Dutch chip shares fall as investors question AI valuations

Dutch chip companies ASML, ASMI and Besi fell sharply on Thursday as investors questioned whether heavy spending on artificial intelligence can justify the high valuations of companies linked to the sector, according to a report by Nieuws.nl citing ANP. The retreat was part of a broader global sell-off in chip stocks, while investors moved towards bonds. [1]

ASMI and Besi each lost more than 7 per cent at their worst, the report said. ASML, whose quarterly results had been well received on Wednesday, fell by more than 4 per cent. US AI and chip shares also came under heavy pressure; data-centre company CoreWeave dropped amid concerns over its ability to keep paying its high debts. [1]

The losses were more limited across the wider Amsterdam market: the AEX closed down 0.4 per cent at 1,132.58 points, while the MidKap index also fell 0.4 per cent, to 1,051.09. Frankfurt, Paris and London all rose by more than 1 per cent. [1]