Dutch chipmaking supplier ASML is expected to deliver a strong outlook for 2026 and beyond when it reports third-quarter results, buoyed by a surge in AI megadeals between major technology and semiconductor firms. Investors are betting that customers such as TSMC, SK Hynix, and Samsung will step up production expansion to meet booming demand for AI datacentres.
ASML shares have risen 32% since early September, outperforming the broader semiconductor market. Analysts surveyed by Visible Alpha forecast 5.36 billion euros ($6.21 billion) in new bookings this quarter and a 1.4% rise in net income to 2.11 billion euros, according to LSEG IBES data.
The company’s high-end lithography machines — each costing over $300 million — remain indispensable for manufacturing the circuits that power AI and advanced chips. Analysts say new contracts between NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Samsung, Meta, and Oracle signal years of sustained demand for ASML’s equipment.
Still, questions linger about whether chipmakers can speed up plant construction, given the 8–12 month lead time for ASML’s tools. “Every memory chipmaker is likely to increase capacity for AI,” said Michael Roeg of Degroof Petercam, adding that demand will extend to Chinese manufacturers as well.
