Zacks Research Downgrades ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) to Hold

ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) was downgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Susquehanna reissued a “positive” rating on shares of ASML in a report on Monday, January 12th. KGI Securities set a $1,415.00 price target on shares of ASML and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Berenberg Bank reissued a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. UBS Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Santander cut ASML from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have given a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $1,475.00.

ASML Stock Up 2.8%

ASML stock opened at $1,399.37 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $550.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.20, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.26. The business’s 50-day moving average is $1,342.26 and its two-hundred day moving average is $1,098.50. ASML has a fifty-two week low of $578.51 and a fifty-two week high of $1,547.22.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ASML

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Capstone Wealth Management Group LLC grew its position in shares of ASML by 5.2% during the first quarter. Capstone Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 2,511 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $1,664,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in ASML by 141.1% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 6,871 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $4,553,000 after purchasing an additional 4,021 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its holdings in ASML by 153.1% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 17,210 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $11,404,000 after buying an additional 10,411 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC raised its position in shares of ASML by 1.3% during the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,168 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $936,000 after buying an additional 15 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sigma Planning Corp raised its position in shares of ASML by 12.0% during the second quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 959 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $768,000 after buying an additional 103 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.