Semiconductor equipment maker ASML posts less sales in Q1

Source: Xinhua | 2020-04-16

The coronavirus pandemic has caused a fall in the sales figure of ASML in the first quarter of 2020, the Dutch semiconductor equipment maker announced on Wednesday.

ASML recorded sales of 2.44 billion euros (2.65 billion U.S. dollars) in the first quarter of 2020, compared to 4.036 billion euros in the fourth quarter of 2019. In Q1 of 2019 net sales were 2.229 billion euros.

In January this year, ASML had expected Q1 2020 sales to be between 3.1 and 3.3 billion euros. On March 30 this year, ASML already downgraded this expectation due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The net income in the first quarter of 2020 was 391 million euros, compared to 1.134 billion euros in Q4 of 2019. In Q1 of 2019 net income was 355 million euros.

"Despite the challenging circumstances, to date we have been able to continue ASML's operations," ASML President and CEO Peter Wennink said in a press release. "Our order intake is strong. Many of the investments made by our customers are strategic and support their long-term plans."

"However," Wennink added, "in light of the current risks and uncertainties related to COVID-19, we decided to refrain from giving guidance for Q2 and for the full year 2020. There is significant uncertainty about how the current COVID-19 crisis will impact the global GDP development, end markets, our manufacturing capability and supply chain." (1 euro = 1.09 U.S. dollars)