We came across a bullish thesis on ASML Holding N.V. on Value investing subreddit by West-Chard-1474. In this article, we will summarize the bulls’ thesis on ASML. ASML Holding N.V.'s share was trading at $1,002.30 as of October 7th. ASML’s trailing and forward P/E were 36.49 and 34.01 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Analyst Highlights Red Flags in Nvidia (NVDA) - OpenAI $100 Billion Deal - ‘Feature of Past Bubbles’ ASML has made a strategic €1.3 billion investment in Mistral AI, becoming its la ...

Core Insights - ASML Holding N.V. (ASML) shares have increased by 43% over the past three months, significantly outperforming the Zacks Computer and Technology sector's 13.4% gain [1] - ASML's stock has also surpassed several semiconductor peers, including MKS Inc. (MKSI), KLA Corporation (KLAC), and Applied Materials (AMAT), which saw increases of 41.4%, 28%, and 20.9% respectively [1] ASML's Competitive Advantage - ASML holds a near-monopoly on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology, essential for manufacturing advanced chips at 3nm and below, providing it with extraordinary pricing power and strategic importance [5] - The next growth phase for ASML lies in its High Numerical Aperture (High-NA) EUV systems, designed for sub-2nm production, with commercial adoption expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027 [6][7] Impact of AI on Growth - The accelerating demand for artificial intelligence (AI) is creating a significant growth opportunity for ASML, as AI workloads require advanced chips that depend on ASML's precision lithography [10][11] Financial Performance - ASML's third-quarter 2025 earnings showed a 3.8% year-over-year increase in earnings to €5.48 per share (approximately $6.41), beating estimates by 2.2% [12] - Revenues rose by 0.7% to €7.52 billion, driven by a 27% increase in the services and field operations segment [12] - Despite a 6.3% decline in system sales, gross margin expanded to 51.6%, up 80 basis points, aided by higher volumes of low-NA EUV tools and upgrades [13] Future Projections - For the fourth quarter, ASML expects revenues between €9.2 billion and €9.8 billion, with gross margins projected at 51-53% [14] - For the full year 2025, management anticipates sales growth of around 15% with margins near 52% [14] Valuation and Market Position - ASML trades at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 34.25X, higher than the sector average of 29.41X, reflecting its market position and technology leadership [15][17] - Compared to peers, ASML's P/E multiple is higher than KLA Corporation, Applied Materials, and MKS, indicating longer visibility of its growth cycle [17] Investment Outlook - ASML's dominance in EUV and emerging High-NA lithography, along with increasing AI-related chip demand, provides a durable competitive edge [19] - Strong revenue visibility, improving margins, and expanding customer adoption support the case for holding or adding to positions in ASML for long-term investors [19]

Core Viewpoint - ASML Holding N.V. is expected to report strong second-quarter 2025 results, potentially exceeding market expectations with projected revenues between €7.2 billion and €7.7 billion, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate stands at $8.55 billion, reflecting a 27.2% year-over-year increase [1][8]. Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is $5.94 per share, which is a 37.5% increase from the previous year's earnings of $4.32. This estimate has been revised upward by 14 cents in the last 30 days [2][3]. - ASML has a history of earnings surprises, having outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last four quarters with an average beat of 6.8% [3]. Earnings Prediction - The Earnings ESP for ASML is +2.82%, indicating a likelihood of an earnings beat this season [5]. - The company holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), which suggests a stable outlook [5]. Industry Context - The semiconductor sector is experiencing a resurgence driven by high demand and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), benefiting ASML particularly in the wafer fabrication equipment market [6][8]. - ASML is positioned at the forefront of technological innovation, capitalizing on the industry's shift towards smaller, advanced technology nodes essential for AI, 5G, and high-performance computing [7]. Market Demand - Demand for ASML's lithography tools is increasing in both logic and memory markets, with a notable transition to next-generation memory technologies like DDR5 and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) [8][9]. - The company's heavy investments in Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) technology are yielding positive results, with rising demand for EUV-related services [10]. Challenges - Despite strong demand, macroeconomic challenges, including U.S.-China trade tensions and export restrictions on advanced semiconductors to China, pose risks to ASML's performance [11][20]. - However, demand for Deep Ultraviolet (DUV) lithography systems from Chinese chipmakers may partially mitigate the impact of these restrictions [11]. Stock Performance - ASML shares have increased by 15.7% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Computer and Technology sector's growth of 7.4% [12]. - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month P/E of 27.7X, slightly above the sector average of 27.39X [14]. Investment Thesis - ASML holds a unique position in the chip equipment market as the sole producer of EUV lithography machines at scale, crucial for manufacturing advanced chips [18]. - The company is advancing its next-generation High-NA EUV machines, which are essential for producing smaller chips, aligning with the growing demand for efficient chips driven by AI [19]. Conclusion - ASML's dominance in EUV technology and solid revenue visibility position it well for future growth, although export restrictions and high valuation multiples suggest a cautious investment approach [21].

Core Viewpoint - ASML Holding N.V. is expected to report strong first-quarter 2025 results, with significant revenue and earnings growth driven by demand in the semiconductor sector, particularly in advanced lithography technology [2][6][20]. Financial Performance - ASML anticipates revenues between €7.5 billion and €8 billion, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.08 billion, reflecting a 40.7% increase year-over-year [2]. - The earnings estimate is projected at $6.12 per share, an 81.1% increase from the previous year's $3.38, with a recent upward revision of 10 cents over the past 60 days [2][3]. Earnings Surprise and Predictions - ASML has a strong earnings surprise history, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last four quarters with an average beat of 10.8% [3]. - The company is predicted to beat earnings this season, supported by a positive Earnings ESP of +4.58% and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [4][5]. Industry Dynamics - The semiconductor sector is experiencing a resurgence, driven by increased demand and advancements in AI technology, benefiting ASML significantly [6]. - ASML is positioned at the forefront of technological innovation, particularly in the transition to smaller technology nodes essential for AI, 5G, and high-performance computing [7]. Demand for Products - Demand for ASML's lithography tools is rising in both logic and memory markets, particularly with the shift to next-generation memory technologies like DDR5 and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) [8]. - The company's investments in Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) technology are yielding positive results, with strong sales expected from the NXE:3800 machine [9]. Challenges - Despite strengths, ASML faces macroeconomic challenges, including U.S.-China trade tensions and export restrictions on advanced semiconductors, which may impact performance [10]. Stock Performance and Valuation - ASML shares have declined 30% over the past year, underperforming the Zacks Computer and Technology industry's growth of 2.8% [11]. - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month P/E of 24.94X, higher than the sector average of 22.26X and peers like KLA Corporation and Lam Research [13][16]. Investment Thesis - ASML's technological leadership in lithography equipment and near-monopoly on EUV technology position it as a critical player in semiconductor manufacturing [17]. - The company's High-NA EUV technology represents significant long-term potential, despite slower-than-expected adoption [18]. - ASML's competitive moat and dominance in advanced semiconductor fabrication support a positive long-term growth outlook [19][20].