ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) Trading Down 0.8% - Here's Why

ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML - Get Free Report)'s stock price was down 0.8% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $664.59 and last traded at $669.55. Approximately 369,572 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 80% from the average daily volume of 1,834,973 shares. The stock had previously closed at $675.00.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

ASML Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $266.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.56, a PEG ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.67. The company has a current ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $688.72 and its 200-day simple moving average is $708.52.

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

ASML Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Investors of record on Monday, April 28th will be given a $1.5855 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 28th. This is a boost from ASML's previous dividend of $1.08. ASML's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 27.48%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ASML

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Carnegie Investment Counsel raised its position in shares of ASML by 68.9% in the 4th quarter. Carnegie Investment Counsel now owns 2,128 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $1,475,000 after buying an additional 868 shares during the period. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division purchased a new position in shares of ASML in the 4th quarter worth about $1,174,000. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of ASML by 36.7% in the 4th quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 26,322 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $18,243,000 after purchasing an additional 7,073 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its holdings in shares of ASML by 12.2% during the 4th quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 9,759 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $6,764,000 after purchasing an additional 1,062 shares during the period. Finally, Alpha Cubed Investments LLC increased its position in ASML by 33.9% during the 4th quarter. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC now owns 81,564 shares of the semiconductor company's stock worth $56,530,000 after purchasing an additional 20,651 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.07% of the company's stock.

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.

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