ASML Exceeds Q4 Earnings, U.S. Becomes Largest Market

ASML Holding NV has exceeded fourth-quarter earnings expectations, reporting net sales of €9.71 billion and earnings per share of €7.15, surpassing forecasts. The Dutch semiconductor equipment giant also posted record net bookings of €7.09 billion, reflecting strong demand for its advanced chipmaking tools despite market disruptions caused by Chinese AI startup DeepSeek's low-cost models. CEO Christophe Fouquet emphasized that AI remains a key driver for growth, as ASML continues to supply crucial technology to chip manufacturers like Nvidia and Apple. The U.S. has overtaken China as ASML's largest market, partly due to the backlog created in previous years. Despite recent stock market volatility, ASML expects strong growth in 2025 and has seen a rebound in its share prices. However, concerns persist about long-term growth beyond 2025, particularly regarding the impact of DeepSeek's innovations on AI spending.