ASML’s stock climbed to a record peak in early February after the company reported quarterly sales that surpassed internal forecasts by over 15%. Demand for its extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography tools, essential for next-generation AI chips, grew by 27% year-over-year, pushing revenues in the quarter to approximately €8.1 billion. To capitalize on this surge and streamline operations, ASML announced a cost-efficiency program targeting a reduction of 1,200 full-time positions by the end of 2026, which is expected to save roughly €200 million in annualized operating expenses once fully implemented.

In its latest 13F filing, Peterson Wealth Services reported a 30.8% rise in its ASML position, bringing its holding to 9,884 shares valued at roughly $9.6 million. This makes ASML the fund’s ninth largest equity allocation. Other prominent institutions followed suit: AQR Capital Management boosted its stake by 141.1% to 6,871 shares, UBS Asset Management Americas more than doubled its exposure to 17,210 shares, and Capstone Wealth Management added 124 shares. Combined, these moves lifted ASML’s institutional ownership to just over 26%, reflecting confidence in the company’s long-term growth prospects in semiconductor equipment.

ASML more than halved the gap between earnings growth and shareholder returns by raising its quarterly dividend from €1.88 to €3.1771 per share, representing a 69% increase. This adjustment translates to an annualized payout of €12.71 per share and a yield of approximately 0.9% on the current market capitalization. Following the announcement, the ex-dividend date was set for April 27, with the payment scheduled for May 5, signaling management’s confidence in sustained free cash flow above €6 billion for fiscal year 2026.

A recent survey of 33 sell-side analysts shows a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” on ASML. Three firms rate the shares as a Strong Buy, 21 as Buy, seven as Hold, and two as Sell. The average price target stands at $1,475, implying upside of over 5% from current levels. Notable endorsements include UBS and Susquehanna reaffirming buy recommendations in January, while Berenberg Bank and Evercore ISI renewed their optimistic outlooks last quarter. Even after the strong share performance, analysts highlight robust order backlogs—valued at nearly €35 billion—and leadership in EUV lithography as key drivers supporting further multiple expansion.