ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) Shares Acquired by Bank of Nova Scotia

Key Points

• The Bank of Nova Scotia increased its stake in ASML Holding N.V. by 11.5%, acquiring an additional 818 shares, bringing its total to 7,937 shares valued at approximately $5.26 million.
• ASML reported earnings of $4.55 per share for the last quarter, which missed analyst expectations, despite a year-over-year revenue increase of 23.2%.
• The company announced a dividend increase to $1.856 per share, up from $1.64, with a payout ratio of 26.21% and a dividend yield of 1.1%.

Bank of Nova Scotia increased its holdings in shares of ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML - Free Report) by 11.5% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 7,937 shares of the semiconductor company's stock after buying an additional 818 shares during the quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia's holdings in ASML were worth $5,259,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ASML. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of ASML by 12.3% in the 1st quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC now owns 402 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $266,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its holdings in shares of ASML by 12.7% in the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 8,407 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $5,571,000 after buying an additional 947 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of ASML by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,478 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $2,304,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. Lyell Wealth Management LP lifted its holdings in shares of ASML by 2.4% in the 1st quarter. Lyell Wealth Management LP now owns 19,483 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $12,910,000 after buying an additional 459 shares during the period. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in ASML by 2.3% in the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 34,418 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $22,806,000 after purchasing an additional 763 shares during the period. 26.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

ASML Stock Up 3.2%

Shares of NASDAQ ASML traded up $22.16 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $713.12. The company had a trading volume of 1,721,976 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,560,348. The company has a market capitalization of $280.56 billion, a PE ratio of 29.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 1.43 and a quick ratio of 0.81. ASML Holding N.V. has a 1-year low of $578.51 and a 1-year high of $945.05. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $758.52 and its 200 day simple moving average is $725.09.

ASML (NASDAQ:ASML - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 16th. The semiconductor company reported $4.55 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $5.94 by ($1.39). ASML had a net margin of 26.95% and a return on equity of 49.47%. The business had revenue of $8.94 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.72 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $4.01 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 23.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that ASML Holding N.V. will post 25.17 earnings per share for the current year.

ASML Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 29th were paid a $1.856 dividend. This is a boost from ASML's previous quarterly dividend of $1.64. This represents a $7.42 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 29th. ASML's payout ratio is 26.21%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Susquehanna reduced their price target on ASML from $1,100.00 to $965.00 and set a "positive" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Citigroup reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of ASML in a report on Monday, May 19th. Sanford C. Bernstein assumed coverage on ASML in a report on Tuesday, June 17th. They issued a "market perform" rating and a $806.00 price target for the company. Jefferies Financial Group lowered ASML from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, June 26th. Finally, Erste Group Bank reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of ASML in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $923.80.

ASML 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.