ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of November. As of November 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,420,000 shares, an increase of 11.8% from the October 31st total of 1,270,000 shares. Approximately 0.4% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 2,010,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.7 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ASML

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Taurus Asset Management LLC bought a new position in ASML in the 3rd quarter worth $16,994,000. Stockman Wealth Management Inc. raised its stake in ASML by 7.2% in the third quarter. Stockman Wealth Management Inc. now owns 15,361 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $12,800,000 after buying an additional 1,032 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE grew its holdings in ASML by 7.5% in the third quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 47,601 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $39,664,000 after purchasing an additional 3,321 shares during the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of ASML by 104.4% during the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 7,009 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $5,840,000 after buying an additional 3,580 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vantage Investment Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of ASML by 8.5% during the third quarter. Vantage Investment Partners LLC now owns 34,767 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $28,970,000 after buying an additional 2,736 shares during the last quarter. 26.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley lowered ASML from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, September 20th. Berenberg Bank upgraded ASML to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Susquehanna dropped their price target on ASML from $1,300.00 to $1,100.00 and set a “positive” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 11th. BNP Paribas started coverage on ASML in a research report on Tuesday. They set an “outperform” rating and a $858.00 price target on the stock. Finally, UBS Group downgraded ASML from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, ASML presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $943.83.

ASML Stock Performance

Shares of ASML stock opened at $718.06 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $282.50 billion, a PE ratio of 37.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.49. ASML has a 52 week low of $645.45 and a 52 week high of $1,110.09. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $728.44 and a 200-day moving average price of $861.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29.

ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 15th. The semiconductor company reported $5.80 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.24 by $0.56. ASML had a return on equity of 47.61% and a net margin of 26.40%. The firm had revenue of $8.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.66 billion. Equities analysts anticipate that ASML will post 20.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

ASML Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 7th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 29th were given a $1.407 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, October 29th. This represents a $5.63 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.78%. ASML’s dividend payout ratio is currently 29.21%.

About ASML

ASML Holding N.V. develops, produces, markets, sells, and services advanced semiconductor equipment systems for chipmakers. It offers advanced semiconductor equipment systems, including lithography, metrology, and inspection systems. The company also provides extreme ultraviolet lithography systems; and deep ultraviolet lithography systems comprising immersion and dry lithography solutions to manufacture various range of semiconductor nodes and technologies.