ASM International tops AEX index after 'healthy' Q1 results

** Shares of ASMI ASM up 12% after the semiconductor equipment manufacturer reported "healthy" Q1 results, and raised its outlook for Q2 and H2

** Stock tops the Dutch AEX (.AEX) index

** Shares on track for best day in almost two years, if gains hold

** "ASM reported a very 1Q24 trading update with a 27% EBIT beat, driven by revenue coming in at the top-end of guidance," ING analyst Marc Hesselink says

** Hesselink also notes better gross margin and good cost control

** The order intake beat consensus, showing good momentum in ASMI's technology for gate-all-around transistors and the memory segment, Hesselink adds

** The 10% hike in revenues expectations for H2 implies full-year revenue of at least 2.77 billion euros ($2.96 billion), the analyst says

** This is the current consensus, "which now became a sort of floor", he adds

($1 = 0.9357 euros)