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SK Hynix Places $8B Order for ASML Chip Tools

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SK Hynix has announced a major purchase of chipmaking equipment from ASML, committing nearly $8 billion in what is the largest publicly disclosed order for the Dutch supplier’s lithography systems.

The deal covers extreme ultraviolet (EUV) machines, which are critical for producing advanced semiconductors used in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. The equipment will be delivered by the end of 2027 and is expected to support the company’s next-generation production capacity.

Analysts say the tools will be deployed across SK Hynix’s upcoming Yongin facility as well as its M15X plant in Cheongju, both of which are key to scaling production of high-bandwidth memory and advanced DRAM chips.

The investment reflects strong demand for AI-related semiconductors, where memory chips play a central role. It also signals SK Hynix’s effort to secure manufacturing capacity ahead of competitors in a tightening supply environment.

The order highlights the growing importance of EUV technology in enabling smaller, faster and more efficient chips, as the semiconductor industry continues to evolve around AI-driven workloads.

ASML Tops $500 Billion Market Value on TSMC Spending Boost

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Shares of ASML pushed the company’s market capitalisation past $500 billion for the first time on Thursday, after key customer TSMC announced a much larger-than-expected increase in capital spending to meet surging demand for AI chips.

TSMC said it plans to spend between $52 billion and $56 billion in 2026, well above analysts’ expectations of about $46 billion. The higher budget implies significantly more spending on advanced chipmaking tools, benefiting ASML, the world’s only supplier of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines.

ASML shares rose 5.4% by mid-day trading, extending their January gains to around 24% and cementing the company’s position as Europe’s most valuable listed firm. Analysts say ASML stands out as a major winner from the AI investment cycle, alongside memory chipmakers such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

TSMC’s stepped-up investment also reflects strong demand from clients including Nvidia and Apple. While ASML has forecast only modest growth for 2026 due to the slow pace of new fab construction, analysts say TSMC’s plans improve visibility for stronger growth into 2027 and beyond.

Lam Research Forecasts Higher Revenue Amid Strong AI Chipmaking Demand

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Lam Research has projected second-quarter revenue above Wall Street expectations, driven by surging demand for semiconductor manufacturing tools used in artificial intelligence applications. The Fremont, California-based firm said it expects revenue of around $5.20 billion, plus or minus $300 million, for the quarter ending December 28 — ahead of analysts’ forecasts of $4.81 billion, according to LSEG data.

The company’s shares rose 2.2% in after-hours trading and have already doubled this year, fueled by global investment in AI-driven chip production. Lam, a leading supplier of wafer fabrication equipment (WFE), provides critical tools used in the complex processes of chip wiring and wafer etching.

Lam faces competition from industry heavyweights such as Applied Materials, Analog Devices, and ASML, but remains well-positioned as chip designers expand capacity to meet escalating computing demands. The firm reported $5.32 billion in revenue for the previous quarter, surpassing expectations, and adjusted earnings of $1.26 per share versus $1.22 projected. The AI semiconductor boom continues to lift equipment makers across the global chip supply chain.