ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML) Sees Significant Drop in Short Interest

ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,480,000 shares, a drop of 14.5% from the December 31st total of 1,730,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,740,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.9 days. Approximately 0.4% of the company’s shares are short sold.

ASML Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of NASDAQ:ASML traded down $5.48 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $733.83. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 1,182,464 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,035,101. ASML has a 12-month low of $645.45 and a 12-month high of $1,110.09. The firm has a market capitalization of $288.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.28, a PEG ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.47. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $719.37 and a 200-day moving average of $772.37. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20.

ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The semiconductor company reported $7.30 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $7.67 by ($0.37). ASML had a return on equity of 47.73% and a net margin of 26.78%. On average, research analysts anticipate that ASML will post 25.31 earnings per share for the current year.

ASML Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Investors of record on Monday, April 28th will be paid a $1.6414 dividend. This represents a $6.57 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.89%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 28th. ASML’s payout ratio is 26.83%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Susquehanna lowered their price objective on shares of ASML from $1,300.00 to $1,100.00 and set a “positive” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on ASML from $1,148.00 to $1,100.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their target price on ASML from $815.00 to $767.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 29th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of ASML from $790.00 to $860.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, January 13th. Finally, DZ Bank upgraded shares of ASML from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $937.00.

Institutional Trading of ASML

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ASML. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in ASML by 41.1% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,974 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $2,019,000 after acquiring an additional 575 shares during the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund raised its position in ASML by 278.7% in the 2nd quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 21,106 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $21,586,000 after buying an additional 15,532 shares during the last quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in ASML by 20.9% during the 2nd quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC now owns 1,221 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $1,249,000 after acquiring an additional 211 shares during the period. Centaurus Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of ASML by 59.1% during the 2nd quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. now owns 1,629 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $1,666,000 after acquiring an additional 605 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Trinity Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of ASML by 24.9% in the third quarter. Trinity Financial Advisors LLC now owns 502 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $433,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. 26.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

ASML Company Profile

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.