ASML, the world’s top semiconductor lithography equipment maker, raised its 2026 revenue forecast after reporting first-quarter results that beat market expectations. An assessment said growing semiconductor demand driven by expanding investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure is lifting the broader equipment market.

Cryptopolitan, a blockchain media outlet, reported on Tuesday that ASML raised its 2026 net sales guidance to 36 to 40 billion euros from 34 to 39 billion euros.

ASML’s first-quarter results also exceeded expectations. Net sales came to 8.8 billion euros, above the market estimate of 8.5 billion euros. Net profit was 2.8 billion euros, beating an estimate of 2.5 billion euros.

ASML Chief Executive Christophe Fouquet (크리스토프 푸케) pointed to AI infrastructure investment as a key factor behind improving semiconductor market conditions. "With the expansion of AI-related investment, the growth outlook for the semiconductor industry is becoming clearer," he said. "Chip demand is currently outpacing supply," he explained. He added that customers are bringing forward plans to expand production capacity aimed at after 2026.

ASML supplies equipment essential for cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing, and its customers’ expansion plans and performance are closely linked. Recent signals in the semiconductor market have pointed to increased investment in both foundry and memory.

TSMC, the world’s largest foundry company, recently posted record first-quarter revenue, demonstrating strong demand for AI chips. In the memory market, supply shortages have persisted and prices have remained elevated. As a result, major companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are expanding production capacity, which is leading to rising demand for ASML equipment.

The earnings release is also drawing attention because it is the first quarter in which new order figures that investors had been watching were not disclosed. The company said order momentum remains strong.

Signs of a demand recovery are also being detected across the semiconductor equipment industry. German equipment maker Aixtron raised its 2026 revenue forecast to reflect rising demand for optoelectronic equipment.

AI infrastructure investment is another pillar supporting equipment demand. Meta and Broadcom extended their AI accelerator cooperation to 2029, and Meta plans to build an initial 1 gigawatt training and inference infrastructure and then expand it to several gigawatts.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg (마크 저커버그) said it is building large-scale computing infrastructure through broad cooperation spanning chip design, packaging and networking. Broadcom CEO Hock Tan (혹 탄) also said the next-generation AI chip roadmap is being maintained and forecast that demand will continue to grow.

An assessment said the expansion of AI infrastructure is leading to a long-term investment cycle beyond a short-term recovery in the semiconductor market. ASML’s raised revenue guidance is also seen as reflecting simultaneous increases in investment by foundries, memory makers and big tech companies.