ASML Holding N.V. (ASML) shares have plunged 8.6% since it reported first-quarter 2025 results on April 15. The stock has fallen largely due to slower booking growth and concerns related to the escalating Chinese trade restrictions. With this, investors must be wondering whether to exit the investment or if it is a buy-the-dip opportunity. Why Did ASML Holding Struggle? Although ASML Holding's first-quarter bookings grew 9% year over year to €3.94 billion, it was down 44.5% sequentially, turning investors c ...

Core Viewpoint - The current market downturn presents buying opportunities for investors in tech stocks, particularly ASML, TSMC, and Supermicro, despite the challenges posed by tariffs and geopolitical tensions [1][2]. Group 1: ASML - ASML is the leading producer of lithography systems essential for chip manufacturing, particularly the only supplier of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) systems [3][4]. - The stock has declined nearly 40% over the past year due to export curbs and tariffs, but the exclusion of semiconductors from tariffs and growth in the AI market are expected to support its EUV business [4][5]. - Analysts project ASML's revenue and earnings per share (EPS) to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12% and 22% from 2024 to 2027, respectively, making its stock appear historically cheap at 20 times next year's earnings [5][6]. Group 2: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) - TSMC is the largest contract chipmaker globally, producing chips for major companies like Apple and Nvidia, with operations in multiple countries [7]. - The stock has seen a 3% increase over the past year but has dropped 27% year to date due to tariffs and geopolitical tensions, although a $165 billion investment in U.S. fabs over the next four years may mitigate these impacts [8][9]. - Analysts expect TSMC's revenue and EPS to grow at a CAGR of 22% and 24% from 2024 to 2027, driven largely by the AI market expansion, with the stock trading at 13 times next year's earnings [9]. Group 3: Supermicro - Supermicro specializes in building servers for data centers, focusing on dedicated AI servers, and has a strong partnership with Nvidia for GPU access [10][11]. - The stock has plummeted nearly 70% over the past year due to various setbacks, including allegations of inflated revenue and regulatory scrutiny, but has recently made improvements by hiring a new auditor and submitting its 10-K filing [11][12]. - Analysts forecast Supermicro's revenue and EPS to grow at a CAGR of 38% and 22% from 2024 to 2027, respectively, with the stock trading at 9 times next year's earnings, indicating potential for a higher valuation if the company stabilizes and expands its U.S. manufacturing [12].

Core Viewpoint - ASML Holding N.V. has experienced a significant stock price decline of 25.1% over the past year, underperforming the broader market and major semiconductor companies, despite its strong market position and financial performance [1][3]. Company Performance - ASML's stock underperformance is attributed to macroeconomic pressures and company-specific challenges, including a broader tech sector sell-off and weakening semiconductor demand [4][5]. - The Dutch government's export restrictions on ASML's advanced lithography tools to China have hampered growth prospects, as China accounted for 41% of ASML's lithography shipments in 2024 [6]. - ASML's forward P/E ratio stands at 27.92, which is higher than the Zacks Computer and Technology sector average of 23.92, raising valuation concerns among investors [7]. Technological Leadership - ASML maintains a near-monopoly on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, essential for producing advanced chips at 3nm and below, positioning it as a key enabler in semiconductor manufacturing [9][11]. - The company's High-NA EUV technology, designed for sub-2nm nodes, represents significant long-term potential, despite slower-than-expected adoption [10]. Financial Performance - ASML reported €9.26 billion in net sales for Q4 2024, a 24% year-over-year increase, with net income rising 30% to €2.69 billion and EPS growing 30% to €6.85 [12]. - The gross margin expanded by 90 basis points year-over-year to 51.7%, reflecting strong cost management and productivity improvements [13]. - For 2025, ASML expects a 15% revenue growth, driven by rising demand for EUV and DUV lithography systems, along with anticipated margin expansions [14]. Order Backlog and Revenue Visibility - ASML has a record-high order backlog of €36 billion, providing strong revenue visibility, with €7.1 billion in new orders booked in Q4 2024 [15][16]. - The demand for ASML's lithography tools is driven by the AI boom and the need for next-generation chip production [17][18]. Conclusion - Despite facing near-term challenges, ASML's technological leadership, robust financials, and substantial order backlog indicate strong long-term growth potential, making it a compelling hold for investors [19][20].