ASML is sticking to its forecast of 100 machines for the 2H02, up from 78 in 1H02. This is significant IMHO in no small measure since each machine costs several million dollars.
Dutch ASML Stands By 2nd Half Outlook Despite Peer Warnings
Friday August 30, 4:14 am ET
AMSTERDAM -(Dow Jones)- Dutch lithography machine maker ASML NV said Friday that it is on track to meet its outlook for the second half of the year, despite hefty profit warnings from sector peers.
"We are still targeting to ship 100 of our machines in the second half," spokeswoman Beth Kitchener said, adding that the company will still probably break even in the second half.
ASML makes machines used to produce microprocessors. While issuing its first- half results in July, the company said it expected demand in its market to pick up in the second half, after a severe slump that had made the entire industry suffer.
However, with peer Nikon Corp. of Japan issuing a warning Thursday on its second-half results, and Novellus Systems Inc. (NasdaqNM:NVLS - News) of the U.S. doing the same overnight, substantial doubt has been cast over the company's statements.
At 0751 GMT Friday on the Euronext Amsterdam bourse, ASML shares were down EUR0.13, or 1.2%, at EUR10.64. Overall trading was positive, with the benchmark AEX index up 0.8%.
ASML posted a first-half net loss of EUR98.1 million, widening from a loss of EUR96.1 million a year earlier.
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