ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) Trading Down 2.2% – Time to Sell?

Shares of ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) were down 2.2% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $1,408.05 and last traded at $1,422.92. Approximately 4,994,064 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 114% from the average daily volume of 2,329,421 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1,454.59.

ASML News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting ASML this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Record Q4 bookings and raised 2026 outlook, driven by AI-related demand — bookings ~€13.2B and management lifted medium‑term/2026 guidance, signaling sustained chipmaker investment. Reuters: ASML Q4 bookings beat expectations
• Positive Sentiment: Strong full‑year 2025 results and cash generation — ASML reported €32.7B sales and €9.6B net income for 2025, reinforcing its market leadership in EUV systems. GlobeNewswire: ASML 2025 results
• Positive Sentiment: Capital returns and shareholder-friendly actions — management authorized a ~€12B buyback through 2028 and raised the 2025 dividend (S.A. report), which supports shareholder value. Seeking Alpha: Upgrade and buyback/dividend
• Positive Sentiment: Multiple brokerages reiterate/upgrade and lift targets citing limited China risk and strong edge‑AI demand — BofA kept ASML as a Top Pick and other houses raised targets ahead of results. InsiderMonkey: BofA Top Pick
• Neutral Sentiment: Geographic/industry footprint expanding — ASML systems are being earmarked for new fabs (e.g., India’s Dholera project), which is supportive long term but not an immediate earnings driver. CircuitDigest: ASML equipment for India fab
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst mix remains split — some firms reaffirm neutral/outperform ratings (Evercore, Barclays, Jefferies notes), so headline sentiment is mixed despite several buy calls. MarketScreener: Jefferies neutral
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 EPS missed consensus ($8.61 vs. $9.01), which can trigger near‑term profit‑taking despite revenue strength. MarketBeat: ASML earnings summary
• Negative Sentiment: Workforce reduction (~1,700 roles) announced to simplify organization — boosts near‑term efficiency but raises questions about execution and near‑term costs/savings timing. TechXplore: ASML profit and job cuts
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation concerns and “priced for perfection” commentary — some analysts/writings warn returns depend on sustained, very high FCF growth, which increases sensitivity to any execution miss. Seeking Alpha: valuation downgrade

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on ASML shares. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a research note on Wednesday. Zacks Research lowered shares of ASML from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of ASML in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada started coverage on shares of ASML in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $1,550.00 price target on the stock. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have issued a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,407.00.

ASML Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $559.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 57.91, a P/E/G ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.31 and a quick ratio of 0.70. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $1,152.39 and a 200 day simple moving average of $972.87.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ASML

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Capstone Wealth Management Group LLC increased its stake in ASML by 5.2% in the first quarter. Capstone Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 2,511 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $1,664,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of ASML by 141.1% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 6,871 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $4,553,000 after buying an additional 4,021 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its position in shares of ASML by 153.1% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 17,210 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $11,404,000 after buying an additional 10,411 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in ASML by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,168 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $936,000 after buying an additional 15 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Global Trust Asset Management LLC grew its position in ASML by 9.6% in the second quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 228 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $183,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares during the period. 26.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About ASML

ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ: ASML) is a Dutch company that develops, manufactures and services advanced photolithography systems used to produce semiconductor chips. Headquartered in Veldhoven, Netherlands, ASML supplies capital equipment and associated software and services that enable semiconductor manufacturers to pattern the intricate circuits on silicon wafers. The company is widely recognized for its leadership in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography as well as its deep ultraviolet (DUV) platforms used across multiple process nodes.

ASML’s product portfolio includes EUV and DUV lithography machines, light sources, imaging optics and control software, together with spare parts, upgrades and field services.