Unexpected Drop in Stock Price: ASML Leak Shakes Semiconductor Industry

A data leak at ASML today led to a significant drop in semiconductor stocks. The renowned equipment specialist inadvertently released its third-quarter results, which were originally scheduled for release tomorrow. The announcement disappointed market observers and spread immediate concern throughout the sector. Despite a respectable revenue growth of 11.2% and an earnings per share increase of 9.1%, the booking number fell far short of expectations. The preliminary revenue forecast for 2025 of 30 to 35 billion euros also disappointed, as analysts had predicted a higher value of 36.3 billion euros. The explanation ASML provided for the weak order situation pointed to issues with major chip manufacturers such as Intel and Samsung. They are each struggling with lower short-term demand and operational challenges, leading to delayed expansion plans. Furthermore, ASML noted that new capacity expansions in the DRAM segment are limited, as suppliers are converting unused equipment for the production of High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) and DDR-5 for AI. These developments immediately adversely affected other companies in the industry. Foremost, it hit equipment suppliers like Applied Materials and KLA Corporation, whose stocks plummeted alongside ASML's. Micron Technology also suffered short-term losses, although it could benefit in the long term from capacity constraints at its memory rivals. Nevertheless, this general wave of selling could present a promising opportunity for long-term investors. The potential for a rebound in non-AI markets remains significant, even if it may progress slower than expected. While the shift of investments towards AI may dominate this year's budgets, the renewal of old server systems will soon become inevitable as well. This suggests that those who are patient could now acquire top semiconductor names for the future. A final piece of advice: Don't miss this "double down" opportunity before it's too late.