European stocks hit record highs on Wednesday (29/1), as chip equipment maker ASML (ASML) led tech shares higher after reporting strong quarterly results.

The pan-European STOXX 600 was up 0.5%, as of 0923 GMT, surpassing Tuesday's all-time closing high.

ASML shares jumped 11.2% after the Dutch company reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter orders of 7.09 billion euros ($7.39 billion).

ASML's earnings also reassured investors that the outlook for AI chips remains healthy, as they recovered from a selloff earlier this week triggered by the release of China's DeepSeek model, which uses less computing power than its rivals.

STMicroelectronics, BE Semiconductor and ASM International (ASMI) rose between 2.1% and 7.2%.

Technology was the best performer, jumping 4.5%, and posting its best day in a year.

"Today you see that at least ASML is still benefiting from demand in the chip sector... It seems that for now, concerns about the whole AI and the AI ​​supply chain have been overblown," said Teeuwe Mevissen, Senior Market Economist at Rabobank.

Other AI-exposed stocks such as Schneider Electric (EPA:SCHN) and Siemens (ETR:SIEGn) Energy, which took a hit on Monday, were trading 5.8% and 1.7% higher, respectively.

Meanwhile, Swedish truckmaker Volvo (OTC:VLVLY) jumped about 7% after reporting strong fourth-quarter orders. The stock helped lift the industrial goods sector by 1.3%.

Capping overall gains, LVMH fell 5.6% as the luxury goods group's sales growth failed to impress investors, following a string of strong results from rivals and recent price hikes. (AL)

Source: Investing.com