ASML Holding is scheduled to report results for the second quarter on Wednesday. Here is what to know:
SALES FORECAST: The Dutch semiconductor-equipment maker is expected to post sales of 8.83 billion euros ($10.08 billion), according to Visible Alpha. The forecast is within company guidance of 8.4 billion euros to 9 billion euros and above sales of 7.69 billion euros that ASML reported a year earlier.
The race to build out artificial-intelligence infrastructure ushered in a scramble for the sophisticated chips needed to power data centers, with ASML reaping the benefits as chip makers need more of its machines to satisfy demand.
GROSS PROFIT FORECAST: Gross profit--a closely watched metric for companies operating in the semiconductor industry--should come in at 4.59 billion euros, according to Visible Alpha, above 4.13 billion euros that ASML reported a year earlier. ASML's gross margin is expected to have edged down to about 51.9% from 53.7%, at the upper end of company guidance of 51% to 52%.
NET PROFIT FORECAST: Net profit should amount to 2.63 billion euros compared to 2.29 billion euros a year earlier.
Fervor around AI and expectations that chips will remain in high demand have propelled global semiconductor stocks to new highs in recent months. ASML solidified its lead as Europe's most valuable listed company, blowing past Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk, luxury giant LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton and Germany's Volkswagen. ASML stock has gained more than 68% since the year began and shares have more than doubled over the past 12 months.
WHAT TO WATCH:
--GUIDANCE: ASML is expected to lift its annual sales projections for the second time thanks to strong semiconductor demand. The company, which raised guidance in April, is currently forecasting sales between 36 billion euros and 40 billion euros this year, up from 32.67 billion euros in 2025. UBS analysts wrote in a note to clients that ASML could shift its guidance toward the upper end of the range, or potentially slightly above. J.P. Morgan's Sandeep Deshpande also wrote in a separate note that ASML could raise guidance again, citing strong shipments of its deep ultraviolet machines.
--MARKET TIGHTNESS: ASML Chief Executive Christophe Fouquet said in April that AI infrastructure investments were creating a situation where demand for chips was outpacing supply. Companies can't get enough memory and storage chips as AI demand pushed up their cost so much that Apple had to raise prices for some of its products. Executives at Micron Technology said last month that tight conditions would persist beyond 2027. Investors will be on the lookout for any commentary that ASML executives could make on AI demand and trends going forward.
Write to Mauro Orru at mauro.orru@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
July 13, 2026 05:49 ET (09:49 GMT)
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