ASML: record sales of €11.7 billion in the third quarter, and capacity for 2027 already insufficient to meet AI demand

The Dutch manufacturer of lithography machines has raised its 2026 forecast to 44–45 billion euros and warns that its planned capacity for 2027 and 2028 will not be sufficient.

ASML published its third quarter accounts on 14 October 2026: a record 11.7 billion euros in turnover, a gross margin of 57.5% and a net profit of 5 billion euros. The services and upgrades of the installed fleet weighed 3.3 billion, above what the group had anticipated, driven by the demand for productivity gains on the machines already delivered.

Orders until 2030

For the fourth quarter, the Dutch target is between EUR 14.2 billion and EUR 15.2 billion in sales, bringing its annual range 2026 to EUR 44-45 billion, with a gross margin of around 56%. According to management, chip manufacturers are constantly increasing their equipment needs, at the pace of their AI bets, and some are already looking to reserve machines for 2029 or even 2030.

As a result, production planned for 2027 and 2028 will not fully cover demand, and ASML is exploring how to go beyond the previously announced 30% capacity increase. The group has also purchased 4.1 billion euros of its own shares over the quarter and will pay a dividend deposit of 1.88 euros per share on 4 November.