China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. Cuts Stake in ASML Holding N.V. $ASML

China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. lessened its holdings in shares of ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) by 15.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,537 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock after selling 448 shares during the period. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd.’s holdings in ASML were worth $2,456,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC grew its position in ASML by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC now owns 1,057 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $1,067,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares during the last quarter. Albion Financial Group UT grew its holdings in shares of ASML by 27.8% during the third quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 46 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 10 shares during the last quarter. Global Assets Advisory LLC increased its position in shares of ASML by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Global Assets Advisory LLC now owns 452 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $438,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares during the period. State of Wyoming raised its stake in ASML by 4.2% in the 3rd quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 247 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $239,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC lifted its position in ASML by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC now owns 345 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $334,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares during the period. 26.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on ASML shares. UBS Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of ASML in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $1,911.00 price target on shares of ASML in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of ASML from $1,092.00 to $1,331.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Rothschild & Co Redburn set a $1,200.00 price objective on shares of ASML in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of ASML from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have given a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,475.00.

ASML Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ ASML opened at $1,458.93 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $573.77 billion, a PE ratio of 56.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 1.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.26. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $1,271.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $1,050.27. ASML Holding N.V. has a 1 year low of $578.51 and a 1 year high of $1,493.47.

ASML Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 5th. Investors of record on Monday, April 27th will be paid a $3.1771 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 27th. This represents a $12.71 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. This is a boost from ASML’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.88. ASML’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 25.10%.

About ASML

ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ: ASML) is a Dutch company that develops, manufactures and services advanced photolithography systems used to produce semiconductor chips. Headquartered in Veldhoven, Netherlands, ASML supplies capital equipment and associated software and services that enable semiconductor manufacturers to pattern the intricate circuits on silicon wafers. The company is widely recognized for its leadership in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography as well as its deep ultraviolet (DUV) platforms used across multiple process nodes.

ASML’s product portfolio includes EUV and DUV lithography machines, light sources, imaging optics and control software, together with spare parts, upgrades and field services.