ASML is the only company in the world that makes extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, which are crucial for manufacturing advanced AI chips

AMSTERDAM, Jan 28 (Reuters) - ASML has become Europe's most valuable company thanks to its dominance in making lithography systems, huge "chip printing" machines that cost $250 million each and are indispensable to firms driving the AI boom.

Bookings surged in the fourth quarter, indicating strong demand.

ASML stock's outlook improves as management guides 2026 growth. Learn more about the company's valuation and outlook.

ASML's latest results reignited the rally that has made it Europe's most valuable company, until questions about its capacity to meet record orders sent the stock sliding - highlighting just how stretched expectations have become.

ASML has become Europes most valuable company by dominating one of the most critical technologies in modern chipmaking: extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. These massive semiconductor lithography machines,

ASML blew past every single forecast in the fourth quarter of 2025, landing €13.2 billion in bookings, more than double what analysts were looking for.

Q4 orders hit record €13.2B, crushing forecasts. Company raises 2026 guidance as AI demand drives chipmaking equipment sales.

Dutch tech giant ASML, which sells cutting-edge machines to make semiconductor chips, reported a significant gain in annual net profit Wednesday and predicted a bright future driven by demand for artificial intelligence.