ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) Trading 6.2% Higher on Analyst Upgrade

ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) rose 6.2% during mid-day trading on Wednesday after Barclays upgraded the stock to a buy rating. The company traded as high as $1,555.80 and last traded at $1,550.13. Approximately 1,707,344 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 7% from the average daily volume of 1,833,632 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1,459.44.

ASML has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Susquehanna reiterated a “positive” rating on shares of ASML in a research note on Thursday, April 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a report on Wednesday, May 13th. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $1,750.00 price target on shares of ASML in a report on Thursday, April 16th. Weiss Ratings raised ASML from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Thursday, February 26th. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded shares of ASML from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 3rd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have assigned a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $1,504.38.

Trending Headlines about ASML

Here are the key news stories impacting ASML this week:

• Positive Sentiment: UBS named ASML its top pick in European semiconductors, raising its price target and lifting earnings estimates well above consensus, which suggests Wall Street sees more upside from the AI chip spending cycle. ASML Named Top Pick as UBS Lifts Price Target
• Positive Sentiment: ASML’s CEO said the semiconductor market is likely to stay tight as AI, satellites, and robotics drive demand faster than supply, reinforcing the company’s long-term growth outlook. Exclusive: ASML CEO sees tight supply in booming chip market as AI demand soars
• Positive Sentiment: The company said the first chips made with its new High-NA machines should arrive within months, a sign its next-generation technology is progressing and could support future sales growth. ASML says first chips from new High-NA machines to arrive in months
• Positive Sentiment: ASML also announced a partnership with Tata Electronics to supply lithography technology for India’s first commercial semiconductor fab, expanding its addressable market into a new manufacturing hub. ASML And Tata Chip Fab Deal Tests Valuation And Growth Expectations
• Neutral Sentiment: Several recent articles highlighted ASML’s strategic importance in chip manufacturing and growing investor attention, but these were mostly commentary pieces rather than new fundamental developments. ASML Holding N.V. (ASML) is Attracting Investor Attention: Here is What You Should Know
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts at Erste Group also nudged up their earnings forecasts, adding to the positive tone but not materially changing the near-term story.

Institutional Trading of ASML

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Family Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of ASML by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Family Capital Management Inc. now owns 919 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $983,000 after acquiring an additional 7 shares during the last quarter. 44 Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in ASML by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. 44 Wealth Management LLC now owns 657 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $703,000 after acquiring an additional 7 shares during the last quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of ASML by 22.6% during the 1st quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 38 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 7 shares during the last quarter. Bradley Foster & Sargent Inc. CT boosted its position in shares of ASML by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Bradley Foster & Sargent Inc. CT now owns 2,232 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $2,948,000 after acquiring an additional 7 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sky Investment Group LLC grew its stake in shares of ASML by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Sky Investment Group LLC now owns 384 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $411,000 after buying an additional 8 shares during the period. 26.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

ASML Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $609.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.60, a PEG ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.81. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $1,420.18 and a 200-day simple moving average of $1,288.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 1.36 and a quick ratio of 0.78.

ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) last released its earnings results on Monday, March 30th. The semiconductor company reported $8.28 earnings per share for the quarter. ASML had a return on equity of 48.69% and a net margin of 27.65%.The company had revenue of $10.15 billion during the quarter. As a group, analysts predict that ASML Holding N.V. will post 37.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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.