ASML Stock Soars on High-NA EUV Delivery Confirmation to Intel, TSMC
Recent reports indicate that TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) CEO C.C. Wei recently visited ASML’s headquarters and also met with top executives at laser supplier Trumpf. It appears that TSMC has revised its stance on High-NA EUV lithography technology and may accelerate the adoption of this new technology and equipment.
According to Wccftech, ASML spokesperson Monique Mols mentioned that ASML CFO Roger Dassen confirmed the delivery of two High-NA EUV lithography machines to Intel and TSMC by the end of this year. This news prompted a significant rise in ASML’s stock price, which surged by 9.52% at the close of trading on June 5, Eastern Time.
Intel has shown considerable enthusiasm for acquiring High-NA EUV lithography machines, having placed orders for the new equipment as soon as it became available. Intel received the industry’s first commercial High-NA EUV lithography machine late last year and has since completed its assembly. Rumor has it that Intel has secured the majority of High-NA EUV lithography machines to be produced before the first half of next year, making its continued acceptance of these machines expected. What truly surprised the industry was TSMC’s change of heart, given that TSMC executives recently expressed reservations about adopting High-NA EUV lithography machines in the short term due to their high cost, a sentiment echoed by the announcement of their A16 process technology.
With ASML confirming TSMC’s plans to introduce High-NA EUV lithography machines this year, media outlets have reached out to TSMC for further information. However, TSMC’s response emphasized close cooperation with suppliers, indicating a reluctance to comment further at this stage. It is understood that Samsung and SK Hynix will also receive High-NA EUV lithography machines next year, with deployment expected in the second half of 2025.
Previous reports estimated the price of a High-NA EUV lithography machine at approximately $380 million, more than double that of a standard EUV machine (around $183 million). Currently, ASML’s annual production capacity for High-NA EUV lithography machines is about five to six units, with order quantities ranging between 10 and 20 units.