Short Interest in ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML) Expands By 9.3%

ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML) saw a significant growth in short interest during the month of October. As of October 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,170,000 shares, a growth of 9.3% from the September 30th total of 1,070,000 shares. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 1,860,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.6 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ASML

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ASML. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in ASML during the first quarter worth about $308,000. Diversified Trust Co raised its holdings in shares of ASML by 16.1% in the 1st quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 950 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $922,000 after purchasing an additional 132 shares during the period. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of ASML by 4.7% in the 1st quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC now owns 287 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $279,000 after purchasing an additional 13 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new position in shares of ASML in the 1st quarter worth about $915,000. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in shares of ASML by 22.9% in the 1st quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 8,911 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $8,648,000 after purchasing an additional 1,661 shares during the period. 26.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

ASML Stock Performance

NASDAQ ASML opened at $715.14 on Wednesday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $808.07 and its 200 day moving average price is $902.68. ASML has a twelve month low of $582.48 and a twelve month high of $1,110.09. The company has a market capitalization of $281.35 billion, a PE ratio of 37.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a current ratio of 1.52, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31.

ASML Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 7th. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 29th will be given a dividend of $1.407 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, October 29th. This represents a $5.63 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.79%. ASML’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.42%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ASML has been the topic of several research reports. Morgan Stanley lowered ASML from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, September 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered their target price on ASML from $1,052.00 to $815.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 21st. Berenberg Bank raised ASML to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on ASML from $1,000.00 to $790.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Finally, Susquehanna reduced their price objective on ASML from $1,300.00 to $1,100.00 and set a “positive” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $970.60.

About ASML

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.