Marina Lubimova
ASML Holding NV reported results for the first quarter of 2026. The revenue and profit levels are in the higher part of the predicted range because chip manufacturers require more advanced equipment.
By the end of the quarter, the company recorded €8.8 billion in net sales and €2.8 billion in net income. There is a gross margin of 53.0% which shows how the company operates while the semiconductor industry increases its production capacity.
Sales Decline Sequentially, But Margins Improve
But sales are lower than the previous period even though margins are higher. When compared to the three months prior, the revenue for ASML is down from €9.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025. In the same period, net income is slightly lower as it moved from €2.84 billion to €2.76 billion. Then again the gross margin is higher at 53.0% compared to 52.2%, which is at the top of the predicted range.
And the number of units delivered is also lower for this quarter. There are 67 new lithography systems that the company sold in the first quarter, which is a decrease from 94 units in the previous quarter. For used systems the number is higher as it grew from 8 - 12 units.
At the same time the revenue from Installed Base Management is €2.5 billion, which is an increase from €2.1 billion - this shows that more customers pay for upgrades and maintenance for the machines they already own.
AI Demand Drives Strong Outlook
Due to the demand for AI, the future outlook is positive - as the company stated, the expectations for the semiconductor industry are higher because businesses invest in infrastructure for artificial intelligence.
CEO Christophe Fouquet said,
According to Fouquet, customers make their plans to expand capacity faster. With the support of long term agreements, this situation results in “very strong” order intake for ASML.
Guidance Raised for 2026
For the year 2026, the guidance is higher - to prepare for the next period, ASML expects net sales between €8.4 billion and €9.0 billion for the second quarter of 2026. In this period the gross margins are likely to be between 51 % and 52 %.
For the full year, the company now predicts that total net sales are between €36 billion and €40 billion. In this forecast the gross margins are between 51 % and 53 %.
Fouquet noted that: these business dynamics underpin our expectation that 2026 will be another growth year for all our businesses.
And the company stated that the predicted range is subject to possible changes, because there are ongoing discussions regarding export controls.
To provide returns to shareholders, the company continues its financial plan. If the plan is approved, ASML will increase the yearly dividend to €7.50 per share for 2025 - this amount is 17 % higher than the previous year. After the interim payments, a final dividend of €2.70 per share is proposed.
By the end of the first quarter, ASML also bought back shares with a value of approximately €1.1 billion - this action is part of the share buyback program for the years 2026 - 2028.
Marina Lubimova
