ASML, the Dutch company that holds a quiet monopoly over the most advanced chipmaking equipment on earth, just posted Q2 2026 numbers that exceeded its own guidance. And now it’s doing something it rarely does: aggressively expanding production capacity to keep up with demand.
The company reported net sales of €9.326 billion and net profit of €2.9 billion for the quarter, with a gross margin of 54%. Those numbers were strong enough that ASML raised its full-year 2026 revenue forecast to between €43 billion and €45 billion, with gross margins expected to land in the 54% to 56% range.
Why the biggest chipmaking bottleneck is widening the pipe
ASML is the only company on the planet that makes extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, the tools that TSMC, Intel, and Samsung need to manufacture the most advanced chips.
The company plans to boost production of its Low-NA EUV lithography systems by 30% in 2027, building on roughly 65 units it expects to ship in 2026. Management is already studying an additional 30% increase for 2028, alongside expanded capacity for its DUV immersion systems.
