ASML Raises 2026 Outlook After 'Record' Third-quarter Sales

07:15 AM EDT, 10/14/2026 (MT Newswires) -- ASML (ASML.AS) upgraded its full-year 2026 outlook following "record" third-quarter net sales, as soaring artificial intelligence-related demand pushes orders beyond planned production capacity. The semiconductor equipment manufacturer said Wednesday that it now expects total net sales for the year to be between 44 billion euros and 45 billion euros, compared with an earlier target of between 43 billion euros and 45 billion euros. For the fourth quarter, total net sales are anticipated to come in between 14.2 billion euros and 15.2 billion euros. "Our customers continue to increase their short- and medium-term equipment demand forecasts with us, driven primarily by their views on the size and duration of AI-related investments. In light of their demand visibility, some customers are expressing an interest in placing orders with us for 2029 and even 2030," ASML President and Chief Executive Officer Christophe Fouquet said. Against this backdrop, Fouquet noted that current production plans for 2027 and 2028 will fall short of customer demand. "Given this, we are investigating ways to increase capacity for 2028 beyond the 30% increase we previously communicated." For the three months ended Sept. 27, the company's net income surged to 4.96 billion euros from 2.12 billion euros in the prior-year period. Total net sales jumped year over year to 11.66 billion euros from 7.52 billion euros, primarily due to a better-than-expected contribution from the installed base management business, which reached 3.29 billion euros. Meanwhile, the company's directors declared an interim dividend of 1.88 euros per ordinary share, payable Nov. 4 to shareholders on record Oct. 27. In the previous year, the group made an interim dividend payment of 1.60 euros per share. ASML's Amsterdam-listed stock was up nearly 1% during midday trading.