ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) Trading Up 8.8% – Time to Buy?

ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) shares were up 8.8% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $1,172.77 and last traded at $1,163.78. Approximately 2,694,240 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 160% from the average daily volume of 1,034,565 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1,069.86.

ASML News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting ASML this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Aletheia Capital issued a rare double-upgrade (from sell to buy), citing an AI cycle and stronger demand for EUV machines as drivers for higher growth expectations. ASML Jumps on Analyst Double Upgrade Citing AI Cycle
• Positive Sentiment: Feature pieces argue ASML is the “hidden winner” of the AI buildout because its EUV technology is far ahead of competitors, implying sustained long-term demand and pricing power for its machines. Could This Equipment Maker Be the Hidden Winner of the AI Buildout?
• Positive Sentiment: Several outlets note the stock spiked to record levels after analyst upgrades and optimistic commentary on EUV demand, reinforcing momentum-driven buying. ASML Stock Jumps On Double Upgrade For Chip Gear Leader
• Neutral Sentiment: Broader market roundups and Europe/Asia coverage emphasize analyst optimism and AI demand as the headline drivers, helping explain elevated trading activity but offering little new fundamental news beyond the upgrades. ASML Shares Gain Momentum on AI Demand and Analyst Optimism
• Neutral Sentiment: Longer-term investor interest and conviction are highlighted in retrospective pieces (5-year return analysis and fund commentary), supporting the narrative that ASML is a multi-year growth story but not new near-term news. Investing in ASML Holding (AMS:ASML) five years ago would have delivered you a 132% gain

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently commented on ASML. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Susquehanna upped their price objective on ASML from $965.00 to $1,150.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. HSBC reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of ASML in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Finally, Erste Group Bank raised shares of ASML from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, September 22nd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,171.83.

ASML Stock Up 8.8%

The business has a 50-day moving average price of $1,055.49 and a 200-day moving average price of $905.52. The stock has a market cap of $457.69 billion, a PE ratio of 47.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 1.86. The company has a current ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14.

ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The semiconductor company reported $6.41 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.27 by $0.14. ASML had a net margin of 27.08% and a return on equity of 47.74%. The company had revenue of $8.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $8.99 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $5.28 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up .7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that ASML Holding N.V. will post 25.17 earnings per share for the current year.

ASML Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 6th. Investors of record on Wednesday, October 29th were issued a $1.857 dividend. This represents a $7.43 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 29th. This is a positive change from ASML’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.86. ASML’s payout ratio is presently 25.80%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ASML

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Capstone Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its holdings in ASML by 5.2% in the 1st quarter. Capstone Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 2,511 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $1,664,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC lifted its stake in shares of ASML by 15.9% in the first quarter. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 1,251 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $829,000 after buying an additional 172 shares in the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in ASML by 22.5% during the first quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,314 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $1,533,000 after acquiring an additional 425 shares during the last quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in ASML by 35.2% during the 1st quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC now owns 964 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $639,000 after acquiring an additional 251 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ancora Advisors LLC grew its stake in ASML by 4.6% during the 1st quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 9,766 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $6,471,000 after acquiring an additional 429 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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.