ASML posts record orders, lifts 2026 outlook as AI demand surges

ASML on Wednesday, January 28, reported orders that surged past expectations while its 2026 sales guidance was ahead of estimates on the back of AI demand continuing to support the chip giant's business.

The Dutch firm's bookings came in at €13.2 billion in the December quarter of 2025, ahead of analyst estimates of €6.32 billion, as per Visible Alpha, cited by Reuters, CNBC reported. This was a record quarter for the company's orders, as per the firm's finance chief Roger Dassen.

ASML has also announced a €12 billion share buyback plan that will be executed by December 31, 2028.

The Dutch chip giant said it expects its net sales for the present quarter to be between €8.2 billion and €8.9 billion and total sales for 2026 to be between €34 billion and €39 billion. The mid-point is more than analyst estimates of €35.1 billion.

Earlier, ASML had said it did not expect its total net sales in 2026 to be below 2025. The firm's forecast pointed to revenue growth of at least 20% in comparison to 2024, signaling an improvement on its previous commentary on 2026, when an increase in revenue was uncertain.

ASML on Wednesday also said it was looking at layoffs, which would result in a net reduction of about 1,700 positions, mostly in the Netherlands and some in the United States. In some cases, the firm's way of working has become 'less agile' and hence the job cuts are intended to address the issue, it said, CNBC reported.