AMSTERDAM (dpa-AFX) - The shares of semiconductor equipment manufacturer ASML benefited on Wednesday from hopes of less extensive potential business losses in China. They shot up by up to eleven percent to almost 900 euros. Most recently, they led the EuroStoxx 50 with a plus of eight percent to 871 euros.

The news agency Reuters had previously reported that the USA wanted to exempt chip industry suppliers from the Netherlands, Japan and South Korea from a next round of export restrictions to China.

ASML shares had come under pressure following the publication of half-year figures in mid-July - they had previously reached a high of almost 1,022 euros.

ASML produces machines that manufacture the most modern semiconductors. AI applications require such high-performance chips, which is continuously increasing demand at ASML. However, the USA's trade policy is having a negative impact on ASML's business in China, its largest market.

Under pressure from the USA, the Netherlands banned the export of some types of ASML machines to China at the beginning of the year. According to the company, around 15 percent of this year's sales in China will be affected by the export regulations imposed in January. Fears had recently increased that the USA could try to enforce even more export bans.

ASML is the most valuable group in the eurozone with a Borsen value of almost 350 billion euros and number two in Europe after the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk (equivalent to around 535 billion euros) /mis/zb