ASML, the Dutch maker of the lithography machines used to produce the most advanced microchips, reported record third-quarter 2026 net sales of €11.7 billion. In a press release on October 14, the company said net income was €4.96 billion and gross margin 57.5%, up from sales of €9.3 billion and net income of €2.9 billion in the second quarter.
Chief executive Christophe Fouquet said customers continue to raise their short- and medium-term equipment demand forecasts, driven mainly by their views on the size and duration of AI-related investments, and that some are expressing interest in placing orders for 2029 and even 2030. He said supply currently planned for 2027 and 2028 will not fully meet customer demand, and that ASML is investigating ways to raise 2028 capacity beyond the 30% increase it previously communicated.
ASML expects fourth-quarter sales of €14.2 billion to €15.2 billion and full-year 2026 sales of €44 billion to €45 billion. CNBC reported that the company raised the lower end of its full-year forecast from €43 billion, the third time it has updated its guidance this year.
According to CNBC, net profit beat the LSEG consensus estimate of €4.1 billion, while sales were close to expectations. Shares rose about 2% in early European trading and have gained 56% this year. ASML said it expects China to account for 20% of its total business.
ASML is the only company that makes extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, which chipmakers such as TSMC use for the most advanced semiconductors, making its results a closely watched indicator of AI-related chip demand. The company bought back around €4.1 billion of shares in the quarter and will pay an interim dividend of €1.88 per share on November 4.