1,172 Shares in ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML) Bought by World Investment Advisors

World Investment Advisors bought a new stake in ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 1,172 shares of the semiconductor company's stock, valued at approximately $812,000.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of ASML. Kennebec Savings Bank grew its position in shares of ASML by 227.3% in the 4th quarter. Kennebec Savings Bank now owns 36 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Shields & Co. LLC lifted its holdings in shares of ASML by 740.0% in the fourth quarter. Wellington Shields & Co. LLC now owns 42 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in ASML during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Albion Financial Group UT increased its position in ASML by 133.3% during the 4th quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 56 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Roxbury Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of ASML in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $39,000. 26.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

ASML Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ ASML traded down $47.09 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $640.18. 1,277,379 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,609,208. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.53. The firm has a market cap of $251.86 billion, a PE ratio of 30.69, a PEG ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.67. ASML Holding has a 12 month low of $578.51 and a 12 month high of $1,110.09. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $709.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is $721.15.

ASML (NASDAQ:ASML - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The semiconductor company reported $7.30 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $7.67 by ($0.37). ASML had a net margin of 26.78% and a return on equity of 47.73%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that ASML Holding will post 25.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

ASML Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Investors of record on Monday, April 28th will be paid a $1.5855 dividend. This is an increase from ASML's previous dividend of $1.08. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 28th. ASML's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 31.35%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on ASML shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on ASML from $1,148.00 to $1,100.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. DZ Bank raised ASML from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on ASML from $790.00 to $860.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, January 13th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $937.00.

ASML Company Profile

ASML Holding N.V. develops, produces, markets, sells, and services advanced semiconductor equipment systems for chipmakers. It offers advanced semiconductor equipment systems, including lithography, metrology, and inspection systems. The company also provides extreme ultraviolet lithography systems; and deep ultraviolet lithography systems comprising immersion and dry lithography solutions to manufacture various range of semiconductor nodes and technologies.