Technology: Europe's most valuable company ASML warns of delivery bottlenecks

Munich. The chip supplier ASML is preparing for long-term growth. “Some customers are showing interest in placing orders with us for 2029 and even 2030,” said CEO Christophe Fouquet on Wednesday.

Buyers are revising their forecasts for short and medium-term demand upwards, the manager said. The upswing is being driven by investments in data centers for artificial intelligence (AI).

Fouquet also warned of delivery bottlenecks. The order situation would improve quarter after quarter. With current capacities, ASML would not be able to process all orders in 2027 and 2028.

Against this background, the group is currently examining whether to expand the capacities for the group's most important revenue generator, the so-called low-NA EUV systems, more in 2028 than planned. The previous plan was to produce 30 percent more in each of the next two years.

The positive forecast should reassure investors. At the beginning of the week, the prices of chip stocks collapsed worldwide. The trigger was statements by Hock Tan, head of the chip company Broadcom. The entrepreneur had warned against high expectations of AI and financing problems when expanding it.