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By Asma Adhimi
Lithography equipment supplier ASML reported strong first-quarter results for 2026, posting €8.8 billion in total net sales and €2.8 billion in net income. The company said demand for semiconductor manufacturing equipment continues to grow as investments in AI infrastructure drive capacity expansion across the industry.
The results highlight sustained momentum in the semiconductor equipment market, an area closely watched by Europe’s electronics industry. For engineers, executives, and supply chain players across the region, ASML’s performance offers an important indicator of global chip production trends and technology investment cycles.
ASML’s Q1 2026 results came in within company guidance, with total net sales reaching €8.8 billion and gross margin hitting 53.0%, the top end of expectations. The company said the semiconductor industry’s outlook continues to strengthen, largely due to growing AI-related infrastructure deployments.
“Our first-quarter total net sales were €8.8 billion, within our guidance, and gross margin came in at 53.0%, at the high end of our guidance,” said ASML President and Chief Executive Officer Christophe Fouquet.
Fouquet added that semiconductor demand is now outpacing supply, prompting chipmakers to accelerate expansion plans for 2026 and beyond. Customers have increased both short- and medium-term demand forecasts for ASML’s lithography systems, resulting in strong order intake.
“The semiconductor industry’s growth outlook continues to solidify, driven by ongoing AI-related infrastructure investments. Demand for chips is outpacing supply,” he said.
ASML noted that it is working closely with customers to support this growth through both delivery of new systems and performance upgrades to existing installations.
Looking ahead, the company expects second-quarter 2026 net sales between €8.4 billion and €9.0 billion, with gross margin forecast between 51% and 52%. Research and development costs are projected to reach around €1.2 billion for the quarter, with SG&A expenses at roughly €0.3 billion.
For the full year, ASML raised expectations for total net sales to between €36 billion and €40 billion, with a gross margin between 51% and 53%. According to the company, the range accounts for possible outcomes related to ongoing export control discussions affecting advanced semiconductor equipment.
“These business dynamics underpin our expectation that 2026 will be another growth year for all our businesses,” Fouquet said.
ASML also confirmed plans to increase its dividend. The company intends to declare a total dividend of €7.50 per ordinary share for 2025, representing a 17% increase compared with the previous year.
Taking into account interim dividends of €1.60 per share already paid, the company will propose a final dividend of €2.70 per share at its upcoming annual general meeting. Meanwhile, ASML continued its shareholder return program during the quarter, repurchasing roughly €1.1 billion worth of shares under its 2026–2028 share buyback scheme.
The company said additional details about the buyback program and dividend proposal are available through its investor communications and quarterly results materials.
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