Amsterdam, Netherlands – Shares of ASML Holding NV (ASML), the world’s leading supplier of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, surged to all-time highs on Thursday, propelling the company’s market capitalization past the $500 billion mark. This milestone cements ASML’s position as Europe’s most valuable publicly traded company, reflecting investor optimism fueled by TSMC’s record-breaking Q4 results and the ensuing rally in global semiconductor stocks.

ASML, which specializes in lithography machines essential for cutting-edge chip production, saw its shares rise approximately 5%, reaching a new intraday record of €1,167. At 08:58 GMT, the company’s market value stood at €443 billion ($515 billion USD), highlighting the growing investor confidence in the semiconductor equipment sector.

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TSMC’s Results Spark Global Semiconductor Rally

The surge in ASML shares followed Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) blockbuster fourth-quarter results, which showcased a 35% jump in net profit, driven largely by demand for artificial intelligence (AI) chips. TSMC’s optimism for 2026 revenue growth of nearly 30% has sent positive ripples across the global semiconductor industry, benefiting companies like ASML that supply the advanced tools required for chip manufacturing.

Analysts noted that TSMC’s record earnings underscore the critical role of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, particularly lithography machines, in meeting the soaring demand for AI and high-performance computing chips.

The correlation between TSMC’s performance and ASML’s market surge illustrates how chipmakers and equipment suppliers are interconnected in the semiconductor supply chain, with gains in one segment often lifting others.

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ASML’s Leadership in the Semiconductor Equipment Industry

ASML, headquartered in Veldhoven, Netherlands, is the only company in the world capable of producing extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, which are essential for manufacturing advanced 3nm and 2nm chips. Its dominance in this niche has allowed it to capture a significant portion of the semiconductor equipment market, making it a bellwether for the industry.

“ASML’s growth trajectory mirrors the global demand for AI and high-performance chips. With TSMC ramping up production, the company’s cutting-edge machines are critical to sustaining the next generation of chip technology,” said Leo Marchandon, Reuters correspondent.

The company’s stock performance is further supported by strong demand from major semiconductor players worldwide, including TSMC, Samsung, and Intel, all of whom rely on ASML’s advanced equipment to manufacture increasingly complex chips for AI, mobile devices, and cloud computing.

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Implications for European and Global Markets

ASML’s milestone market cap of $500 billion makes it Europe’s first semiconductor equipment company to reach such valuation levels, surpassing other major technology players and solidifying the continent’s presence in the global semiconductor supply chain.

The strong performance of ASML shares is part of a broader European semiconductor rally, with investors reacting positively to TSMC’s guidance, which forecasted significant capital spending of $52–56 billion in 2026 and a continued boom in AI-related chip demand.

“ASML’s market cap milestone is a clear signal that investors view semiconductor equipment suppliers as crucial beneficiaries of the AI-driven chip boom,” said market analysts.

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Key Takeaways

• ASML Shares: €1,167 intraday record, up 5%
• Market Capitalization: €443 billion ($515 billion USD), Europe’s largest publicly traded company
• Catalyst: TSMC Q4 2025 record profit and positive AI chip demand forecast
• Sector Impact: Broad rally across European semiconductor stocks
• Industry Role: Leading supplier of EUV lithography machines for advanced chip production

ASML’s record market capitalization highlights the growing importance of advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment in powering AI, high-performance computing, and next-generation electronics. With TSMC and other major chipmakers expanding capacity globally, ASML is well-positioned to continue benefiting from the ongoing AI-driven semiconductor boom.