On May 28, 2026, Nikkei Asia reported that Nikon's CEO announced the company plans to challenge ASML with low-priced...

On May 28, 2026, Nikkei Asia reported that Nikon's CEO announced the company plans to challenge ASML with low-priced chipmaking equipment (source). This represents a direct competitive threat to ASML's lithography equipment dominance, particularly in the DUV segment and potentially future EUV. While ASML currently holds a near-monopoly on EUV machines, evidenced by prediction markets showing 82% confidence through 2026 (source), Nikon's entry could erode ASML's pricing power and market share over time. Major customers like TSMC, Intel, and Samsung may benefit from increased competition and lower costs. The threat is early-stage with no specific product details, warranting low confidence. However, if Nikon delivers competitive performance, ASML could face order delays or margin compression in the medium term.