Stockman Wealth Management Inc. Increases ASML Holding Shares

Stockman Wealth Management Inc. has announced an increase in its stake in ASML Holding (NASDAQ: ASML) by 7.2% during the third quarter of the year. This information comes from the company’s latest 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Following this acquisition, Stockman Wealth Management now owns a total of 15,361 shares of the semiconductor giant.

During the quarter, the fund acquired 1,032 additional shares of ASML, which now represents about 2.0% of Stockman’s overall portfolio. ASML is currently ranked as the 15th largest holding in Stockman Wealth Management’s investment portfolio, with a value of approximately $12.8 million at the end of the latest reporting period.

Investors' Activity in ASML

In addition to Stockman Wealth Management, various other institutional investors and hedge funds have also adjusted their positions in ASML. For instance, Van ECK Associates Corp raised its stake by 37.0% during the third quarter, now holding 1,757,049 shares worth about $1.46 billion after purchasing an additional 474,653 shares.

Similarly, GQG Partners LLC upped its investment by 21.6% in the first quarter, owning 1,657,878 shares valued at approximately $1.61 billion after adding 294,784 shares. Janus Henderson Group PLC also increased its holdings by 18.9% earlier this year, bringing its total shares to 1,220,210, which are worth around $1.18 billion after a purchase of an extra 194,357 shares.

Furthermore, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV made a significant increase to its holdings of 4,379.6% in the second quarter, amassing 889,875 shares valued at $910.1 million. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP made a minor increase of 0.3%, adding 2,085 shares to reach 817,709 shares worth approximately $836.3 million. Overall, 26.07% of ASML's shares are currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

ASML's Stock Performance

As of the latest market trading session, shares of ASML (NASDAQ: ASML) fell by $7.74, bringing the price down to $669.47 at midday. Over the course of this trading day, approximately 1,726,789 shares changed hands, compared to an average volume of 2,990,437 shares. Key financial ratios indicate a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.55, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. ASML has experienced a 1-year low of $633.85 and a high of $1,110.09, and holds a market capitalization of $263.38 billion with a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.05.

Dividend Announcement

In recent developments, ASML announced a quarterly dividend which was paid on November 7. Shareholders on record as of October 29 received a dividend of $1.407 per share. This dividend translates to an annualized rate of $5.63, yielding around 0.84%. The ex-dividend date for this payment was also October 29, and ASML's current dividend payout ratio stands at 29.21%.

Analyst Ratings and Price Targets

Recent reports from various analysts have resulted in mixed endorsements for ASML. Notably, Sanford C. Bernstein reduced their target price for ASML from $1,052.00 to $815.00 while maintaining an "outperform" rating. Additionally, Susquehanna also decreased their target from $1,300.00 to $1,100.00 and retained a "positive" rating for the stock.

UBS Group lowered its rating from "buy" to "neutral" earlier this year, and Wells Fargo & Company adjusted their price target from $1,000.00 to $790.00 while rating the company as "overweight". On a more favorable note, Barclays upgraded ASML from an "equal weight" to an "overweight" rating. The average rating for ASML among analysts remains a "Moderate Buy" with a target price of $970.60 based on several evaluations.

Understanding ASML's Core Business

ASML Holding N.V. specializes in the development and production of advanced semiconductor equipment systems tailored for chipmakers. The company provides a range of cutting-edge technologies including lithography, metrology, and inspection systems. Its product offerings feature extreme ultraviolet lithography systems alongside deep ultraviolet lithography technologies, facilitating the manufacturing of a wide array of semiconductor technologies.

Considerations for Potential Investors

For potential investors contemplating ASML, it’s essential to consider the insights from leading financial analysts. Despite ASML having a moderate buy rating, some analysts have flagged alternative stocks that may yield better returns. Investors are encouraged to conduct thorough assessments and possibly compare other investment opportunities in the semiconductor domain.

ASML, Investing, Stocks