Amsterdam, Feb 1, 2026, 23:43 CET — Market closed.
- ASML’s shares listed in the U.S. closed Friday 2.2% lower, at $1,423.
- Investors continue to balance record orders with concerns over delivery capacity and high valuations.
- Coming next: dividend dates in mid-February, followed by the annual report and April earnings.
ASML Holding NV’s shares on U.S. exchanges ended Friday at $1,423, slipping 2.2%. With markets closed Sunday, investors are now looking toward the upcoming week for new triggers.
Late last week, the Dutch chip equipment giant rattled the industry with record fourth-quarter “net bookings” — the tally of new orders — and raised its sales forecast for 2026. It also announced plans to cut 1,700 jobs and launch a fresh share buyback program. CEO Christophe Fouquet highlighted that customer capacity expansions were driving order growth, citing Micron’s steady rollout of new projects as a clear example. https://www.reuters.com/business/asml-q4-b… Reuters
Why it matters now: ASML has turned into a clear stand-in for the AI data-center boom — sidestepping bets on which chip designer will come out ahead — and that’s driven expectations sharply higher. Reuters Breakingviews pointed out the stock’s volatile swings highlight a divide in the market. The question: can ASML convert its growing backlog into shipments quickly enough, or are investors already pricing in years of growth?
ASML reported that customer sentiment on medium-term demand has turned “notably more positive.” The company reaffirmed its 2026 net sales forecast at 34 billion to 39 billion euros, with a gross margin expected between 51% and 53%. It also announced that its 2025 annual reports under US GAAP and IFRS will be released on Feb. 25. https://www.asml.com/en/news/press-release… ASML
Dividend details are also in focus shortly. ASML’s schedule lists the interim dividend ex-date as Feb. 9 on Euronext and Feb. 10 on Nasdaq, with the payout due Feb. 18.
Sentiment in the sector swung sharply. KLA, another chip-equipment maker, topped expectations yet still dropped in after-hours trading. Michael Ashley Schulman, CIO of Running Point Capital Advisors, noted the stock “had already sprinted into the print,” suggesting only a major upside surprise could have pushed it higher. https://www.reuters.com/business/kla-corp-… Reuters
But the setup works both ways. If customers delay fab expansions or supply-chain issues worsen, major tool shipments could slip, shifting revenue into future quarters. Export restrictions on sales to China continue to weigh on sentiment, despite stronger demand in other regions.
Traders will be closely eyeing chip-equipment stocks in the coming session and week to see if they can keep up with the broader tech sector. Key will be whether upcoming dividend dates spark fresh buying or lead investors to trim positions. ASML’s next major milestones are its annual report on Feb. 25 and first-quarter results due April 15.
