ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) Trading Up 1.9% – Should You Buy?

ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) was up 1.9% on Thursday . The company traded as high as $1,453.55 and last traded at $1,448.64. Approximately 1,576,659 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 15% from the average daily volume of 1,846,356 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1,421.05.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ASML has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Citigroup reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a research note on Wednesday, February 25th. Santander cut ASML from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Grupo Santander cut ASML to an “underperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, Susquehanna reiterated a “positive” rating on shares of ASML in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have issued a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, ASML presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,482.50.

ASML Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $569.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 56.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $1,388.56 and a 200 day moving average price of $1,195.91.

ASML Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 27th will be issued a dividend of $3.1771 per share. This represents a $12.71 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. This is a positive change from ASML’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.88. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 27th. ASML’s dividend payout ratio is 25.10%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of ASML. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of ASML during the third quarter valued at $25,000. City Holding Co. bought a new position in ASML during the third quarter valued at about $26,000. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC bought a new position in ASML during the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Binnacle Investments Inc boosted its stake in ASML by 78.9% during the second quarter. Binnacle Investments Inc now owns 34 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 15 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Resources Management Corp CT ADV boosted its stake in ASML by 1,150.0% during the fourth quarter. Resources Management Corp CT ADV now owns 25 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 23 shares in the last quarter. 26.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

ASML Company Profile

ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ: ASML) is a Dutch company that develops, manufactures and services advanced photolithography systems used to produce semiconductor chips. Headquartered in Veldhoven, Netherlands, ASML supplies capital equipment and associated software and services that enable semiconductor manufacturers to pattern the intricate circuits on silicon wafers. The company is widely recognized for its leadership in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography as well as its deep ultraviolet (DUV) platforms used across multiple process nodes.

ASML’s product portfolio includes EUV and DUV lithography machines, light sources, imaging optics and control software, together with spare parts, upgrades and field services.