ASML Holding NV’s orders in the fourth quarter beat estimates as the artificial intelligence boom drove demand for its chipmaking machines, potentially easing concerns sparked by Chinese startup DeepSeek.

DeepSeek prompted a major sell off of tech stocks this week, but ASML's chief says the artificial-intelligence upstart could boost the chips sector in the longer term. Tech stocks—including ASML—fell

Computer chip equipment maker ASML's CEO on Wednesday made the case that the advent of efficient AI models such as one China's DeepSeek has launched is a net positive for chip markets. Christophe Fouquet said that perceptions of AI spending are skewed by the massive investments being made by "hyperscalers" - companies such as Google,