Lithography giant ASML (ASML.US) spares no expense to retain talent: offers €20,000 "golden handcuffs" to lock in employees until 2030

According to Zhitong Finance APP, Dutch lithography machine giant ASML (ASML.US) is offering employees a retention bonus program: all employees who remain with the company from 2027 through 2030 and beyond will receive a one-time conditional stock award of 20,000 euros (approximately $22,000 USD).

ASML confirmed the plan in an email statement. As the company’s performance and share price hit record highs, this European enterprise with the highest market value is attempting to secure its most valuable asset—its talent—through a “golden handcuffs” approach.

The company spokesperson stated: “ASML is in a phase of sustained growth and development, as reflected in our latest quarterly results. In the first half of this year, we took a series of important actions, including announcing plans to further expand our capacity in 2027 and 2028, as well as raising our 2026 performance outlook.

At the same time, we are intensifying our investment in innovation, covering lithography technology, support for 3D chip architectures, AI applications in systems and software, as well as a range of transformation projects including technological transformation and IT/data transformation.

Based on these developments, and in recognition of the important contributions employees have made to ASML’s achievements so far and their ongoing crucial roles in the future, the board has decided to grant a one-off conditional stock award valued at 20,000 euros to all eligible employees worldwide.”

The spokesperson added that this stock reward will be granted on January 1, 2027, and will vest on January 1, 2030. More details on terms and conditions are currently being finalized.

ASML stated that the bonus will be distributed in the form of stock, with specific details still being finalized, and will be available to “all eligible employees.”

ASML’s unprecedented retention plan is backed by an impressive track record.

According to the Q2 2026 financial report released on July 15, ASML achieved net sales of 9.326 billion euros, up about 21% year-on-year, far exceeding the company’s previous guidance of 8.4–9.0 billion euros; net profit reached 2.918 billion euros, an increase of about 27% year-on-year; and the gross profit margin reached 54%, also significantly above the earlier expectation of 51%–52%.

Even more notably, the company has raised its full-year performance outlook for the second time this year—predicting total net sales in 2026 of 43–45 billion euros, a substantial upward revision from the April forecast of 36–40 billion euros. ASML expects Q3 net sales to be between 11–12 billion euros, with gross profit margins further rising to 55%–57%.

ASML is not alone. The global semiconductor industry is experiencing an unprecedented talent war, with major players aggressively offering massive incentives to retain employees.

ASML, as the key manufacturer of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines in the semiconductor sector, is the latest company in the industry to provide significant bonuses to some or all of its employees. Previously, Samsung (SSNLF.US) awarded $370,000 bonuses to nearly three-fourths of its employees, recognizing their role amid the boom in AI infrastructure investments.

Competitor SK Hynix (SKHY.US) issued bonuses of $477,000 to employees this year, and may offer nearly $900,000 next year. In May, TSMC (TSM.US) CEO C.C. Wei pledged an average employee profit-sharing increase of more than 30% this year. From equipment manufacturers to chipmakers, and from Asia to Europe, the entire semiconductor industry chain is allocating AI dividends to talent with unprecedented intensity.