Van ECK Associates Corp Trims Stock Holdings in ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML)

Van ECK Associates Corp lowered its position in ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML) by 14.1% in the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 917,214 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock after selling 150,199 shares during the period. ASML comprises approximately 1.3% of Van ECK Associates Corp’s holdings, making the stock its 13th largest position. Van ECK Associates Corp’s holdings in ASML were worth $694,258,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Carmel Capital Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of ASML by 200.0% in the third quarter. Carmel Capital Partners LLC now owns 45 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares during the period. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV grew its holdings in ASML by 48.4% during the fourth quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 46 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 15 shares during the period. Addison Advisors LLC grew its holdings in ASML by 220.0% during the third quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 48 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 33 shares during the period. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in ASML during the fourth quarter worth $44,000. Finally, Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in ASML by 35.4% during the third quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC now owns 65 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 17 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 26.07% of the company’s stock.

ASML Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:ASML traded down $9.20 on Monday, hitting $909.77. The company had a trading volume of 650,498 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,230,440. The company has a current ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. ASML Holding has a 52-week low of $563.99 and a 52-week high of $1,056.34. The business has a 50 day moving average of $955.61 and a 200 day moving average of $807.34. The company has a market cap of $358.99 billion, a PE ratio of 46.47, a PEG ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 1.49.

ASML Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 7th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 29th will be given a $1.343 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 26th. This represents a $5.37 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.59%. ASML’s dividend payout ratio is currently 32.99%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the company. HSBC assumed coverage on ASML in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Raymond James upped their price objective on ASML from $850.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Kepler Capital Markets upgraded ASML from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Susquehanna boosted their target price on ASML from $830.00 to $1,100.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on ASML from $1,050.00 to $1,150.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 2nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,036.00.

About ASML

ASML Holding N.V. develops, produces, markets, sells, and services advanced semiconductor equipment systems for chipmakers. It offers advanced semiconductor equipment systems, including lithography, metrology, and inspection systems. The company also provides extreme ultraviolet lithography systems; and deep ultraviolet lithography systems comprising immersion and dry lithography solutions to manufacture various range of semiconductor nodes and technologies.