ASML raises full-year 2026 sales guidance again as AI chip demand accelerates

ASML raised its full-year 2026 net sales guidance to EUR43-45 billion, its second raise this year, after second-quarter sales beat forecasts on AI-driven chip demand. The prior range was EUR36-40 billion.

The Dutch semiconductor-equipment maker reported second-quarter net sales of EUR9.3 billion and net income of EUR2.9 billion at a 54% gross margin, both above its earlier guidance. It also lifted full-year gross-margin guidance to 54-56%, from 51-53%.

The upgrade signals the capital-spending cycle behind AI chips is still accelerating rather than cooling. Chief Executive Christophe Fouquet said “ongoing AI-related investments and continued progress in AI technologies are driving demand for advanced Logic and Memory chips” as customers accelerate capacity-expansion plans.

Much of the strength came from Installed Base Management sales, the service and upgrade business, which generated EUR2.8 billion in the quarter, ASML said. The company guided third-quarter net sales of EUR11-12 billion at a 55-57% gross margin, according to its investor presentation filed with U.S. regulators.

The figures are ASML’s own reporting and reflect a single quarter; demand for its extreme ultraviolet, or EUV, lithography machines can swing sharply with customer build plans. To meet the projected demand, ASML said it plans to increase low-NA EUV capacity 30% for 2027 and is evaluating a further 30% increase for 2028.

ASML declared an interim dividend of EUR1.88 per share, payable August 5, and bought back about EUR1.1 billion of shares during the quarter.