Technology, AI & Cyber
ASML lifts sales forecast as AI demand supports orders and profit
Dutch technology company ASML raised its sales forecast after reporting stronger second-quarter results, saying demand linked to artificial intelligence was supporting orders for its chipmaking equipment.
ASML makes machines used to produce semiconductors. Chief executive Christophe Fouquet said in a statement that continuing AI-related investment and progress in AI technologies were driving demand for advanced logic and memory chips and improving the semiconductor industry's growth outlook. He said order intake remained extremely strong in the first half of the year.
The company said it now expected total net sales of 43 billion to 45 billion euros, or about $49 billion to $51 billion, for the year. Its previous forecast had been 36 billion to 40 billion euros. Fouquet said the increase reflected continued very strong demand from customers.
ASML reported second-quarter net profit of 2.9 billion euros, up from 2.3 billion euros in the same period last year. It said second-quarter net sales were 9.3 billion euros, compared with 7.7 billion euros a year earlier, and forecast third-quarter net sales of 11 billion to 12 billion euros.
Chief financial officer Roger Dassen described the quarter as very strong in both market dynamics and execution. ASML shares rose nearly eight percent at the start of trading in Amsterdam, helping the AEX index rise above 1,100 points for the first time, before the shares later ended slightly lower.
Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB investments, said the results suggested that the AI boom was unlikely to slow soon because ASML sits near the top of the semiconductor production pipeline.
Fouquet said ASML planned to increase capacity by 30 percent for two of its key chipmaking machines, with a further 30 percent increase possible in 2028.
ASML has been affected by tensions between the United States and China over high-tech exports. The company had previously warned that its Chinese sales would decline significantly this year. Dassen said ASML expected China to account for about 20 percent of its sales in 2026 and said the Chinese market was moving in line with broader global behaviour.
Washington has sought to restrict high-tech exports to China because of concerns they could strengthen China's military. Beijing has criticised the measures as "technological terrorism". ASML last month denied reports of US concern that one of its advanced chipmaking machines was in China in possible breach of restrictions.
In January, ASML announced an organisational shake-up expected to lead to about 1,700 job losses in the Netherlands and the United States, mainly in leadership roles. The company employs about 44,000 people worldwide.
Update
ASML now expects total net sales of 43 billion to 45 billion euros for the year, up from a previous forecast of 36 billion to 40 billion euros.
Chief executive Christophe Fouquet said strong momentum meant ASML planned to increase capacity by 30 percent for two key chipmaking machines, with another 30 percent boost possible in 2028.
Chief financial officer Roger Dassen said ASML expected China to represent about 20 percent of sales for 2026.
ASML shares rose nearly eight percent at the Amsterdam open before ending slightly lower, and the AEX index rose above 1,100 points for the first time during the session.
Source note: AFP news report published on 15 July 2026 at 15:49:20 UTC.
Update
ASML now expects 2026 total net sales of 43 billion to 45 billion euros, up from its previous 36 billion to 40 billion euro forecast.
Second-quarter net profit was 2.9 billion euros, compared with 2.3 billion euros in the same period last year.
Second-quarter net sales were 9.3 billion euros, compared with 7.7 billion euros a year earlier.
ASML expects third-quarter net sales of 11 billion to 12 billion euros.
ASML plans to increase capacity by 30 percent for two key chipmaking machines, with another 30 percent increase possible in 2028.
ASML's shares rose nearly eight percent at the opening of Amsterdam trading, and the AEX index moved above 1,100 points for the first time.
ASML expects China to represent around 20 percent of its sales for 2026.
ASML previously announced an organisational shake-up expected to cut about 1,700 jobs in the Netherlands and the United States.
Source note: AFP news report published on 15 July 2026 at 07:25:20 UTC.
Update
ASML said second-quarter net sales were 9.3 billion euros, up from 7.7 billion euros in the same period last year.
ASML forecast third-quarter net sales of 11 billion to 12 billion euros.
ASML said it planned to increase capacity by 30 percent for two key chipmaking machines, with another 30-percent increase possible in 2028.
Chief Financial Officer Roger Dassen said ASML expected China to account for about 20 percent of 2026 sales.
The report adds context on US-led export curbs affecting China, Beijing's criticism of those measures, ASML's denial of reports about a machine in China, and a previously announced reorganisation expected to affect about 1,700 jobs.
Source note: AFP news report published on 15 July 2026 at 06:20:41 UTC.
Update
ASML said second-quarter net sales were 9.3 billion euros, up from 7.7 billion euros a year earlier and above its expected range of 8.4 billion to 9.0 billion euros.
ASML said it expected third-quarter net sales of 11 billion to 12 billion euros.
The source adds context on US-China technology restrictions and ASML's exposure to China.
Chief Financial Officer Roger Dassen said ASML expected China to represent about 20 percent of sales in 2026.
ASML previously announced an organisational shake-up expected to cut about 1,700 jobs in the Netherlands and United States, mainly from leadership roles.
The company employs roughly 44,000 staff worldwide.
Source note: AFP news report published on 15 July 2026 at 05:34:03 UTC.
Update
ASML projected full-year turnover of 43 billion to 45 billion euros, compared with a previous range of 36 billion to 40 billion euros.
Chief Executive Christophe Fouquet said AI-related investment and progress in AI technologies were driving demand for advanced logic and memory chips.
ASML reported second-quarter net sales of 9.3 billion euros, above its expected range of 8.4 billion to 9.0 billion euros and up from 7.7 billion euros a year earlier.
The report said investors were watching the results after sharp technology-sector sell-offs linked to concern about a possible AI bubble.
Source note: AFP news report published on 15 July 2026 at 05:17:50 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
ASML's figures for full-year and third-quarter net sales are forecasts.
Source
AFP news report published on .