ASML Holding NV (ASML) stock soared 5.46% in pre-market trading on Thursday, riding the wave of a broader rally in the semiconductor sector and bolstered by positive analyst sentiment. The surge comes as investors show renewed confidence in chip stocks amid growing artificial intelligence (AI) demand and favorable industry outlook.

The pre-market rally in ASML's stock appears to be driven by multiple factors. Firstly, Goldman Sachs analyst Alexander Duval reiterated a Buy rating on ASML with a price target of €935.00, underscoring the firm's strong position in the market. This positive assessment likely contributed to investor optimism.

Furthermore, ASML's unique position in the semiconductor industry is attracting investor attention. The company holds a technological monopoly on extreme ultra-violet (EUV) lithography machines, which are crucial for producing advanced chips. With the ongoing AI boom and projected growth in data center spending, ASML is well-positioned to benefit from increased demand for high-end chips.

The stock's movement also aligns with a broader uptrend in the semiconductor sector. Other chip stocks, including Nvidia, Marvell, Broadcom, and Applied Materials, were also up in pre-market trading, indicating a sector-wide rally. This collective surge suggests that investors are betting on the continued growth and importance of the semiconductor industry, particularly in light of advancing AI technologies and increasing data center investments.