1,624.71 and last traded at $1,629.00. Approximately 1,594,256 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 17% from the average daily volume of 1,909,365 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1,651.44.

Key ASML News

Here are the key news stories impacting ASML this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Erste Group sharply raised its ASML earnings forecasts, projecting fiscal 2026 EPS of $44.50 versus $36.94 previously and fiscal 2027 EPS of $61.40 versus $50.60. The estimates exceed or approach the broader consensus and signal improving confidence in demand for ASML’s chipmaking equipment. Erste Group raises ASML earnings estimates
• Positive Sentiment: ASML received multiple Zacks Rank #1 “Strong Buy” designations, reflecting favorable earnings-revision and momentum indicators. ASML receives a Strong Buy rating
• Positive Sentiment: Semiconductor ETFs attracted substantial new money as chip stocks rallied on strong technology earnings, suggesting continued institutional interest in the industry that supplies AI infrastructure. Semiconductor ETFs draw investor cash
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts maintain a consensus “Moderate Buy” view, but the stock’s elevated valuation leaves investors sensitive to execution, guidance and changes in AI-related capital spending. ASML analyst consensus rating
• Negative Sentiment: A Chinese competitor unveiled deep-ultraviolet lithography machines, renewing concerns about future competition and export-control pressure. ASML’s EUV technology leadership, substantial backlog and plans to expand advanced DUV capacity by about 30% suggest the near-term threat remains limited, but the development weighs on sentiment. China competition and ASML’s risks
• Negative Sentiment: One comparison with Taiwan Semiconductor concluded that TSMC currently offers a stronger valuation, price performance and analyst-sentiment profile, potentially limiting near-term enthusiasm for ASML. ASML versus TSMC comparison

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on ASML. Freedom Capital upgraded shares of ASML from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, April 16th. Argus set a $2,100.00 price objective on shares of ASML in a report on Thursday, July 16th. Morningstar downgraded shares of ASML to a “sell” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a report on Friday, July 17th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a research note on Friday, July 10th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have given a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $1,970.33.

ASML Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 1.33 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $1,762.28 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $1,537.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $640.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.68, a PEG ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.78.

ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) last posted its earnings results on Sunday, June 28th. The semiconductor company reported $8.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $10.64 billion for the quarter. ASML had a net margin of 30.11% and a return on equity of 52.71%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that ASML Holding N.V. will post 43.6 EPS for the current year.

ASML Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 5th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, July 28th will be given a $2.1507 dividend. This represents a $8.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, July 28th. ASML’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.59%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ASML

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC bought a new position in ASML in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Portus Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ASML in the first quarter worth $32,000. Resources Management Corp CT ADV grew its stake in shares of ASML by 1,150.0% in the fourth quarter. Resources Management Corp CT ADV now owns 25 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. increased its position in ASML by 68.8% during the fourth quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. now owns 27 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 11 shares during the period. Finally, Jessup Wealth Management Inc bought a new position in ASML during the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.07% of the company’s stock.

About ASML

ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ: ASML) is a Dutch company that develops, manufactures and services advanced photolithography systems used to produce semiconductor chips. Headquartered in Veldhoven, Netherlands, ASML supplies capital equipment and associated software and services that enable semiconductor manufacturers to pattern the intricate circuits on silicon wafers. The company is widely recognized for its leadership in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography as well as its deep ultraviolet (DUV) platforms used across multiple process nodes.

ASML’s product portfolio includes EUV and DUV lithography machines, light sources, imaging optics and control software, together with spare parts, upgrades and field services.