MADRID, 19 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –

ASML, the Dutch manufacturer of lithography machines to create microchips, closed the first half of 2023 with a net profit of 3,897.5 million euros, which represents an increase in profits of 85% compared to the same period last year. , as can be seen from the income statement published by the company on Wednesday.

Net sales up to June were 13,648 million euros, 52.2% more. By business segments, systems sales grew by 70.3%, to 10,948 million euros, while services stood at 2,701 million, 6.5% more.

Between April and June, ASML posted a net profit of 1,941.7 million euros, thus increasing its profits by 37.6% compared to the second quarter of 2022. On its side, the turnover reached 6,902 million euros, 27% more.

“Our clients in different market segments are currently more cautious due to the continuing macroeconomic uncertainties and therefore expect a later recovery of their markets. Furthermore, the shape of the recovery slope is still unclear,” he warned. Peter Wennink, President and CEO of ASML.

However, the executive highlighted that the strong order book of around 38 billion euros provides the company with a good base to navigate these uncertainties in the short term.

“We expect third-quarter net sales of between 6.5 and 7.0 billion euros with a gross margin of around 50%,” Wennink said, adding that ASML expects strong net sales growth in 2023, with an increase of almost 30%, compared to 25% previously expected, as well as a slight improvement in gross margin, compared to 2022.

The Netherlands will impose additional control measures on exports of advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment “for reasons of national security” from September 1, forcing ASML to apply for export licenses from the Dutch government for all shipments of its most advanced immersion DUV lithography systems.

However, the multinational already indicated last month that it did not expect these measures to have a material impact on its financial outlook for 2023 or for its longer-term scenarios.