ASML posts nearly five billion euros in profit
Chipmaking equipment manufacturer raises lower end of annual forecast and sees demand beyond 2027.
There is news on this story (Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 13:58): ASML warns of tighter US export rules
Follow-up to: ASML expects shortage of machines for AI chip production Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 09:58
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ASML recorded revenue of 11.7 billion euros and net profit of 5.0 billion euros in the third quarter of 2026. The Veldhoven-based company says customers are already showing interest in chip machines for 2029 and 2030.
Revenue for the quarter came to 11.662 billion euros and net profit to 4.960 billion euros, according to ASML’s quarterly figures. The gross margin was 57.5 per cent. In the second quarter, revenue was 9.326 billion euros and net profit was 2.918 billion euros.
For the fourth quarter, ASML expects revenue of between 14.2 and 15.2 billion euros, with a gross margin of around 57 per cent. For the whole of 2026, the company now expects revenue of between 44 and 45 billion euros. The lower end of that range is higher than in the previous forecast, while the upper end remains unchanged.
According to ASML, demand is being driven mainly by investment in artificial intelligence. Chipmakers are trying to expand their production capacity and are therefore seeking certainty about the availability of machines at an earlier stage. Chief executive Christophe Fouquet said discussions with customers now also cover the period beyond 2027.
This creates a new capacity challenge. ASML expects the planned production for 2027 and 2028 not to fully meet demand. The company is therefore examining ways to expand capacity for 2028 further, on top of the previously mentioned 30 per cent expansion.
The figures are important for Dutch industry because ASML is a central supplier to chipmakers worldwide. The company makes machines for, among other things, EUV lithography, a technology used to create very small structures on chips. Demand for these machines has knock-on effects for suppliers, technical service providers and regional labour markets.
The outlooks remain forecasts, however, rather than realised revenue. ASML itself points to risks such as export restrictions, geopolitical tensions, customer decisions and the availability of parts and staff. According to the company, the financial statements for the third quarter have not been audited. A briefing for investors was scheduled for later on Wednesday afternoon.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- ASML expects demand for chip machines to exceed planned capacity in 2027 and 2028.
- According to the company, demand is mainly linked to investment in artificial intelligence.
- Export rules and geopolitical developments may affect the outlook.
Left
Arguments The Netherlands and Europe should actively support the strategic chip chain, but public support should come with conditions for workers, knowledge-sharing and wider societal benefits.
Values Strategic autonomy, public investment and broad distribution of economic benefits.
Consequences More government support could strengthen capacity and employment, but this view calls for oversight of subsidies and concentrations of power.
Centre
Arguments A mix of market forces, European cooperation and targeted protection against geopolitical risks is needed. ASML should be able to grow, but should not become wholly dependent on a single technology hype.
Values Stability, innovation and institutional resilience.
Consequences Gradual capacity expansion and predictable export policy would limit both economic shocks and security risks.
Right
Arguments The strong results show that private innovation and entrepreneurship are the main engines. Governments should primarily make permits, infrastructure and talent available.
Values Competitiveness, property rights and a small, focused government.
Consequences Fewer bureaucratic obstacles could accelerate growth; too many political conditions could deter investment and international customers.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The figures, forecasts and capacity issue were checked directly with ASML and NOS. Uncertain future expectations were not presented as established facts.
- confirmed ASML reported revenue of 11.7 billion euros and net profit of 5.0 billion euros in the third quarter. — Both amounts appear in the official quarterly report. source
- confirmed The gross margin was 57.5 per cent. — ASML gives this as the gross margin for the third quarter. source
- confirmed ASML expects revenue of between 44 and 45 billion euros in 2026. — This is the new range in the official outlook. source
- confirmed ASML is seeing interest in orders for 2029 and 2030. — The CEO mentions this in the official report; NOS confirms the substance. source
- confirmed Planned capacity for 2027 and 2028 risks falling short of demand. — ASML states this explicitly in its explanation of the outlook. source
Editor's note
The quarterly figures and forecasts have been confirmed by ASML and NOS. The financial statements are unaudited, and the capacity and revenue forecasts remain forward-looking company estimates.Sources
The story so far
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 08:00 ASML raises production after record quarter
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 09:58 ASML expects shortage of machines for AI chip production
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 12:01 ASML posts nearly five billion euros in profit (this article)
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 13:58 ASML warns of tighter US export rules
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „asml chipindustrie”
- NOS — „asml chipindustrie”
- Het Parool — „asml chipindustrie”