ASML reported a net profit of €4.96 billion on net sales of €11.7 billion for the third quarter of 2026. The company raised its full-year sales forecast to a range of €44-45 billion, up from the previous projection of at least €43 billion. ASML currently holds a market valuation of €586 billion, making it the largest firm in Europe by market capitalization.
The surge in demand for AI chips is driving long-term orders for ASML equipment, with some customers already securing capacity for 2029 and 2030. Key clients, including Samsung, Intel, TSMC, SK Hynix, and Micron, are actively expanding their production capabilities. Additionally, Elon Musk’s Terafab facility is scheduled to receive its first EUV chipmaking tool from ASML in mid-2027.
Major tech companies continue to increase their capital expenditure to support AI infrastructure. Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta collectively planned to spend $725 billion on capex in 2026. Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta have all recently raised their individual spending guidance for the year. Analysts at Gartner project global AI spending to grow by 49.5% in 2026, reaching $2.7 trillion.
