Morgan Stanley Just Named This Stock a Top Semiconductor Pick. Should You Buy Shares Now?

Core Viewpoint - Semiconductor stocks are crucial for the AI and data center boom, with a focus on companies supplying chipmaking equipment rather than just chips [1] Group 1: ASML's Position and Performance - ASML has received a significant endorsement from Morgan Stanley, which raised its price target and named it a Top Pick in European semiconductors due to strengthening demand in memory and logic sectors [2] - ASML is the largest supplier of chipmaking equipment globally, with its EUV tools being essential for producing advanced CPUs, GPUs, and memory chips, creating a unique oligopoly in the market [4] - ASML's stock has increased approximately 55% year-to-date in 2025, driven by rising demand for chips in AI and data centers [5] Group 2: Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, ASML reported sales of €7.5 billion, slightly higher than the previous year, and net income of about €2.1 billion, with earnings per share at €5.49, surpassing year-ago figures [7] - The company's gross margin remained strong at just over 51% [7] Group 3: Valuation Concerns - Despite strong performance, ASML's valuation is considered high, with a forward P/E ratio around 35x, significantly above the sector median of 23x [6]