ASML says it's getting order interest through 2030 as profit smashes expectations

ASML said Wednesday that some of its customers are expressing interest in placing orders for its critical semiconductor tools for 2029 and 2030 as the company reported third-quarter profit that beat expectations.

The comments will likely comfort investors who have been looking to assess the longer-term demand outlook for ASML's lithography machines.

"Our customers continue to increase their short- and medium-term equipment demand forecasts with us, driven primarily by their views on the size and duration of AI-related investments," CEO Christophe Fouquet said in a press release.

"In light of their demand visibility, some customers are expressing an interest in placing orders with us for 2029 and even 2030."

ASML is the only company in the world that produces extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, a key tool used by the likes of TSMC to make the world's most advanced semiconductors.

Investors closely watch the Dutch company's earnings for signs of AI-related chip demand.

Fouquet said current supply planned for 2027 and 2028 will not fully meet the demand of its customers. The company is "investigating ways" to increase capacity for 2028 beyond the 30% increase it had previously forecast.

ASML has now updated its guidance three times this year, upping its full-year forecast for the second time in July, and on Wednesday it raised the lower end of its sales forecast for 2026.