---
title: "ASML says AI demand means its 2027 and 2028 supply will fall short, after record €11.7 billion quarter"
url: https://anawords.com/story/asml-q3-2026-results-ai-demand-capacity-2028
published: 2026-10-15T12:24:51+05:30
updated: 2026-10-15T12:24:51+05:30
section: Chips & Compute
author: Mayank Sahu
checked: sources checked by AI, approved by editor
version: 1
---

# ASML says AI demand means its 2027 and 2028 supply will fall short, after record €11.7 billion quarter

The chip-equipment maker raised its 2026 sales outlook to €44–45 billion and is looking at adding capacity beyond the 30% rise already planned. China’s share of its machine sales jumped to 23%.

**In short:** ASML reported total net sales of €11.7 billion and net income of €5.0 billion for the third quarter of 2026 on 14 October. It expects 2026 sales of €44–45 billion and says its planned supply for 2027 and 2028 will not fully meet customer demand, driven mainly by AI investment.

## The results

ASML, which makes the lithography machines used to produce advanced chips, reported third-quarter 2026 total net sales of €11.7 billion and net income of €5.0 billion on 14 October.[^1] Its gross margin was 57.5%.[^1] Investing.com reports sales were up from €9.33 billion and net income from €2.92 billion in the second quarter.[^3]

ASML sold 113 new and 8 used lithography systems in the quarter.[^1]

## The outlook

For the fourth quarter, ASML expects total net sales of €14.2–15.2 billion and a gross margin of about 57%.[^1] For the full year 2026 it expects €44–45 billion and a gross margin of about 56%.[^1]

## Why AI matters here

ASML’s chief executive said customer demand is “driven primarily by their views on the size and duration of AI-related investments”.[^1] ASML says its planned supply for 2027 and 2028 will not fully meet demand, and that some customers want to order for 2029 and 2030.[^1]

ASML plans to raise capacity for low-NA EUV and DUV immersion machines by 30% in 2027, and is “investigating ways to increase capacity for 2028 beyond the 30% increase”.[^1][^3]

## China

The South China Morning Post reports that ASML’s sales to China rose 109% from the previous quarter, taking China to 23% of system sales, up from 14%.[^2] It reports ASML expects China to be about 20% of total sales this year, as the US presses the Netherlands to restrict more chipmaking machine exports.[^2]

## What is not known

ASML gave no financial guidance for 2027.[^1]

## Fact ledger

- [Confirmed] ASML’s Q3 2026 total net sales were €11.7 billion and net income €5.0 billion. (source 1,3)
- [Confirmed] ASML expects 2026 sales of €44–45 billion. (source 1)
- [Confirmed] ASML says planned 2027 and 2028 supply will not fully meet customer demand. (source 1,3)
- [Confirmed] Capacity for low-NA EUV and DUV immersion will rise 30% in 2027. (source 1)
- [Unconfirmed] China’s share of system sales rose to 23% from 14%. (source 2)
- [Not known] Financial guidance for 2027.

## Sources

1. [ASML Q3 2026 results press release (SEC Form 6-K)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000937966/000162828026065813/pressreleasefinancialresul.htm) — official
2. [South China Morning Post: ASML’s chip equipment sales to China soar 109%](https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3370904/asmls-chip-equipment-sales-china-soar-109-despite-us-export-curb-push)
3. [Investing.com: ASML raises capacity plans as AI demand drives record Q3 sales](https://uk.investing.com/news/earnings/asml-raises-capacity-plans-as-ai-demand-drives-record-q3-sales-4908944)