Shares of ASML Holding NV (NASDAQ:ASML) edged down 0.9% after reports emerged that Samsung Electronics is delaying progress on its U.S.-based semiconductor factory, casting uncertainty over future equipment orders.
According to Nikkei Asia, the South Korean tech giant is slowing the installation of chipmaking machinery at its Texas facility amid difficulties securing a sufficient customer base. Despite pledging over $37 billion in investment, Samsung is reportedly reassessing its timeline due to softer-than-expected demand.
The delay poses a setback for ASML, which was expected to supply advanced lithography systems for the plant. The Dutch company holds a monopoly on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology, critical for manufacturing cutting-edge chips.
Samsung’s Texas project had been a cornerstone of U.S. efforts to revitalize domestic chip production, supported by up to $4.7 billion in federal grants under the CHIPS and Science Act. A slower rollout reduces the likelihood of near-term equipment revenue for ASML and may cloud its sales outlook heading into 2025.