AMSTERDAM, July 14 (Reuters) – Dutch chip equipment maker ASML (ASML.AS)(ASML.O) on Wednesday raised its full year sales outlook as it sees robust demand for its machines that produce chips for PCs and smartphones.
The world’s largest maker of semiconductor lithography machines, which map out electronic circuits on silicon wafers, said second quarter sales were 1.07 billion euros ($1.35 billion) up from 742 million euros in the previous quarter.
That was above analysts’ average expectations of 1.025 billion euros in a Reuters poll. [ID:nWEA9397]
The value of its new orders, seen as a barometer for the chipmaking industry, rose to 1.12 billion euros, which was also above expectations.
The Veldhoven-based company now expects 2010 sales to rise 10 to 15 percent above its 2007 peak of 3.8 billion euros, up from a previous guidance of at least 3.8 billion euros.
“This level of sales is expected to continue into 2011, barring a major macro-economic downturn, as it is supported by a number of fundamental growth drivers,” ASML Chief Executive Eric Meurice said in a statement.
ASML’s customers include the world’s largest chip maker Intel Corp (INTC.O), which reported better than expected results this week. [ID:nN12197658]
ASML also competes with Japan’s Nikon Corp (7731.T) and Canon Inc (7751.T) ($1=.7939 Euro) (Reporting by Harro ten Wolde; Editing by Samia Nakhoul)
