ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) Shares Down 2.8% – Here’s Why

ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) fell 2.8% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $1,176.00 and last traded at $1,194.32. 1,656,320 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 24% from the average session volume of 2,178,008 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1,228.47.

Trending Headlines about ASML

Here are the key news stories impacting ASML this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Multiple broker upgrades/ratings support near?term demand visibility and lift sentiment: Bank of America initiated a Buy on ASML. ASML Holding (ASML) Gets a Buy from Bank of America Securities
• Positive Sentiment: Berenberg also issued a Buy, reinforcing analyst conviction in strong capex for chip equipment. ASML Holding NV (0QB8) Receives a Buy from Berenberg Bank
• Positive Sentiment: Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded ASML (rating change reported), adding to the buy-side momentum and short-term buying interest. ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) Stock Rating Upgraded by Sanford C. Bernstein
• Positive Sentiment: Long-term “Big Money” inflow signals and historic performance metrics point to sustained institutional demand for ASML. See How ASML Thrives on Rare Bullish Inflows
• Neutral Sentiment: ASML denied social?media hacking claims, removing a potential news overhang but not materially changing fundamentals. ASML says social media hacking claims are untrue
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage pieces note the stock’s strong run (up ~58% over six months) and ask whether to buy/hold — useful context but not a direct catalyst. ASML Stock Rises 58.2% in 6 Months: Should You Buy, Sell or Hold?
• Negative Sentiment: At least one report says Bernstein cut a prior eye?popping price target, which can sap upside and prompt re?rating concerns. Bernstein drops eye-popping price target on ASML stock
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst notes and commentary flag that ASML may be “fully priced” despite strong AI/memory tailwinds — valuation (high P/E, big run) and potential profit?taking are headwinds. ASML: AI Tailwinds, Memory Upside – But The Stock Looks Fully Priced

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on ASML. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of ASML from $1,105.00 to $1,140.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Arete Research upgraded shares of ASML to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, September 12th. Bank Degroof downgraded shares of ASML to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Susquehanna raised their price objective on ASML from $965.00 to $1,150.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have given a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, ASML presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $1,270.67.

ASML Price Performance

The business has a fifty day moving average of $1,068.41 and a two-hundred day moving average of $919.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a current ratio of 1.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $469.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.86.

ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The semiconductor company reported $6.41 EPS 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 firm had revenue of $8.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $8.99 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $5.28 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up .7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that ASML Holding N.V. will post 25.17 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ASML Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 6th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 29th were paid a dividend of $1.857 per share. This represents a $7.43 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. This is an increase from ASML’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.86. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 29th. ASML’s dividend payout ratio is 25.80%.

Institutional Trading of ASML

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of ASML by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 4,352,596 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $4,213,705,000 after buying an additional 108,342 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors grew its position in ASML by 17.3% in the third quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 3,919,154 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $3,791,982,000 after acquiring an additional 577,448 shares during the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its stake in ASML by 16.6% during the third quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 2,148,506 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $2,079,948,000 after acquiring an additional 305,435 shares in the last quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC raised its stake in ASML by 24.9% during the third quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 1,933,748 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $1,861,445,000 after acquiring an additional 385,502 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE lifted its holdings in shares of ASML by 8.3% in the third quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,865,254 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $1,805,733,000 after acquiring an additional 142,763 shares during the last quarter. 26.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.