Samsung said in a statement it sold about half of its shares in ASML while selling its entire 4.2 percent stake in Seagate. The company also sold its 0.7 percent stake in Sharp Corp and its 4.5 percent stake in Rambus Inc.
Intel Corp slashed nearly USD 1 billion from its first-quarter revenue forecast as small businesses put off upgrading their personal computers, sending the chipmaker's shares down more than 5 percent.
Japan's Nikkei stock average rose to a 1-month high on Thursday on expectations that Europe will come up with measures to shore up its banks, with chip-related stocks climbing on a boost in sales for ASML Holding NV.