ASML made a strong appearance
ASML is one of the key companies for the chip industry. The clearest indication of this is that TSMC, the world’s largest contracted semiconductor manufacturer, is among the company’s customers. However, ASML is also in the middle of the US-China technology war due to the importance of the vehicles it produces. Despite these challenging conditions, the company recorded a net profit of 1.9 billion euros in the second quarter of the year. Net sales in the relevant period also amounted to 6.8 billion euros. ASML managed to increase its sales by 27 percent while increasing its profits by 37.6 percent. The company also raised its net sales forecast for 2023, raising its growth forecast from 25 percent to 30 percent.
ASML states that this growth is driven by strong revenue from the deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machine used to manufacture memory chips. The products that come out of these machines find their way into a variety of devices, from smartphones to laptops to servers.
ASML has also been caught in a wave of the US depriving China of key technologies, including the production of advanced semiconductors. In June, the Netherlands, where ASML is headquartered, imposed its own export restrictions on advanced semiconductor equipment. This move was made against China due to the pressures of the USA. But as a result, when you look at export control measures as a whole, we do not expect a significant impact over 2023, said ASML CEO Peter Wennink.