Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML on Wednesday reported better-than-expected net sales and profit results for the fourth quarter.

The company posted fourth-quarter orders well above analysts’ expectations as chip makers scrambled for machinery to produce increasingly sophisticated semiconductors.

Computer chip equipment maker ASML's CEO on Wednesday made the case that the advent of efficient AI models such as one China's DeepSeek has launched is a net positive for chip markets. Christophe Fouquet said that perceptions of AI spending are skewed by the massive investments being made by "hyperscalers" - companies such as Google,

ASML Holding NV brushed off concerns about the artificial intelligence-driven demand for its chipmaking machines after Chinese startup DeepSeek’s low-cost chatbot roiled markets earlier in the week.

DeepSeek prompted a major sell off of tech stocks this week, but ASML's chief says the artificial-intelligence upstart could boost the chips sector in the longer term. Tech stocks—including ASML—fell

ASML, the biggest supplier of computer chip-making equipment, on Wednesday reported much better than expected fourth-quarter bookings of 7.088 billion euros ($7.39 billion), on strong demand for its most advanced tools,

The company reported fourth-quarter earnings of 6.85 euros ($7.14) a share on sales of €9.3 billion, beating expectations.

The company posted orders well above analysts’ expectations for the fourth quarter as chip makers scrambled to get their hands on machinery to produce increasingly sophisticated semiconductors.