ASML lifts 2026 outlook

ASML raised its 2026 sales forecast to as much as €40 billion after telling investors that artificial intelligence spending is still driving demand for its chipmaking machines. (asml.com) The Dutch company said on April 15 that it now expects 2026 net sales of €36 billion to €40 billion, up from its earlier range of €34 billion to €39 billion. It kept its 2026 gross margin forecast at 51% to 53%. (asml.com) ASML reported first-quarter 2026 net sales of €8.8 billion, gross margin of 53.0%, and net income of €2.8 billion. For the second quarter, it guided to sales of €8.4 billion to €9.0 billion and gross margin of 51% to 52%. (asml.com) ASML sells lithography systems, the machines that project circuit patterns onto silicon wafers so chipmakers can print smaller and denser transistors. The most advanced versions, called extreme ultraviolet tools, are used to make leading-edge processors for data centers, smartphones, and artificial intelligence servers. (asml.com) Chief executive Christophe Fouquet said the semiconductor industry’s growth outlook is “continuing to solidify” because of artificial-intelligence infrastructure spending, and ASML said chip demand is running ahead of supply. Bloomberg reported that the higher forecast came as global spending on artificial intelligence systems continued to lift semiconductor production plans. (asml.com) (bloomberg.com) The new outlook also landed against a shakier near-term backdrop. CNBC reported that ASML shares fell on April 15 as investors weighed tighter export restrictions on China even after the earnings beat and guidance increase. (cnbc.com) Reuters reported that ASML’s first-quarter results came in stronger than expected and that investors had been watching whether the artificial-intelligence boom would keep translating into orders for chip equipment. The company is the world’s largest supplier of chipmaking tools, which makes its forecast a closely watched signal for the broader semiconductor supply chain. (reuters.com) ASML’s update does not remove the quarterly swings. It does show that, as of April 15, the company still sees enough demand from advanced chip customers to lift its full-year target rather than cut it. (asml.com)