ASML reports big orders beat as AI drives chipmaker demand, to lay off 1,700

ASML ⁠reported stronger-than-expected bookings in the fourth quarter on Wednesday, with the world’s largest supplier of computer chip equipment receiving more orders as companies boosted investment in AI chipmaking capacity.

Europe’s largest company by market cap also said separately it would lay ‌off 1,700 jobs, ‌or 3.8% of the total – mostly in the Netherlands and U.S. and largely at the leadership level.

The cull is the largest the ‌company has seen in absolute numbers, following prolonged expansion in the 2010s and 2020s, CFO Roger Dassen said on a conference call.