ASML fourth-quarter results beat, sees outlook upside in 2021 depending on 'geopolitics'

FILE PHOTO: ASML Holding logo is seen at company's headquarters in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Januari 23, 2019. REUTERS/Eva Plevier/File photo

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - ASML Holding NV, an essential supplier of equipment to computer chip makers, on Wednesday posted better-than-expected earnings for the fourth quarter of 2020 and hinted it could upgrade its 2021 sales outlook depending on U.S.-China politics.

Fourth quarter net profit was 1.4 billion euros ($1.70 billion) on sales of 4.3 billion euros, compared to 1.13 billion euros and 4.04 billion euros in the same period a year earlier.