"Based on the current visibility, we expect revenue in the second half of 2022 to be higher than the level in the first half," the company said in a statement.

Semiconductor groups such as Intel and Applied Materials hit by supply chain challenges, expect the recovery to take longer despite rising global demand for chips used in products ranging from cars to computers and smartphones.

ASMI, which makes equipment used to deposit atom-thin layers of material on computer chips during their manufacturing, expects first-quarter revenue of 500-530 million euros after 491.3 million euros in the fourth quarter.
BE Semiconductor forecast a rise in first-quarter revenue, as the chipmaking equipment supplier expects to benefit from leading chipmakers' plans to boost investments.

ASMI reported record order intake in the fourth quarter of 644.9 million euros, above the company's guidance of around 600 million euros.

The Amsterdam-listed company said it planned to increase its dividend by 25 per cent to 2.5 euros per share.

The group is launching a new share buyback programme, planning to repurchase up to 100 million euros of stock over 2022-2023.