ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) Shares Up 1.2% – What’s Next?

ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) shares rose 1.2% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $1,437.09 and last traded at $1,429.49. Approximately 1,123,284 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 50% from the average daily volume of 2,256,520 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1,413.01.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently commented on the company. Berenberg Bank reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Barclays raised ASML from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Grupo Santander cut ASML to an “underperform” rating in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, KGI Securities set a $1,415.00 price target on ASML and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have assigned a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $1,475.00.

ASML Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $562.19 billion, a PE ratio of 55.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.89. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $1,214.91 and its 200-day moving average price is $1,009.74. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 1.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14.

ASML Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 27th will be issued a $3.1771 dividend. This is an increase from ASML’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.88. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 27th. This represents a $12.71 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. ASML’s payout ratio is currently 24.55%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ASML

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of ASML. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in ASML during the third quarter valued at about $25,000. City Holding Co. acquired a new stake in shares of ASML during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. North Star Investment Management Corp. grew its position in ASML by 68.8% in the 4th quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. now owns 27 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 11 shares during the last quarter. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in ASML during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Princeton Global Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in ASML by 153.8% during the second quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 33 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. 26.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

ASML Company Profile

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.