Honestly, if you've been watching the chip sector lately, you know it's been a wild ride. But yesterday and today? That’s a whole different level of intensity. ASML stock price today per share is hovering around $1,331.60, and it just smashed through the $500 billion market cap ceiling. That is a massive deal. We aren't just talking about a "good day" on the Nasdaq; we are witnessing a fundamental shift in how the market values the backbone of the AI era.
The spark? TSMC.
The Taiwanese giant basically dropped a bomb in their earnings call, announcing a 2026 capital expenditure (capex) budget that could hit $56 billion. When the world’s biggest chipmaker says they’re spending that kind of cash, most of it goes straight to Veldhoven, Netherlands. Why? Because you literally cannot make the world’s most advanced 2nm chips without ASML’s machines.
The Reality of ASML Stock Price Today Per Share
Right now, the stock is up roughly 5.37% on the day, trading between a low of $1,330 and a high of $1,358. If you look at where we were just a few months ago, the growth is staggering. We are talking about a 52-week range that started down at $578.51.
People always ask if it’s too late to get in. But look at the numbers. The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is sitting at 47.22. High? Sure, by traditional standards. But when you realize ASML has a near-monopoly on EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) lithography, that "premium" starts to look like a fair entry fee for a gatekeeper.
It’s not just about the big machines anymore, either. Their "Installed Base Management" business—basically the servicing and upgrading of the machines already out there—is picking up steam. Analysts at Zacks recently noted that this segment is providing a nice, steady cushion of recurring revenue that most people overlook when they’re only staring at the billion-dollar system sales.
Why the $500 Billion Milestone Matters
Crossing half a trillion dollars isn't just a vanity metric. It cements ASML as Europe's most valuable tech company. It also changes the gravity of the entire European market.
- The TSMC Halo Effect: TSMC's record $16 billion profit in Q4 2025 wasn't just a win for them; it was a green light for ASML's order book.
- High-NA EUV Adoption: We are finally entering the era of "High-NA" machines. These things cost roughly $400 million a pop. Intel is already taking delivery, and TSMC's massive 2026 budget suggests they aren't far behind.
- The Scarcity Factor: There is a "complexity tax" happening. It is getting harder to build these machines, not easier. Sourcing thousands of precision components from suppliers like Carl Zeiss is a logistical nightmare that only ASML has mastered.
What’s Driving the 2026 Rally?
It’s easy to get distracted by the daily fluctuations of ASML stock price today per share, but the real story is the "AI super-cycle." We've moved past the "hype" phase where people just talk about ChatGPT. Now, companies are actually building the infrastructure.
Aletheia Capital recently pulled a massive U-turn, upgrading the stock from "sell" all the way to "buy" and doubling their price target to $1,500. That kind of swing from an investment firm is rare. It tells you that even the skeptics are realizing that the demand for 2nm and 1.4nm chips is higher than anyone predicted.
TSMC’s 2nm node is reportedly booked solid through 2026. Every single one of those chips requires ASML’s light.
The China Wildcard
We have to talk about the elephant in the room: China.
ASML's CEO, Christophe Fouquet, has been pretty blunt about this. Demand from Chinese customers is expected to decline significantly in 2026 due to tightening export restrictions. In 2024 and 2025, China was a massive buyer of older DUV (Deep Ultraviolet) tech. That tap is being turned off.
Does it matter? Some think so. But the "AI gold rush" in the West and Taiwan seems to be more than making up for it. The company still expects 2026 sales to be higher than 2025. When you’re sold out of your most expensive products, a dip in your legacy business is more of a footnote than a tragedy.
Is ASML Still a Buy at These Levels?
Wall Street is currently leaning toward a "Buy" consensus. Out of eight major analysts tracking the stock this week, six have a "Buy" rating and two are at "Strong Buy." Nobody is telling you to sell right now.
However, you've gotta be careful with the "Complexity Tax." The rollout of High-NA EUV is incredibly difficult. If there are delays in getting these $400 million systems to run at full capacity, the stock might take a breather. It's a high-wire act.
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The Financials You Need to Know
| Metric | Current Value (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Market Cap | $512 Billion |
| Dividend Yield | 0.55% |
| Forward P/E | 34.0 |
| EPS (Trailing) | $28.20 |
The dividend is small, let's be honest. You aren't buying ASML for the quarterly check. You're buying it because it's the only gas station on a very long highway.
Actionable Insights for Investors
If you're looking at ASML stock price today per share and trying to decide your next move, don't just stare at the 1-minute chart.
- Watch Jan 28: That’s when the full Q4 2025 results and the official 2026 outlook drop. This will be the "make or break" moment for the current rally.
- The Share Buyback: ASML is expected to announce a new share buyback program in late January. This usually provides a nice floor for the stock price.
- Monitor Capex Reports: Keep an eye on Samsung and Intel. If they follow TSMC’s lead and hike their 2026 spending, ASML has even more room to run.
The bottom line? ASML isn't just a semiconductor company; it’s an infrastructure play. As long as the world wants smaller, faster, and more "intelligent" chips, the path of least resistance for this stock seems to be up, even with the occasional geopolitical speed bump.
Next Steps for You:
Check your portfolio's exposure to the "lithography" segment specifically. While many investors are heavy on "chip designers" like NVIDIA or AMD, the "equipment makers" (ASML, Applied Materials, Lam Research) often offer a different risk profile with similar upside during an infrastructure build-out. Compare the forward P/E of ASML against its peers to see if the "monopoly premium" fits your risk tolerance before the January 28 earnings call.