Capital Research Global Investors Acquires 1,344 Shares of ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML)

Capital Research Global Investors grew its stake in shares of ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML - Free Report) by 35.5% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 5,129 shares of the semiconductor company's stock after acquiring an additional 1,344 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors' holdings in ASML were worth $3,570,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Kennebec Savings Bank grew its position in 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 in the last quarter. Wellington Shields & Co. LLC grew its holdings in shares of ASML by 740.0% during the fourth quarter. Wellington Shields & Co. LLC now owns 42 shares of the semiconductor company's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC acquired a new position in ASML during the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. Albion Financial Group UT boosted its position in ASML by 133.3% during 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 during the period. Finally, Roxbury Financial LLC purchased a new position in ASML during the 4th quarter valued at about $39,000. 26.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

ASML Stock Up 2.6 %

Shares of ASML traded up $17.02 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $675.00. 1,767,082 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,634,379. The firm's 50 day moving average is $690.25 and its 200-day moving average is $709.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.53. ASML Holding has a 52 week low of $578.51 and a 52 week high of $1,110.09. The company has a market cap of $265.56 billion, a PE ratio of 32.45, a PEG ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.67.

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

ASML Increases Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently commented on ASML shares. DZ Bank raised shares of ASML from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on ASML from $1,148.00 to $1,100.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on ASML from $860.00 to $840.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Finally, Susquehanna lowered 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. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $906.00.

ASML Company 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.