Chip giant ASML posts record orders and upbeat 2026 guidance as AI boom continues

Group 1 - ASML reported record orders of 13.2 billion euros ($15.8 billion) in Q4 2025, significantly exceeding analyst expectations of 6.32 billion euros [1] - The company expects net sales for the current quarter to be between 8.2 billion and 8.9 billion euros, and total sales for 2026 to range from 34 billion to 39 billion euros, with the midpoint above analyst expectations of 35.1 billion euros [2] - ASML's shares have increased nearly 30% this year, driven by demand from the AI infrastructure boom [3] Group 2 - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) reported a record profit in Q4, indicating strong demand for AI chips and infrastructure, which benefits ASML as a supplier [4] - There is a shortage of memory semiconductors leading to price increases, with expectations that major memory makers like Samsung and SK Hynix will increase chipmaking capacity, resulting in higher purchases of ASML machines [5] - Barclays anticipates that SK Hynix will acquire 12 of ASML's extreme ultraviolet lithography machines in 2026 [6] Group 3 - ASML's net sales for the latest quarter were 9.7 billion euros ($11.6 billion), slightly above the expected 9.6 billion euros, while net profit was 2.84 billion euros, below the expected 3.01 billion euros [8]