ASML Holding N.V. (ASML) CEO Walks Back on 2026 Outlook, Citing Global Uncertainties

ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) is among the 13 Best Global Stocks to Buy Right Now. During the recent earnings call, CEO Christophe Fouquet walked back on his earlier forecast for sales growth next year, blaming geopolitical tensions and trade disputes.

ASML Holding N.V. (ASML) CEO Walks Back on 2026 Outlook, Citing Global Uncertainties

A robotic arm placing a semiconductor chip on a test contactor.

In October, Fouquet told investors that he expects 2026 to be a year of growth for the company and the semiconductor industry. However, he took a more cautious stance after ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) reported results for Q2 2025 on July 16:

“We continue to see increasing uncertainty driven by macro-economic and geopolitical developments. Therefore, while we still prepare for growth in 2026, we cannot confirm it at this stage.”

ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML)’s CFO, Roger Dassen, also expressed concerns about the trade war during an analyst call:

“Our customers are more concerned about the tariffs discussion today than they were three months ago. Countries are in full battle mode again when it comes to tariffs.”

The Netherlands-based holding company provides lithography solutions necessary for manufacturing chips used in almost everything, from smartphones to AI accelerators. It has been caught in the ongoing tariff dispute between the U.S. and China, its two major markets.

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Disclosure: None.