ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) Trading Down 2.3% - Here's Why

ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML - Get Free Report) fell 2.3% on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $666.60 and last traded at $674.29. 1,070,567 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 39% from the average session volume of 1,753,306 shares. The stock had previously closed at $690.15.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. DZ Bank upgraded ASML from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on ASML from $1,148.00 to $1,100.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Susquehanna dropped their price target on shares of ASML from $1,300.00 to $1,100.00 and set a "positive" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 11th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of ASML from $790.00 to $860.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, January 13th. Finally, BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of ASML in a report on Tuesday, December 3rd. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $858.00 target price on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $937.00.

ASML Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $719.37 and its 200 day moving average price is $773.48. The firm has a market cap of $290.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 1.47.

ASML (NASDAQ:ASML - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly 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 50.53%. Equities research analysts predict that ASML Holding will post 25.07 earnings per share for the current year.

ASML Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 28th will be paid a dividend of $1.6414 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 28th. This represents a $6.57 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.89%. This is an increase from ASML's previous quarterly dividend of $1.41. ASML's payout ratio is currently 26.83%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ASML

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Fairway Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of ASML in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Kennebec Savings Bank grew its stake in ASML by 227.3% during the fourth quarter. Kennebec Savings Bank now owns 36 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. Milestone Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ASML during the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC raised its stake in shares of ASML by 46.9% in the third quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 47 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 15 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Albion Financial Group UT boosted its holdings in shares of ASML by 133.3% in the 4th quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 56 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. 26.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.