Quick verdict: ASML vs PLTR in 2026

As of May 7, 2026, ASML Holding N.V. generally holds an overall edge over Palantir Technologies Inc. based on a more favorable valuation and stronger analyst consensus for stability. Palantir leads significantly in revenue growth and net profitability, positioning it as the growth leader, while ASML presents as the value leader with lower P/E and P/B ratios. Although ASML is the analyst favourite with higher buy ratings, PLTR offers substantially more price target upside according to current projections. Not investment advice.

ASML vs PLTR: key metrics side by side

Full side-by-side comparison of ASML and PLTR across valuation, profitability, growth and analyst sentiment. Data updated 2026-05-07.

ASML vs PLTR valuation comparison

When considering ASML vs PLTR valuation, ASML appears significantly cheaper on traditional metrics. ASML trades at a P/E ratio of 50.72x, which is substantial but pales in comparison to Palantir’s P/E of 140.38x. Similarly, ASML’s P/B ratio stands at 24.38x, while PLTR’s is higher at 37.9x, indicating investors are willing to pay a premium for Palantir’s assets and future growth prospects. These multiples suggest that Palantir is valued much more aggressively by the market, reflecting its perceived higher growth potential in the AI and data analytics space.

The discounted cash flow (DCF) models for both companies indicate significant overvaluation relative to their current stock prices. ASML has a DCF valuation of $364.22, implying a staggering -76.4% downside from its current price of $1544.74. Palantir’s situation is even more pronounced, with a DCF of $10.84 suggesting a -91.9% downside from its $133.79 price. While both models point to overvaluation, ASML’s implied downside is less severe than PLTR’s. This further reinforces the perspective that ASML offers a relatively less expensive entry point for investors seeking exposure to the technology sector, despite both trading at a premium to their intrinsic value according to this specific valuation method.

ASML vs PLTR growth comparison

In terms of growth, Palantir Technologies Inc. demonstrates significantly stronger momentum compared to ASML Holding N.V. Palantir reported an impressive year-over-year revenue growth rate of +56.2%, reflecting its rapid expansion within the data analytics and artificial intelligence markets. This robust growth showcases Palantir’s ability to capture new clients and deepen relationships with existing ones, driven by its innovative software platforms for government and commercial sectors. Its total revenue of $4.48 billion, while smaller than ASML’s, is expanding at a much faster clip.

ASML, a foundational player in the semiconductor industry, also exhibits healthy growth, with its revenue increasing by +15.6%. This is a strong performance for a company of ASML’s scale, boasting total revenues of $32.67 billion. While its growth rate is not as explosive as Palantir’s, it reflects sustained demand for its cutting-edge lithography equipment, which is critical for chip manufacturing globally. ASML’s growth is tied to the cyclical yet fundamentally indispensable semiconductor industry, providing a more stable, albeit slower, upward trajectory. Palantir clearly takes the lead in forward growth estimates due to its higher revenue growth rate, suggesting stronger momentum for investors prioritizing rapid expansion.

ASML vs PLTR profitability

When analyzing ASML vs PLTR profitability, Palantir Technologies Inc. currently leads with a superior net profit margin. Palantir boasts a net margin of 43.67%, indicating that a substantial portion of its revenue translates directly into profit. This high margin is characteristic of software companies with strong intellectual property and recurring revenue models, highlighting the efficiency of its operations in the enterprise AI space. ASML, while a highly profitable company, records a net margin of 29.71%. This is robust for a capital-intensive manufacturing business, but it naturally falls below Palantir’s software-driven profitability.

Examining other profitability metrics, both companies report ‘N/A%’ for Return on Equity (ROE), suggesting that this particular metric may not be readily available or applicable for a direct comparison with the provided data. However, their EBITDA margins are quite close: ASML at 37.99% and PLTR at 38.5%, indicating similar operational efficiency before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. For Free Cash Flow (FCF) yield, ASML has a higher yield of 1.76% compared to Palantir’s 0.88%. This suggests that ASML generates more cash relative to its market capitalization, which is a positive indicator for its ability to fund operations, reinvest, or return capital to shareholders. While PLTR has a higher net margin, ASML’s FCF yield indicates it ultimately generates more cash from its operations relative to its size, providing a different perspective on which company “generates more cash” for investors.

Analyst ratings: ASML vs PLTR

Analyst sentiment leans more favorably towards ASML Holding N.V. when considering the percentage of “Buy” ratings and the sheer volume of coverage. ASML is covered by 45 analysts, with a strong 57.8% recommending a “Buy” for the stock. The consensus price target for ASML is $1694, which implies a respectable +9.7% upside from its current price of $1544.74. This reflects a positive outlook on ASML’s continued dominance in the semiconductor equipment market and its critical role in the global tech supply chain.

Palantir Technologies Inc. has a slightly less enthusiastic, but still positive, analyst view. PLTR is covered by 26 analysts, with 42.3% advising a “Buy” rating. While the percentage of buy ratings is lower than ASML’s, Palantir’s consensus price target of $191.83 suggests a much more significant upside potential of +43.4% from its current price of $133.79. This indicates that while fewer analysts are outright bullish on Palantir, those who are see substantial growth potential, likely due to its aggressive growth rate and expanding presence in the burgeoning AI market. Overall, ASML appears to be the more consistently preferred stock among analysts in terms of broad consensus, though Palantir offers greater perceived price appreciation potential.

Should I buy ASML or PLTR stock in 2026?

Deciding whether to buy ASML or PLTR stock in 2026 largely depends on your investment strategy and risk tolerance. For growth-oriented investors, Palantir (PLTR) presents a compelling case. Its revenue growth of +56.2% vastly outstrips ASML’s +15.6%, indicating stronger momentum and expansion into its target markets of data analytics and AI. Furthermore, analysts project a significant +43.4% upside for PLTR, suggesting substantial potential for capital appreciation if the company continues its rapid trajectory. However, this growth comes with a premium valuation, as reflected in its high P/E of 140.38x.

For value investors, or those seeking a more established, albeit still expensive, player in the technology sector, ASML (ASML) might be the preferred choice. While its P/E ratio of 50.72x is high in absolute terms, it is considerably lower than PLTR’s, making it relatively cheaper. ASML also trades at a lower P/B ratio of 24.38x compared to PLTR’s 37.9x. The DCF model, while showing both are overvalued, suggests ASML has a less severe downside (-76.4%) than PLTR (-91.9%), implying a comparatively better intrinsic value perspective at current prices.

Regarding income, neither ASML nor PLTR are strong candidates for dividend-seeking investors. ASML offers a negligible dividend yield of 0.01%, while Palantir currently offers no dividend at 0%. Therefore, if generating regular income from your investments is a priority, neither of these stocks would be suitable. Instead, investors in ASML or PLTR would primarily be looking for capital gains. Your decision should align with your personal financial goals and careful consideration of the risk-reward profiles of these two distinct technology giants. This is not investment advice.

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