[News] ASML Reportedly Seeks Higher Tool Prices as TSMC Pushes Back; Mature DUV Tools Could See 10% Hike

Ahead of TSMC’s earnings call later today, its key equipment supplier ASML raised its 2026 guidance for the second time this year, reinforcing confidence in the foundry leader. However, the Dutch lithography company is also seeking higher prices for its chipmaking equipment, a move TSMC is said to be resisting, according to Reuters, citing The Information.

TSMC has remained cautious on costly lithography investments, reportedly delaying ASML’s High-NA EUV adoption due to the tools’ roughly US$400 million price tag. The foundry has also indicated the technology is unlikely to be used even for its A13 process around 2029. Intel, by contrast, has already begun high-volume production of its 18A-based Panther Lake chips using ASML’s High-NA EUV tools.

Meanwhile, ASML’s planned price increases may extend beyond its most advanced equipment. Citing The Information, Reuters reports that some Chinese customers have agreed to a 10% price hike for ASML’s mature DUV systems.

The pricing push comes as ASML prepares to expand production capacity for both EUV and DUV systems by 30% in each of the next two years, with demand remaining robust across advanced chips and more mature nodes in China, Reuters adds.

Inside ASML’s Pricing Strategy

According to Reuters, ASML sees room to lift prices for parts of its chipmaking equipment portfolio after revealing that its cutting-edge EUV systems are nearly sold out through the end of 2027. CFO Roger Dassen, per the report, also said strong demand has strengthened the company’s pricing power, leaving ample runway for further price increases.

In a Yahoo! Finance transcript of ASML’s conference call with analysts after the earnings release, Dassen further elaborated that when it comes to Low-NA pricing, ASML sees further room to raise prices as continued improvements in tool productivity enhance the value delivered to customers. “Value-based pricing is the concept that we follow within ASML,” he said.

Notably, Dassen also indicated that ASML is already putting its pricing strategy into action, as its strong market position gives the company greater flexibility to adjust prices. “We’re executing on that as well,” he said. Though given the long order lead times that ASML has, that doesn’t translate into pricing effects tomorrow, he added.

Semiconductor Equipment Makers Move to Raise Prices

ASML may not be alone in seeking higher prices. Citing Bernstein, FUTUBULL notes that pricing improvement has become a top strategic priority for Tokyo Electron, which aims to lift gross margins above 50% and expand operating margins toward a 35% target through strategic initiatives.

The pricing pressure is also spreading to memory makers. According to a June ETNews report, several of SK hynix’s Tier 1 equipment suppliers have recently sought 3–4% increases in unit prices, signaling that higher equipment costs are beginning to ripple through the semiconductor supply chain.

Read more

• [News] ASML Raises 2026 Guidance for Second Time This Year; Taiwan Sales Share Climbs to 30%
• [News] ASML Expects First High-NA EUV Memory, Logic Products Within Months Amid TSMC’s Cost-Driven Delay

(Photo credit: ASML CEO Christopher Fouquet’s LinkedIn)