Is the AI ​​chip boom not over yet? ASML has raised its financial forecast for the third time this year, foreign media revealed "a key signal"

ASML sells machines that are critical to manufacturing advanced semiconductors. (Reuters)

[Financial Channel/Comprehensive Report] As the competition for artificial intelligence infrastructure construction drives demand for its advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment, ASML has raised its annual revenue forecast for the third time this year. "Reuters" pointed out that ASML kicked off the technology stock earnings season, predicting that fourth-quarter sales will be higher than analysts' expectations, mainly due to the still strong demand for artificial intelligence chips, and narrowing the performance outlook range for 2026.

"Barrons" pointed out that the technology company earnings season will open before the U.S. stock market opens on Wednesday. Due to the surge in demand for processors, the Dutch chip manufacturing equipment company may increase the price of its tool equipment to please investors, which is of great significance to chip stocks.

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It is worth noting that this is the third time ASML has revised its full-year financial forecast this year. The company originally estimated in January that its full-year revenue in 2026 would reach 34 billion to 39 billion euros. After the first quarter financial report was released in April, it was raised to 36 billion to 40 billion euros. When the second quarter financial report was released in July, it was significantly increased to 43 billion to 45 billion euros. As the demand for AI chip equipment continues to be strong, after ASML announced its third-quarter financial report on October 14, it raised the lower limit of its full-year revenue forecast to 44 billion euros, while the upper limit remained at 45 billion euros. The full-year gross profit margin estimate was also raised to about 56%.

In addition, ASML's actual revenue in the third quarter reached 11.66 billion euros (approximately NT$419.76 billion). Net sales in the fourth quarter are expected to be 14.2 billion to 15.2 billion euros (approximately NT$511.2 billion to 547.2 billion), with a gross profit margin of approximately 57%. Analysts surveyed by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) had previously expected sales of 14.19 billion euros (approximately NT$510.84 billion) and a gross profit margin of 55.4%.

At the same time, ASML has narrowed the expected range of net sales in 2026 to between 44 billion euros and 45 billion euros (approximately NT$1.5 trillion to NT$1.6 trillion). The previous expected range was 43 billion euros to 45 billion euros, with a gross profit margin of approximately 56%.

The market believes that compared with the initial forecast in January this year, ASML's lower limit of revenue forecast for 2026 has been increased by a total of 10 billion euros (approximately NT$360 billion), indicating that AI-related demand continues to drive chip manufacturers to expand equipment investment, supporting the company's operational outlook.

"Reuters" stated that ASML is the world's largest supplier of wafer manufacturing equipment and the only manufacturer of EUV exposure machines required to produce the most advanced wafers. It is a vane for the development of artificial intelligence.

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