In spite of chip export bans and international turmoil, ASML is optimistic about this year’s sales. The organization showed confidence during the presentation of its most recent quarterly and annual figures.
The chip industry giant generated sales of €6.4 billion in the fourth quarter of last year. Annual sales increased 14 percent to a total of €21.2 billion. Profits declined slightly from €5.9 billion in 2021 to €5.6 billion in 2022.
Challenges
CEO Peter Wennink indicated that the market has seen better days. Factors include inflation, geopolitics and export sanctions. Nevertheless, according to Wennink, customers of ASML expect the market to recover in the second half of this year.
The CEO did not comment on the possibility of additional government bans on the export of chip production technology to China. The issue is being discussed by The Netherlands and the US.
Forecasts
ASML says it isn’t worried about the annual sales of 2023. €6.3 billion worth of orders were placed in the fourth quarter of 2022. The order portfolio totalled €40.4 billion by the end of the year.
Furthermore, the organization expects a 25 percent increase in annual compared to last year. The first quarter of 2023 is expected to net between €6.1 billion and €6.5 billion, up from initial analyst forecasts.
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