ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) Trading Up 4.7% – Here’s Why

ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) shot up 4.7% on Friday . The company traded as high as $1,415.97 and last traded at $1,413.01. 1,890,385 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 17% from the average session volume of 2,288,512 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1,350.16.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. TD Cowen reissued a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of ASML in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Berenberg Bank restated a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of ASML in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, KGI Securities set a $1,415.00 price target on ASML and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have issued 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 company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $1,475.00.

ASML Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $1,207.75 and a 200 day simple moving average of $1,000.78. The firm has a market cap of $555.71 billion, a PE ratio of 54.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 1.89.

ASML Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 5th. Investors of record on Monday, April 27th will be given a dividend of $3.1771 per share. This is a positive change 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 yield of 0.9%. ASML’s payout ratio is currently 24.79%.

Institutional Trading of ASML

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ASML. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of ASML during the third quarter valued at $25,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of ASML by 153.8% in the second quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 33 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares during the period. City Holding Co. bought a new position in ASML during the third quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Binnacle Investments Inc grew its position in ASML by 78.9% in the 2nd quarter. Binnacle Investments Inc now owns 34 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 15 shares during the period. Finally, North Star Investment Management Corp. raised its stake in ASML by 68.8% during the 4th quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. now owns 27 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 11 shares during the last quarter. 26.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other 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.