TLDRs;
- ASML posts record 2025 sales of €32.7B while announcing 1,700 workforce reductions.
- Strong AI-driven EUV orders push fourth-quarter bookings to €13.2B, beating expectations.
- Company forecasts €34–39B in 2026 sales and launches €12B share buyback program.
- Workforce cuts focus on leadership roles, with new engineering positions planned.
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ASML, the Dutch chipmaking equipment giant, reported record 2025 sales of €32.7 billion, yet revealed plans to reduce roughly 1,700 jobs. The reductions will primarily affect its Technology and IT teams, especially leadership positions deemed surplus to the company’s streamlined operations.
Despite the cuts, ASML shares rose 3% in early trading, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s strong order backlog and AI-driven growth.
Chief Executive Christophe Fouquet emphasized that the company’s growth trajectory remains strong, fueled by its EUV (extreme ultraviolet) lithography tools, which are essential for producing leading-edge chips.
“Our business fundamentals remain robust,” Fouquet said,highlighting the company’s ability to balance workforce efficiency with technological expansion.
AI Chip Demand Drives Orders
Investors have responded positively to ASML’s order performance. Fourth-quarter net bookings, a key indicator of future revenue, totaled €13.2 billion, including €7.4 billion from EUV orders. This figure significantly exceeded analyst expectations of €6.32 billion and reflects the growing appetite from chipmakers for AI-focused components.
Companies like TSMC, Intel, and Samsung are investing heavily to expand their AI chip capacities, while cloud providers continue