Micro-chip machinery maker ASML expects a limited increase in orders in the fourth quarter of this year, the company said on Thursday at the publication of its Q3 results.

ASML, a leading player in the chip machinery sector, booked Q3 sales of almost €1.5bn, just above forecasts. Net profit reached €355m.
‘Despite the current turbulent macro-economic environment… we can reiterate our expectation of 2011 revenues of about €5.5bn, in line with initial guidance, CEO Eric Meurice said in a statement.
‘It is too early to understand how overall demand for semiconductors will contribute to our business in 2012, but we believe that a sustained need for leading edge systems… will likely result in increased Q4 2011 bookings, compared with Q3.’