Sawt Falasteen - ASML shares dive on lower profits, orders

Net profits came in at 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) in the first quarter, compared to 2.0 billion euros the firm reported in the fourth quarter of last year.

Bookings slumped to 3.6 billion euros, a sharp decline from the 9.2 billion euros reported in the fourth quarter.

Company shares slumped more than six percent at the opening bell of the Amsterdam stock exchange, which was down 0.7 percent overall.

The stock recovered slightly during the day but was still around four percent lower just before the close.

ASML is one of the leading manufacturers of equipment to make state-of-the-art semiconductor chips, which power everything from mobile phones to cars.

But the semiconductor industry has become a geopolitical battleground as the West seeks to restrict China's access over fears the chips could be used for advanced weaponry.

ASML announced this year that it had been blocked from exporting "a small number" of its advanced machines to China, amid reports of US pressure on the Dutch government.

Chief executive Peter Wennink said the firm was still upbeat for the second half of 2024, which ASML has identified as a "transition" year before a stronger 2025.

He admitted in a conference call that the first quarter was "relatively slow" but said this was "consistent with our guidance and expectation of an industry coming out of a downturn."

Overall sales in the first quarter came in at 5.3 billion euros, lower than the 7.2 billion euros from the fourth quarter but in the range the company had forecast.

In its annual report published in January, the firm had forecast first-quarter sales of between 5.0 and 5.5 billion euros.

For the second quarter, the firm said it expected total net sales between 5.7 billion and 6.2 billion.

- 'Operation Beethoven' -

Chief Financial Officer Roger Dassen said investors should bear in mind that combined orders over the past two quarters amounted to 13 billion euros -- "a pretty significant number."

He said orders were "typically quite lumpy", meaning wide variations can occur from quarter to quarter.

Despite the first quarter drop in sales, the percentage of sales to China actually rose -- to 49 percent from 39 percent in the fourth quarter of last year.

"In terms of trends in China, there was a strong first quarter. We expect China to continue to be strong this year," Dassen said on the investor call.

ASML employs 42,000 people worldwide, more than half of whom are based at the firm's huge complex in Veldhoven, in the east of the Netherlands, with a significant proportion coming from abroad.

That aspect of the business has hit the headlines in recent months with the surprise election win of far-right leader Geert Wilders, who wants to drastically crimp immigration.

The firm has said that if it is unable to find the talent in the Netherlands, it could possibly be forced to look elsewhere, unnerving Dutch politicians.

Last month, the country unveiled "Operation Beethoven", a charm offensive worth 2.5 billion euros to keep global firms like ASML from moving abroad to attract talent.

The semiconductor industry was at the heart of discussions between Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Chinese President Xi Jinping last month in Beijing.

Xi declared that "no force can stop the pace of China's scientific and technological progress" while Rutte said that any measures taken were not aimed at one specific country.

There are concerns Beijing may introduce its own export controls on gallium and germanium -- two rare earth metals critical for the manufacture of semiconductors.

T.Ibrahim--SF-PST