Another important element of ASML's strategy is its growing portfolio of productivity upgrade packages for existing EUV and DUV systems. Such upgrades enable chipmakers to increase wafer throughput without purchasing additional scanners, which can provide additional capacity considerably faster than procuring new tools or constructing new fabs.
One of the controversial things that ASML discussed back in early Q2 was its value-based pricing, which many thought was a blanket price hike . This is not and CFO Roger Dassen this week confirmed that negotiations with major customers have been completed, although the financial benefits for ASML will not become visible immediately.
The company expects the first effects of higher pricing to appear during 2027, with the full impact becoming apparent in 2028 and beyond, which essentially means that the company is not setting new prices on its backlog, but generally setting new prices on new tools.
"We completed those conversations," said Dassen. "So that has been done with the key customers. The effect of that is not really visible in 2026. It will start to become visible partly in the course of 2027. The full impact of that you will start to see in 2028 and beyond."
This strategy could further improve ASML's already substantial gross margins, particularly as customers have no alternatives for advanced lithography equipment.
Despite export restrictions that prevent Chinese chipmakers from acquiring EUV scanners and advanced DUV systems, China remains a substantial market for ASML. The company expects China to account for approximately 20% of its total revenue in 2026, which implies annual sales of roughly €8.8 billion to €9 billion based on current guidance.
Although China's share of ASML's business has declined from its levels in 2023 – 2025 , the country's semiconductor manufacturers continue to invest in mature node capacity and equipment that remains available under existing export regulations. Meanwhile, it is impossible to predict what is going to happen if the U.S. lawmakers approve the MATCH Act.
Yet, ASML management emphasizes that its key growth opportunities lie with advanced logic and memory manufacturers, which are accelerating their investment in advanced lithography tools, including sophisticated DUV systems, Low-NA EUV machines, and High-NA EUV scanners.
Thanks to gaining momentum in AI infrastructure investments, ASML reported record quarterly revenue of $13.06 billion (€11.7 billion) as demand for advanced lithography equipment continued to accelerate. The company expects demand to persist for years as its customers are interested in placing orders for tools to be delivered as far ahead as 2030. To meet growing demand, the company plans to expand production capacity beyond its previous targets for 2028. ASML also intends to introduce new EUV and DUV systems with higher productivity, offer productivity upgrades, and raise equipment prices to capitalize on unprecedented demand.
Anton Shilov Social Links Navigation Contributing Writer Anton Shilov is a contributing writer at Tom’s Hardware. Over the past couple of decades, he has covered everything from CPUs and GPUs to supercomputers and from modern process technologies and latest fab tools to high-tech industry trends.
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Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/semiconductors/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/semiconductors/asml-reports-record-usd13-billion-quarter-vows-to-expand-capacity-as-demand-for-lithography-equipment-soars-customers-eager-to-secure-orders-in-2030-as-demand-is-expected-to-outstrip-2027-and-2028-supply#main
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