ASML Q3 Profit Climbs, Unit Sales Down; Sees Sequentially Higher Sales In Q4

(RTTNews) - Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML Holding NV (ASML) reported Wednesday that its third-quarter net income climbed to 680.4 million euros from last year's 557.1 million euros. Earnings per share grew to 1.60 euros from 1.29 euros last year.

Total net sales increased to 2.78 billion euros from 2.45 billion euros a year ago. Sales of lithography systems, meanwhile, dropped to 53 units from 55 units in the prior year.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 48.1 percent, higher than 42.9% last year, reflecting the strength of our DUV and Applications business and progress in EUV profitability.

Net bookings lithography systems were 67 units, down from 70 units last year. Value of booked systems grew to 2.20 billion euros from 2.15 billion euros a year ago.

Looking ahead, for the fourth quarter, ASML expects net sales of about 3.0 billion euros, and a gross margin around 48 percent.

CEO said, "We expect to ship a total of 18 EUV systems this year. Our 2019 shipment plan is 30 systems as the first customers are about to start high volume production using EUV."

The company said it currently sees strong demand for products in Logic and Memory continuing in 2019.