ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) Shares Up 1.2% – Time to Buy?

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have commented on ASML. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of ASML in a research report on Friday, January 16th. Berenberg Bank restated a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a report on Friday, January 23rd. DZ Bank restated a “neutral” rating on shares of ASML in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings cut shares of ASML from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have given a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $1,475.00.

ASML Price Performance

The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $1,214.91 and its 200-day moving average price is $1,009.74. The firm has a market cap of $562.19 billion, a PE ratio of 55.36, a P/E/G ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.26.

ASML Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 5th. Investors of record on Monday, April 27th will be issued a dividend of $3.1771 per share. This represents a $12.71 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 27th. This is an increase from ASML’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.88. ASML’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 24.55%.

Institutional Trading of ASML

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Family Capital Management Inc. raised its position in ASML by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Family Capital Management Inc. now owns 919 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $983,000 after purchasing an additional 7 shares during the last quarter. 44 Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in ASML by 1.1% in the fourth quarter. 44 Wealth Management LLC now owns 657 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $703,000 after buying an additional 7 shares during the period. Sky Investment Group LLC lifted its holdings in ASML by 2.1% during the 4th quarter. Sky Investment Group LLC now owns 384 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $411,000 after purchasing an additional 8 shares during the last quarter. White Lighthouse Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of ASML by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. White Lighthouse Investment Management Inc. now owns 365 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $390,000 after purchasing an additional 8 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BOS Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in ASML by 2.4% in the fourth quarter. BOS Asset Management LLC now owns 377 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $403,000 after buying an additional 9 shares in the last quarter. 26.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.