Chipmaker ASML has reported net profit fell to €73m in the third quarter compared to €192m in the preceding three-month period. While analysts expected a decline, the fall was less than they forecast, says ANP news service on Wednesday.

Turnover was down to €696m from €844m in the previous quarter, also more favourable than analysts predicted, said ANP. However the value of ASML’s order book is €498m – which is lower than expected.
The company lowered its forecast for the full year by 20% after the publication of its second quarter results and this remains unchanged.
The current worldwide financial crisis is making it difficult for customers to get credit and is making ASML cautious when it comes to investing in new production assets, the company said.
But ASML itself has little direct problems, financial director Peter Wennink is quoted by ANP as saying: ‘We are a profitable company, we are earning money, so the crisis does not represent any threat to us.’