ASML raises 2026 sales outlook to €44–45 billion

ASML raised its full-year 2026 sales outlook to €44 billion–€45 billion after reporting third-quarter sales of €11.662 billion and net income of €4.960 billion.

The new forecast lifts the lower end of the range by €1 billion while leaving the upper end unchanged. In July, ASML forecast full-year sales of €43 billion–€45 billion. It also moved its full-year gross margin outlook from a range of 54%–56% to about 56%.

ASML said customers are raising their short- and medium-term equipment demand forecasts primarily because of their expectations for the size and duration of AI-related investment. The company tied AI investment to those customer forecasts, rather than directly to its reported third-quarter sales.

Third-quarter sales were near the top of ASML’s previous guidance range of €11 billion–€12 billion. The company reported a 57.5% gross margin and €3.289 billion in Installed Base Management sales, its term for service and field-option revenue. ASML attributed the sales result to execution of its production ramp and said service and field-option sales exceeded guidance.

Chief Executive Christophe Fouquet said some customers had expressed interest in placing orders for 2029 and 2030. ASML did not characterize that interest as booked orders.

ASML expects its currently planned supply for 2027 and 2028 will not fully meet customer demand. It is investigating ways to increase 2028 capacity beyond the 30% expansion discussed in July. For the fourth quarter, ASML forecasts sales of €14.2 billion–€15.2 billion and a gross margin of about 57%.