ASML beats Q2 earnings forecasts; bookings rise on AI demand

The Dutch company's new said that ASML continues to view 2024 as a "transition year" in which its performance will be about flat as it prepares for a strong 2025.

"We currently see strong developments in AI, driving most of the industry recovery and growth, ahead of other market segments," he said in a statement.

ASML dominates the market for , complex tools that use lasers to help create the tiny circuitry of computer chips.

Its closely-watched new bookings increased to 5.6 billion euros from 3.6 billion euros in the first quarter, with about half of that coming from the its most advanced EUV product lines -- vital to manufacture AI and smartphone chips.

ASML's top customer is Taiwan's , which makes chips for Nvidia and Apple.

"EUV orders increased substantially" in the quarter, Mihuzo Securities analyst Kevin Wang told Reuters. "We attribute this to strong orders from TSMC and Intel."

Analysts had expected the company's order book to increase by about 5 billion euros, according to estimates compiled by Visible Alpha.

However, the results were below ASML's net income of 1.94 billion euros on revenue of 6.90 billion euros a year ago. TSMC, Intel and Samsung are engaged in new construction projects that will be outfitted with equipment in 2025-2027. ($1 = 0.9172 euros)