Chip tech leader ASML sales jump despite US-China spat

THE HAGUE, July 19 (AFP): Dutch chip-making machine supplier ASML reported Wednesday a jump in second-quarter sales, shrugging off a tech war over semiconductors between the United States and China.
ASML, which produces the lithography equipment that makes semiconductors, said turnover reached 6.9 billion euros ($7.8 billion) in the April-to-June period, up from 6.7 billion euros in the first three months of the year.
Net profit totalled 1.9 billion euros, slightly lower than in the previous quarter. ASML chief executive Peter Wennink said customers across different markets "are currently more cautious due to continued macro-economic uncertainties" and "expect a later recovery of their markets". Wennink said the company expects sales to reach between 6.5 billion to 7.0 billion euros in the third quarter.
The Netherlands announced last month that export restrictions on technology to make semiconductors-adopted in March under pressure from the United States and sharply criticised by China-will enter into force in September.