Notably, net bookings exceeded 5.4 billion euros, with extreme ultraviolet (EUV) systems accounting for 3.6 billion euros, indicating that industry demand for ASML's most advanced technologies remains strong. Installed Base Management sales, a recurring source of high-margin service revenue, totaled 1.96 billion euros. Despite the minor sequential reduction in revenue, management stated that the results were fully in line with seasonal forecasts. ASML's durable moat is built on a continuous commitment to in ...

Core Insights - ASML Holding's sales to China represented 27% of total revenues in Q1 2025, exceeding previous expectations of low-20% levels, driven by strong demand for DUV lithography systems used in mature-node chip manufacturing [1][9] - EUV system exports to China remain restricted due to U.S. and Dutch export controls, aimed at preventing China from producing advanced chips [2][9] - Despite the trade tensions, ASML has not observed any changes in customer behavior or order cancellations, although the management acknowledged increasing uncertainty in the trade environment [3][4][9] Company Performance - ASML's share price has increased approximately 15.4% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Computer and Technology sector, which gained 7% [8] - The forward price-to-sales ratio for ASML is 8.23, significantly higher than the sector average of 6.57 [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year earnings increase of about 32% for 2025 and 10.1% for 2026, with recent upward revisions for 2025 estimates [11]

Core Viewpoint - ASML Holding and Applied Materials are key players in the semiconductor supply chain, with ASML holding a dominant position in EUV lithography and Applied Materials providing a broad range of semiconductor fabrication equipment [1][2]. Group 1: ASML Holding - ASML Holding has a near-monopoly on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, crucial for producing advanced semiconductors [3][4]. - The company is investing in next-generation technologies like High-NA EUV, which are essential for smaller semiconductor nodes [5]. - In Q4 2024, ASML reported a 24% increase in revenues and a 30% increase in earnings year-over-year, with a record backlog of €36 billion indicating strong future revenue visibility [6]. - ASML's revenue growth guidance for Q1 2025 is 46.5%, and for the full year 2025, it is 15% [6]. - Geopolitical risks, particularly export restrictions to China, pose challenges, as China accounted for approximately 41% of ASML's lithography shipments in 2024 [7]. Group 2: Applied Materials - Applied Materials is the largest supplier of semiconductor fabrication equipment, with a strong position in AI-driven semiconductor technology [8]. - In fiscal 2024, revenues from advanced semiconductor nodes exceeded $2.5 billion, with expectations to double in fiscal 2025 [9]. - In Q1 fiscal 2025, Applied Materials reported a 7% increase in revenues and a 12% increase in non-GAAP EPS [9]. - The company faces challenges from U.S. export restrictions to China, which are expected to reduce fiscal 2025 revenues by $400 million [10]. - A slowdown in the ICAPS segment could negatively impact Applied Materials' overall performance [11]. Group 3: Price Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, ASML shares have decreased by 10.1%, while Applied Materials shares have declined by 16.7% [13]. - ASML is trading at a forward earnings multiple of 23.56X, below its three-year median of 30.04X, while Applied Materials has a forward sales multiple of 14.13X, significantly lower than its median of 18.14X [14]. - ASML's valuations reflect high growth expectations and improving profitability, suggesting that its premium may be justified if execution is sustained [15]. Group 4: Estimates Comparison - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ASML's 2025 sales and EPS implies year-over-year growth of 12.4% and 21.9%, respectively [18]. - For Applied Materials, the estimates for fiscal 2025 sales and EPS imply a year-over-year increase of 6% and 8.2%, respectively, with recent downward revisions [20]. Conclusion - ASML Holding has a stronger growth profile and a monopoly in EUV technology, making it a more compelling long-term investment compared to Applied Materials, which faces more uncertain growth prospects [21].