** Bernstein upgrades the world's largest supplier of computer chip equipment ASML ASML.AS to "outperform" from "market perform", seeing large capacity expansions at memory chipmakers in 2026

** Bernstein also selects it as its top pick among European semiconductors this year; stock up around 4% at 0814 GMT

** Robust demand from artificial intelligence data centres is causing a worldwide supply crunch, boosting prices across all industries including smartphones and cars

** The world's largest memory makers Samsung 005930.KS, Micron MU.O, and SK Hynix 000660.KS, are accelerating their buildout towards more advanced processes, which will require more of ASML's EUV lithography tools, it adds

** "This is great for ASML, as litho intensity for 1c is 28% based on our estimates, much higher than previous nodes of 20-24%" - Bernstein

** "We believe 2026 and 2027 will be big years for EUV and for ASML", Bernstein says, pointing also to rising demand from ASML's main customer, TSMC 2330.TW

(Reporting by Nathan Vifflin in Gdansk)

((nathan.vifflin@thomsonreuters.com; +48 58 769 67 13;))