The share prices of ASML and other European semiconductor equipment companies increased on Thursday, March 9, 2023, following a report by Bloomberg News suggesting that potential restrictions imposed by the United States on the Chinese semiconductor industry may be less severe than previously anticipated.

At 08:09 GMT, ASML's shares had experienced a rise of 4.3%, while its Dutch competitors, BE Semiconductor and ASM International, witnessed gains of 5% and 2.9%, respectively. This surge in share prices positioned these companies among the top performers on the European benchmark STOXX 600 index.

A Bloomberg report, citing anonymous sources, indicates that ChangXin Memory Technologies Inc., a prominent Chinese memory chip manufacturer, may be exempted from the upcoming U.S. trade restrictions. However, the precise timing and details of this decision remain uncertain.

The U.S. Commerce Department, responsible for managing export restrictions to China, is anticipated to issue new guidelines following the Thanksgiving holiday.

ASML, a leading provider of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, declined to comment on the matter. During a recent investor day, the company projected a decline in its sales to China from approximately 50% over the past six quarters to 20% of total sales by 2025.

Other notable suppliers in the semiconductor equipment industry include Applied Materials, KLA Corp, Lam Research, and Tokyo Electron.