ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) Trading 0.3% Higher - Here's Why

ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML - Get Free Report) was up 0.3% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $745.75 and last traded at $739.23. Approximately 280,282 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 83% from the average daily volume of 1,658,639 shares. The stock had previously closed at $737.17.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ASML has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on ASML from $1,148.00 to $1,100.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. DZ Bank upgraded shares of ASML from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. Susquehanna dropped their target price on shares of ASML from $1,100.00 to $965.00 and set a "positive" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on ASML from $860.00 to $840.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 17th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $906.00.

ASML Trading Up 1.1%

The stock has a market capitalization of $293.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.82, a PEG ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.75. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $686.24 and its 200 day simple moving average is $704.86. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20.

ASML (NASDAQ:ASML - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 16th. The semiconductor company reported $6.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.12 by $0.19. The firm had revenue of $8.77 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.90 billion. ASML had a return on equity of 47.73% and a net margin of 26.78%. Equities research analysts anticipate that ASML Holding will post 25.17 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of ASML

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ASML. Putney Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of ASML by 322.2% in the 1st quarter. Putney Financial Group LLC now owns 38 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. Kennebec Savings Bank lifted its position in shares of ASML by 227.3% during the 4th quarter. Kennebec Savings Bank now owns 36 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise acquired a new stake in ASML in the 1st quarter worth $27,000. Wellington Shields & Co. LLC grew its holdings in shares of ASML by 740.0% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Shields & Co. LLC now owns 42 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ASML during the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. 26.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About ASML

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.