AEX closes lower after fresh blow to chip stocks
The Nasdaq limited its losses, but Dutch semiconductor shares remained under pressure.
There is news on this story (Thursday, 15 October 2026, 22:49): Wall Street closes higher, chip stocks remain under pressure
Follow-up to: Tech sell-off reaches Europe, ASML sharply lower Thursday, 15 October 2026, 14:11
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The AEX closed 0.40 per cent lower on Thursday after investors again sold chip and technology shares. The Nasdaq limited its loss to 0.23 per cent, but ASML, ASMI and Besi ended markedly lower.
Semiconductor companies were once again at the centre of trading on the Amsterdam stock exchange. ASMI lost 7.18 per cent, Besi 6.39 per cent and ASML 4.19 per cent. The AEX consequently closed with a loss of 0.40 per cent, despite a recovery in other parts of the market.
The movement follows the global sell-off that began earlier this week. Investors questioned the high valuations of companies benefiting from investment in artificial intelligence and data centres. Companies that depend heavily on future growth proved particularly sensitive to changing interest rate expectations.
In the United States, the main indices performed better on Thursday than earlier in the day. The Dow Jones rose by more than 1 per cent, according to Reuters, and the S&P 500 finished slightly higher. The Nasdaq lagged behind as chip stocks and other AI-related shares lost ground again.
The decline does not mean that demand for chips has suddenly disappeared. ASML in fact reported strong quarterly results on Wednesday and indicated that demand for its chipmaking machines remains high. The stock market reaction mainly shows that investors had already largely priced in future growth.
Interest rates also play a part. Higher US inflation figures have reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve could keep interest rates high for longer. This makes future profits less attractive in the valuation models investors use, particularly for companies where a large share of expected profits will only be realised later.
The closing levels provide no clear indication of the direction of the coming trading days. The sector remains dependent on business investment in AI, the course of interest rates and new quarterly results. For Dutch investors, the three major chip companies therefore remain an important barometer of sentiment on the AEX.
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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 closing levels and share prices cited match Reuters data. Interpretations concerning interest rates and valuations have been presented as commentary.
- confirmed The AEX closed 0.40 per cent lower on Thursday. — Confirmed by Reuters via Investing.com. source
- confirmed ASMI lost 7.18 per cent, Besi 6.39 per cent and ASML 4.19 per cent. — The closing levels appear in the same Reuters report. source
- confirmed The Nasdaq lost 0.23 per cent. — Mentioned in the Reuters report on global markets. source
- confirmed ASML reported strong quarterly results and continued demand for chipmaking machines. — Confirmed in ASML's quarterly information. source
Editor's note
The closing levels and share price falls have been confirmed. The explanation concerning valuations and interest rates is market commentary and not an established cause of each individual share price movement.Sources
- Global stocks edge lower as AI and rate fears hit tech — Reuters via Euronext
- Netherlands shares lower at close of trade; AEX down 0.40% — Reuters via Investing.com
- Q3 2026 financial results — ASML
The story so far
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 20:58 US inflation rises to 3.7 per cent
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 22:28 Wall Street slides on higher rate fears and AI risk
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 06:58 Tech sell-off puts Asian markets under pressure
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 14:11 Tech sell-off reaches Europe, ASML sharply lower
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 18:14 Global tech market falters amid doubts over AI boom
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 22:16 AEX closes lower after fresh blow to chip stocks (this article)
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 22:49 Wall Street closes higher, chip stocks remain under pressure