THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Dutch semiconductor chip machine maker ASML recorded a record net profit of 9.6 billion euros ($11.5 billion) in 2025 on sales of 32.7 billion euros fueled by AI-driven demand, the company reported Wednesday as it also announced plans to slash its workforce by about 1,700, about 4% of its workforce.
The growth comes despite Dutch government restrictions on exports of machines that can be used to make chips that can be integrated into weapons systems. The measures, initially announced in 2023 and later expanded, are seen as part of a U.S. policy that aims at limiting China’s access to such technology.
“In the last months, many of our customers have shared a notably more positive assessment of the medium-term market situation, primarily based on more robust expectations of the sustainability of AI-related demand. This is reflected in a marked step-up in their medium-term capacity plans and in our record order intake," ASML President and Chief Executive Officer Christophe Fouquet said in a statement.
In a message to employees, the company said it was cutting jobs in order to become more streamlined and efficient. It said ASML was “choosing to make these changes at a moment of strength for the company. Improving our processes and systems will allow us to innovate more and innovate better, generating further responsible growth for ASML and our stakeholders.”
The job cuts are intended to sharpen ASML's focus on engineering and innovation by streamlining the company's technology and IT departments, the message said.
The company said it expects 2026 to be “another growth year for ASML’s business” driven by sales of its extreme ultraviolet lithography systems.
FILE - Exterior view of the head office of ASML, a leading maker of semiconductor production equipment, in Veldhoven, Netherlands, on Jan. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
Kelly Pannek has spent the past decade enjoying a front-row view of U.S. teammate Hilary Knight and Canada’s Marie-Philip Poulin one-upping the other in a fierce, friendly rivalry involving two of of the most accomplished players in the history of women's hockey.
Playful and easy-going as the two are away from the rink, Pannek has witnessed the intensity, gamesmanship and dialed-in ability to step up their games in the biggest moments.
“They push each other,” Pannek said, before recalling the Americans’ 6-3 gold-medal win over Canada at the 2023 world championships.
“I laugh actually because Poulin scores on the 5-on-3, and she shot it right over Hilary’s foot,” Pannek said. “Hilary took that personally, and then scored three goals and won us that game.”
Knight doesn’t dispute it. “Yeah, I was pissed,” she said, laughing. And, yes, it mattered who scored.
“When a great player finds the back of the net against you, and it’s your job to keep it out of the net, you’re like, ‘All right, let’s go,'” Knight said.
The gripping back-and-forth swings of gold-medal highs and silver-medal lows have played out over some 17 years and more than 100 games on the international stage between two players with altogether different backgrounds. Knight grew up in suburban Chicago, and Poulin in Beauceville, a rural town an hour's drive south of Quebec City.
It will be in Milan next month when the two meet for a fifth and potentially final time at the Winter Games.
“If that’s the case, it’s a shame,” Team Canada coach Troy Ryan said. “It’s been a privilege to watch and to be witness to the back and forth.”
They are guaranteed one more meeting in a preliminary round matchup on Feb. 10. There is a good chance they will face off again for gold nine days later. At 36, Knight has already announced these Games will be her last. At 34, Poulin has not shed light on her Olympic future.
Veteran U.S. defender Lee Stecklein still can’t fathom the thought.
“I’ll believe Hilary’s done when I see it. I don’t believe her,” she said with a laugh.
The numbers are astounding for two generational icons, and first to earn International Ice Hockey Federation female player of the year honors, Knight in 2024 and Poulin last June.
Knight has the edge with 10 world championship gold medals to Poulin’s four. Knight also holds the world tournament record for goals (67), assists (53) and points (120).
Poulin has shined at the Olympics in earning her “Captain Clutch” nickname by scoring the gold medal-winning goal three times. She is second, behind Knight on the world championship list with 89 points, and second on the Olympic list with 35 points, trailing former Canadian teammate Hayley Wickenheiser.
“I think it just goes to show what we want to be the best player every single time we hop on the ice, specifically also against one another,” Knight said. “And we’re going to put on a show.”
The two are the faces of women's hockey in their respective nations.
“It takes a really special person to be able to withstand — especially in Canada — that amount of pressure and responsibility. And she does it with grace,” former U.S. Olympian Meghan Duggan said of Poulin.
“Similar to Hilary,” added Duggan, Knight’s teammate from 2007 to 2018. “Her ability to just naturally show up in big moments is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”
They first met on the international stage at the 2009 world championships, when Poulin made her Team Canada debut. It didn't take long for them to begin taking notice of the other.
Poulin's first memory was falling into the boards on a failed backcheck as Knight broke free to score in overtime of a 3-2 win in the gold-medal game at the 2011 world championships in Zurich.
“Yeah, that’s how it started,” Poulin said, laughing.
For Knight, her first recollection of Poulin came at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.
“She got loose on the draw, and it’s in the back of our net pretty quickly,” Knight said of Poulin scoring her second goal in Canada’s 2-0 gold-medal win. “Our center drops her and I’m just like, ‘Oh, my gosh, here we go.’”
They’ve gone at it ever since, and even spent a season as teammates in Montreal with the now defunct Canadian Women’s Hockey League.
Their legacies include playing instrumental roles in the growth of women's hockey, and in helping establish the Professional Women’s Hockey League. The league, now in its third year, grew from six to eight teams this season, with more expansion on the horizon.
“They’re both legends,” said PWHL executive Jayna Hefford, a Hockey Hall of Famer. “I think it’s a special moment for women’s hockey to have the two of them facing off maybe one last time. Who knows, right? Who knows what they might do? I’ll feel like a fan watching it and just trying to enjoy it."
Knight’s found peace in already calling these her last Olympics. And yet, she continues dropping hints to suggest a potential change of mind.
“Unless you convince me otherwise,” Knight said in November when asked if she might get the itch again. “Yeah, maybe. We’ll see.”
Two months later, while promoting Hershey’s chocolates, Knight excitedly described the electric welcome the PWHL has received during her first season in Seattle.
“It definitely gives you a new life, a new breath,” she told The Associated Press. “It’s really heartfelt, and it only deepens that want for me to play even longer.”
She’s not lost her scoring touch. Last season in Boston, Knight finished tied for the PWHL lead with 29 points. This season, she has two goals and nine points in 13 games.
Count Poulin among the doubters, saying, “We’ll see,” on whether these might Knight’s last Olympics.
Not in question is Poulin’s admiration.
“She’s always holding herself to the highest standards. And she’s done it with tremendous professionalism and grace,” Poulin said. “She wants to leave the sport in a better place, and she has done it. And I hope she can finish with her head held high.”
AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno contributed.
AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
Seattle Torrent forward Hilary Knight looks on during a face-off against the Toronto Sceptres during the third period of a PWHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
