By Mauro Orru
ASML Holding is scheduled to report results for the first quarter on Wednesday. Here is what to know:
SALES FORECAST: The Dutch semiconductor-equipment maker is expected to post sales of 8.69 billion euros ($10.19 billion), according to Visible Alpha. The forecast is within company guidance between 8.2 billion and 8.9 billion euros and above sales of 7.74 billion euros that ASML reported a year earlier.
This marks the first quarter that ASML isn't disclosing orders. Company executives have argued that orders weren't an accurate reflection of business momentum as they can be lumpy between quarters and decided to forgo the metric, opting instead to provide a total backlog on an annual basis.
Analysts at Citi and UBS wrote in notes to clients that they expect a strong first quarter from ASML.
GROSS PROFIT FORECAST: Gross profit--a closely watched metric for companies operating in the semiconductor industry--should come in at 4.54 billion euros, according to Visible Alpha, above 4.18 billion euros that ASML reported a year earlier. ASML's gross margin is expected to have edged down to 52.2% from 54%, within company guidance between 51% and 53%.
NET PROFIT FORECAST: Net profit should amount to 2.58 billion euros compared to nearly 2.36 billion euros a year earlier.
ASML shares have more than doubled over the past 12 months and are up 36% since the year began as the company continues to benefit from the artificial-intelligence boom. ASML remains Europe's largest listed company by market value.
--GUIDANCE: ASML is expected to lift its sales projections for the year. The company is currently forecasting sales between 34 billion euros and 39 billion euros, up from 32.67 billion euros in 2025. Citi and UBS analysts said they expect the company to revise its guidance toward the upper end of its current range.
--AI DEMAND: ASML has been a key beneficiary of the AI boom since the 2022 release of ChatGPT ushered in a spending bonanza from companies seeking to harness the technology. Chip makers have been scrambling to secure ASML's advanced chip-making tools as they face pressure from their own customers to produce semiconductors for AI data centers, smartphones and other devices.
Investors will be on the lookout for any commentary that ASML executives could make on AI demand and trends going forward.
--GEOPOLITICS: Eyes will also fall on any remarks about geopolitical uncertainty, particularly the Iran war. The Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway used to transport everything from fertilizer to grow food or helium to make AI chips, has been largely closed since the war between the U.S. and Iran broke out in late February.
Write to Mauro Orru at mauro.orru@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 13, 2026 06:08 ET (10:08 GMT)
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