ASML, the world’s biggest supplier of equipment used to manufacture computer chips, has raised its financial forecasts for 2026 and said it would expand capacity after reporting better-than-expected second-quarter earnings, driven by artificial intelligence demand.
ASML said it now expects full-year 2026 net revenue of €43-45 billion, an increase of 16% at the midpoint from its earlier forecast range of €36-40 billion.
Revenue for the three months ended June 30 was €9.33 billion, topping analysts’ estimates of €8.80 billion, while net income was €2.92 billion, above expectations of €2.62 billion, according to LSEG data.
ChiefeExecutive Christophe Fouquet flagged “extremely strong” order intake due to demand for AI chips.
“Our customers in turn continue to accelerate their capacity expansion plans (…) providing ASML with increased visibility into longer-term demand,” Fouquet said in a statement.
The Dutch company is the only maker of extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) tools, which are needed to make cutting-edge chips. Customers including TSMC, Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron are racing to add capacity for AI-related demand.
ASML said it intends to expand capacity for its flagship EUV tools, as well as for deep ultraviolet (DUV) tools needed for less advanced chips and by customers in China, by 30% in each of the coming two years.
Separately, Fouquet said Intel will use ASML’s new High-NA tool to make some of its most advanced “Panther Lake” chips, marking a first for the technology.