ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML) Stake Trimmed by Azimuth Capital Investment Management LLC

Azimuth Capital Investment Management LLC lessened its stake in shares of ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML) by 13.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,224 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock after selling 1,836 shares during the period. Azimuth Capital Investment Management LLC’s holdings in ASML were worth $8,472,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Carnegie Investment Counsel boosted its stake in ASML by 68.9% in the 4th quarter. Carnegie Investment Counsel now owns 2,128 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $1,475,000 after purchasing an additional 868 shares during the period. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division acquired a new stake in shares of ASML in the fourth quarter worth $1,174,000. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of ASML by 5.2% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 140,802 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $117,323,000 after buying an additional 7,010 shares during the period. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in ASML by 36.7% during the fourth quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 26,322 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $18,243,000 after buying an additional 7,073 shares during the period. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its stake in ASML by 12.2% in the 4th quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 9,759 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $6,764,000 after acquiring an additional 1,062 shares in the last quarter. 26.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

ASML Trading Down 3.3 %

Shares of NASDAQ:ASML opened at $595.37 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $234.23 billion, a PE ratio of 28.62, a P/E/G ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.67. ASML Holding has a 1 year low of $578.51 and a 1 year high of $1,110.09. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $711.14 and a 200 day moving average price of $722.20.

ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The semiconductor company reported $7.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $7.67 by ($0.37). ASML had a return on equity of 47.73% and a net margin of 26.78%. Analysts expect that ASML Holding will post 25.17 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ASML Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 28th will be given a $1.5855 dividend. This is a positive change from ASML’s previous dividend of $1.08. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 28th. ASML’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 31.35%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on ASML from $790.00 to $860.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, January 13th. DZ Bank upgraded shares of ASML from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of ASML from $1,148.00 to $1,100.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $937.00.

ASML Company Profile

ASML Holding N.V. develops, produces, markets, sells, and services advanced semiconductor equipment systems for chipmakers. It offers advanced semiconductor equipment systems, including lithography, metrology, and inspection systems. The company also provides extreme ultraviolet lithography systems; and deep ultraviolet lithography systems comprising immersion and dry lithography solutions to manufacture various range of semiconductor nodes and technologies.