ASML sees lull in orders from computer chip makers

ASML Holding NV, the largest supplier of equipment to computer chip makers such as Intel and Samsung, says it sees only incremental sales gains in the coming two quarters.

The Veldhoven, Netherlands-based company, a bellwether for the semiconductor industry, Wednesday reported first quarter earnings of 249 million euros ($344 million), down 49 percent from 481 million euros in the fourth quarter of 2013. Sales fell 24 percent to 1.40 billion euros for the same period.

New orders declined to 1.07 billion euros from 1.45 billion euros. Without specifying which companies or products, ASML said chipmakers are "encountering timing uncertainties in next-generation device designs."

Chips made by ASML customers go into every kind of electronics product.

ASML forecast sales of 3 billion euros for the second and third quarters combined.

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