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United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 20-F
 
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
 
Commission file number 025566
 
ASML HOLDING N.V.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
THE NETHERLANDS
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
DE RUN 6501
5504 DR VELDHOVEN
THE NETHERLANDS
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
Craig DeYoung
Telephone: +1 480 383 4005
Facsimile: +1 480 383 3978
Email: craig.deyoung@asml.com
8555 South River Parkway,
Tempe, AZ 85284, USA
(Name, telephone, E-mail, and / or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
     
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
 
Ordinary Shares
  The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
(nominal value EUR 0.09 per share)
   
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
 
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
 
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of
capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
 
432,073,534 Ordinary Shares
(nominal value EUR 0.09 per share)
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes (ü) No ( )
 
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant
is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ( ) No (ü)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes (ü) No ( )
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.
See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer (ü) Accelerated filer ( ) Non-accelerated filer ( )
 
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare
the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP (ü) International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the
International Accounting Standards Board ( ) Other ( )
 
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by checkmark
which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 ( ) Item 18 ( )
 
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a
shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)
Yes ( ) No (ü)
 
Name and address of person authorized to receive notices and communications from the Securities and Exchange Commission:
 
Richard A. Ely
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
40 Bank Street, Canary Wharf
London E14 5DS England
 
ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2008


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Contents
 
 
         
       
         
       
         
       
         
       
       
       
       
       
         
       
       
       
       
       
         
       
         
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
         
       
       
       
       
       
       
         
       
       
       
       
         
       
       
       
 
ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2008


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 Exhibit 8.1
 Exhibit 12.1
 Exhibit 13.1
 Exhibit 15.1
 
ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2008


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ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2008


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Part I
 
 
 
 
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this annual report on Form 20-F contains statements relating to our future business and/or results. These statements include certain projections and business trends that are “forward-looking” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can generally identify these statements by the use of words like “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “project”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “plan”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “potential”, “intend”, “continue” and variations of these words or comparable words.
 
 
Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from projected results as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, those described under Item 3.D. “Risk Factors” and those detailed from time to time in our other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission” or the “SEC”). These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F. We do not undertake to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
 
Item 1 Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors
 
 
Not applicable.
 
 
Item 2 Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
 
 
Not applicable.
 
 
Item 3 Key Information
 
A. Selected Financial Data
The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and Item 18 “Financial Statements”.
 
ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2008
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Five-Year Financial Summary
                                             

 
Year ended December 31
  20041, 2
    20051
    20063
    20073
    2008
     
(in thousands, except per share data)   EUR     EUR     EUR     EUR     EUR      
Consolidated statements of operations data
                                           
Net sales
    2,465,377       2,528,967       3,581,776       3,768,185       2,953,678      
Cost of sales
    1,559,738       1,554,772       2,127,797       2,218,526       1,938,164      
                                             
Gross profit on sales
    905,639       974,195       1,453,979       1,549,659       1,015,514      
Research and development costs
    352,920       347,901       413,708       510,503       538,324      
Amortization of in-process research and development costs
                      23,148            
Research and development credits
    (21,961 )     (24,027 )     (27,141 )     (24,362 )     (22,196 )    
Selling, general and administrative costs
    201,629       201,204       204,799       225,668       212,341      
Restructuring and merger and acquisition costs (credits)
    (5,862 )                            
                                             
Income from operations
    378,913       449,117       862,613       814,702       287,045      
Interest income (expense), net
    (16,073 )     (14,094 )     (854 )     33,451       22,599      
                                             
Income from operations before income taxes
    362,840       435,023       861,759       848,153       309,644      
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes
    (127,380 )     (123,559 )     (243,211 )     (177,152 )4     12,726      
                                             
Net income
    235,460       311,464       618,548       671,001       322,370      
                                             
Earnings per share data
                                           
Basic net income from continuing operations per ordinary share
    0.49       0.64       1.30       1.45       0.75      
Basic and diluted net loss from operations per ordinary share
                                 
Basic net income per ordinary share
    0.49       0.64       1.30       1.45       0.75      
Diluted net income per ordinary share
    0.49       0.64       1.26       1.41       0.74      
                                             
Number of ordinary shares used in
computing per share amounts (in thousands)
                                           
Basic
    483,380       484,103       474,860       462,406       431,620      
Diluted
    484,661       542,979       503,983       485,643       434,205      
                                             
 
 
The selected consolidated data for 2004 and 2005 reflect the effects of our decision in December 2002 to discontinue our Track business and divest our Thermal business which we substantially divested in October 2003.
The calculation of the number of ordinary shares used in computing diluted net income per ordinary share in 2004 does not assume conversion of ASML’s outstanding Convertible Subordinated Notes, as such conversions would have an anti-dilutive effect.
As of January 1, 2008 ASML accounts for award credits offered to its customers as part of a volume purchase agreement using the deferred revenue model. Until December 31, 2007 ASML accounted for award credits using the cost accrual method. The comparative figures for the years 2007 and 2006 have been adjusted to reflect this change in accounting policy. The amounts for the years 2004 and 2005 have not been adjusted since the impact is not material. See note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
In 2008, subsequent to the filing of the 2007 annual report on Form 20-F, ASML detected and made a correction for a prior period error with respect to a release of deferred tax liabilities of EUR 8.7 million. This release was incorrectly recognized in the 2007 consolidated statement of operations under (provision for) benefit from income taxes instead of in equity under other comprehensive income. The 2007 figures have been adjusted to reflect this correction. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
 
ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2008
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As of December 31
  20041
    20051
    20063
    20073, 4
    2008
     
(in thousands, unless otherwise indicated)   EUR     EUR     EUR     EUR     EUR      
Consolidated balance sheets data
                                           
Cash and cash equivalents
    1,228,130       1,904,609       1,655,857       1,271,636       1,109,184      
Working capital5
    1,868,871       1,785,836       2,236,173       1,997,988       1,964,906      
Total assets
    3,243,766       3,756,023       3,953,888       4,073,128       3,939,394      
Long-term liabilities
    1,039,023       624,203       613,167       855,367       942,282      
Total shareholders’ equity
    1,391,602       1,711,837       2,148,003       1,891,004       1,988,769      
Capital stock
    9,675       9,694       10,051       39,206       38,887      
                                             
Consolidated statements of cash flows data
                                           
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (74,979 )     (72,660 )     (70,619 )     (179,152 )     (259,770 )    
Depreciation, amortization and impairment
    93,144       98,881       104,446       135,366       144,299      
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities
    257,147       713,511       492,280       701,011       280,746      
Net cash used in discontinued operating activities
    (5,880 )     (2,018 )                      
Net cash provided by total operating activities
    251,267       711,493       492,280       701,011       280,746      
Acquisition of subsidiary (net of cash acquired)
                      (188,011 )          
Net cash used in total investing activities
    (60,398 )     (60,803 )     (70,629 )     (362,152 )     (259,805 )    
Net cash provided by (used in) total financing activities
    18,871       2,879       (657,624 )6     (715,363 )6     (184,238 )    
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    200,324       676,479       (248,752 )     (384,221 )     (162,452 )    
                                             
Ratios and other data
                                           
Increase (decrease) net sales (in percent)
    59.8       2.6       41.6       5.2       (21.6 )    
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales
    36.7       38.5       40.6       41.1       34.4      
Income from operations as a percentage of net sales
    15.4       17.8       24.1       21.6       9.7      
Net income as a percentage of net sales
    9.6       12.3       17.3       17.8       10.9      
Shareholders’ equity as a percentage of total assets
    42.9       45.6       54.3       46.4       50.5      
Sales of systems (in units)
    282       196       266       260       151      
Average selling price system sales
    7.7       11.4       12.1       12.9       16.7      
Backlog of systems (in units) at year end
    131       95       163       89       41      
Number of payroll employees in FTEs at year end from continuing operations
    5,071       5,055       5,594       6,582       6,930      
Number of ordinary shares outstanding (in thousands) at year end
    483,676       484,670       477,099       435,626 7     432,074      
Share price ASML at year end8
    11.81       16.90       18.84       21.66       12.75      
Volatility % ASML shares (260 days)9
    37.4       26.0       28.08       27.52       51.14      
Dividend per ordinary share in Euro
                      0.25       0.20      
                                             
 
 
Working capital is calculated as the difference between total current assets, including cash and cash equivalents, and total current liabilities.
Net cash used in financing activities includes, in 2006, an amount of EUR 678 million with respect to share buyback programs and, in 2007,
EUR 360 million, with respect to share buyback programs and EUR 1,012 million with respect to the return of capital to shareholders. In 2008 net cash used in financing activities mainly includes a EUR 108 million dividend payment and an amount of EUR 88 million for share buyback programs.
In 2007, as part of a capital repayment program, EUR 1,012 million of share capital was repaid to our shareholders and the number of outstanding ordinary shares was reduced by 11 percent (pursuant to a synthetic share buyback).
Closing price of ASML’s ordinary shares listed on the Official Segment of the stock market of Euronext Amsterdam (source: Bloomberg Finance LP).
Volatility represents the variability in our share price on the Official Segment of the stock market of Euronext Amsterdam as measured over the last 260 business days of each year presented (source: Bloomberg Finance LP).
 
ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2008
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Exchange Rate Information
We publish our consolidated financial statements in euro. In this Annual Report, references to “€”, “EUR” or “euro” are to euro, and references to ‘‘$”, “dollars”, “U.S. dollars”, “U.S. dollar”, “USD” or “US$” are to United States dollars. Solely for the convenience of the reader, certain U.S. dollar amounts have been translated into euro amounts using an exchange rate in effect on December 31, 2008 of US$1.00 = EUR 0.70.
 
 
A portion of our net sales and expenses is, and historically has been, denominated in currencies other than the euro. For a discussion of the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on our financial condition and results of operations, see Item 5.A. “Operating Results, Foreign Exchange Management” and Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
The following are the Noon Buying Rates certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for customs purposes (the “Noon Buying Rate”) expressed in U.S. dollars per euro.
 
                                                 

 
   
                                  January 2009 (through
 
Calendar year   2004     2005     2006     2007     2008     January 21, 2009)  
Period End
    1.35       1.18       1.32       1.46       1.39       1.29  
Average1
    1.24       1.24       1.26       1.37       1.47       1.30  
High
    1.36       1.35       1.33       1.49       1.60       1.31  
Low
    1.18       1.17       1.19       1.29       1.24       1.28  
 
 
1  The average of the Noon Buying Rates on the last business day of each month during the period presented.
 
                                                         

 
   
    July
    August
    September
    October
    November
    December
    January 2009 (through
 
Months of   2008     2008     2008     2008     2008     2008     January 21, 2009)  
High
    1.59       1.56       1.47       1.41       1.30       1.44       1.31  
Low
    1.56       1.47       1.39       1.24       1.25       1.26       1.28  
 
 
 
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
 
 
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
 
 
D. Risk Factors
In conducting our business, we face many risks that may interfere with our business objectives. Some of these risks relate to our operational processes, while others relate to our business environment. It is important to understand the nature of these risks and the impact they may have on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Some of the more relevant risks are described below.
 
 
Risks Related to the Semiconductor Industry
 
The Semiconductor Industry is Highly Cyclical and We May Be Adversely Affected by Any Downturn
As a supplier to the global semiconductor industry, we are subject to the industry’s business cycles, the timing, duration and volatility of which are difficult to predict. The semiconductor industry has historically been cyclical. Sales of our photolithography systems depend in large part upon the level of capital expenditures by semiconductor manufacturers. These capital expenditures depend upon a range of competitive and market factors, including:
•  the current and anticipated market demand for semiconductors and for products utilizing semiconductors;
•  semiconductor prices;
•  semiconductor production costs;
•  general economic conditions; and
•  access to capital.
 
 
Future reductions or delays in capital equipment purchases by our customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
In an industry downturn, including the downturn associated with the current global financial market crisis, our ability to maintain profitability will depend substantially on whether we are able to lower our costs and break-even level, which is the level of sales
 
ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2008
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that we must reach in a year to achieve net income. If sales levels decrease significantly as a result of an industry downturn and we are unable to adjust our cost over the same period, our net income may decline significantly or we may suffer losses. As we need to keep certain levels of inventory on hand to meet anticipated product demand, we also incur increased costs related to inventory obsolescence in an industry downturn. In addition, industry downturns generally result in overcapacity, resulting in downward pressure on prices and impairment of machinery and equipment, which in the past has had, and in the future could have, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, the current financial crisis affecting the banking system and global financial markets is in many respects unprecedented in the history of our Company. There could be a number of follow-on effects from the financial crisis on our business, including declining business and consumer confidence resulting in reduced, delayed or shorter-term capital expenditures on our products; insolvency of key suppliers resulting in product delays; the inability of customers to obtain credit to finance purchases of our products, delayed payments from our customers and/or customer insolvencies; and other adverse effects that neither we, nor industry analysts generally, can currently anticipate. If global economic and market conditions remain uncertain or deteriorate further, we are likely to experience continuing material adverse impacts on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
Conversely, in anticipation of periods of increasing demand for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, we must maintain sufficient manufacturing capacity and inventory, and we must attract, hire, integrate and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees to meet customer demand. Our ability to predict the timing and magnitude of industry fluctuations is limited and our products require significant lead time to complete. Accordingly, we may not be able to effectively increase our production capacity to respond to an increase in customer demand in an industry upturn resulting in lost revenues and damage to customer relationships.
 
 
Our Business Will Suffer If We Do Not Respond Rapidly to Commercial and Technological Changes in the Semiconductor Industry
The semiconductor manufacturing industry is subject to:
•  rapid change towards more complex technologies;
•  frequent new product introductions and enhancements;
•  evolving industry standards;
•  changes in customer requirements; and
•  continued shortening of product life cycles.
 
 
Our products could become obsolete sooner than anticipated because of a faster than anticipated change in one or more of the technologies related to our products or in market demand for products based on a particular technology. Our success in developing new products and in enhancing our existing products depends on a variety of factors, including the successful management of our research and development programs and timely completion of product development and design relative to competitors. If we do not develop and introduce new and enhanced systems at competitive prices and on a timely basis, our customers will not integrate our systems into the planning and design of new fabrication facilities and upgrades of existing facilities, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
In addition, we are investing considerable financial and other resources to develop and introduce new products and product enhancements, such as Extreme Ultraviolet lithography (“EUV”), that our customers may not ultimately adopt. If our customers do not adopt these new technologies, products or product enhancements that we develop due to a preference for more established or alternative new technologies and products or for other reasons, we would not recoup any return on our investments in these technologies or products, which may result in charges to our consolidated statements of operations and have a materially adverse effect on the future growth of the Company.
 
 
We Face Intense Competition
The semiconductor equipment industry is highly competitive. The principal elements of competition in our market segments are:
•  the technical performance characteristics of a photolithography system;
•  the value of ownership of that system based on its purchase price, maintenance costs, productivity and customer service and support;
•  the strength and breadth of our portfolio of patents and other intellectual property rights; and
•  our customers’ desire to obtain lithography equipment from more than one supplier.
 
 
Our competitiveness increasingly depends upon our ability to develop new and enhanced semiconductor equipment that is competitively priced and introduced on a timely basis, as well as our ability to protect and defend our intellectual property rights. See Item 4.B. “Business Overview, Intellectual Property” and Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
ASML’s primary competitors are Nikon Corporation (“Nikon”) and Canon Kabushika Kaisha (“Canon”). Nikon and Canon are important suppliers in Japan, which accounts for a significant portion of worldwide semiconductor production. This region historically has been difficult for non-Japanese companies to penetrate.
 
ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2008
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Both Nikon and Canon have substantial financial resources and broad patent portfolios. Each continues to introduce new products with improved price and performance characteristics that compete directly with our products, and may cause a decline in our sales or loss of market acceptance for our photolithography systems. In addition, adverse market conditions, industry overcapacity or a further decrease in the value of the Japanese yen in relation to the euro or the U.S. dollar could further intensify price-based competition in those regions that account for the majority of our sales, resulting in lower prices and margins and a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
Risks Related to ASML
 
The Number of Systems We Can Produce Is Limited by Our Dependence on a Limited Number of Suppliers of Key Components
We rely on outside vendors for the components and subassemblies used in our systems, each of which is obtained from a single supplier or a limited number of suppliers. Our reliance on a limited group of suppliers involves several risks, including a potential inability to obtain an adequate supply of required components and the risk of untimely delivery of these components and subassemblies.
 
 
The number of photolithography systems we are able to produce is limited by the production capacity of Carl Zeiss SMT AG (“Zeiss”). Zeiss is our single supplier of lenses and other critical optical components. If Zeiss were unable to maintain and increase production levels or if we are unable to maintain our business relationship with Zeiss in the future we could be unable to fulfill orders, which could damage relationships with current and prospective customers and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If Zeiss were to terminate its relationship with us or if Zeiss were unable to maintain production of lenses over a prolonged period, we would effectively cease to be able to conduct our business. See Item 4.B. “Business Overview, Manufacturing, Logistics and Suppliers”.
 
 
In addition to Zeiss’ current position as our single supplier of lenses, the excimer laser illumination systems that provide the ultraviolet light source, referred to as “deep UV”, used in our high resolution steppers and Step & Scan systems are available from only a limited number of suppliers. In particular, we rely both on Cymer, Inc., a United States based company, and Gigaphoton, Inc., a Japanese based company, to provide excimer laser illumination systems.
 
 
Although the timeliness, yield and quality of deliveries to date from our other subcontractors generally have been satisfactory, manufacturing of certain of these components and subassemblies that we use in our manufacturing processes is an extremely complex process and delays caused by suppliers may occur in the future. A prolonged inability to obtain adequate deliveries of components or subassemblies, or any other circumstance that requires us to seek alternative sources of supply, could significantly hinder our ability to deliver our products in a timely manner, which could damage relationships with current and prospective customers and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
A High Percentage of Net Sales Is Derived from a Few Customers
Historically, we have sold a substantial number of lithography systems to a limited number of customers. While the identity of our largest customers may vary from year to year, we expect sales to remain concentrated among relatively few customers in any particular year. In 2008, sales to our largest customer accounted for EUR 754 million, or 25.5 percent of net sales, compared to EUR 818 million, or 21.7 percent of net sales, in 2007. The loss of any significant customer or any significant reduction in orders by a significant customer may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
Additionally, as a result of the limited number of our customers, credit risk on our receivables is concentrated. Our three largest customers accounted for 42.2 percent of accounts receivable at December 31, 2008, compared to 40.1 percent at December 31, 2007. As a result, business failure or insolvency of one of our main customers may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
We Derive Most of Our Revenues from the Sale of a Relatively Small Number of Products
We derive most of our revenues from the sale of a relatively small number of lithography equipment systems (151 units in 2008; 260 units in 2007), with an average selling price (“ASP”) in 2008 of EUR 16.7 million (EUR 20.4 million for new systems and EUR 4.8 million for used systems) and an ASP in 2007 of EUR 12.9 million (EUR 13.8 million for new systems and EUR 3.9 million for used systems). As a result, the timing of recognition of revenue from a small number of product sales may have a significant impact on our net sales and operating results for a particular reporting period. Specifically, the failure to receive anticipated orders, or delays in shipments near the end of a particular reporting period, due, for example, to:
•  a downturn in the highly cyclical semiconductor industry;
•  unanticipated shipment rescheduling;
•  cancellation or order push-back by customers;
•  unexpected manufacturing difficulties; and
•  delays in deliveries by suppliers,
 
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may cause net sales in a particular reporting period to fall significantly below net sales in previous periods or our expected net sales, and may have a material adverse effect on our operating results for that period.
 
 
In particular our published quarterly earnings may vary significantly from quarter to quarter and may vary in the future for the reasons discussed above.
 
 
The Pace of Introduction of Our New Products Is Accelerating and Is Accompanied by Potential Design and Production Delays and by Significant Costs
The development and initial production, installation and enhancement of the systems we produce is often accompanied by design and production delays and related costs of a nature typically associated with the introduction and transition to full-scale manufacturing of complex capital equipment. While we expect and plan for a corresponding learning curve effect in our product development cycle, we cannot predict with precision the time and expense required to overcome these initial problems and to ensure full performance to specifications. There is a risk that we may not be able to introduce or bring to full-scale production new products as quickly as we expected in our product introduction plans, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
In order for the market to accept technology enhancements, our customers, in many cases, must upgrade their existing technology capabilities. Such upgrades from established technology may not be available to our customers to enable volume production using our new technology enhancements. This could result in our customers not purchasing, or pushing back or cancelling orders for our technology enhancements, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
Failure to Adequately Protect the Intellectual Property Rights Upon Which We Depend Could Harm Our Business
We rely on intellectual property rights such as patents, copyrights and trade secrets to protect our proprietary technology. However, we face the risk that such measures could prove to be inadequate because:
•  intellectual property laws may not sufficiently support our proprietary rights or may change in the future in a manner adverse to us;
•  patent rights may not be granted or construed as we expect;
•  patents will expire which may result in key technology becoming widely available which may hurt our competitive position;
•  the steps we take to prevent misappropriation or infringement of our proprietary rights may not be successful; and
•  third parties may be able to develop or obtain patents for similar competing technology.
 
 
In addition, litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Any such litigation may result in substantial costs and diversion of resources, and, if decided unfavorably to us, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
Defending Against Intellectual Property Claims Brought by Others Could Harm Our Business
In the course of our business, we are subject to claims by third parties alleging that our products or processes infringe upon their intellectual property rights. If successful, such claims could limit or prohibit us from developing our technology and manufacturing our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
In addition, our customers may be subject to claims of infringement from third parties, alleging that our products used by such customers in the manufacture of semiconductor products and/or the processes relating to the use of our products infringe one or more patents issued to such parties. If such claims were successful, we could be required to indemnify customers for some or all of any losses incurred or damages assessed against them as a result of such infringement, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
We may also incur substantial licensing or settlement costs where doing so would strengthen or expand our intellectual property rights or limit our exposure to intellectual property claims brought by others, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
We Are Subject to Risks in Our International Operations
The majority of our sales are made to customers outside Europe. There are a number of risks inherent in doing business in some of those regions, including the following:
•  potentially adverse tax consequences;
•  unfavorable political or economic environments;
•  unexpected legal or regulatory changes; and
•  an inability to effectively protect intellectual property.
 
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If we are unable to manage successfully the risks inherent in our international activities, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
 
 
In particular, approximately 12.2 percent of our 2008 revenues and approximately 21.1 percent of our 2007 revenues were derived from customers in Taiwan. Taiwan has a unique international political status. The People’s Republic of China asserts sovereignty over Taiwan and does not recognize the legitimacy of the Taiwan government. Changes in relations between Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China, Taiwanese government policies and other factors affecting Taiwan’s political, economic or social environment could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
We Are Dependent on the Continued Operation of a Limited Number of Manufacturing Facilities
All of our manufacturing activities, including subassembly, final assembly and system testing, take place in one clean room facility located in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, and one clean room facility in Wilton, Connecticut, the United States. These facilities are subject to disruption for a variety of reasons, including work stoppages, fire, energy shortages, flooding or other natural disasters. We cannot ensure that alternative production capacity would be available if a major disruption were to occur or that, if it were available, it could be obtained on favorable terms. Such a disruption could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
Because of Labor Laws and Practices, Any Work force Reductions That We May Wish to Implement in Order to Reduce Costs Company-Wide May Be Delayed or Suspended
The semiconductor market is highly cyclical and as a consequence we may need to implement work force reductions in case of a downturn, in order to adapt to such market changes. In accordance with labor laws and practices applicable in the jurisdictions in which we operate, a reduction of any significance may be subject to certain formal procedures, which can delay, or may result in the modification of our planned work force reductions. For example, in the Netherlands, if our Works Council renders adverse advice in connection with a proposed work force reduction in the Netherlands, but we nonetheless determine to proceed, we must temporarily suspend any action while the Works Council determines whether to appeal to the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal. This appeal process can cause a delay of several months and may require us to address any procedural inadequacies identified by the Court in the way we reached our decision. Such delays could impair our ability to reduce costs company-wide to levels comparable to those of our competitors. See Item 6.D. “Employees”.
 
 
Fluctuations in Foreign Exchange Rates Could Harm Our Results of Operations
We are exposed to currency risks. We are particularly exposed to fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar, Japanese yen and the euro as we incur manufacturing costs and price our systems predominantly in euro while a portion of our net sales and cost of sales is denominated in U.S. dollars and Japanese yen.
 
 
In addition, a substantial portion of our assets and liabilities and operating results are denominated in U.S. dollars, and a small portion of our assets, liabilities and operating results are denominated in currencies other than the euro and the U.S. dollar. Our consolidated financial statements are expressed in euro. Accordingly, our results of operations and assets and liabilities are exposed to fluctuations in various exchange rates.
 
 
Furthermore, a strengthening of the euro particularly against the Japanese yen could further intensify price-based competition in those regions that account for the majority of our sales, resulting in lower prices and margins and a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
Also see Item 5.A. “Operating Results, Foreign Exchange Management”, Item 5.F. “Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations”, Item 11 “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
We May Be Unable to Make Desirable Acquisitions or to Integrate Successfully Any Businesses We Acquire
Our future success may depend in part on the acquisition of businesses or technologies intended to complement, enhance or expand our current business or products or that might otherwise offer us growth opportunities. Our ability to complete such transactions may be hindered by a number of factors, including potential difficulties in obtaining government approvals.
 
 
Any acquisition that we do make would pose risks related to the integration of the new business or technology with our business. We cannot be certain that we will be able to achieve the benefits we expect from a particular acquisition or investment. Acquisitions may also strain our managerial and operational resources, as the challenge of managing new operations may divert our staff from monitoring and improving operations in our existing business. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected if we fail to coordinate our resources effectively to manage both our existing operations and any businesses we acquire.
 
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Our Business and Future Success Depend on Our Ability to Attract and Retain a Sufficient Number of Adequately Educated and Skilled Employees
Our business and future success significantly depends upon our employees, including a large number of highly qualified professionals, as well as our ability to attract and retain employees. Competition for such personnel is intense, and we may not be able to continue to attract and retain such personnel, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
In addition, the increasing complexity of our products results in a longer learning curve for new and existing employees leading to an inability to decrease cycle times and incurring significant additional costs, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares
 
The Price of Our Ordinary Shares is Volatile
The current market price of our ordinary shares may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the future. In particular, the market price of our ordinary shares has in the past experienced significant fluctuation, including fluctuation that is unrelated to our performance. This fluctuation may continue in the future.
 
 
Restrictions on Shareholder Rights May Dilute Voting Power
Our Articles of Association provide that we are subject to the provisions of Netherlands law applicable to large corporations, called “structuurregime”. These provisions have the effect of concentrating control over certain corporate decisions and transactions in the hands of our Supervisory Board. As a result, holders of ordinary shares may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions by members of our Supervisory Board than if we were incorporated in the United States or another jurisdiction.
 
 
Our authorized share capital also includes a class of cumulative preference shares and ASML has granted “Stichting Preferente Aandelen ASML”, a Netherlands foundation, an option to acquire, at their nominal value of EUR 0.02 per share, such cumulative preference shares. Exercise of the cumulative preference share option would effectively dilute the voting power of our outstanding ordinary shares by one-half, which may discourage or significantly impede a third party from acquiring a majority of our voting shares.
 
 
See further Item 6.C. “Board Practices” and Item 10.B. “Memorandum and Articles of Association”.
 
 
Item 4 Information on the Company
 
 
A. History and Development of the Company
We commenced business operations in 1984. ASM Lithography Holding N.V. was incorporated in the Netherlands on October 3, 1994 to serve as the holding company for our worldwide operations, which include operating subsidiaries in the Netherlands, the United States, Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, China (including Hong Kong), Japan, Malaysia and Israel. In 2001, we changed our name from ASM Lithography Holding N.V. to ASML Holding N.V. Our registered office is located at De Run 6501, 5504 DR Veldhoven, the Netherlands, telephone +31 40 268 3000.
 
 
In May 2001, we merged with Silicon Valley group (SVG) (now part of ASML US, Inc.), a company that was active in Lithography, as well as in the Track and Thermal businesses, which we subsequently divested or discontinued.
 
 
From time to time, ASML pursues acquisitions of smaller businesses that it believes will complement or enhance ASML’s core lithography business. Acquisitions have included the acquisition of MaskTools in July 1999 and the acquisition of Brion Technologies, Inc. (“Brion”) in March 2007. See Item 4.B. “Business Overview, Market and Technology Overview”.
 
 
Significant Effects of the Current Global Financial Market Crisis and Economic Downturn on ASML
As a result of the sharp decreases in demand in the fourth quarter of 2008 and in anticipated demand in 2009 caused by the current global financial market crisis and economic downturn, ASML has recognized impairment charges of EUR 20.8 million on property, plant and equipment and inventory obsolescence charges of EUR 94.6 million.
 
 
In order to lower its cost and break-even level, ASML announced in December 2008 a reduction in work force of approximately 1,000 employees or 12 percent of the total work force, mainly contract employees. ASML also announced the shutdown of its production facilities for two weeks in the fourth quarter of 2008 and four weeks in the first half of 2009. Furthermore, ASML announced a restructuring that resulted in the discontinuation of its training center in the United States, the downsizing of its United States headquarters and the closure of several other service locations, reflecting the continuing migration of semiconductor
 
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manufacturing activities to Asia which has been accelerated by the current global financial market crisis and economic downturn. The restructuring resulted in the recognition of a provision for employee contract termination benefits of EUR 2.4 million, reflecting the elimination of approximately 90 jobs in the United States and approximately 15 jobs at service locations in other parts of the world. As part of this restructuring, ASML ceased the use of its training facility in Tempe, United States, incurring lease contract termination costs of EUR 20.0 million in 2008.
 
 
As a result of the actions taken to respond to the current global financial market crisis and economic downturn the following charges have been recognized in ASML’s consolidated statements of operations in 2008:
 
         

 
   
    2008
 
(in thousands)   EUR  
Restructuring costs
    22,397  
Inventory obsolescence
    94,601  
Impairments of property, plant and equipment
    20,839  
         
Total
    137,837  
 
 
 
These costs are recognized as follows in the consolidated statements of operations:
 
                                 

 
   
                Impairment of
       
          Inventory
    property, plant
       
    Restructuring costs
    obsolescence
    and equipment
    Total
 
(in thousands)   EUR     EUR     EUR     EUR  
Cost of sales
    21,492       94,601       20,111       136,204  
Research and development costs
                728       728  
Selling, general and administrative costs
    905                   905  
                                 
Total
    22,397       94,601       20,839       137,837  
 
 
 
Notwithstanding the restructuring, ASML intends to maintain its key research and development programs for the development of next generation lithography systems. Furthermore, ASML will maintain a level of production capacity to be able to ramp up production to meet customer requirements without lengthy lead times as demand picks up in the future.
 
 
Capital Expenditures and Divestitures
Our capital expenditures for 2008, 2007 and 2006 amounted to EUR 322.0 million, EUR 232.2 million and EUR 99.4 million, respectively. The related cash outflows for 2008, 2007 and 2006 amounted to EUR 259.8 million, EUR 179.2 million and EUR 70.7 million, respectively. Our capital expenditures in these years generally related to the construction of new facilities in Veldhoven for our latest technologies such as EUV and double patterning and in Taiwan for our Asian Center of Excellence, purchases of machinery and equipment mainly from our own product portfolio (e.g. prototypes, demonstration and training systems), information technology investments, and leasehold improvements to our facilities. See Item 4.D. “Property, Plant and Equipment” for capital expenditures currently in progress.
 
 
Divestitures within continued operations, principally comprising machinery and equipment (more specifically prototypes, demonstration and training systems), amounted to EUR 32.0 million for 2008, EUR 20.4 million for 2007 and EUR 5.6 million for 2006. See Note 12 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
B. Business Overview
We are one of the world’s leading providers of advanced technology systems for the semiconductor industry. We offer an integrated portfolio of lithography systems mainly for manufacturing complex integrated circuits (“semiconductors”, “ICs” or “chips”). We supply lithography systems to IC manufacturers throughout the United States, Asia and Europe and also provide our customers with a full range of support services from advanced process and product applications knowledge to complete round-the-clock service support.
 
 
Our Business Model
Our business model is derived from our “Value of Ownership” concept which is based on the following principles:
•  offering ongoing improvements in productivity, imaging and overlay by introducing advanced technology based on modular platforms resulting in lower costs per product for our customers;
 
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•  providing customer services that ensure rapid, efficient installation and superior on-site support and training to optimize manufacturing processes of our customers and improve productivity;
•  maintaining appropriate levels of research and development to offer the most advanced technology suitable for high-throughput and low-cost volume production at the earliest possible date;
•  enhancing the capabilities of the installed base of our customers through ongoing field upgrades of key value drivers (productivity, imaging and overlay) based on further technology developments;
•  reducing the cycle time between a customer’s order of a system and the use of that system in volume production on-site;
•  expanding operational flexibility in research and manufacturing by reinforcing strategic alliances with world-class partners, including outsourcing companies;
•  improving the reliability and uptime of our installed system base; and
•  providing re-furbishing services that effectively increase residual value by extending the life of equipment.
 
 
Market and Technology Overview
Chipmaking is all about “shrink” or reducing the size of chips designs. The worldwide electronics and computer industries have experienced significant growth since the commercialization of ICs in the 1960’s, largely due to the continual reduction in the cost per function performed by ICs. Improvement in the design and manufacture of ICs with higher circuit or “packing” densities has resulted in smaller and lower cost ICs capable of performing a greater number of functions at faster speeds and with reduced power consumption. Despite the current global financial market crisis and economic downturn, we believe that these long-term trends will continue for the foreseeable future and will be accompanied by a continuing demand, subject to ongoing cyclical variation, for production equipment that can accurately produce advanced ICs in high volumes at the lowest possible cost. Photolithography is used to print complex circuit patterns onto the wafers that are the primary raw material for ICs and is one of the most critical and expensive steps in their fabrication. It is therefore a significant focus of the IC industry’s demand for cost-efficient enhancements to production technology.
 
 
We primarily design, manufacture, market and service semiconductor processing equipment used in the fabrication of ICs. Our photolithography equipment includes Step & Scan systems, which combine stepper technology with a photo-scanning method.
 
 
Our TWINSCAN product platform was introduced in July 2000 and applies the production-proven elements of our PAS 5500 product family to the industry shift toward larger (300 millimeter (“mm”)) wafers. In 2003, the TWINSCAN platform became the vehicle to introduce improved resolution products both for 300 mm and 200 mm wafer size factories. Our PAS 5500 product family, which supports a maximum wafer size of 200 mm in diameter, comprises advanced wafer steppers and Step & Scan systems suitable for i-line and deep UV (including 248 nanometer (“nm”) and 193 nm wavelengths) processing of wafers. In the fourth quarter of 2008, we shipped our 806th TWINSCAN system, demonstrating the acceptance of the TWINSCAN platform as the semiconductor industry’s standard for 300 mm lithography. In the third quarter of 2008, we shipped the first XT:1000, featuring a new 0.93 NA projection lens capable of extending imaging at the wavelength of 248 nm down to 80 nm. Further we announced plans to start shipment in 2009 of an enhanced ArF immersion system, XT:1950i, extending the performance, imaging and overlay performance of the successful XT:1900i system.
 
 
In 2005, we intensified our research and development in immersion lithography as we believed this was the most probable solution to reduce the manufacturing cost per wafer while increasing resolution. In 2008 we shipped 56 immersion systems compared to 38 in 2007 and 23 in 2006. In October 2008, we announced an enhanced version of the TWINSCAN platform called NXT which features new planar wafer stage technology and grid plate position control systems to address market requirements for increased productivity and tighter overlay control especially for Double Patterning approaches. Initial shipments of NXT are scheduled for 2009.
 
 
In 2006, we shipped the industry’s first EUV Alpha Demo Tools to two research institutions, which work closely with most of the world’s major IC manufacturers in developing manufacturing processes and materials. EUV combines a wavelength of 13.5 nm and a lens system with a numerical aperture (“NA”) of 0.25 to provide imaging at a resolution of 27 nm. EUV will provide a large process window compared to current approaches and we expect it to be a multi-generation lithography solution. Through the end of 2008, ASML has received five orders for next generation EUV systems, the first of which is scheduled for shipment in 2010. The EUV platform is targeted for production of ICs down to 22 nm and beyond. In 2008, we continued to increase resources significantly to support the development of this product.
 
 
A mask is a flat, transparent quartz plate containing an opaque microscopic pattern: an image of the electronic circuitry for one layer of a chip. The mask is placed in a scanner where intense light passing through it projects the pattern, via a series of reducing lenses, onto part of the wafer. Before exposure, the wafer is coated with photoresist and positioned very accurately – the projected pattern must align with existing features on the chip/wafer. After exposure and developing, the pattern left on the wafer surface is used to selectively process and build up the next layer.
 
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The acquisition of Brion in 2007 enabled ASML to improve the implementation of optical proximity correction (“OPC”) technology and resolution enhancement techniques such as Double Patterning and Source-Mask Optimization for masks used on ASML systems and otherwise. These improvements in turn are expected to extend the practical resolution limits of ASML ArF immersion products. We also expect Brion’s computational lithography capability will enable us to offer products that further improve the set-up and control of ASML lithography systems.
 
 
In 2008, we discontinued research into optical maskless lithography due to the reduced market opportunity for this technology. This discontinuation did not result in any impairments during 2008. Research studies on alternative technologies continue for both mask-based and maskless lithography.
 
 
Products
We develop lithography systems and related products for the semiconductor industry and related patterning applications. Our product development strategy focuses on the development of product families based on a modular, upgradeable design.
 
 
Our older PAS 2500 and PAS 5000 lithography systems, which we no longer manufacture but refurbish, are used for g-line and i-line processing of wafers up to 150 mm in diameter and are employed in manufacturing environments and in special applications for which design resolutions no more precise than 0.5 microns are required.
 
 
Our PAS 5500 product family comprises advanced wafer steppers and Step & Scan systems suitable for i-line and deep Ultra Violet (“UV”) processing of wafers up to 200 mm in diameter. In mid-1997, we introduced the PAS 5500 Step & Scan systems with improved resolution and overlay. Since then, we have further developed and expanded this Step & Scan product family. This modular upgradeable design philosophy has been further refined and applied in the design of our most advanced product family, the TWINSCAN platform, which is the basis for our current and next generation Step & Scan systems, producing wafers up to 300 mm in diameter and capable of extending shrink technology down to 38 nm.
 
 
The PAS 5500 series is the most suitable product range for processing of 200 mm wafers using step-and-scan technology. We offer PAS 5500 systems based on i-line (using light with a 365 nm wavelength), KrF (using light with a 248 nm wavelength) and ArF (using light with a 193 nm wavelength) technology. For high end 200 mm applications we also offer TWINSCAN ArF tools.
 
 
Management believes that the current global financial market crisis and economic downturn will accelerate the process of the PAS systems becoming technical obsolete. Reference is made to Note 2, Note 8 and Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
We are the leader in the innovation of immersion technologies and we were the world’s first producer of dual-stage design (TWINSCAN) systems. Wafer measurement, including focus and alignment, is completed on the dry stage, while the imaging process, using water applied between the wafer and the lens, is completed on the wet stage. The dual-stage advantage of TWINSCAN systems enables our customers to gain the process enhancements of immersion and to continue with familiar and proven metrology technology.
 
 
For processing of 300 mm wafers, we offer TWINSCAN systems based on i-line, KrF and ArF technology. In 2003, we introduced the second generation of TWINSCAN systems based on the XT body with a reduced footprint and a 50 percent reduction in the main production area occupied by our system. In 2004, we shipped our first lithography systems based on immersion technology. These shipments marked the delivery of the industry’s first high productivity immersion scanners for mainstream production.
 
 
In the second quarter of 2006, we started volume production of the TWINSCAN XT:1700i, a 193 nm immersion scanner capable of imaging at the 45 nm node in volume production environments. This system featured an NA of 1.2, substantially higher than the XT:1400’s NA of 0.93, exceeding the non-immersion barrier of 1.0, which is enabled by a new catadioptric lens design. The XT:1700i has enabled chipmakers to improve resolution by 30 percent and has been employed in the development and manufacturing of the latest advanced generation of ICs.
 
 
In the third quarter of 2007, ASML began volume shipment of the XT:1900i, with a new industry benchmark of 1.35 NA, which is close to the practical limit for water-based immersion technology. This new optical lithography system is capable of volume production of ICs down to 40 nm and below and is used for high volume IC manufacturing at multiple customers world-wide. In 2008 we shipped 53 XT:1900i systems. In July 2008, ASML announced an enhanced version of the XT:1900i system, the XT:1950i, with improved throughput of 148 wafers per hour, resolution of 38 nm and overlay of 4 nm scheduled to start shipment in 2009. In October 2008, we also announced an improved version of the successful TWINSCAN platform called NXT featuring new stage and position control technology to enable increased productivity and overlay performance for immersion. Initial shipments of NXT are targeted for 2009 with volume production expected in 2010.
 
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In the third quarter of 2008, ASML commenced shipment of the XT:1000, which uses the new catadioptric lens technology developed for the XT:1700i and XT:1900i to extend the maximum NA of the previous generation of 248 nm wavelength, KrF, systems to 0.93 NA from the previous maximum available of 0.80 NA. The XT:1000’s high NA of 0.93 can resolve 80 nm device features, far smaller than the 100 nm of today’s KrF systems. The XT:1000 also improves value to customers, with an increased throughput of 165 300 mm wafers per hour under volume manufacturing conditions while maintaining the same industry-leading 6 nm overlay as leading-edge ArF systems.
 
 
We also continuously develop and sell a range of product options and enhancements designed to increase productivity, imaging and overlay to optimize value of ownership over the entire life of our systems. The table below sets forth our current product portfolio of Steppers and Scan & Step Systems by resolution and wavelength.
 
 
Current ASML lithography product portfolio of Steppers and Step & Scan Systems1
 
                 

 
    Resolution   Wavelength   Lightsource   Numerical aperture
PAS 5500 SYSTEMS
               
PAS 5500/4X0
  280 nm   365 nm   i-line   0.48-0.65
PAS 5500/750
  130 nm   248 nm   KrF   0.50-0.70
PAS 5500/850
  110 nm   248 nm   KrF   0.55-0.80
PAS 5500/1150
  90 nm   193 nm   ArF   0.50-0.75
                 
TWINSCAN SYSTEMS
               
TWINSCAN XT:400
  350 nm   365 nm   i-line   0.48-0.65
TWINSCAN XT:450
  220 nm   365 nm   i-line   0.48-0.65
TWINSCAN XT:8X0
  110 nm   248 nm   KrF   0.55-0.80
TWINSCAN XT:875
  90 nm   248 nm   KrF   0.55-0.80
TWINSCAN XT:1000
  80 nm   248 nm   KrF   0.50-0.93
TWINSCAN XT:1450
  57 nm   193 nm   ArF   0.65-0.93
TWINSCAN XT:1700 immersion
  45 nm   193 nm   ArF   0.75-1.20
TWINSCAN XT:1900 immersion
  40 nm   193 nm   ArF   0.85-1.35
TWINSCAN XT:1950 immersion
  38 nm   193 nm   ArF   0.85-1.35
TWINSCAN NXT:1950 immersion
  38 nm   193 nm   ArF   0.85-1.35
 
 
This table does not include the older (including pre-used) products sold on the PAS 2500, PAS 5000 and PAS 5500 platforms
 
–  XT is a TWINSCAN system for 200mm and 300mm wafer sizes;
–  Wavelength refers to the speed of light divided by the frequency of light going through projection lenses; the shorter the wavelength, the smaller the line width and the finer the pattern on the IC;
–  1 nanometer is equal to one billionth of a meter;
–  The X in the number represents different models in the product portfolio within the same resolution. For example XT:8X0 can either represent XT:800 or XT:850;
–  NXT is an improved version of the current TWINSCAN system, introducing new stages and stage position control technology, which enable higher productivity and improved overlay.
 
 
Sales and Customer Support
We market and sell our products principally through our direct sales staff.
 
 
We support our customers with a broad range of applications, services, and technical support products to maintain and maximize the performance of our systems at customer sites. We also offer refurbished and remanufactured tools, system upgrades and enhancements, and technical training.
 
 
Our field engineers and applications, service and technical support specialists are located throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.
 
 
In 2006, ASML started an initiative to establish the ASML Center of Excellence (“ACE”) in Asia. The primary goal of ACE is to serve as a supplementary engine to propel ASML’s long-term growth. ACE will feature customer support, training, logistics, refurbishment, technology and application development. ACE will also enable sourcing of selected equipment modules, components and services in the region. Finally, ACE will be used as a training center to develop worldwide talent for ASML’s work force. In the fourth quarter of 2008, we completed construction of the building and facility that will house ACE near Taipei, Taiwan and the ACE organization moved into the new building. See Item 4.D. “Property, Plant and Equipment”.
 
 
Customers and Geographic Regions
In 2008, sales to our largest customer accounted for EUR 754 million, or 25.5 percent of net sales, compared to EUR 818 million, or 21.7 percent of net sales, in 2007. We expect that sales to relatively few customers will continue to account for a high percentage of our net sales in any particular period for the foreseeable future. See Item 3.D. “Risk Factors — A High Percentage
 
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of Net Sales Is Derived from a Few Customers” and Note 20 to our consolidated financial statements for a breakdown of our sales by geographic location. In 2008 we derived 68.8 percent of net sales from Asia, 21.7 percent from the United States and 9.5 percent from Europe. In general, since ASML’s founding in 1984 sales derived from Asia have increased and sales derived from United States and Europe have decreased. Management believes that this trend will be accelerated by the current financial market crisis and economic downturn. Reference is made to Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Manufacturing, Logistics and Suppliers
Our business model is based on outsourcing production of a significant part of the components and modules that comprise our lithography systems, working in partnership with suppliers from all over the world. Our manufacturing activities comprise the assembly, fine tuning and testing of a finished system from components and subassemblies that are manufactured to our specifications by third parties and by us, and which we test prior to assembly. All of our manufacturing activities (subassembly, final assembly and system testing) are performed in one clean room facility located in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, and one clean room facility in Wilton, Connecticut, United States. We procure stepper and scanner system components and subassemblies from a single supplier or a limited group of suppliers in order to ensure overall quality and timeliness of delivery. We jointly operate a formal strategy with suppliers known as “value sourcing” which is based on competitive performance in quality, logistics, technology and total cost. The essence of value sourcing is to maintain a supply base that is world class, globally competitive and globally present.
 
 
Our value sourcing strategy is based on the following strategic principles:
•  maintaining long-term relationships with our suppliers;
•  sharing risks and rewards with our suppliers;
•  dual sourcing of knowledge, globally, together with our suppliers; and
•  single, dual or multiple sourcing of products, where possible or required.
 
 
Value sourcing is intended to align the performance of our suppliers with our requirements on quality, logistics, technology and total costs.
 
 
Zeiss is our sole external supplier of main optical systems and one of the suppliers of other components. In 2008, approximately 32 percent of our aggregate cost of sales was purchased from Zeiss.
 
 
Zeiss is highly dependent on its manufacturing and testing facilities in Oberkochen and Wetzlar, Germany, and its suppliers. Moreover, Zeiss has a finite production capacity for production of lenses and optical components for our stepper and scanner systems. The expansion of this production capacity may require significant lead time. From time to time, the number of systems we have been able to produce has been limited by the capacity of Zeiss to provide us with lenses and optical components. During 2008, our sales were not limited by the deliveries from Zeiss.
 
 
If Zeiss is unable to maintain or increase production levels, we might not be able to respond to customer demand. As a result, our relationships with current and prospective customers could be harmed, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
Our relationship with Zeiss is structured as a strategic alliance pursuant to several agreements executed in 1997 and later years. These agreements define a framework for cooperation in all areas of our joint business. The partnership between ASML and Zeiss is focused on continuous improvement of operational excellence.
 
 
Pursuant to these agreements, ASML and Zeiss will continue their strategic alliance until either party provides at least three years’ notice of its intent to terminate. Although we believe such an outcome is unlikely, if Zeiss were to terminate its relationship with us, or if Zeiss were unable to produce lenses and optical components over a prolonged period, we would effectively cease to be able to conduct our business.
 
 
In addition to Zeiss, we also rely on other outside vendors for the components and subassemblies used in our systems, each of which is obtained from a single supplier or a limited number of suppliers. Our reliance on a limited group of suppliers involves several risks, including a potential inability to obtain an adequate supply of required components and the risk of untimely delivery of these components and subassemblies.
 
 
See Item 3.D. “Risk Factors, The Number of Systems We Can Produce Is Limited by Our Dependence on a Limited Number of Suppliers of Key Components”.
 
 
Research and Development
The semiconductor manufacturing industry is subject to rapid technological changes and new product introductions and enhancements. We believe that continued and timely development and introduction of new and enhanced systems are essential
 
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for us to maintain our competitive position. As a result, we have historically devoted a significant portion of our financial resources to research and development programs and we expect to continue to allocate significant resources to these efforts. In addition, we have established and are currently establishing sophisticated development centers in the Netherlands, the United States and Taiwan. We also work jointly with independent research centers in nanoelectronics and nanotechnology. Those research centers focus on the next generations of chips and systems.
 
 
We apply for subsidy payments in connection with specific development projects under programs sponsored by the Netherlands government, the European Union, the United States government and the Taiwanese government. Amounts received under these programs generally are not required to be repaid. See our discussions of research and development in Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”, and Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
We invested EUR 538 million in research and development in continuing operations in 2008, compared to EUR 511 million in 2007 and EUR 414 million in 2006. In addition, the research and development costs invested in 2007 include a one-off charge related to the Brion acquisition of EUR 23 million (amortization of in-process research and development). We are also involved in joint research and development programs with both public and private partnerships and consortiums, involving independent research centers, leading chip manufacturers and governmental programs. We aim to own or license our jointly developed technology and designs of critical components.
 
 
In 2008, our research and development efforts drove further development of the TWINSCAN platform along with several leading-edge technologies, including 248 nm, 193 nm, immersion and EUV. The continuous drive by our customers for cost reductions has led us to increase significantly the commonality of components of the different models of the TWINSCAN platform. Our research and development activities in 2008 have also led to productivity and performance enhancements for our other product families. We continue to develop technology to support applications of “double patterning”. Double patterning is a resolution enhancement technique that involves splitting a dense circuit pattern into multiple, less-dense patterns. These simplified patterns are then printed sequentially on a target wafer. Between exposures, the wafer is removed from the exposure system for additional processing. Double patterning improves the achievable resolution and enables the printing of smaller features.
 
 
Next to the development of the TWINSCAN platform, we put more and more resources to the development of EUV technology. This technology promises a means for cost effective extendibility of our customers’ roadmaps. An important milestone was that in 2008 both EUV Alpha Demo Tools (ADT) have passed site acceptance testing. Our key customers now have direct access to EUV technology, which we expect will result in the acceptance of this technology as well as driving the development of EUV infrastructure, including mask fabrication and processes.
 
 
Intellectual Property
We rely on intellectual property rights such as patents, copyrights and trade secrets to protect our proprietary technology. We aim to obtain ownership rights on technology developed by or for us or, alternatively, to have license rights in place with respect to such technology. However, we face the risk that such measures will be inadequate. Intellectual property laws may not sufficiently support our proprietary rights, our patent applications may not be granted and our patents may not be construed as we expect. Furthermore, competitors may be able to develop or protect similar technology earlier and independently.
 
 
Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others, or to defend against claims of infringement. Any such litigation may result in substantial costs and diversion of management resources, and, if decided unfavorably to us, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We also may incur substantial licensing or settlement costs where doing so would strengthen or expand our intellectual property rights or limit our exposure to intellectual property claims of third parties.
 
 
Patent cross-license with Canon
In 2007, ASML and Zeiss signed an agreement with Canon for the global cross-license of patents in their respective fields of semiconductor lithography and optical components, used to manufacture integrated circuits. There was no transfer of technology and no payment was made among the parties.
 
 
Patent litigation with Nikon
From 2001 through late 2004, we were party to a series of civil litigations and administrative proceedings in which Nikon alleged ASML’s infringement of Nikon patents relating to photolithography. ASML in turn filed claims against Nikon. Pursuant to agreements executed on December 10, 2004, ASML, Zeiss and Nikon agreed to settle all pending worldwide patent litigation between the companies. The settlement included an exchange of releases, a cross-license of patents related to lithography equipment used to manufacture semiconductor devices and payments to Nikon by ASML and Zeiss. In connection with the settlement, ASML and Zeiss made settlement payments to Nikon from 2004 to 2007. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements for a description of the accounting treatment.
 
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Arbitration with Aviza Technology
On December 1, 2006, Aviza Technology (“Aviza”) initiated arbitration proceedings against ASML Holding N.V., ASML U.S., Inc. and certain of ASML Holding N.V.’s affiliates (collectively, the “ASML parties”). Aviza’s arbitration demand alleged that the ASML parties engaged in fraud and made negligent misrepresentations or omissions in connection with a 2002 License Agreement between ASML and IPS, Ltd. That agreement was assigned to Aviza in connection with the 2003 divestiture of ASML’s Thermal Division.
 
 
On March 24, 2008, the arbitrator in the Aviza case ruled in ASML’s favor holding that Aviza failed to establish a cause of action against ASML. On June 19, 2008, the arbitrator awarded ASML its legal fees and costs associated with the case.
 
 
Dividend withholding tax
In May and June 2006, ASML entered into forward purchase agreements with a broker acting as principal to effect share repurchases under its share buyback program. The aggregate number of shares bought back under these agreements through July 13, 2006 was 25,450,296.
 
 
The Netherlands tax authorities challenged ASML’s fiscal interpretation of the forward purchase agreements and sought to recast the repurchase as a dividend payment to unidentifiable shareholders. Accordingly, the Netherlands tax authorities assessed ASML for dividend withholding tax such that an (additional) amount of approximately EUR 24 million would be payable by ASML. In June 2008, as a result of objections lodged by ASML, the matter was settled. ASML paid an insignificant (additional) amount in connection with the settlement.
 
 
Competition
The semiconductor equipment industry is highly competitive. The principal elements of competition in our market segments are:
•  the technical performance characteristics of a photolithography system;
•  the value of ownership of that system based on its purchase price, maintenance costs, productivity and customer service and support; and
•  a strengthening of the euro particularly against the Japanese yen which results in lower prices and margins.
 
 
In addition, we believe that an increasingly important factor affecting our ability to compete is the strength and breadth of our portfolio of patent and other intellectual property rights. We believe that the market segment for photolithography systems and the investments required to be a significant competitor in this market segment have resulted in increased competition for market share through the aggressive prosecution of patents. Our competitiveness will increasingly depend upon our ability to protect and defend our patents, as well as our ability to develop new and enhanced semiconductor equipment that is competitively priced and introduced on a timely basis. See Item 3.D. “Risk Factors, We Face Intense Competition”.
 
 
Government Regulation
Our business is subject to direct and indirect regulation in each of the countries in which our customers or we do business. As a result, changes in various types of regulations could affect our business adversely. The implementation of new technological or legal requirements could impact our products, or our manufacturing or distribution processes, and could affect the timing of product introductions, the cost of our production, and products as well as their commercial success. Moreover, environmental and other regulations that adversely affect the pricing of our products could adversely affect our results of operation. The impact of these changes in regulation could adversely affect our business even where the specific regulations do not directly apply to us or to our products.
 
 
C. Organizational Structure
ASML Holding N.V. is a holding company that operates through its subsidiaries. Our major operating subsidiaries, each of which is a wholly-owned subsidiary, are as follows:
 
(CHART)
 
 
See Exhibit 8.1 for a list of our material subsidiaries.
 
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D. Property, Plant and Equipment
We principally obtain our facilities under operating leases. However, we also own a limited number of buildings, mainly consisting of the new facilities we are building in The Netherlands and Taiwan. The book value of the buildings owned by us amounted to EUR 302 million as of December 31, 2008 compared to EUR 136 million as of December 31, 2007.
 
 
During 2008, some of our leased facilities were utilized below normal capacity. As a result of its restructuring, announced in December 2008, ASML has ceased using its training facility in Tempe, United States, for which lease contract termination costs of EUR 20.0 million were recognized in 2008. In addition, the Company recognized impairment charges related to machinery and equipment of EUR 22.3 million, mainly due to a decrease in utilization of facilities as a result of lower than expected demand and sales in 2009 and as a result of the closure of several service locations, in each case due to the current global financial market crisis and economic downturn.
 
 
Depending on market conditions, we expect that our capital expenditures in 2009 will be approximately EUR 200 million, a decrease of EUR 122 million compared to 2008. We expect that a significant part of the 2009 expenditures will be allocated to construction and upgrades of production facilities in the Netherlands as we will finalize the production facilities for our latest technologies, such as EUV and double patterning. We intend to fund the related capital expenditures primarily with cash on hand and/or cash generated through operations.
 
 
See also Item 4.A. “History and Development of the Company, Capital Expenditures and Divestitures” and Item 5.B. “Liquidity and Capital Resources” and Note 12 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Facilities in Europe
Our headquarters, applications laboratory and research and development facilities are located at a single site in Veldhoven, the Netherlands. This state-of-the-art facility includes 65 thousand square meters of office space and 30 thousand square meters of buildings used for manufacturing and research and development activities. We lease the majority of these facilities through long-term operating leases that contain purchase options. Some of our office facilities at our headquarters in Veldhoven are financed through a special purpose vehicle that is a variable interest entity. See Item 5.E. “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements” and Note 16 to our consolidated financial statements. We also lease several sales and service facilities at locations across Europe.
 
 
Facilities in the United States
Our United States headquarters is located in a nine thousand square meter office space building in Tempe, Arizona. As a result of its restructuring announced in December 2008, ASML has ceased using its training facility in Tempe, for which a provision for lease contract termination costs was recognized in 2008. We maintain lithography research, development and manufacturing operations in a 27 thousand square meter facility in Wilton, Connecticut and a six thousand square meter facility in Santa Clara, California. We also lease several sales and service facilities at locations across the United States.
 
 
Facilities in Asia
Our Asian headquarters is located in a 425 square meter office space in Hong Kong. We also lease and own several sales and service and training facilities at locations across Asia.
 
 
During the fourth quarter of 2008, we finalized the construction of our new ACE facility located in Linkou, Taiwan, for which construction commenced in 2007. This project comprises both clean room (approximately two thousand square meters) and office space (approximately six thousand square meters) in order to support customers in the Asia-Pacific region by focusing on technology and applications development, equipment support, training, logistics and refurbishment. ACE will also enable local sourcing of equipment models, components and services.
 
 
Item 4A Unresolved Staff Comments
 
 
Not applicable.
 
 
Item 5 Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
 
 
Executive Summary
 
 
Introduction
ASML is the world’s leading provider of lithography equipment that are critical to the production of ICs or chips. This leading position is determined by a market share based on revenue, which was approximately 65 percent in 2008 (2007: 65 percent). Headquartered in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, ASML operates globally, with activities in Europe, the United States and Asia.
 
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In 2008, we generated net sales of EUR 2,954 million and income from operations of EUR 287 million or 9.7 percent of net sales. Net income in 2008 amounted to EUR 322 million or 10.9 percent of net sales, representing EUR 0.75 per share.
 
 
As of December 31, 2008 we employed approximately 6,900 payroll and approximately 1,300 temporary employees (measured in full-time employees “FTE’s”). ASML operated in 15 countries through over 60 sales and service locations.
 
 
In the executive summary below we provide an update of the semiconductor equipment industry, followed by our business strategy and a discussion of our key performance indicators.
 
 
Semiconductor equipment industry conditions
Chip making is all about shrink or reducing the size of the chip designs.
 
 
Historically the semiconductor industry has experienced significant growth largely due to the continual reduction of cost per function performed by ICs. Improvement in the design and manufacture of ICs with higher circuit densities resulted in smaller and cheaper ICs capable of performing a larger number of functions at higher speeds with lower power consumption. We believe that these long-term trends will continue for the foreseeable future and will be accompanied by a continuing demand for production equipment that is capable of accurate production of advanced ICs in high volumes at the lowest possible cost.
 
 
Lithography equipment is used to print complex circuit patterns onto silicon wafers, which are the primary raw materials for ICs. The printing process is one of the most critical and expensive steps in wafer fabrication. Lithography equipment is therefore a significant focus of the IC industry’s demand for cost efficient enhancements to production technology.
 
 
The costs to develop new lithography equipment are high. Accordingly, the lithography equipment industry is characterized by the presence of only a few primary suppliers: ASML, Nikon and Canon. ASML is one of the world’s leading providers of lithography equipment with a market share based on revenue of 65 percent in 2007 and approximately 65 percent in 2008. This is according to the latest available data up to and including November 2008 as reported by SEMI, an independent semiconductor industry organization.
 
 
Nikon and Canon are important suppliers in Japan, which accounts for a significant portion of worldwide semiconductor production. This region historically has been difficult for non-Japanese companies to penetrate. Since 2004, we have been increasing our service, sales and marketing operations in Japan to serve our growing customer base. In 2008, we further strengthened our long-term market development strategy in Japan, and our net system sales there increased to EUR 413 million from EUR 269 million in 2007.
 
 
Total lithography equipment shipped by the industry as a whole in the five years ended December 31, 2007 is set forth in the following table:
 
                     

 
Year Ended December 31   2003   2004   2005   2006   2007
Total units shipped
  456   694   536   633   604
Total value (in millions USD)
  3,229   5,268   4,988   6,386   7,144
 
 
(Source: Gartner Dataquest)
 
 
The year 2008 was characterized by significant overall economic uncertainty fuelled by the worldwide financial turmoil. This has led to lower than expected overall semiconductor end-demand. Against this background, our customers started to re-assess their strategic alliances and their investments to match production capacity to end-demand, resulting in a delay of non-leading-edge production capacity additions. While lithography equipment buyers are reducing standard production capacity, their willingness to invest in leading-edge immersion technology, however has remained strong as this technology enables lithography equipment buyers to reduce their costs aggressively. For the year 2008, the latest indications of independent market analysts show a drop in total lithography equipment shipped to the market by the industry of 40 percent in unit volume and 22 percent in value.
 
 
Business strategy
Our business strategy is based on achieving and further developing a position as a technology leader in semiconductor lithography, resulting in the delivery of superior value of ownership for our customers, as well as maximizing our financial performance. We implement this strategy through customer focus, strategic investment in research and development, and operational excellence.
 
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Customer focus
We serve different types of chipmakers by ensuring that our products provide premium value for customers in the various semiconductor market segments, including memory makers, integrated device manufacturers, and foundries or made-to-order chip contractors.
 
 
Through 2008, 17 of the top 20 chipmakers worldwide, in terms of semiconductor capital expenditure, were our customers. Our leadership position in the semiconductor equipment market was strengthened during 2008 by our continued growth in the Japanese market. We also have a significant share of customers outside the top 20 and we strive for continued business growth with all customers.
 
 
In 2008, we achieved a top four position in customer satisfaction rankings amongst large suppliers of semiconductor equipment, according to VLSI Research, an independent industry research firm that surveyed customers representing 95 percent of the world’s total semiconductor market. Our satisfaction ratings by customers surpassed every lithography competitor for the sixth year in a row.
 
 
In 2008, we made major inroads with new technologies focusing on value. We announced a new ArF lithography system that significantly reduces operating costs for our customers. The ASML TWINSCAN XT:1950i scanner extends advanced ArF technology to even smaller resolutions and boosts the overall performance of high-end systems by 25 percent. In April 2008, ASML also shipped its 1,000th KrF system. This technology is used for 30-40 percent of the layers in high-end chips.
 
 
Strategic investment in research and development
Supported by our strong financial performance in recent years, we increased research and development expenses in 2008 by 5.4 percent compared with 2007, as we accelerated development of immersion and EUV technologies. This operating decision to continue to invest during the downturn and prepare for the future was made possible by leveraging our outsourcing strategy, which continues to enable us to rapidly and efficiently adjust our cost structure throughout the cycle while making use of leading-edge capabilities in our supply chain.
 
 
Since 2000, we have offered a dual-stage wafer imaging platform – the TWINSCAN system – which allows exposure of one wafer while simultaneously measuring the wafer which will be exposed next. Our strong leadership in this capability has allowed us to achieve the industry’s highest throughput, enabling reduced cost-per-exposure per wafer. ASML is the only lithography manufacturer that has volume production based on dual stage systems.
 
 
Our innovative immersion lithography replaces air over the wafer with fluid, enhancing focus and enabling circuit line-width to shrink to even smaller dimensions. ASML has experienced strong demand for immersion-based systems, driven initially by memory chip makers that need more cost effective technology transitions that are enabled by immersion systems. With 128 immersion systems shipped to date, our immersion technology is now widely accepted as the standard for critical layer high volume chip manufacturing, solidifying our technology leadership position worldwide and supporting our significant growth in Japan.
 
 
In July 2008, we introduced our new TWINSCAN XT:1950i system, the only immersion lithography system in the world capable of imaging chip features down to 38 nm with a single exposure. Furthermore, in October 2008 we announced ASML’s new TWINSCAN NXT immersion lithography platform. With new wafer stage and positioning technology, the TWINSCAN NXT offers significant improvements in overlay and productivity, enabling the semiconductor industry to continue its shrink roadmap for more advanced and affordable chips. The TWINSCAN NXT platform is also suited for emerging double patterning techniques required by manufacturers to shrink the smallest chip features by up to 42 percent over the current most advanced production systems. The first product based on the new platform, the NXT:1950i, was introduced in December 2008.
 
 
Also in 2008, we made significant progress in our EUV lithography program, completing the design of our first NXE production system. The NXE system, which will be built on an evolved TWINSCAN platform will enable our customers to extend their roadmap to chip features down to 22 nm and smaller. We have two Alpha Demo Tools at CNSE in Albany, New York (United States) and IMEC in Leuven (Belgium), both leading research and development institutions, where potential customers can conduct infrastructure development, and where the first functional devices were made using EUV lithography on full-field chips in February 2008. As a single-exposure, multi-node technology, EUV offers the greatest extendibility at the lowest cost of ownership for the future of lithography. ASML currently has orders for five of these systems, the first of which is scheduled for shipment in 2010.
 
 
From time to time, we seek to expand the scope of our business, pursuing hardware technologies and new product opportunities in fields adjacent or complementary to our core semiconductor lithography competence. Our March 2007 acquisition of Brion was an example of such an expansion. Through Brion, ASML has developed a range of new resolution enhancement techniques which our customers are implementing to reduce cost per chip, both currently and as they transition to EUV lithography.
 
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In the fourth quarter of 2008, ASML introduced its LithoTunertm Pattern Matcher products which enable cost and yield improvements ranging from 30 to 70 percent over current scanner matching techniques. ASML is alone in offering this capability. We refer to our efforts in this area as “holistic lithography”, the improvement of the entire chip-imaging process by optimizing wafer lithography, computational lithography and layout, thereby providing our customers with better performance and value of ownership.
 
 
Operational excellence
We strive to sustain our business success based on our technological leadership by continuing to execute our fundamental operating strategy well, including reducing lead-times while improving our cost competitiveness. Lead-time is the time from a customer’s order to a tool’s delivery.
 
 
Our business strategy includes outsourcing the majority of components and subassemblies that make up our products. We work in partnership with suppliers, collaborating on quality, logistics, technology and total cost. By operating our strategy of value sourcing, we strive to attain flexibility and cost efficiencies from our suppliers through mutual commitment and shared risk and reward. Value sourcing also allows the flexibility to adapt to the cyclicality of the world market for semiconductor lithography systems.
 
 
ASML has a flexible labor model with a mix of fixed and flexible contracted labor in its manufacturing, and research and development facilities located in Veldhoven. This reinforces our ability to adapt more quickly to semiconductor market cycles, including support for potential 24-hour, seven days-a-week production activities. By maximizing the flexibility of our high-tech work force, we can shorten lead time: a key driver of added value for customers. Flexibility also reduces our working capital requirements.
 
 
In view of the current global financial market crisis and economic downturn, we continue to strive to improve efficiencies in our operations: addressing our cost structure and strengthening our capability to generate cash. We have used the flexibility in our business model to quickly reduce costs in response to the global economic downturn without impacting our key technology development roadmap. Also, we are maintaining a level of capacity at our factory to ramp up production to meet customer needs without lengthy lead-times, since the lithography market may pick up quickly once product end-demand recovers. We have been successful at progressively enhancing the value of ownership of our products while increasing margins and boosting cash generation through gains in manufacturing productivity and reductions in cycle time.
 
 
ASML operations update on key performance indicators
The following table presents the key performance indicators used by our Board of Management and senior management to measure performance in our monthly operational review meetings.
 
                                                 

 
   
Year ended December 31   2006 3
          2007 3,4
          2008
       
(in millions, except market share and systems)   EUR           EUR           EUR        
Sales
                                               
Market share (based on revenue)1
    63%               65%               65%          
Net sales
    3,582               3,768               2,954          
Increase / (decrease) in net sales
    41.6%               5.2%               (21.6 )%        
Systems shipped (value)
    3,214               3,351               2,517          
Systems shipped (number)
    266               260               151          
Average selling price
    12.1               12.9               16.7          
Systems backlog (value)
    2,146               1,697               755          
Systems backlog (number)
    163               89               41          
Average selling price
    13.2               19.1               18.4          
Immersion systems shipped
    23               38               56          
Profitability
                                               
Gross profit
    1,454       40.6%       1,550       41.1%       1,016       34.4%  
Income from operations
    863       24.1%       815 2     21.6%       287       9.7%  
Net income
    619       17.3%       671 2     17.8%       322       10.9%  
Liquidity
                                               
Cash and cash equivalents
    1,656               1,272               1,109          
Operating cash flow
    492               701               281          
 
 
According to the latest available data up to and including November 2008 as reported by SEMI, an independent semiconductor industry organization.
 
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The 2007 figures for income from operations and net income include a one-off charge of EUR 23 million relating to the Brion acquisition for amortization of in-process research and development.
As of January 1, 2008 ASML accounts for award credits offered to its customers as part of a volume purchase agreement using the deferred revenue model. Until December 31, 2007 ASML accounted for award credits using the cost accrual method. The comparative figures for the years 2007 and 2006 have been adjusted to reflect this change in accounting policy. See note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
In 2008, subsequent to the filing of the 2007 annual report on Form 20-F, ASML detected and made a correction for a prior period error with respect to a release of deferred tax liabilities of EUR 8.7 million. This release was incorrectly recognized in the 2007 consolidated statement of operations under (provision for) benefit from income taxes instead of in equity under other comprehensive income. The 2007 figures have been adjusted to reflect this correction. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Sales
For the longer term, and based on industry analysts IC growth forecasts, we expect our sales level to grow. Based on these forecasts and our current market share, our general strategy is to seek to grow net sales to a EUR 5 billion level. The timing of such level depends on three growth drivers: market growth, market share growth and a broadening of our product and services scope. See also Item 4.A. “History and Development of the Company.”
 
 
In 2008, net sales decreased by 21.6 percent to EUR 2,954 million from EUR 3,768 million in 2007. The decrease in net sales mainly resulted from a lower demand for lithography equipment partly offset by higher ASPs in 2008. The lower overall semiconductor end-demand was caused by a significant economic uncertainty resulting from the current global financial market crisis and economic downturn. Against this background our customers started to re-assess their strategic alliances and their investments to match the industry’s production capacity to end-demand. This situation created a wait-and-see attitude resulting in delay of non leading-edge production capacity additions. While customers reduced standard production capacity, their willingness to invest in leading-edge immersion technology, however, remained strong as this technology enables lithography equipment buyers to reduce their costs.
 
 
ASML is one of the world’s leading providers of lithography equipment with a market share based on revenue of 65 percent in 2007 and approximately 65 percent in 2008. This is according to the latest available data up to and including November 2008 as reported by SEMI, an independent semiconductor industry organization.
 
 
The ASP of our systems increased by 29.5 percent from EUR 12.9 million in 2007 to EUR 16.7 million in 2008. This increase was mainly driven by a change in the product mix reflecting the continued shift in market demand to our leading-edge technology systems with higher ASPs driven by the shrink roadmaps of our customers. In 2008, this general trend was accentuated by our customers delaying non-leading-edge capacity additions in view of the rationalization of the industry’s production capacity to match end-demand.
 
 
As of December 31, 2008, our order backlog was valued at EUR 755 million and included 41 systems with an ASP of EUR 18.4 million. As of December 31, 2007, the order backlog was valued at EUR 1,697 million and included 89 systems with an ASP of EUR 19.1 million. The continued high ASP reflected a high number of leading-edge immersion systems in the backlog of 2007 and 2008 pursuant to the continued ramp-up of volume manufacturing with our leading-edge immersion systems in 2008 and 2009. The decrease in the total value of the backlog was primarily the result of increased uncertainty about future global economic market conditions and the impact on the overall semiconductor end-demand. As a result we currently see a trend in customer order behavior toward ordering on a system by system basis when needed rather than ordering systems on a 12-month rolling capacity planning basis.
 
 
Profitability
Our general strategy is to seek to achieve average income from operations to net sales of 10-15 percent at the downturn point and 20-25 percent at the upturn point over the industry’s business cycle. However in periods of serious recessionary pressure, as evidenced by the current global financial market crisis and economic downturn, we could see periods with income from operations that are substantially below our minimum target level.
 
 
Operating income decreased from EUR 815 million or 21.6 percent of sales in 2007 to 287 million or 9.7 percent of sales in 2008. This EUR 528 million decrease was substantially the result of a decrease in gross profit of EUR 534 million or 34.5 percent which was partially offset by a decrease in operating expenses of EUR 6 million or 0.9 percent.
 
 
Gross profit on sales decreased from EUR 1,550 million or 41.1 percent of net sales in 2007 to 1,016 million or 34.4 percent of net sales in 2008. The lower gross profit was principally attributable to a decrease in net sales (see above) and to an increase in the cost of sales as a percentage of net sales. The increase in cost of sales as a percentage of sales was principally attributable to lower coverage of our fixed manufacturing costs consistent with the lower production levels in 2008 compared with 2007. Furthermore, we recorded restructuring and impairment charges of EUR 138 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, anticipating a sharp decrease in demand resulting from the current global financial market crisis and economic downturn. See Item 5. A. Operational Results, for the impact of the current global financial market crisis and economic downturn.
 
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Net research and development costs in 2007 included a one-off charge of EUR 23 million relating to amortization of in-process research and development in connection with the Brion acquisition. Excluding this one-off charge research and development costs net of credits increased by EUR 30 million or 6.2 percent mainly as a result of the decision to continue strategic investments in technology leadership. Although we strived to be as efficient as possible in research and development spending we did not want to impact any of the strategic programs, in particular immersion, double patterning and EUV, in order to further develop our position as a technology leader. For further details regarding research and development see Item 4.B. “Business Overview” and Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects, Business Strategy”.
 
 
Operating expenses were EUR 6 million lower in 2008 compared to 2007 due to a decrease of selling, general and administrative costs by 13 million, or 5.9 percent partially offset by an increase in net research and development costs by EUR 7 million, or 1.3 percent. The selling, general and administrative costs were reduced in anticipation of the lower sales level.
 
 
ASML has a flexible labor model with a mix of payroll and temporary employees, which enables the company to quickly adapt its costs to the semiconductor market cycles.
 
 
Net income in 2008 amounted to EUR 322 million or 10.9 percent of sales, representing EUR 0.75 per share compared with net income of EUR 671 million or 17.8 percent of sales, representing EUR 1.45 per share in 2007.
 
 
Liquidity
Our general strategy is to seek to maintain our strategic target level of cash and cash equivalents between EUR 1.0 billion and EUR 1.5 billion. To the extent that our cash and cash equivalents exceeds this target and there are no investment opportunities that we wish to pursue, we will consider returning excess cash to our shareholders. As of December 31, 2008 our cash and cash equivalents amounted to EUR 1.1 billion.
 
 
At December 31, 2008, the Company has an available credit facility for a total of EUR 500 million, which will expire in May 2012.
 
 
Our cash and cash equivalents decreased from EUR 1,272 million as of December 31, 2007 to EUR 1,109 million as of December 31, 2008. We generated cash from operations of EUR 281 million in 2008, which was offset by a cash outflow of EUR 184 million from financing activities, mainly as a result of our 2008 dividend payment (EUR 108 million) and share buyback programs (EUR 88 million), and EUR 260 million cash used in investing activities mainly related to the production facilities in Veldhoven and Taipei and, to a lesser extent, equipment and information technology.
 
 
ASML repurchased 5 million shares (EUR 88 million) in February 2008. The cumulative amount returned to shareholders in the form of share buybacks and capital repayment between May 2006 and February 2008 was EUR 2,137 million. In May 2008 the Company paid a dividend of EUR 0.25 per ordinary share of EUR 0.09, or EUR 108 million in total. A proposal will be submitted to the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on March 26, 2009 to declare a dividend for 2008 of EUR 0.20 per ordinary share of EUR 0.09.
 
 
A. Operating Results
 
 
Significant Effects of the Current Global Financial Market Crisis and Economic Downturn on ASML
As a result of the sharp decreases in demand in the fourth quarter of 2008 and in anticipated demand in 2009 caused by the current global financial market crisis and economic downturn, ASML has recognized impairment charges of EUR 20.8 million on property, plant and equipment and inventory obsolescence charges of EUR 94.6 million.
 
 
In order to lower its cost and break-even level, ASML announced in December 2008 a reduction in work force of approximately 1,000 employees or 12 percent of the total work force, mainly contract employees. ASML also announced the shutdown of its production facilities for two weeks in the fourth quarter of 2008 and four weeks in the first half of 2009. Furthermore, ASML announced a restructuring that resulted in the discontinuation of its training center in the United States, the downsizing of its United States headquarters and the closure of several other service locations, reflecting the continuing migration of semiconductor manufacturing activities to Asia which has been accelerated by the current global financial market crisis and economic downturn. The restructuring resulted in the recognition of a provision for employee contract termination benefits of EUR 2.4 million, reflecting the elimination of approximately 90 jobs in the United States and approximately 15 jobs at service locations in other parts of the world. As part of this restructuring, ASML ceased the use of its training facility in Tempe, United States, incurring lease contract termination costs of EUR 20.0 million in 2008.
 
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As a result of the actions taken to respond to the current global financial market crisis and economic downturn the following charges have been recognized in ASML’s consolidated statements of operations in 2008:
 
                     

 
   
          2008
 
                                          (in thousands)         EUR  
 
Restructuring costs
              22,397  
 
Inventory obsolescence
              94,601  
 
Impairments of property, plant and equipment
              20,839  
                     
 
Total
              137,837  
 
 
 
These costs are recognized as follows in the consolidated statements of operations:
 
                                 

 
   
                Impairment of
       
    Restructuring
    Inventory
    property, plant
       
    costs
    obsolescence
    and equipment
    Total
 
(in thousands)   EUR     EUR     EUR     EUR  
Cost of sales
    21,492       94,601       20,111       136,204  
Research and development costs
                728       728  
Selling, general and administrative costs
    905                   905  
                                 
Total
    22,397       94,601       20,839       137,837  
 
 
 
Notwithstanding the restructuring, ASML intends to maintain its key research and development programs for the development of next generation lithography systems. Furthermore, ASML will maintain a level of production capacity to be able to ramp up production to meet customer requirements without lengthy lead times as demand picks up in the future.
 
 
Critical accounting policies using significant estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, net sales and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, warranty, business combinations, long-lived assets, inventories, accounts receivable, provisions, contingencies and litigation, share-based compensation expenses and income tax. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. While we regularly evaluate our estimates and assumptions, actual results may differ from these estimates if these assumptions prove incorrect. To the extent there are material differences between actual results and these estimates, our future results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. We believe that the accounting policies described below require us to make significant judgments and estimates in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Revenue recognition
ASML recognizes revenue when all four revenue recognition criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; seller’s price to buyer is fixed or determinable; and collectability is reasonably assured. At ASML, this policy generally results in revenue recognition from the sale of a system upon shipment. The revenue from the installation of a system is generally recognized upon completion of that installation at the customer site. Each system undergoes, prior to shipment, a “Factory Acceptance Test” in ASML’s clean room facilities, effectively replicating the operating conditions that will be present on the customer’s site, in order to verify whether the system will meet its standard specifications and any additional technical and performance criteria agreed with the customer. A system is shipped, and revenue is recognized, only after all specifications are met and customer sign-off is received or waived. Although each system’s performance is re-tested upon installation at the customer’s site, ASML has never failed to successfully complete installation of a system at a customer’s premises.
 
 
We anticipate that, in connection with future introductions of new technology, we will initially defer revenue recognition until completion of installation and acceptance of the new technology at customer premises. This deferral would continue until we are able to conclude that installation of the technology in question would occur consistently within a predetermined time period and that the performance of the new technology would not reasonably be different from that exhibited in the pre-shipment Factory Acceptance Test. Any such deferral of revenues, however, could have a material effect on ASML’s results of operations for the
 
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fiscal period in which the deferral occurred and on the succeeding fiscal period. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, we had no deferred revenue from shipments of new technology. During the three years ended December 31, 2008, no revenue from new technology was recorded that had been previously deferred. As our systems are based largely on two product platforms that permit incremental, modular upgrades, the introduction of genuinely “new” technology occurs infrequently, and has occurred on only one occasion since 1999.
 
 
ASML has no significant repurchase commitments in its general sales terms and conditions. From time to time the Company repurchases systems that it has manufactured and sold and, following refurbishment, resells those systems to other customers. This repurchase decision is driven by market demand expressed by other customers and not by explicit or implicit contractual arrangements relating to the initial sale. The Company considers reasonable offers from any vendor, including customers, to repurchase used systems so that it can refurbish, resell and install these systems as part of its normal business operations. Once repurchased, the repurchase price of the used system is recorded in work-in-process inventory during the period it is being refurbished, following which the refurbished system is reflected in finished products inventory until it is sold to the customer. As of December 31, 2008 ASML has no repurchase commitments.
 
 
A portion of our revenue is derived from contractual arrangements with our customers that have multiple deliverables, such as installation and training services, prepaid service contracts and prepaid extended optic warranty contracts. The revenue relating to the undelivered elements of the arrangements is deferred at fair value until delivery of these elements. The fair value is determined by vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) except the fair value of the prepaid extended optic warranty which is based on the list price. VSOE is determined based upon the prices that we charge for installation and comparable services (such as relocating a system to another customer site) on a stand-alone basis, which are subject to normal price negotiations. Revenue from installation and training services is recognized when the services are completed. Revenue from prepaid service contracts and prepaid extended optic warranty contracts is recognized over the term of the contract.
 
 
The deferred revenue balance from installation and training services amounted to approximately EUR 3 million and EUR 15 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2008.
 
 
The deferred revenue balance from prepaid service contracts and prepaid extended optic warranty contracts amounted to approximately EUR 118 million and EUR 55 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2008.
 
 
We offer customers discounts in the normal course of sales negotiations. These discounts are directly deducted from the gross sales price at the moment of revenue recognition. From time to time, we offer volume discounts to a limited number of customers. In some instances these volume discounts can be used to purchase field options (system enhancements). The related amount is recorded as a reduction in revenue at time of shipment. From time to time, we offer free or discounted products or services (award credits) to our customers as part of a volume purchase agreement. The sales transaction that gives rise to these award credits is accounted for as a multiple element revenue transaction. The consideration received from the sales transaction is allocated between the award credits and the other elements of the sales transaction. The consideration allocated to the award credits is recognized as deferred revenue until award credits are delivered to the customer. Generally, there are no other credits or adjustments recognized at shipment.
 
 
Revenues are recognized excluding the taxes levied on revenues (net basis).
 
 
Warranty
We provide standard warranty coverage on our systems for 12 months and on certain optic parts for 60 months, providing labor and parts necessary to repair systems and optic parts during the warranty period. The estimated warranty costs are accounted for by accruing these costs for each system upon recognition of the system sale. The estimated warranty costs are based on historical product performance and field expenses. Based upon historical service records, we calculate the charge of average service hours and parts per system to determine the estimated warranty charge. We update these estimated charges periodically. The actual product performance and/or field expense profiles may differ, and in those cases we adjust our warranty reserves accordingly. Future warranty expenses may exceed our estimates, which could lead to an increase in our cost of sales.
 
 
Business combinations
Acquisitions of subsidiaries are accounted for using the ‘purchase accounting’ method. The costs of an acquired subsidiary are assigned to the assets and the liabilities assumed on the basis of their fair values at the date of acquisition. The determination of fair values of assets and liabilities acquired requires us to make estimates and use valuation techniques when market value is not readily available. The excess of the costs of an acquired subsidiary over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed is capitalized as goodwill.
 
 
In 2008, we completed the purchase price allocation of Brion. No adjustments were made to the initial allocation of the purchase price.
 
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Evaluation of long-lived assets for impairment and costs associated with exit or disposal activities
Long-lived assets include goodwill, other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment.
 
 
Goodwill is tested annually for impairment and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the goodwill may not be recoverable. Goodwill is tested for impairment based on a two-step approach for each reporting unit. First, the recoverability is tested by comparing the carrying amount of the reporting unit including goodwill with the fair value of the reporting unit, being the sum of the discounted future cash flows.
 
 
If the carrying amount of the reporting unit is higher than the fair value of the reporting unit, the second step should be performed. The goodwill impairment is measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the goodwill over its implied fair value. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by calculating the fair value of the various assets and liabilities included in the reporting unit in the same manner as goodwill is determined in a business combination.
 
 
Other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of those assets may not be recoverable. Other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment are tested for impairment based on a two-step approach. First the recoverability is tested by comparing the carrying amount of the other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment with the fair value being the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows. If the carrying amount of the other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment is lower than the fair value the assets are considered to be impaired. The impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the asset.
 
 
In determining the fair value of a reporting unit or an asset, the Company makes estimates about future cash flows. These estimates are based on the financial plan updated with the latest available projection of the semiconductor market conditions and our sales and cost expectations which are consistent with the plans and estimates that we use to manage our business. We also make estimates and assumptions concerning Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) and future inflation rates. It is possible that the outcome of the plans, estimates and assumptions used may differ from our estimates, which may require impairment of certain long-lived assets. Future adverse changes in market conditions may also require impairment of certain long-lived assets.
 
 
During 2008, we recorded impairment charges of EUR 24.6 million in property, plant and equipment and EUR 0.6 million in other intangible assets of which we recorded EUR 21.4 million in cost of sales, EUR 2.2 million in research and development costs and EUR 1.6 million in selling, general and administrative costs. The impairment charges mainly relate to machinery and equipment of EUR 22.3 million mainly relating to a decrease in utilization as a result of lower expected demand and sales in 2009 and as a result of the closure of several locations due to the current global financial market crisis and economic downturn. The impairment charges were determined based on the difference between the assets’ estimated fair value (being EUR 5.4 million) and their carrying amount. In determining the fair value of an asset, the Company makes estimates about future cash flows. These estimates are based on the financial plan updated with the latest available projection of the semiconductor market conditions and our sales and cost expectations which are consistent with the plans and estimates that we use to manage our business. See Notes 11 and 12 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Inventories
Inventories, including spare parts and lenses, are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market value. Costs include net prices paid for materials purchased, charges for freight and customs duties, production labor cost and factory overhead. Allowances are made for slow moving, obsolete or unsaleable inventory and are reviewed on a quarterly basis. Our methodology involves matching our on-hand and on-order inventory with our manufacturing forecast. In determining inventory allowances, we evaluate inventory in excess of our forecasted needs on both technological and economical criteria and make appropriate provisions to reflect the risk of obsolescence. This methodology is significantly affected by our forecasted needs for inventory. If actual demand or usage were to be lower than estimated, additional inventory allowances for excess or obsolete inventory may be required, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
As of December 31, 2008, the allowance for inventory obsolescence amounts to EUR 189.9 million (2007: EUR 129.0 million). The increase in the allowance for inventory obsolescence mainly reflects the higher obsolescence due to lower expected demand and sales in 2009 as a result of the current global financial market crisis and economic downturn.
 
 
Accounts receivable
A majority of our accounts receivable are derived from sales to a limited number of large multinational semiconductor manufacturers throughout the world. In order to monitor potential credit losses, we perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition. An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained for potential credit losses based upon management’s assessment of the expected collectability of all accounts receivable. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed periodically to assess the adequacy of the allowance. In making this assessment, we take into consideration (i) any
 
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circumstances of which we are aware regarding a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations; and (ii) our judgments as to potential prevailing economic conditions in the industry and their potential impact on the Company’s customers. Where we deem it prudent to do so, we may require some form of credit enhancement, such as letters of credit, down payments and retention of ownership, before shipping systems to certain customers. We have not incurred any material accounts receivable credit losses during the past three years. Our three largest customers accounted for 42.2 percent of accounts receivable at December 31, 2008, compared to 40.1 percent at December 31, 2007. A business failure of one of our main customers could result in a substantial credit loss in respect to amounts owed to the Company by that customer, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
On January 23, 2009, Qimonda AG and Qimonda Dresden OHG (together “Qimonda”), a German memory chipmaker, filed for insolvency. Qimonda has amounts outstanding to ASML of approximately EUR 37 million in respect of two systems delivered, of which EUR 21 million is reflected in accounts receivable and EUR 16 million is reflected in finance receivables. ASML believes that the outstanding amounts receivable from Qimonda are collectible or the value of the receivables can be realized through the retention of title of the two systems. In case the trustee in bankruptcy will not honour the contracts with ASML, we will execute our right to retrieve these systems, in order to substantially cover the financial risk for ASML. The timing of such potential retrieval of the systems is uncertain.
 
 
Provisions
Employee contract termination benefits are payable when employment is terminated before the normal retirement date, or whenever an employee accepts voluntary redundancy in exchange for these benefits. ASML recognizes employee contract termination benefits when ASML is demonstrably committed to either terminating the employment of current employees according to a detailed formal plan where there is no possibility of withdrawal, or when ASML provides termination benefits as a result of an offer made to encourage voluntary redundancy. The timing of recognition and measurement of the provision for employee contract termination benefits depends on whether employees are required to render service until they are terminated in order to receive the termination benefits. If this period of continued employment extends beyond the minimum retention period, the provision shall be determined at the communication date based on the fair value as of the termination date and is recognized ratably over the future service period.
 
 
Provisions for lease contract termination costs are recognized when costs will continue to be incurred under a contract for its remaining term without economic benefit to the Company and the Company ceases using the rights conveyed by the contract. The provisions are measured at fair value which is determined based on the remaining lease payments reduced by the estimated sublease payment that could be reasonably obtained for the building.
 
 
Provision for employee contract termination benefits relates mainly to the restructuring that was initiated in 2008 to achieve further reduction in costs. The provision for employee contract termination benefits comprises only personnel costs.
 
 
Provision for lease contract termination costs relates to an operating lease contract for a building for which no economic benefits are expected.
 
 
Contingencies and litigation
We are party to various legal proceedings generally incidental to our business, as disclosed in Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements. In connection with these proceedings and claims, our management evaluated, based on the relevant facts and legal principles, the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome and whether the amount of the loss could be reasonably estimated. In each case, management determined that either a loss was not probable or was not reasonably estimable. As a result, no estimated losses were recorded as a charge to our consolidated statements of operations in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Significant subjective judgments were required in these evaluations, including judgments regarding the validity of asserted claims and the likely outcome of legal and administrative proceedings. The outcome of these proceedings, however, is subject to a number of factors beyond our control, most notably the uncertainty associated with predicting decisions by courts and administrative agencies. In addition, estimates of the potential costs associated with legal and administrative proceedings frequently cannot be subjected to any sensitivity analysis, as damage estimates or settlement offers by claimants may bear little or no relation to the eventual outcome. Finally, in any particular proceeding, even where we believe that we would ultimately prevail, we may agree to settle or to terminate a claim or proceeding where we believe that doing so, when taken together with other relevant commercial considerations, is more cost-effective than engaging in expensive and protracted litigation, the outcome of which is uncertain.
 
 
We accrue legal costs related to litigation in our consolidated statements of operations at the time when the related legal services are actually provided to us.
 
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Share-based compensation expenses
The cost of employee services received (compensation expenses) in exchange for awards of equity instruments are recognized based upon the grant-date fair value of stock options and stock. The grant-date fair value of stock options is estimated using a Black-Scholes option valuation model. This Black-Scholes model requires the use of assumptions, including expected stock price volatility, the estimated life of each award and the estimated dividend yield. The risk-free interest rate used in the model is determined, based on a Euro government bond with a life equal to the expected life of the equity-settled share-based payments. The fair value of stock is determined based on the closing price of the Company’s ordinary shares on the Euronext Amsterdam on the grant date.
 
 
The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Company’s estimate of equity instruments that will eventually vest. At each balance sheet date, the Company revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest. The impact of the revision of the original estimates, if any, is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the revision is determined, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.
 
 
We make quarterly assessments of the adequacy of the (hypothetical) tax pool to determine whether there are tax deficiencies that require recognition in the consolidated statements of operations. We have selected the alternative transition method (under FSP FAS 123(R)-3) in order to calculate the tax pool.
 
 
Our current share-based payment plans do not provide for cash settlement of options.
 
 
Income tax
We operate in various tax jurisdictions in Europe, Asia and the United States and must comply with the tax laws and regulations of each of these jurisdictions.
 
 
We use the asset and liability method in accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for tax consequences attributable to differences between the balance sheet carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Furthermore tax assets are recognized for the tax effect of incurred net operating losses. If it is more likely than not that the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of those assets.
 
 
We continuously assess our ability to realize our deferred tax assets resulting from net operating loss carry-forwards. The total amount of tax effect of the loss carry-forwards as of December 31, 2008 was EUR 57.8 million, which resides completely with ASML US, Inc. and US based subsidiaries of ASML US Inc. We believe that all losses will be offset by future taxable income before our ability to utilize those losses expires. This analysis takes into account our projected future taxable income from operations, possible tax planning alternatives available to us, and a realignment of group assets that we effectuated during the period 2001 through 2003 that included the transfer of certain tangible and intangible assets of ASML US, Inc. to ASML Netherlands B.V. The value of the assets transferred has resulted and will result in income recognized and to be recognized by ASML US, Inc., which we believe, together with projected future taxable income from operations will be sufficient to absorb the net operating losses that ASML US, Inc. has incurred, prior to the expiry of those losses. In order to determine with certainty the tax consequences and value of the asset transfer and the remuneration of ASML US, Inc. for intercompany services rendered, in 2002 we requested a bilateral advance pricing agreement (“APA”) from the United States and Netherlands tax authorities which resulted in September 2007 in two duly signed APAs between certain ASML subsidiaries and the tax authorities of the United States and the Netherlands. The APAs will be valid through 2009 with the possibility of extension (see also Note 19 to our consolidated financial statements).
 
 
On January 1, 2007, we adopted the provisions of FIN 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for income taxes, by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet, before being recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and disclosure regarding income taxes.
 
 
Consistent with the provisions of FIN 48, as of December 31, 2008 we classified the liability for unrecognized tax benefits amounting to EUR 124.2 million as non-current liabilities because payment of cash was not anticipated within one year of the balance sheet date, which compares to EUR 110.3 million as at December 31, 2007. These non-current income tax liabilities are recorded in deferred tax and other tax liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The total liability for unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would have a favorable effect on the Company’s effective tax rate.
 
 
Expected interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities have been accrued for and are included in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and in the provision for income taxes. The balance of accrued interest and penalties recorded in the
 
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consolidated balance sheets of December 31, 2007 amounted to EUR 21.5 million and as of December 31, 2008 amounted to EUR 23.6 million; these amounts were also classified as non-current liabilities consistent with the provisions of FIN 48.
 
 
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of the liability for unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
 
                 

 
   
    2007
    2008
 
(in millions)   EUR     EUR  
Balance, January 1
    138.3       110.3  
Gross increases – tax positions in prior period
    17.7       13.0  
Gross decreases – tax positions in prior period
    (30.3 )     (6.5 )
Gross increases – tax positions in current period
    26.6       15.2  
Settlements
    (35.5 )     (5.0 )
Lapse of statute of limitations
    (6.5 )     (2.8 )
                 
Balance, December 31
    110.3       124.2  
 
 
 
For the year ended December 31, 2008, there were no material changes compared to 2007 related to the liability for unrecognized tax benefits that impacted the Company’s effective tax rate.
 
 
The Company estimates that the total liability of unrecognized tax benefits will change with EUR 5.2 million within the next 12 months. The estimated changes to the liability for unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months are mainly due to expected settlements and expiration of statute of limitations which are expected to have a favorable effect on the Company’s effective tax rate.
 
 
There were three main topics on which we reached agreement with the fiscal authorities in 2008 that have affected our effective tax rate. For these three main topics and their related tax positions the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold of FIN 48 was not met as of December 31, 2007.
 
 
In the course of 2008, we reached agreement with the Netherlands tax authorities on determination of the tax benefits resulting from application of the so-called “Royalty Box”, a Netherlands tax measure intended to stimulate innovation. The Royalty Box mechanism partly exempts income attributable to research efforts and protected by patents from taxation, resulting in taxation of so called patent income at an effective corporate income tax rate of 10.0 percent instead of 25.5 percent. This agreement covered the Royalty Box for the years 2007, 2008 and the years thereafter.
 
 
We also reached agreement with the Netherlands tax authorities on the valuation of intellectual property rights acquired in the United States against a fixed historical U.S. dollar exchange rate.
 
 
Finally, we reached agreement with the Netherlands tax authorities on the balance of the temporarily depreciated investment in ASML’s United States subsidiary. This depreciated amount has to be added back to taxable income in the period 2006-2010 in five equal installments.
 
 
The benefit of the Royalty Box for both 2007 and 2008, the benefit of the recognized deferred tax asset for intellectual property rights and the benefit of the temporarily depreciated investment have all been recorded in the provision for income taxes for 2008. As a result, ASML booked a tax income of approximately EUR 70 million.
 
 
Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of results of operations should be viewed in the context of the risks affecting our business strategy, described in Item 3.D. “Risk Factors”.
 
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Set forth below our consolidated statements of operations data for the three years ended December 31, 2008:
 
                         

 
   
Year ended December 31
  20061
    20071,2
    2008
 
(in millions)   EUR     EUR     EUR  
Total net sales
    3,581.8       3,768.2       2,953.7  
Cost of sales
    2,127.8       2,218.5       1,938.2  
Gross profit on sales
    1,454.0       1,549.7       1,015.5  
Research and development costs
    413.7       510.5       538.3  
Amortization of in-process research and development costs
          23.2        
Research and development credits
    (27.1 )     (24.4 )     (22.2 )
Selling, general and administrative costs
    204.8       225.7       212.3  
Income from operations
    862.6       814.7       287.1  
Interest income (expense), net
    (0.9 )     33.5       22.6  
Income from operations before income taxes
    861.7       848.2       309.7  
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes
    (243.2 )     (177.2 )     12.7  
Net income
    618.5       671.0       322.4  
 
 
As of January 1, 2008 ASML accounts for award credits offered to its customers as part of a volume purchase agreement using the deferred revenue model. Until December 31, 2007 ASML accounted for award credits using the cost accrual method. The comparative figures for the years 2007 and 2006 have been adjusted to reflect this change in accounting policy. See note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
In 2008, subsequent to the filing of the 2007 annual report on Form 20-F, ASML detected and made a correction for a prior period error with respect to a release of deferred tax liabilities of EUR 8.7 million. This release was incorrectly recognized in the 2007 consolidated statement of operations under (provision for) benefit from income taxes instead of in equity under other comprehensive income. The 2007 figures have been adjusted to reflect this correction. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Set forth below are our consolidated statements of operations from operations data for the three years ended December 31, 2008, expressed as a percentage of our total net sales:
 
                         

 
   
Year ended December 31   20061     20071,2     2008  
(as percentage of net sales)                  
Total net sales
    100.0       100.0       100.0  
Cost of sales
    59.4       58.9       65.6  
Gross profit on sales
    40.6       41.1       34.4  
Research and development costs
    11.6       13.5       18.2  
Amortization of in-process research and development costs
          0.6        
Research and development credits
    (0.8 )     (0.6 )     (0.7 )
Selling, general and administrative costs
    5.7       6.0       7.2  
Income from operations
    24.1       21.6       9.7  
Interest income, net
          0.9       0.8  
Income from operations before income taxes
    24.1       22.5       10.5  
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes
    (6.8 )     (4.7 )     0.4  
Net income
    17.3       17.8       10.9  
 
 
As of January 1, 2008 ASML accounts for award credits offered to its customers as part of a volume purchase agreement using the deferred revenue model. Until December 31, 2007 ASML accounted for award credits using the cost accrual method. The comparative figures for the years 2007 and 2006 have been adjusted to reflect this change in accounting policy. See note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
In 2008, subsequent to the filing of the 2007 annual report on Form 20-F, ASML detected and made a correction for a prior period error with respect to a release of deferred tax liabilities of EUR 8.7 million. This release was incorrectly recognized in the 2007 consolidated statement of operations under (provision for) benefit from income taxes instead of in equity under other comprehensive income. The 2007 figures have been adjusted to reflect this correction. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
 
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Results of operations 2008 compared with 2007
 
Consolidated sales and gross profit
The following table shows a summary of sales (revenue and units sold), gross profit on sales and ASP data on an annual and semi-annual basis for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008.
 
                                                 

 
   
          20071
                2008
       
    First
    Second
    Full
    First
    Second
    Full
 
    half year     half year     year     half year     half year     year  
Net sales (EUR million)
    1,879       1,889       3,768       1,763       1,191       2,954  
Net system sales (EUR million)
    1,673       1,678       3,351       1,546       971       2,517  
Net service and field option sales (EUR million)
    206       211       417       217       220       437  
Total systems recognized
    146       114       260       89       62       151  
Total new systems recognized
    131       104       235       74       41       115  
Total used systems recognized
    15       10       25       15       21       36  
Gross profit on sales (% of sales)
    41.3       41.0       41.1       40.3       25.6       34.4  
ASP for systems (EUR million)
    11.5       14.7       12.9       17.4       15.7       16.7  
ASP for new systems (EUR million)
    12.5       15.6       13.8       20.0       21.2       20.4  
ASP for used systems (EUR million)
    2.8       5.5       3.9       4.6       4.9       4.8  
 
 
As of January 1, 2008 ASML accounts for award credits offered to its customers as part of a volume purchase agreement using the deferred revenue model. Until December 31, 2007 ASML accounted for award credits using the cost accrual method. The comparative figures for the years 2007 and 2006 have been adjusted to reflect this change in accounting policy. See note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Net sales decreased by EUR 814 million or 21.6 percent from EUR 3,768 million in 2007 to EUR 2,954 million in 2008. The decrease in net sales mainly relates to a decrease in net system sales of EUR 834 million, from EUR 3,351 million in 2007 to EUR 2,517 million in 2008 mainly attributable to a lower number of systems shipped (-41.9 percent), partly offset by an increased ASP (+29.5 percent). Net service and field option sales increased from EUR 417 million in 2007 to EUR 437 million in 2008.
 
 
The number of systems shipped decreased by 41.9 percent from 260 systems in 2007 to 151 systems in 2008. The year 2008 was characterized by significant overall economic uncertainty fuelled by the current global financial market crisis and economic downturn. This led to lower overall semiconductor end-demand. Against this background our customers started to re-assess their strategic alliances and their investments to match production capacity to end-demand, resulting in a delay of non leading-edge production capacity additions. While lithography equipment buyers are reducing standard production capacity, their willingness to invest in leading-edge immersion technology, however, remained strong as this technology enables lithography equipment buyers to reduce their cost aggressively.
 
 
The ASP of our systems increased by 29.5 percent from EUR 12.9 million in 2007 to EUR 16.7 million in 2008. This increase was mainly driven by a change in product mix reflecting the continued shift in market demand to our leading-edge technology systems (as customers continued their ramp-up of volume manufacturing with our leading-edge immersion systems for 45 nm Flash and 55 nm DRAM) with higher ASPs driven by the shrink roadmaps of our customers.
 
 
From time to time, ASML repurchases systems that it has manufactured and sold and, following factory-rebuild or refurbishment, resells those systems to other customers. This repurchase decision is mainly driven by market demand for capacity expressed by other customers and not by explicit or implicit contractual arrangements relating to the initial sale. The number of used systems sold in 2008 increased to 36 from 25 in 2007, reflecting increased demand for older systems to produce less complex ICs following the lower overall semiconductor end-demand than anticipated. The ASP for used systems increased from EUR 3.9 million in 2007 to EUR 4.8 million in 2008, reflecting a further shift from our older PAS 2500 towards our newer PAS 5500 family and TWINSCAN family.
 
 
Through 2008, 17 of the top 20 chipmakers worldwide, in terms of semiconductor capital expenditure, were our customers. In 2008, sales to the largest customer accounted for EUR 754 million, or 25.5 percent of our net sales. In 2007, sales to the largest customer accounted for EUR 818 million, or 21.7 percent of our net sales.
 
 
Gross profit decreased from EUR 1,550 million or 41.1 percent of net sales in 2007 to 1,016 million or 34.4 percent of net sales in 2008. Gross margin was negatively impacted by restructuring and impairment charges (-4.6 percent), by capacity losses consistent with lower production levels (-4.3 percent) and by a changed product mix (-0.8 percent) partly offset by increased ASPs (1.7 percent) and decreased cost of goods (1.9 percent) reflecting the results of our continuous cost of goods reduction programs.
 
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We started 2008 with an order backlog of 89 systems. In 2008, we booked orders for 115 systems, received order cancellations or push-outs beyond 12 months of 12 systems and recognized sales for 151 systems. This resulted in an order backlog of 41 systems as of December 31, 2008. The total value of our backlog as of December 31, 2008 amounted to EUR 755 million with an ASP of EUR 18.4 million, compared with a backlog of EUR 1,697 million with an ASP of EUR 19.1 million as of December 31, 2007. See also Item 5.D. “Trend Information”.
 
 
Research and development
Research and development costs increased by EUR 27 million or 5.4 percent from EUR 511 million in 2007 to EUR 538 million in 2008. This increase reflects continued investment in technology in 2008 through investments in the development of enhancements of the next generation TWINSCAN systems based on immersion, double patterning and EUV.
 
 
Amortization of in-process research and development costs of EUR 23 million in 2007 relates to a one-off charge related to the Brion acquisition.
 
 
Research and development credits are EUR 22 million in 2008 compared to EUR 24 million in 2007.
 
 
Selling, general and administrative costs
Selling, general and administrative costs decreased by 5.9 percent from EUR 226 million in 2007 to EUR 212 million in 2008. In anticipation to the lower sales level we reduced selling, general and administration costs
 
 
Net interest income
Net interest income decreased from EUR 33 million in 2007 to EUR 23 million in 2008. Our interest income relates to interest earned on our cash and cash equivalents. In 2008 interest income decreased mainly as a result of a lower average cash balance and slightly lower interest rates. While operating cash flows remained positive, the average cash balance decreased mainly as a result of the share buyback programs implemented in the fourth quarter of 2007 and in the first quarter of 2008, the dividend paid in 2008 and cash used for capital expenditures.
 
 
Income taxes
Income taxes represented -4.1 percent of income before taxes in 2008, compared to 20.9 percent in 2007. The decrease in income taxes in 2008 is mainly related to three main items on which we reached agreement with the Netherlands tax authorities. These items are the treatment of taxable income related to ASML’s patent portfolio, the valuation of intellectual property rights acquired in the past against historical exchange rates, and the treatment of taxable income related to a temporarily depreciated investment in ASML’s United States subsidiary, all of which had a favorable impact on the Company’s effective tax rate. As a result of these three items, ASML recognized exceptional tax income of approximately EUR 70 million in 2008.
 
 
Results of operations 2007 compared with 2006
 
Consolidated sales and gross profit
The following table shows a summary of sales (revenue and units sold), gross profit on sales and ASP data on an annual and semi-annual basis for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007.
 
                                                 

 
   
          20061
                20071
       
    First
    Second
    Full
    First
    Second
    Full
 
    half year     half year     year     half year     half year     year  
Net sales (EUR million)
    1,565       2,017       3,582       1,879       1,889       3,768  
Net system sales (EUR million)
    1,388       1,826       3,214       1,673       1,678       3,351  
Net service and field option sales (EUR million)
    177       191       368       206       211       417  
Total systems recognized
    123       143       266       146       114       260  
Total new systems recognized
    97       123       220       131       104       235  
Total used systems recognized
    26       20       46       15       10       25  
Gross profit on sales (% of sales)
    40.3       40.8       40.6       41.3       41.0       41.1  
ASP for systems (EUR million)
    11.3       12.8       12.1       11.5       14.7       12.9  
ASP for new systems (EUR million)
    13.6       14.2       13.9       12.5       15.6       13.8  
ASP for used systems (EUR million)
    2.8       3.7       3.2       2.8       5.5       3.9  
 
 
As of January 1, 2008 ASML accounts for award credits offered to its customers as part of a volume purchase agreement using the deferred revenue model. Until December 31, 2007 ASML accounted for award credits using the cost accrual method. The comparative figures for the years 2007 and 2006 have been adjusted to reflect this change in accounting policy. See note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
 
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We achieved growth in net sales of EUR 186 million or 5.2 percent from EUR 3,582 million in 2006 to EUR 3,768 million in 2007. The increase in net sales mainly relates to an increase in net system sales of EUR 137 million or 4.3 percent, from EUR 3,214 million in 2006 to EUR 3,351 million in 2007 mainly attributable to increased ASPs partly offset by a lower number of systems shipped and to an increase in net service and field option sales of EUR 49 million or 13.3 percent from EUR 368 million in 2006 to EUR 417 million in 2007. The increase in service sales was mainly driven by the growth of our installed system base at customers. The growth of field option sales is positively impacted by the customer demand for system upgrade packages that further enhance system performance.
 
 
The number of systems shipped decreased by 2.3 percent from 266 systems in 2006 to 260 systems in 2007, following a year of significant growth of systems shipped (35.7 percent) in 2006. The continued high market demand for lithography equipment was driven by a continuing increased market demand for semiconductor revenue by 11 percent in 2007 following two years of semiconductor unit growth by 9 percent in 2005 and 2006. Furthermore the 2007 strong market demand was related to the continued drive from our customers to follow or accelerate their technology shrink roadmaps.
 
 
The ASP of our systems increased by 6.6 percent from EUR 12.1 million in 2006 to EUR 12.9 million in 2007. This increase was mainly driven by a change in product mix reflecting the continued shift in market demand to our leading-edge technology systems (as customers commenced their ramp-up of volume manufacturing with our leading-edge immersion systems for 45 nm Flash and 55 nm DRAM) with higher ASPs driven by the shrink roadmaps of our customers. This increase was partly offset by a growing number of i-line systems sold, with relatively low ASPs, in 2007 reflecting our market share gains in this segment of the market.
 
 
From time to time, ASML repurchases systems that it has manufactured and sold and, following factory-rebuild or refurbishment, resells those systems to other customers. This repurchase decision is mainly driven by market demand for capacity expressed by other customers and not by explicit or implicit contractual arrangements relating to the initial sale. The number of used systems sold in 2007 decreased to 25 from 46 in 2006, reflecting decreased demand for older systems to produce less complex ICs following two years of significant capacity growth. The ASP for used systems increased from EUR 3.2 million in 2006 to EUR 3.9 million in 2007, reflecting a further shift from our older PAS 2500 towards our newer PAS 5500 family and TWINSCAN family.
 
 
Of the top 20 chipmakers worldwide, in terms of semiconductor capital expenditures, 18 were customers of ASML in 2007. In 2007, sales to the largest customer accounted for EUR 818 million, or 21.7 percent of our net sales. In 2006, sales to the largest customer accounted for EUR 722 million, or 20.1 percent of our net sales.
 
 
Gross profit increased 6.6 percent from EUR 1,454 million or 40.6 percent of net sales in 2006 to 1,550 million or 41.1 percent of net sales in 2007. The gross margin was positively impacted by a changed product mix (0.2 percent) and, more important, by decreased cost of sales (2.4 percent) reflecting the results of our continuous cost of goods reduction programs. Gross margin was negatively impacted by decreased ASPs of mature technology (-2.4 percent). In addition gross margin was positively impacted by currency effects (0.4 percent) partly offset by various other items including lower service gross margin as a result of investments in spare parts related to the introduction of immersion systems for volume manufacturing as well as investments in our ASML Center of Excellence (ACE) in Asia.
 
 
We started 2007 with an order backlog of 163 systems. In 2007, we booked orders for 203 systems, received order cancellations or push-outs beyond 12 months of 17 systems and recognized sales for 260 systems. This resulted in an order backlog of 89 systems as of December 31, 2007. The total value of our backlog as of December 31, 2007 amounted to EUR 1,697 million with an ASP of EUR 19.1 million, compared with a backlog of EUR 2,146 million with an ASP of EUR 13.2 million as of December 31, 2006. See also Item 5.D. “Trend Information”.
 
 
Research and development
Research and development costs increased by EUR 97 million or 23.4 percent from EUR 414 million in 2006 to EUR 511 million in 2007. The increase reflected further investment in technology in 2007 through investments in the development of the newest versions of our high resolution TWINSCAN systems and enhancements of the next generation TWINSCAN systems based on immersion, double patterning and EUV. In the third quarter of 2007 we shipped the first XT:1900i, capable of imaging features down to 40 nm.
 
 
Amortization of in-process research and development costs of EUR 23 million in 2007 relates to a one-off charge related to the Brion acquisition.
 
 
Research and development credits are EUR 24 million in 2007 compared to EUR 27 million in 2006.
 
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Selling, general and administrative costs
Selling, general and administrative costs increased by 10.2 percent from EUR 205 million in 2006 to EUR 226 million in 2007 reflecting the increased activity level to support sales growth. Over the past two years selling, general and administrative costs increased by 12.2 percent, while net sales grew by 49.0 percent. Continuing cost reduction and efficiency programs contributed to maintaining a relatively low increase in the level of selling, general and administrative costs compared to the increase in net sales and related activity over the two year period ended December 31, 2007.
 
 
Net interest expense
Net interest changed from EUR 1 million net interest expense in 2006 to EUR 33 million net interest income in 2007. Our interest income relates to interest earned on our cash and cash equivalents. In 2007 interest income increased mainly as a result of higher short-term interest rates and a higher average cash balance. The average cash balance was higher as a result of the cash provided by operating activities and the issuance of a EUR 600 million Eurobond. Interest expense in 2007 was lower due to the conversion of substantially all the U.S. dollar 575 million 5.75 percent Convertible Subordinated Notes in October 2006 (with the unconverted notes redeemed) and the conversion of substantially all the EUR 380 million 5.50 percent Convertible Subordinated Notes, in October 2007 (with the unconverted notes redeemed). This was partly offset by the issuance of a EUR 600 million Eurobond in June 2007.
 
 
Income taxes
Income taxes represented 20.9 percent of income before taxes in 2007, compared to 28.2 percent in 2006. The decrease in income taxes in 2007 is mainly related to a favorable settlement of unrecognized tax benefits. In addition a corporate tax rate reduction in the Netherlands also contributed to a decrease in income taxes. As of January 1, 2007, we implemented FIN 48 “Accounting for uncertainty in income taxes”. The cumulative effect of implementing FIN 48 was an increase in the tax liability for uncertain tax positions against retained earnings of EUR 7.6 million at January 1, 2007.
 
 
Foreign Exchange Management
See Item 3.D. “Risk Factors, Fluctuations in Foreign Exchange Rates Could Harm Our Results of Operations”, Item 11 “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
New U.S. GAAP Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations”. This statement replaces FASB Statement No. 141 “Business Combinations”. SFAS 141(R) improves the relevance, representational faithfulness and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial reports about a business combination and its effects. This FASB statement applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We are currently assessing the impact that SFAS 141(R) may have on our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (“FSP FAS 142-3”). This FASB Staff Position (FSP) amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FASB Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. FSP FAS 142-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently assessing the impact that FSP SFAS 142-3 may have on our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). The Statement defines fair value, provides guidance on how to measure assets and liabilities using fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and should be applied prospectively (with a limited form of retrospective application) as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which this Statement is initially applied.
 
 
In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-2, “Effective date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP FAS 157-2”), which delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for certain non-recurring fair value measurements of non-financial assets and liabilities until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. We are currently assessing the impact that the adoption of SFAS No. 157 as delayed by FSP FAS 157-2 may have on our consolidated financial statements. ASML has only partially adopted SFAS 157. We have not applied SFAS 157 for impairment assessments of non-financial long-lived assets and goodwill.
 
 
In October 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair value of a Financial Asset in a Market That Is Not Active” (“FSP FAS 157-3”), which clarifies the application of SFAS 157 when the market for a financial asset is inactive. Specifically, FSP FAS 157-3 clarifies how (1) management’s internal assumptions should be considered in measuring fair value when observable data are not present, (2) observable market information from an inactive market should be taken into account, and (3) the use of broker quotes or pricing services should be considered in assessing the relevance of observable and
 
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unobservable data to measure fair value. The guidance in FSP FAS 157-3 is effective immediately and will apply to ASML upon adoption of SFAS 157. We believe that the adoption of FSP FAS 157-3 for the items currently deferred by FSP FAS 157-2 will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 161”). This statement is intended to enhance required disclosures regarding derivatives and hedging activities, including enhanced disclosures regarding how: (a) an entity uses derivative instruments; (b) derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under FASB No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities; and (c) derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash-flows. SFAS 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. We are currently assessing the impact that SFAS 161 may have on our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
We generated cash from operating activities of EUR 701 million and EUR 281 million in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The primary components of cash provided by operating activities in 2008 were net income (EUR 322 million), depreciation (EUR 118 million) and inventory obsolescence (EUR 140 million) partially offset by a cash outflow of EUR 309 million due to changes to assets and liabilities. The changes in assets and liabilities mainly relate to lower income taxes payable of EUR 158 million, lower accounts payable of EUR 94 million, higher other receivables of EUR 76 million, higher inventories of EUR 88 million, partly offset by lower accounts receivable of EUR 132 million.
 
 
We used EUR 362 million for investing activities in 2007 and EUR 260 million in 2008. The 2007 expenditures included EUR 188 million for the Brion acquisition. The majority of the 2008 expenditures was spent on the finalization of the construction of production facilities in Veldhoven and Taiwan and, to a lesser extent, machinery and equipment and information technology investments.
 
 
Net cash used in financing activities was EUR 715 million in 2007 compared to EUR 184 million in 2008. Net cash used in financing activities mainly included EUR 108 million as a result of our 2008 dividend payment, 88 million for share buyback programs and 11 million cash inflow from the issuance of shares in connection with the exercise and purchase of employee stock options. In 2007, cash provided by financing activities mainly included EUR 594 million net proceeds from the issuance in June 2007 of a Eurobond, EUR 80 million from the issuance of shares in connection with the exercises of employee stock options. In 2007, cash used by financing activities mainly included EUR 1,372 million for share buyback programs (including the synthetic share buyback) and EUR 10 million for the redemption of debt. See also Item 16.E. “Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers”.
 
 
Our principal sources of liquidity consist of EUR 1,109 million of cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2008, EUR 500 million of available credit facilities as of December 31, 2008 and cash-flows from operations. The credit facility contains a restrictive covenant that the Company maintains a minimum financial condition ratio, calculated with a contractually agreed formula. ASML was in compliance with this covenant as of December 31, 2008 and 2007. ASML does not currently anticipate any difficulty in continuing to meet this covenant requirement. For further details of our credit facilities, see Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements. In addition to cash and available credit facilities, from time to time we may raise additional capital in debt and equity markets. Our liquidity needs are affected by many factors, some of which are based on the normal ongoing operations of the business, and others that relate to the uncertainties of the global economy and the semiconductor industry. Although our cash requirements fluctuate based on the timing and extent of these factors, we believe that cash generated from operations, together with the liquidity provided by existing cash balances, are sufficient to satisfy our requirements in the foreseeable future.
 
 
We expect a reduction of cash outflow from investing activities in 2009 as we will finalize the production facilities (for our latest technologies such as EUV and double patterning). We expect that our capital expenditures in 2009 could be approximately EUR 200 million, a decrease of EUR 122 million compared to 2008. We expect that a significant part of the 2009 expenditures will be allocated to the finalization of the construction and upgrades of production facilities in the Netherlands. See also Item 4.D. “Property, Plant and Equipment”. We expect to finance 2009 capital expenditures out of our cash flow from operations and available cash and cash equivalents.
 
 
As general strategy we seek to maintain our strategic target level of cash and cash equivalents between EUR 1.0 and 1.5 billion. To the extent that our cash and cash equivalents exceed this target and there are no investment opportunities that we wish to pursue, we will consider returning excess cash to our shareholders, including through share buybacks, dividends and capital repayment. Implementation of additional share buy back programs will depend on the recovery of the industry and economy.
 
 
We have repayment obligations in 2017, amounting to EUR 600 million, on our 5.75 percent senior notes due 2017. We currently intend to fund any future repayment obligations primarily with cash on hand and cash generated through operations. A description of our senior bond and lines of credit is provided in Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
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Our contractual obligations and commercial commitments are disclosed in further detail in Item 5.F. “Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations” and Note 16 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
See Notes 5 and 15 to our consolidated financial statements for discussion of our funding, treasury policies and our long-term debt.
 
 
C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.
 
 
Research and Development
See Item 4.B. “Business Overview, Research and Development” and Item 5.A. “Operating Results”.
 
 
Intellectual Property Matters
See Item 3.D. “Risk Factors, Defending Against Intellectual Property Claims by Others Could Harm Our Business” and Item 4.B. “Business Overview, Intellectual Property”.
 
 
D. Trend Information
The severity of the global economic downturn has caused semiconductor manufacturers to delay their investment plans. Independent market researchers are lowering their estimates for the 2008 and 2009 integrated circuit unit forecasts as a result of the weakening economy. The uncertainty as to the timing of a semiconductor product end-demand pick up and the time needed to complete the current consolidation and restructuring activities in the memory sector, makes a recovery prediction impossible. We have therefore taken decisive actions to adjust its cost structure to cope with these exceptional economic circumstances so we can generate cash at a low level of sales, without impacting our current key technology development roadmap. In addition, ASML plans to maintain a level of manufacturing capacity to be able to ramp up production to meet customer needs without lengthy lead times, as the lithography market may pick up quickly once product end-demand recovers.
 
 
In December 2008, ASML received approval to participate in the Labor Time Reduction Program, a Netherlands government program that helps companies to reduce working hours for employees without impacting their salaries. Employees receive part of their wages and salaries from the national unemployment fund on the condition they will spend non-working hours on training and education. The plan is designed to protect employment in viable industries during an exceptionally severe downturn such as the current one. It is a temporary measure consisting of an initial period of six weeks that can be renewed up to three times, pending government approval for each period. Extension for a further six weeks will be requested early 2009. The effect of this measure is that the labor time of 1,100 of our payroll employees in the Netherlands will be reduced by 50 percent for six weeks as of January 5, 2009. This measure will decrease our salary expenses by 35 percent for this group of employees in the applicable period, amounting to EUR 1.5 million per applicable period in 2009.
 
 
ASML has reduced costs through a comprehensive company-wide efficiency program, without impacting key research and development projects. The Company has been able to react quickly by using the flexibility of our business model, including significant use of flexible contract labor. ASML still has an extensive pool of flexible contract labor and the Company intends to avoid forced redundancies. By the first quarter of 2009 we expect to have cut our operational expenses by EUR 50 million per quarter. We expect that these savings, in combination with reduced components purchasing and the assembly of components already in inventory, will help us generate positive operating cash flow during the first quarter of 2009. Also, about half of our quarterly cost savings will be sustainable when the economy recovers, making ASML a more profitable company.
 
 
The trends discussed in this Item 5.D. “Trend information” are subject to risks and uncertainties. See “Part I — Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements”.
 
 
The following table sets forth our backlog of systems as of December 31, 2007 and 2008.
 
                 

 
   
Year Ended December 31   2007     2008  
Backlog sales of new systems (number)
    79       33  
Backlog sales of used systems (number)
    10       8  
Backlog sales of total systems (number)
    89       41  
Value of backlog new systems (EUR million)
    1,650       719  
Value of backlog used systems (EUR million)
    47       36  
Value of backlog of total systems (EUR million)
    1,697       755  
ASP for new systems (EUR million)
    20.9       21.8  
ASP for used systems (EUR million)
    4.7       4.5  
ASP for total systems (EUR million)
    19.1       18.4  
 
 
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Our backlog includes only system orders for which written authorizations have been accepted and shipment dates within 12 months have been assigned. Historically, orders have been subject to cancellation or delay by the customer. Due to possible customer changes in delivery schedules and to cancellation of orders, our backlog at any particular date is not necessarily indicative of actual sales for any succeeding period.
 
 
The decrease in the total value of the backlog was primarily the result of increased uncertainty about future global economic market conditions and the impact on the overall semiconductor end-demand. As a result, we currently see a trend in customer order behavior toward ordering on a system by system basis when needed rather than ordering systems on a 12-month rolling capacity planning basis.
 
 
ASML expects first quarter 2009 net sales between EUR 180 million to EUR 200 million, and gross margin in the first quarter of 2009 about 8 percent. Research and development expenditures are expected to be at EUR 117 million net of credits and selling, general and administrative costs are expected at EUR 44 million.
 
 
E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have various contractual obligations, some of which are required to be recorded as liabilities in our consolidated financial statements, including long- and short-term debt. Other contractual arrangements, namely operating lease commitments and purchase obligations, are not generally required to be recognized as liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets but are required to be disclosed.
 
 
Variable Interest Entities
In December 2003, the FASB issued FIN 46(R) “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”. Under FIN 46(R), an enterprise must consolidate a variable interest entity if that enterprise has a variable interest (or combination of variable interests) that will either absorb a majority of the entity’s expected losses if they occur, or receive a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns if they occur.
 
 
In 2003, ASML moved to its current Veldhoven headquarters. We lease these headquarters for a period of 15 years from an entity (the “lessor”) that was incorporated by a syndicate of three banks (“shareholders”) solely for the purpose of leasing this building. The lessor’s shareholders equity amounts to EUR 1.9 million. The shareholders each granted a loan of EUR 11.6 million and a fourth bank granted a loan of EUR 12.3 million to the lessor. ASML provided the lessor with a subordinated loan of EUR 5.4 million and has a purchase option that is exercisable either at the end of the lease in 2018, at a pre-determined price of EUR 24.5 million, or during the lease at the book value of the assets. The total assets of the lessor entity amounted to approximately EUR 54 million at inception of the lease.
 
 
ASML believes that it holds a variable interest in this entity and that the entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) because it is subject to consolidation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 5 of FIN 46(R). The total equity investment at risk is approximately 3.6 percent of the lessor’s total assets and is not considered and cannot be demonstrated, qualitatively or quantitatively, to be sufficient to permit the lessor to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support provided by any parties, including the shareholders.
 
 
ASML has determined that it is not appropriate to consolidate the VIE as it is not the primary beneficiary. To make this determination, the expected losses and expected residual returns of the lessor were allocated to each variable interest holder based on their contractual right to absorb expected losses and residual returns. The analysis of expected losses and expected residual returns involved determining the expected negative and positive variability in the fair value of the lessor’s net assets exclusive of variable interests through various cash-flow scenarios based upon the expected market value of the lessor’s net assets. Based on this analysis, ASML determined that other variable interest holders will absorb the majority of the lessor’s expected losses, and as a result, ASML is not the primary beneficiary.
 
 
ASML’s maximum exposure to the lessor’s expected losses is estimated to be approximately EUR 5.4 million.
 
 
Purchase Obligations
We enter into purchase commitments with vendors in the ordinary course of business to ensure a smooth and continuous supply chain for key components. Purchase obligations include medium to long-term purchase agreements mainly regarding goods. These contracts differ and may include certain restrictive clauses. Any identified losses that result from purchase commitments that are forfeited are provided for in our financial statements. As of December 31, 2008, we had purchase commitments for a total amount of approximately EUR 978 million, compared to EUR 1,405 million as of December 31, 2007. The current commitment level has decreased compared to 2007, which is mainly due to lower market demand. In our negotiations with suppliers we continuously seek to align our purchase commitments with our business objectives. We are able to delay the main part of our purchase commitments with one or two years. See also Item 5.F. “Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations”.
 
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Other Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have certain additional commitments and contingencies that are not recorded on our balance sheet but may result in future cash requirements.
 
 
We provide guarantees to third parties in connection with transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business from time to time.
 
 
F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2008 can be summarized as follows:
 
                                         

 
   
          Less than
                After
 
Payments due by period
  Total
    1 year
    1-3 years
    3-5 years
    5 years
 
(In thousands)   EUR     EUR     EUR     EUR     EUR  
Long Term Debt Obligations, including interest expenses1
    957,550       34,500       69,000       69,000       785,050  
Operating Lease Obligations
    152,454       36,865       50,982       31,553       33,054  
Purchase Obligations
    978,250       919,586       34,532       7,341       16,791  
Unrecognized tax benefits
    124,202       5,247       34,900       14,324       69,731  
Other Liabilities2
    1,131       1,131                    
 
Total Contractual Obligations
    2,213,587       997,329       189,414       122,218       904,626  
 
 
We refer to Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements for the amounts excluding interest expenses.
Other liabilities relate to a finance lease agreement regarding software.
 
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Long term debt obligations relate to interest payments and the redemption of the principal amount of the Eurobond. Reference is made to note 15 to the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Operating lease obligations include leases of equipment and facilities. Lease payments recognized as an expense were EUR 42 million, EUR 46 million and EUR 43 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively.
 
 
Several operating leases for our buildings contain purchase options, exercisable at the option of the Company at the end of the lease, and in some cases, during the term of the lease. The amounts to be paid if ASML should exercise these purchase options at the end of the lease can be summarized as of December 31, 2008 as follows:
 
                                         

 
   
Purchase options
        Less than
                After
 
due by period
  Total
    1 year
    1-3 years
    3-5 years
    5 years
 
(in thousands)   EUR     EUR     EUR     EUR     EUR  
Purchase options
    58,004       2,269             8,250       47,485  
 
 
 
Purchase obligations include purchase commitments with vendors in the ordinary course of business. We are able to delay the main part of our purchase commitments for one or two years.
 
 
Unrecognized tax benefits relate to a liability for uncertain tax positions. Reference is made to Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
G. Safe Harbor
See Part I “Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements”.
 
 
Item 6 Directors, Senior Management and Employees
 
 
A. Directors and Senior Management
The members of our Supervisory Board and our Board of Management are as follows:
 
                     

 
   
Name   Title   Year of Birth     Term Expires  
Arthur P.M. van der Poel1, 3, 4
  Chairman of the Supervisory Board     1948       2012  
Jan A. Dekker1, 4
  Member of the Supervisory Board     1939       2009  
Jos W.B. Westerburgen2, 3
  Member of the Supervisory Board     1942       2009  
Fritz W. Fröhlich1
  Member of the Supervisory Board     1942       2012  
Ieke C.J. van den Burg2
  Member of the Supervisory Board     1952       2009  
OB Bilous3, 4
  Member of the Supervisory Board     1938       2009  
William T. Siegle4
  Member of the Supervisory Board     1939       2011  
Eric Meurice
  President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Management     1956       2012  
Peter T.F.M. Wennink
  Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Board of Management     1957       N/A5  
Martin A. van den Brink
  Executive Vice President Marketing & Technology and Member of the Board of Management     1957       N/A5  
Klaus P. Fuchs6
  Executive Vice President Operations and Member of the Board of Management     1958       2010  
Frits J. van Hout7
  Executive Vice President and Member of the Board of Management     1960       2013  
 
 
Member of the Audit Committee.
Member of the Remuneration Committee.
Member of the Selection and Nomination Committee.
Member of the Technology and Strategy Committee.
There are no specified terms for members of the Board of Management appointed prior to March 2004.
Mr. Fuchs resigned from his position on the Board of Management, effective January 1, 2009.
Mr. Van Hout’s appointment to ASML’s Board of Management is subject to notification of the General Meeting of Shareholders, scheduled on March 26, 2009.
ASML’s Supervisory Board will nominate two new members for appointment of the Supervisory Board: Mrs. Pauline F.M. van der Meer Mohr and Mr. Wolfgang Ziebart. These appointments will be on the agenda for the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 26, 2009.
 
 
Effective April 3, 2008, Mr. Van der Poel and Mr. Fröhlich retired by rotation from the Supervisory Board and were both reappointed as members of the Supervisory Board. Effective June 4, 2008, Mr. Deusinger resigned from his position in the Supervisory Board. Ms. Van den Burg, Mr. Bilous, Mr. Dekker and Mr. Westerburgen will retire by rotation from the Supervisory
 
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Board on March 26, 2009. As Mr. Dekker will have been a member of the Supervisory Board for a period of twelve years in 2009, he is not eligible for reappointment. The other members of the Supervisory Board are eligible for reappointment.
 
 
There are no family relationships among the members of our Supervisory Board and Board of Management.
 
 
Since 2005, the Works Council of ASML Netherlands B.V. has an enhanced right to make recommendations (which recommendation may be rejected by the Supervisory Board in limited circumstances) for nomination of at least one-third of the members of the Supervisory Board. See Item 6.C. “Board Practices, Supervisory Board”. At the 2005 General Meeting of Shareholders, Ms. Van den Burg was appointed pursuant to this recommendation right. At the General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 26, 2009, Mrs. Pauline F.M. van der Meer Mohr will be due for appointment pursuant to this enhanced right of recommendation. In accordance with our Articles of Association, the Works Council will have an enhanced recommendation right at the 2009 General Meeting of Shareholders with respect to the re-appointment of Ms. Van den Burg and the appointment of Mrs. Van der Meer Mohr as an additional Supervisory Board member.
 
 
Director and Officer Biographies
 
Arthur P.M. van der Poel
Mr. Van der Poel was appointed to our Supervisory Board in March 2004 and was appointed as Chairman in 2007. Until 2001 he was the Chief Executive Officer of Philips Semiconductors. Mr. Van der Poel is a former member of the Board of Management (until April 2003) and a former member of the Group Management Committee of Royal Philips Electronics. Mr. Van der Poel is a member of the Board of Directors of Gemalto Holding N.V. and serves as a member of the Supervisory Boards of PSV N.V. and DHV Holding B.V.
 
 
Jan A. Dekker
Mr. Dekker has served on our Supervisory Board since 1997. Mr. Dekker is the former Chief Executive Officer of TNO from which he retired in November 2003. He currently serves on the Supervisory Boards of Koninklijke BAM Group N.V. and Syntens and he is also President of the Royal Institute of Engineers (KIVI NIRIA).
 
 
Jos W.B. Westerburgen
Mr. Westerburgen was appointed to our Supervisory Board in March 2002. Mr. Westerburgen has extensive experience in the field of corporate law and tax. Mr. Westerburgen is former Company Secretary and Head of Tax of Unilever N.V. and Plc. Mr. Westerburgen currently serves as a member of the Supervisory Board of Unibail-Rodamco S.A. and is also Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Association Aegon.
 
 
Fritz W. Fröhlich
Mr. Fröhlich was appointed to our Supervisory Board in March 2004. He is the former Deputy Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Akzo Nobel N.V. Mr. Fröhlich is the Chairman of the Supervisory Boards of Randstad Holding N.V., Draka Holding N.V. and Altana A.G. and serves as a member of the Supervisory Boards of Allianz Nederland N.V. and Rexel S.A.
 
 
Ieke C.J. van den Burg
Ms. Van den Burg was appointed to our Supervisory Board in March 2005. She is a former member of the Dutch Social and Economic Council and of the EU Economic and Social Committee. Ms. Van den Burg also held various positions in Dutch and international trade union and labor organizations. Ms. Van den Burg is a member of the European Parliament (“EP”) and serves on the EP’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and on the Committee on Budget Control. Ms. Van den Burg is a member of the Supervisory Board of APG Group N.V.
 
 
OB Bilous
Mr. Bilous was appointed to our Supervisory Board in March 2005. From 1960 until 2000 Mr. Bilous held various management positions at IBM, including General Manager and VP Worldwide Manufacturing of IBM’s Microelectronics Division. He also served on the Boards of SMST, ALTIS Semiconductor and Dominion Semiconductor. Mr. Bilous currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sematech and as Board member of Nantero, Inc.
 
 
William T. Siegle
Mr. Siegle was appointed to our Supervisory Board in March 2007. From 1964 until 1990 Mr. Siegle held various technical, management and executive positions at IBM, including Director of the Advanced Technology Center. From 1990 until 2005 Mr. Siegle served as SVP and Chief Scientist at AMD, responsible for the development of technology platforms and manufacturing operations worldwide. He was also chairman of the Board of Directors of SRC, member of the Board of Directors of Sematech and Director of Etec, Inc. and DuPont Photomask, Inc. Currently, Mr. Siegle is a member of the Advisory Board of Acorn Technologies, Inc.
 
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Eric Meurice
Mr. Meurice joined ASML on October 1, 2004 as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Management. Prior to joining ASML, and since March 2001, he was Executive Vice President — Thomson Television Worldwide. Between 1995 and 2001, Mr. Meurice served as Vice President for Dell Computer, where he ran the Western, Eastern Europe and Dell’s Emerging Markets business within EMEA. Before 1995, he gained extensive technology experience in the semiconductor industry at ITT Semiconductors Group and Intel Corporation, in the micro-controller group. Mr. Meurice is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Verigy Inc.
 
 
Peter T.F.M. Wennink
Mr. Wennink joined ASML on January 1, 1999 and was appointed as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of ASML and member of our Board of Management on July 1, 1999. Mr. Wennink has an extensive background in finance and accounting. Prior to his employment with ASML, Mr. Wennink worked as a partner at Deloitte Accountants, specializing in the high technology industry with an emphasis on the semiconductor equipment industry. Mr. Wennink is a member of the Netherlands Institute of Registered Accountants. Mr. Wennink is currently a member of the Supervisory Board of Bank Insinger de Beaufort N.V.
 
 
Martin A. van den Brink
Mr. Van den Brink was appointed as Executive Vice President Marketing & Technology in 1999. Before that, he served as Vice President Technology since 1995. Mr. Van den Brink was appointed as a member of our Board of Management in 1999.
 
 
Klaus P. Fuchs
Mr. Fuchs was appointed as Executive Vice President Operations and member of the Board of Management in 2006 and resigned effective January 1, 2009. Between 2003 and 2005, Mr. Fuchs served as Vice President of Linde AG in Wiesbaden, Germany where he was responsible for strategic direction and operations of its industrial sector. Before that he was technical director and member of the executive board at TRW Aerospace and he also gained experience at Daimler Benz Aerospace as Vice President of electronic systems.
 
 
Frits J. van Hout
Mr. Van Hout’s appointment to our Board of Management will be effective as per the notification of the General Meeting of Shareholders, scheduled on March 26, 2009. In 2008, Mr. Van Hout was appointed Executive Vice President Integral Efficiency. After rejoining ASML in 2001, he served as Senior Vice President Customer Support and two Business Units. Mr. Van Hout was previously an ASML employee from its founding in 1984 to 1992, in various roles in engineering and sales. From 1998 to 2001, Mr. Van Hout served as Chief Executive Officer of the Beyeler Group, based in the Netherlands and Germany.
 
 
B. Compensation
For details on Board of Management and Supervisory Board remuneration as well as benefits upon termination, see Note 21 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
ASML has not established in the past and does not intend to establish in the future any stock option or purchase plans or other equity compensation arrangements for members of our Supervisory Board.
 
 
Bonus and Profit-sharing plans
For details of employee bonus and profit sharing plans, see Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Pension plans
For details of our pension plans for our employees, see Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
C. Board Practices
 
 
Board Practices
 
General
We endorse the importance of good corporate governance, in which independent oversight, accountability and transparency are the most significant elements. Within the framework of corporate governance, it is important that a relationship of trust exists between the Board of Management, the Supervisory Board, our employees and our shareholders.
 
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In addition to the exchange of ideas at the General Meeting of Shareholders, other important forms of communication include the publication of our annual and quarterly financial results as well as press releases and publications posted on our website. In addition, we pursue a policy of active communication with our shareholders. Our corporate governance structure is intended to:
•  provide shareholders with regular, reliable and relevant transparent information regarding our activities, structure, financial condition, performance and other information, including information on our social, ethical and environmental records and policies;
•  apply high quality standards for disclosure, accounting and auditing; and
•  apply stringent rules with regard to insider securities trading.
 
 
Two-tier structure
ASML is incorporated under Netherlands law and has a two-tier board structure. Responsibility for the management of ASML lies with the Board of Management. Independent, non-executive members serve on the Supervisory Board, which supervises and advises the members of the Board of Management in performing their management tasks. The Board of Management has the duty to keep the Supervisory Board informed, consult with the Supervisory Board on important matters and submit certain important decisions to the Supervisory Board for its approval. The supervision of the Board of Management by the Supervisory Board includes (i) achievement of ASML’s objectives, (ii) corporate strategy and management of risks inherent to ASML’s business activities, (iii) the structure and operation of internal risk management and control systems, (iv) the financial reporting process and (v) compliance with applicable legislation and regulations.
 
 
Supervisory Board members are prohibited from serving as officers or employees of ASML, and members of the Board of Management cannot serve on the Supervisory Board.
 
 
Board of Management
The Board of Management consists of at least two members or such larger number of members as determined by the Supervisory Board. Members of the Board of Management are appointed by the Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board must notify the General Meeting of Shareholders of the intended appointment of a member of the Board of Management. As a result of our compliance with the Netherlands Corporate Governance Code, members of the Board of Management that are appointed in 2004 or later shall be appointed for a maximum period of four years, but may be re-appointed. Members of the Board of Management serve until the end of the term of their appointment, voluntary retirement, or suspension or dismissal by the Supervisory Board. In the case of dismissal, the Supervisory Board must first inform the General Meeting of Shareholders of the intended removal.
 
 
The Supervisory Board determines the remuneration of the individual members of the Board of Management, in line with the remuneration policy adopted by the General Meeting of Shareholders, upon a proposal of the Supervisory Board. ASML’s remuneration policy is posted on its website.
 
 
Supervisory Board
The Supervisory Board consists of at least three members or such larger number as determined by the Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board prepares a profile in relation to its size and composition; ASML’s Supervisory Board profile is posted on ASML’s website.
 
 
Members of the Supervisory Board are appointed by the General Meeting of Shareholders from nominations of the Supervisory Board. Nominations must be reasoned and must be made available to the General Meeting of Shareholders and the Works Council simultaneously. Before the Supervisory Board presents its nominations, both the General Meeting of Shareholders and the Works Council may make recommendations (which the Supervisory Board may reject). In addition, the Works Council has an enhanced right to make recommendations for nomination of at least one-third of the members of the Supervisory Board, which recommendation may only be rejected by the Supervisory Board: (i) if the relevant person is unsuitable or (ii) if the Supervisory Board would not be duly composed if the recommended person were appointed as a Supervisory Board member. If no agreement can be reached between the Supervisory Board and the Works Council on these recommendations, the Supervisory Board may request the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court to declare its objection legitimate. Any decision of the Enterprise Chamber on this matter is non-appealable.
 
 
Nominations of the Supervisory Board may be overruled by the General Meeting of Shareholders by an absolute majority of the votes representing at least one third of the total outstanding capital. If the votes cast in favor of such resolution do not represent at least one third of the total outstanding capital, a new meeting can be convened at which the nomination can be overruled by an absolute majority. If a nomination is overruled, the Supervisory Board must make a new nomination. If a nomination is not overruled and the General Meeting of Shareholders does not appoint the nominated person, the Supervisory Board will appoint the nominated person.
 
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Members of the Supervisory Board serve for a maximum term of four years from the date of their appointment, or a shorter period as set forth in the rotation schedule as adopted by the Supervisory Board, and may be re-appointed, provided that their entire term of office does not exceed twelve years. The General Meeting of Shareholders may, by an absolute majority of the votes representing at least one-third of the total outstanding capital, dismiss the Supervisory Board in its entirety for lack of confidence. In such event, the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court shall appoint one or more members of the Supervisory Board at the request of the Board of Management.
 
 
Upon the proposal of the Supervisory Board, the General Meeting of Shareholders determines the remuneration of the members of the Supervisory Board. A member of the Supervisory Board shall not be granted any shares or option rights by way of remuneration.
 
 
Approval of Board of Management Decisions
The Board of Management requires prior approval of the General Meeting of Shareholders for resolutions concerning an important change in the identity or character of ASML or its business, including in any case:
•  a transfer of all or substantially all of the business of ASML to a third party;
•  entering into or the termination of a long-term joint venture between ASML and a third party, if this joint venture is material to ASML; and
•  an acquisition or divestment by ASML of an interest in the capital of a company with a value of at least one third of ASML’s assets (determined by reference to ASML’s most recently adopted annual accounts).
 
 
Rules of Procedure
The Board of Management and the Supervisory Board have adopted Rules of Procedure for each of the Board of Management, Supervisory Board and the four Committees of the Supervisory Board. These Rules of Procedure are posted on ASML’s website.
 
 
Directors and Officers Insurance and Indemnification
Members of the Board of Management and Supervisory Board, as well as certain senior management members, are insured under the ASML’s Directors and Officers Insurance Policy. Although the insurance policy provides for a wide coverage, our directors and officers may incur uninsured liabilities. ASML has agreed to indemnify its Board of Management and Supervisory Board against any claims arising in connection with their position as director and officer of the Company, provided that such claim is not attributable to willful misconduct or intentional recklessness of such officer or director.
 
 
Corporate Governance Developments
ASML continuously monitors and assesses applicable corporate governance rules, including recommendations and initiatives regarding principles of corporate governance. These include rules that have been promulgated in the United States both by the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) and by the SEC pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
The Netherlands Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”) came into effect on January 1, 2004. A full report on ASML’s compliance with the Code is required to be included in the Company’s statutory annual report. Netherlands listed companies are required to either comply with the principles and the best practice provisions of the Code, or to explain on which points they deviate from these best practice provisions and why. On December 10, 2008 the Dutch Corporate Governance Code Monitoring Committee presented an amended Code to the groups that have requested the changes and to the Ministers of Finance, Justice and Economic Affairs. The amended Code will be effective from the financial year starting on January 1, 2009 and ASML will report on its compliance with the amended Code in its statutory annual report for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
 
Pursuant to the Code’s recommendations, ASML has included a separate chapter on corporate governance in its statutory annual report.
 
 
Committees of ASML’s Supervisory Board
While retaining overall responsibility, the Supervisory Board assigns certain of its tasks to its four committees: the Audit Committee, the Remuneration Committee, the Selection and Nomination Committee and the Technology and Strategy Committee. Members of these committees are appointed from among the Supervisory Board members.
 
 
The chairman of each committee reports to the Supervisory Board verbally and when deemed necessary in writing, the issues and items discussed in each meeting. In addition, the minutes of each committee are distributed to all members of the Supervisory Board.
 
 
Audit Committee
ASML’s Audit Committee is composed of three members of the Supervisory Board. The current members of our Audit Committee are Fritz Fröhlich (chairman), Arthur van der Poel and Jan Dekker, each of whom is an independent, non-executive member of the Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board has determined that Fritz Fröhlich qualifies as the Audit Committee financial
 
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expert pursuant to Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder. Our external auditor, our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, our Corporate Controller, our Director Internal Audit, as well as other ASML employees invited by the chairman of the Audit Committee may also attend the meetings of the Audit Committee.
 
 
The Audit Committee assists the Supervisory Board in:
•  overseeing the integrity of our financial statements and related non-financial disclosure;
•  overseeing the qualifications, independence and performance of the external auditor; and
•  overseeing the integrity of our systems of disclosure controls and procedures and the system of internal controls over financial reporting.
 
 
In 2008, the Audit Committee met four times and held five conference calls. At these meetings the Audit Committee reviewed our quarterly earnings announcements and our audited annual consolidated financial statements, discussed the financing policy as well as the system of internal controls over financial reporting and related audit findings, approved the internal and external audit plan and related audit fees and pre-approved any audit and non-audit services to be rendered by our external auditor.
 
 
Remuneration Committee
ASML’s Remuneration Committee is currently composed of two members of the Supervisory Board (one vacancy). The current members of our Remuneration Committee are Jos Westerburgen (chairman) and Ieke van den Burg. The Remuneration Committee is responsible for the preparation of the remuneration policy for the Board of Management.
 
 
The Remuneration Committee prepares and the Supervisory Board establishes ASML’s general compensation philosophy for members of the Board of Management, and oversees the development and implementation of compensation programs for members of the Board of Management. The Remuneration Committee reviews and proposes to the Supervisory Board corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of members of the Board of Management. The Committee further evaluates the performance of members of the Board of Management in view of those goals and objectives, and makes recommendations to the Supervisory Board on the compensation levels of the members of the Board of Management based on this evaluation.
 
 
In proposing to the Supervisory Board the actual remuneration elements and levels applicable to the members of the Board of Management, the Remuneration Committee considers, among other factors, the remuneration policy, the desired levels of and emphasis on particular aspects of ASML’s short and long-term performance, as well as current compensation and benefits structures and levels benchmarked against relevant peers. External compensation survey data and, where necessary, external consultants are used to benchmark ASML’s remuneration levels and structures.
 
 
In 2008, the Remuneration Committee held four meetings and its members also discussed certain topics by conference calls various times. During 2008, the main subjects of the meetings of the Remuneration Committee were the revised 2008 remuneration policy for the Board of Management, the remuneration of the members of ASML’s Board of Management, including the benchmarking of ASML’s peer group to determine the 2008 remuneration of the individual members of the Board of Management, and discussions on ASML’s stock-based Equity Plans for 2008.
 
 
Selection and Nomination Committee
ASML’s Selection and Nomination Committee is composed of three members of the Supervisory Board. The current members of our Selection and Nomination Committee are Jos Westerburgen (chairman), Arthur van der Poel and OB Bilous.
 
 
The Selection and Nomination Committee assists the Supervisory Board in:
•  preparing the selection criteria and appointment procedures for members of the Company’s Supervisory Board and Board of Management;
•  periodically evaluating the scope and composition of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board, and proposing the profile of the Supervisory Board in relation thereto;
•  periodically evaluating the functioning of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board and the individual members of those boards and reporting the results thereof to the Supervisory Board; and
•  proposing (re-)appointments of members of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board, and supervising the policy of the Board of Management in relation to the selection and appointment criteria for senior management.
 
 
The Selection and Nomination Committee held three scheduled meetings and several ad hoc meetings in 2008.
 
 
Technology and Strategy Committee
ASML’s Technology and Strategy Committee is composed of four members of the Supervisory Board. The current members of our Technology and Strategy Committee are Jan Dekker (chairman), Arthur van der Poel, OB Bilous and William Siegle. In addition, the Technology and Strategy Committee may appoint one or more advisors from within the Company and/or from
 
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outside the Company. The advisors to the Technology and Strategy Committee may be invited as guests to (parts of) the meetings of the Committee, but are not entitled to vote in the meetings.
 
 
The Technology and Strategy Committee advises the Supervisory Board in relation to the following responsibilities and may prepare resolutions of the Supervisory Board related thereto:
•  familiarization with and risk assessment and study of potential strategies, required technical resources, technology roadmaps and product roadmaps; and
•  providing advice to the Supervisory Board with respect to matters related thereto.
 
 
The Technology and Strategy Committee held three meetings in 2008. The main subjects of the meetings of the Technology and Strategy Committee in 2008 were the Company’s technology roadmap, including EUV lithography, immersion technology, double patterning, and holistic lithography. The Committee also reviewed the proposed Technology Leadership Index, being one of the targets for the Board of Management, and provided the Remuneration Committee with its advice on this topic.
 
 
Disclosure Committee
ASML has a Disclosure Committee to ensure compliance with applicable disclosure requirements arising under US and Netherlands law and applicable stock exchange rules. The Disclosure Committee comprises various members of senior management, and reports to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The Disclosure Committee informs the Audit Committee about the outcome of the Disclosure Committee meetings. Furthermore, members of the Disclosure Committee are in close contact with our external legal counsel and our external auditor.
 
 
The Disclosure Committee gathers all relevant financial and non-financial information and assesses materiality, timeliness and necessity for disclosure of such information. In addition the Disclosure Committee assists the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer in the maintenance and evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures as well as internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
During 2008, the Disclosure Committee reviewed the quarterly earnings announcements and our audited annual consolidated financial statements and other public announcements containing financial information. The Internal Control Committee, comprising three members of the Disclosure Committee, assists the Disclosure Committee in preparing its advice to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer on the assessment of ASML’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
Variations from Certain NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules
NASDAQ rules provide that foreign private issuers may follow home country practice in lieu of the NASDAQ corporate governance standards subject to certain exceptions and except to the extent that such exemptions would be contrary to US federal securities laws. The practices followed by ASML in lieu of NASDAQ rules are described below:
•  ASML does not follow NASDAQ’s quorum requirements applicable to meetings of ordinary shareholders. In accordance with Netherlands law and Netherlands generally accepted business practice, ASML’s Articles of Association provide that there are no quorum requirements generally applicable to General Meetings of Shareholders.
•  ASML does not follow NASDAQ’s requirements regarding the provision of proxy statements for General Meetings of Shareholders. Netherlands law does not have a regulatory regime for the solicitation of proxies: the solicitation of proxies is not a generally accepted business practice in the Netherlands. ASML does provide shareholders with an agenda and other relevant documents for the General Meeting of Shareholders.
•  ASML does not follow NASDAQ’s requirement regarding distribution to shareholders of copies of an annual report containing audited financial statements prior to the Company’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders. The distribution of annual reports to shareholders is not required under Netherlands corporate law or Netherlands securities laws, or by Euronext Amsterdam. Furthermore, it is generally accepted business practice for Netherlands companies not to distribute annual reports. In part, this is because the Netherlands system of bearer shares has made it impractical to keep a current list of holders of the bearer shares in order to distribute the annual reports. Instead, we make our annual report available at our corporate head office in the Netherlands (and at the offices of our Netherlands listing agent as stated in the convening notice for the meeting) as from the day of convocation of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders. In addition, we post a copy of our annual report on our website prior to the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.
 
 
NASDAQ rules require shareholder approval of stock option plans available to officers, directors or employees. However, NASDAQ has granted ASML an exemption from this requirement (foreign private issuers are no longer required to obtain an exemption, but may follow home country practice in lieu of NASDAQ corporate governance rules, subject to exceptions).
 
 
D. Employees
As of December 31, 2008, we employed 6,930 payroll employees in FTEs primarily in manufacturing, product development and customer support activities. As of December 31, 2006 and 2007, the total number of payroll employees in FTEs was 5,594 and
 
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6,582 respectively. In addition, as of December 31, 2008, the total number of temporary employees in FTEs was 1,329. As of December 31, 2006 and 2007, the total number of temporary employees in FTEs was 1,725 and 1,486 respectively. For a more detailed description of payroll employee information, including a breakdown of our employees in FTEs by sector, see Notes 17 and 22 to our consolidated financial statements, which are incorporated herein by reference. We rely on our ability to vary the number of temporary employees to respond to fluctuating market demand for our products.
 
 
Our future success will depend on our ability to attract, train, retain and motivate highly qualified, skilled and educated employees, who are in great demand. We are particularly reliant for our continued success on the services of several key employees, including a number of systems development specialists with advanced university qualifications in engineering, optics and computing.
 
 
ASML Netherlands B.V., our operating subsidiary in the Netherlands, has a Works Council, as required by Netherlands law. A Works Council is a representative body of the employees of a Netherlands company elected by the employees. The Board of Management of any Netherlands company that runs an enterprise with a Works Council must seek the non-binding advice of the Works Council before taking certain decisions with respect to the company, such as those related to a major restructuring, a change of control, or the appointment or dismissal of a member of the Board of Management. Other decisions directly involving employment matters that apply either to all employees, or certain groups of employees, may only be taken with the Works Council’s approval. Such a decision may be taken without the prior approval of the Works Council only with the approval of the District Court.
 
 
E. Share Ownership
Information with respect to share ownership of members of our Supervisory Board and Board of Management is included in Item 7 “Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions” and Note 21 to our consolidated financial statements, which are incorporated herein by reference. Information with respect to the grant of shares and stock options to employees is included in Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements which are incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
Item 7 Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
 
 
A. Major Shareholders
The following table sets forth the total number of ordinary shares owned by each shareholder whose beneficial ownership of ordinary shares exceeds 5 percent of the ordinary shares issued and outstanding, as well as the ordinary shares (including options) owned by the members of the Supervisory Board and members of the Board of Management (which includes those persons specified in Item 6 “Directors, Senior Management and Employees”), as a group, as of December 31, 2008. The information set forth below is solely based on public filings with the SEC and AFM (Autoriteit Financiële Markten) on December 31, 2008.
 
                 

 
   
    Shares
    Percent of
 
Identity of Person or Group   Owned     Class  
FMR LLC1
    56,750,236       13.1%  
Capital World Investors2
    25,882,170       5.9%  
PRIMECAP Management Company3
    23,383,824       5.4%  
Artisan Investment Corporation4
    0 4     5.1% 4
Members of ASML’s Supervisory Board and Board of Management, as a group (4 persons)5
    1,561,328       *  
 
 
Less than 1 percent.
Based solely on the Schedule 13-G filed by FMR LLC with the Commission on November 10, 2008.
Based solely on the Schedule 13-G/A filed by Capital World Investors with the Commission on February 11, 2008. Capital Research and Management Company filed a notification with the AFM on December 5, 2007 disclosing a holding of 205,964,487 votes (representing 5.19% of the voting rights in ASML). On February 13, 2008, Capital Research and Management Company filed a Schedule 13G/A with the Commission stating that it did not beneficially own any ASML shares and that its investment divisions, including Capital World Investors would file separate ownership reports reflecting their December 31, 2007 holdings.
Based solely on the Schedule 13-G/A filed by PRIMECAP Management Company with the Commission on February 14, 2008.
Based solely on the notification filed by Artisan Investment Corporation with the AFM on March 14, 2008. According to the notification, Artisan Investment Corporation holds 205,792,353 votes which in turn represent 5.14 percent of the voting rights in ASML. Artisan Investment Corporation’s notification did not disclose the number of ordinary shares it held or the percent of the class that number represents.
Four members of our Board of Management own a total of 885,856 unconditional options to purchase ASML shares. These members of our Board of Management together are also entitled to 119,720 conditional performance stock options and 210,001, 187,803 and 157,948 conditional performance stock, for 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively. The number of performance stock that are ultimately awarded will be determined in the financial year 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively, and is conditional upon the achievement of performance targets. See Note 21 to our consolidated financial statements for information on options held by and conditional performance stock conditionally awarded to members of our Board of Management on an individual basis. None of the members of the Supervisory Board holds any of our outstanding shares or options on shares.
 
 
According to SEC filings, (i) FMR LLC decreased its shareholding from 70,721,194 shares as of February 2006 to 57,681,794 as of February 2007 to 28,506,903 as of October 2007 and to 6,429,585 as of February 2008 and increased its shareholding to 56,750,236 as of November 2008, (ii) Capital World Investors acquired a shareholding of 25,882,170 as of December 2008 and (iii) PRIMECAP Management Company decreased its shareholding from 24,218,000 shares as of September 2006 to 23,825,400
 
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as of October 2006, increased its shareholding to 26,144,100 as of March 2007 and decreased its shareholding to 23,383,824 as of December 2008.
 
 
Our major shareholders do not have voting rights different from other shareholders. We do not issue share certificates, except for registered New York Shares. For more information see Item 10.B. “Memorandum and Articles of Association”.
 
 
As of December 31, 2008, 136.8 million ordinary shares were held by 364 registered holders with a registered address in the United States. Since certain of our ordinary shares were held by brokers and nominees, the number of record holders in the United States may not be representative of the number of beneficial holders or of where the beneficial holders are resident.
 
 
Obligations of Shareholders to Disclose Holdings under Netherlands Law
Holders of our shares may be subject to reporting obligations under the Act on the supervision of financial markets (Wet op het financieel toezicht, the “Act”).
 
 
The disclosure obligations under the Act apply to any person or entity that acquires or disposes of an interest in the voting rights and/or the capital of a public limited company incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands whose shares are admitted to trading on a regulated market within the European Union. Disclosure is required when, as a result of an acquisition or disposal, the percentage of voting rights or capital interest acquired or disposed of by a person or an entity reaches, exceeds or falls below 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75 or 95 percent. With respect to ASML, the Act would require any person or entity whose interest in the voting rights and/or capital of ASML reached, exceeded or fell below those percentage interests to notify the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) immediately.
 
 
ASML is required to notify the AFM immediately if the Company’s voting rights and/or capital have changed by one percent or more since its previous notification on outstanding voting rights and capital. In addition, ASML must notify the AFM of changes of less than one percent in ASML’s outstanding voting rights and capital at least once per calendar quarter, within eight days after the end of the quarter. Any person whose direct or indirect voting rights and/or capital interest meets or passes the thresholds referred to in the previous paragraph as a result of a change in the outstanding voting rights or capital must notify the AFM no later than the fourth trading day after the AFM has published such a change.
 
 
Once every calendar year, within four weeks after the end of the calendar year, holders of an interest of five percent or more in ASML’s voting rights or capital must notify the AFM of a change in the composition of their interest resulting from certain acts (including, but not limited to, the exchange of shares for depositary receipts and vice versa, and the exercise of rights to acquire shares).
 
 
Subsidiaries, as defined in the Act, do not have independent reporting obligations under the Act, as interests held by them are attributed to their (ultimate) parents. Any person may qualify as a parent for purposes of the Act, including an individual. A person who disposes of an interest of five percent or more in ASML’s voting rights or capital and who ceases to be a subsidiary must immediately notify the AFM. As of that moment, all notification obligations under the Act will become applicable to the former subsidiary.
 
 
For the purpose of calculating the percentage of capital interest or voting rights, the following interests must, among other arrangements, be taken into account: shares and votes (i) directly held by any person, (ii) held by such person’s subsidiaries, (iii) held by a third party for such person’s account, (iv) held by a third party with whom such person has concluded an oral or written voting agreement (including on the basis of an unrestricted power of attorney) and (v) held by a third party with whom such person has agreed to temporarily transfer voting rights against payment. Interests held jointly by multiple persons are attributed to those persons in accordance with their entitlement. A holder of a pledge or right of usufruct in respect of shares can also be subject to these reporting obligations if such person has, or can acquire, the right to vote on the shares or, in case of depositary receipts, the underlying shares. The managers of certain investment funds are deemed to hold the capital interests and voting rights in the funds managed by them.
 
 
For the same purpose, the following instruments qualify as “shares”: (i) shares, (ii) depositary receipts for shares (or negotiable instruments similar to such receipts), (iii) negotiable instruments for acquiring the instruments under (i) or (ii) (such as convertible bonds), and (iv) options for acquiring the instruments under (i) or (ii).
 
 
The AFM keeps a public registry of and publishes all notifications made pursuant to the Act.
 
 
Non-compliance with the reporting obligations under the Act could lead to criminal fines, administrative fines, imprisonment or other sanctions. In addition, non-compliance with the reporting obligations under the Act may lead to civil sanctions, including (i) suspension of the voting rights relating to the shares held by the offender, for a period of not more than three years, (ii) nullification of any resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to the extent that such resolution would
 
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not have been approved if the votes at the disposal of the person or entity in violation of a duty under the Act had not been exercised and (iii) a prohibition on the acquisition by the offender of our shares or the voting on our ordinary shares for a period of not more than five years.
 
 
B. Related Party Transactions
There have been no transactions during our most recent fiscal year, nor are there presently any proposed transactions, which are material to ASML or any transactions that are unusual in their nature or conditions, involving goods, services, or tangible or intangible assets between ASML or any of its subsidiaries and any significant shareholder and any director or officer or any relative or spouse thereof. During our most recent fiscal year, there has been no, and at present there is no, outstanding indebtedness to ASML owed or owing by any director or officer of ASML or any associate thereof, other than the virtual financing arrangement with respect to stock options described under Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
C. Interests of Experts & Counsel
Not applicable.
 
 
Item 8 Financial Information
 
 
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
 
 
Consolidated Statements
See Item 18 “Financial Statements”.
 
 
Export Sales
See Note 20 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 18 “Financial Statements”, which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
Legal Proceedings
See Item 4.B. “Business Overview, Intellectual Property” and Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements, which are incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
Dividend Policy
In 2008, the Company revised its reserves and dividend policy, resulting in dividend payments for 2007, starting with a pay out of EUR 0.25 per ordinary share of EUR 0.09. A proposal will be submitted to the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on March 26, 2009 to declare a dividend for 2008 of EUR 0.20 per ordinary share of EUR 0.09. Annually, the Board of Management will assess the amount of dividend that will be proposed to the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.
 
 
For more information see Item 10.B. “Memorandum and Articles of Association” and Item 10.D. “Exchange Controls” and note 24 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
B. Significant Changes
No significant changes have occurred since the date of our consolidated financial statements. See Item 5.D. “Trend Information”.
 
 
Item 9 The Offer and Listing
 
 
A. Offer and Listing Details
Our ordinary shares are listed for trading in the form of registered shares on NASDAQ (“New York shares”) and in the form of registered shares on Euronext Amsterdam (“Amsterdam Shares”). The principal trading market of our ordinary shares is Euronext Amsterdam. For more information see Item 10.B. “Memorandum and Articles of Association”.
 
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The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing prices of our ordinary shares on NASDAQ, as well as on Euronext Amsterdam.
 
                                 

 
   
    NASDAQ
    Euronext Amsterdam
 
    USD     EUR  
    High     Low     High     Low  
                                 
                                 
Annual Information
                               
2004
    22.32       12.41       17.50       10.26  
2005
    20.13       14.44       17.12       11.11  
2006
    25.83       18.46       19.90       14.49  
2007
    35.79       22.89       24.99       17.15  
2008
    30.47       12.66       20.97       10.68  
                                 
                                 
Quarterly Information
                               
1st quarter 2007
    26.29       22.89       20.39       17.15  
2nd quarter 2007
    27.91       24.69       20.83       18.34  
3rd quarter 2007
    33.03       26.64       23.40       19.73  
4th quarter 2007
    35.79       30.70       24.99       21.62  
                                 
1st quarter 2008
    30.47       22.23       20.97       13.92  
2nd quarter 2008
    30.30       23.98       19.59       15.19  
3rd quarter 2008
    25.20       16.29       16.81       11.72  
4th quarter 2008
    18.84       12.66       14.60       10.68  
                                 
                                 
Monthly Information
                               
July 2008
    24.46       22.32       15.37       14.20  
August 2008
    25.20       22.45       16.81       14.42  
September 2008
    23.99       16.29       16.80       11.72  
October 2008
    17.85       14.58       13.60       10.88  
November 2008
    18.84       12.66       14.60       10.68  
December 2008
    18.07       13.75       12.75       10.80  
January (through Jan. 21) 2009
    16.63       15.92       13.05       12.34  
 
 
(Source: Bloomberg Finance LP)
 
 
B. Plan of Distribution
Not applicable.
 
 
C. Markets
See Item 9.A. “Offer and Listing Details”.
 
 
D. Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
 
 
E. Dilution
Not applicable.
 
 
F. Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable.
 
 
Item 10 Additional Information
 
 
A. Share Capital
Not applicable.
 
 
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
The information required by Item 10.B. is incorporated by reference to ASML’s Report on Form 6-K, filed with the Commission on November 2, 2007.
 
 
Current Authorizations to Issue and Repurchase Ordinary Shares
Our Board of Management has the power to issue ordinary shares and cumulative preference shares insofar as the Board of Management has been authorized to do so by the General Meeting of Shareholders (either by means of a resolution or by an
 
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amendment to our Articles of Association). The Board of Management requires approval of the Supervisory Board for such an issue.
 
 
At our annual General Meeting of Shareholders, held on April 3, 2008, the Board of Management was authorized for a period of 18 months, to issue shares and/or rights thereto representing up to a maximum of 5 percent of our issued share capital as of the date of authorization, plus an additional 5 percent of our issued share capital as of the date of authorization that may be issued in connection with mergers and acquisitions. At our annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 26, 2009, our shareholders will be asked to authorize the Board of Management (subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board) to issue shares and/or rights thereto through September 26, 2010.
 
 
Holders of our ordinary shares have a preemptive right of subscription in proportion to the aggregate nominal amount of the ordinary shares held by them to any issuance of ordinary shares for cash, which right may be restricted or excluded. Ordinary shareholders have no pro rata preemptive right of subscription to any ordinary shares issued for consideration other than cash or ordinary shares issued to employees. If authorized for this purpose by the General Meeting of Shareholders (either by means of a resolution or by an amendment to our Articles of Association), the Board of Management has the power, with the approval of the Supervisory Board, to restrict or exclude the preemptive rights of holders of ordinary shares. A designation may be renewed. At our annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on April 3, 2008, the Board of Management was authorized, subject to the aforementioned approval, to restrict or exclude preemptive rights of holders of ordinary shares. At our annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 26, 2009, our shareholders will be asked to grant this authority through September 26, 2010. At this annual General Meeting of Shareholders, the shareholders will be asked to grant authority to the Board of Management to issue shares or options separately. These authorizations will each be requested to be granted for a period of 18 months.
 
 
We may repurchase our issued ordinary shares at any time, subject to compliance with the requirements of Netherlands law and our Articles of Association. Although Netherlands law provides since June 11, 2008 that after such repurchases the aggregate nominal value of the ordinary shares held by ASML or a subsidiary must not be more than 50 percent of the issued share capital, our current Articles of Association provide that after such repurchases the aggregate nominal value of the ordinary shares held by ASML or a subsidiary must not be more than 10 percent of the issued share capital. Any such purchases are subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board and the authorization (whether by means of a resolution or by an amendment to our Articles of Association) of shareholders at our General Meeting of Shareholders, which authorization may not be for more than 18 months. The Board of Management is currently authorized, subject to Supervisory Board approval, to repurchase through October 3, 2009 up to a maximum of approximately 27 percent of our issued share capital as of the date of authorization (April 3, 2008) at a price between the nominal value of the ordinary shares purchased and 110 percent of the market price of these securities on Euronext Amsterdam or NASDAQ. At our annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 26, 2009, our shareholders will be asked to extend this authority through September 26, 2010.
 
 
C. Material Contracts
Not applicable.
 
 
D. Exchange Controls
There are currently no limitations, either under the laws of the Netherlands or in the Articles of Association of ASML, to the rights of non-residents to hold or vote ordinary shares. Cash distributions, if any, payable in euro on Amsterdam Shares may be officially transferred from the Netherlands and converted into any other currency without being subject to any Netherlands legal restrictions. However, for statistical purposes, such payments and transactions must be reported by ASML to the Netherlands Central Bank. Furthermore, no payments, including dividend payments, may be made to jurisdictions subject to certain sanctions, adopted by the government of the Netherlands, implementing resolutions of the Security Council of the United Nations. Cash distributions, if any, on New York Shares shall be paid in U.S. dollars, converted at the rate of exchange on Euronext Amsterdam at the close of business on the date fixed for that purpose by the Board of Management in accordance with the Articles of Association. See also Item 8.A. “Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information, Dividend Policy”.
 
 
E. Taxation
 
 
Netherlands Taxation
The statements below represent a summary of current Netherlands tax laws, regulations and judicial interpretations thereof. The description is limited to the material tax implications for a holder of ordinary shares who is not, or is not deemed to be, a resident of the Netherlands for Netherlands tax purposes (a “Non-resident Holder”). This description does not address special rules that may apply to special classes of holders of ordinary shares and should not be read as extending by implication to matters not specifically referred to herein. As to individual tax consequences, each investor in ordinary shares should consult his or her tax counsel.
 
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General
The acquisition of ordinary shares by a non-resident of the Netherlands should not be treated as a taxable event for Netherlands tax purposes. The income consequences in connection with owning and disposing of our ordinary shares are discussed below.
 
 
Substantial Interest
A person that, directly or indirectly, owns five percent or more of our share capital, or who is entitled to five percent of the voting power in the shareholders meeting, or holds options to purchase five percent or more of our share capital, is deemed to have a substantial interest in our shares, respectively, our options, as applicable. A deemed substantial interest also exists if (part of) a substantial interest has been disposed of, or is deemed to be disposed of, in a transaction where no taxable gain has been recognized. Special attribution rules exist in determining the presence of a substantial interest.
 
 
Income Tax Consequences for Individual Non-resident Holders on Owning and Disposing of the Ordinary Shares
An individual who is a Non-resident Holder will not be subject to Netherlands income tax on received income in respect of our ordinary shares or capital gains derived from the sale, exchange or other disposition of our ordinary shares, provided that such holder:
•  does not carry on and has not carried on a business in the Netherlands through a permanent establishment or a permanent representative to which the ordinary shares are attributable;
•  does not hold and has not held a (deemed) substantial interest in our share capital or, in the event the Non-resident Holder holds or has held a (deemed) substantial interest in our share capital, such interest is, respectively was, a business asset in the hands of the holder;
•  does not share and has not shared directly (through the beneficial ownership of ordinary shares or similar securities) in the profits of an enterprise managed and controlled in the Netherlands which (is deemed to) own(s), respectively (is deemed to have) has owned, our ordinary shares;
•  does not carry out and has not carried out any activities which generate taxable profit or taxable wages to which the holding of our ordinary shares was connected;
•  does not carry out and has not carried out employment activities in the Netherlands, does not serve and has not served as a director or board member of any entity resident in the Netherlands, and does not serve and has not served as a civil servant of a Netherlands public entity with which the holding of our ordinary shares is or was connected; and
•  is not an individual that has elected to be taxed as a resident of the Netherlands.
 
 
Corporate Income Tax Consequences for Corporate Non-resident Holders
Income derived from ordinary shares or capital gains derived from the sale, exchange or disposition of ordinary shares by a corporate Non-resident Holder is taxable if:
•  the holder carries on a business in the Netherlands through a permanent establishment or a permanent agent in the Netherlands (Netherlands enterprise) and the ordinary shares are attributable to this permanent establishment or permanent agent, unless the participation exemption (discussed below) applies; or
•  the holder has a substantial interest in our share capital, which is not attributable to his enterprise; or
•  certain assets of the holder are deemed to be treated as a Netherlands enterprise under Netherlands tax law and the ordinary shares are attributable to this Netherlands enterprise.
 
 
To qualify for the Netherlands participation exemption, the holder must generally hold at least five percent of our nominal paid-in capital and meet certain other requirements.
 
 
Dividend Withholding Tax
In general, a dividend distributed by us in respect of our ordinary shares will be subject to a withholding tax imposed by the Netherlands at the statutory rate of 15 percent.
 
 
Dividends include:
•  dividends in cash and in kind;
•  deemed and constructive dividends;
•  consideration for the repurchase or redemption of ordinary shares (including a purchase by a direct or indirect ASML subsidiary) in excess of qualifying average paid-in capital unless such repurchase is made for temporary investment purposes or is exempt by law;
•  stock dividends up to their nominal value (unless distributed out of qualifying paid-in capital);
•  any (partial) repayment of paid-in capital not qualifying as capital for Netherlands dividend withholding tax purposes; and
•  liquidation proceeds in excess of qualifying average paid-in capital for Netherlands dividend withholding tax purposes.
 
 
A reduction of Netherlands dividend withholding tax can be obtained if:
•  the participation exemption applies and the ordinary shares are attributable to a business carried out in the Netherlands;
 
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•  the dividends are distributed to a qualifying EU corporate holder satisfying the conditions of the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive; or
•  the rate is reduced by a Tax Treaty.
 
 
A Non-resident Holder of ordinary shares can be eligible for a partial or complete exemption or refund of all or a portion of the above withholding tax under a Tax Treaty that is in effect between the Netherlands and the Non-resident Holder’s country of residence. The Netherlands has concluded such treaties with the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Japan, most European Union member states, as well as many other countries. Under the Treaty between the United States and the Netherlands for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income (the “Tax Treaty”), dividends paid by us to a Non-resident Holder that is a resident of the United States as defined in the Tax Treaty (other than an exempt organization or exempt pension trust, as discussed below) are generally liable to 15 percent Netherlands withholding tax or, in the case of certain United States corporate shareholders owning at least 10 percent of our voting power, a reduction to five percent, provided that it does not have an enterprise or an interest in an enterprise that is, in whole or in part, carried on through a permanent establishment or permanent representative in the Netherlands to which the dividends are attributable. The Tax Treaty provides for a complete exemption from tax on dividends received by exempt pension trusts and exempt organizations, as defined therein. Except in the case of exempt organizations, the reduced dividend withholding tax rate (or exemption from withholding) can be applied at the source upon payment of the dividends, provided that the proper forms have been filed in advance of the payment. Exempt organizations remain subject to the statutory withholding rate of 15 percent and are required to file for a refund of such withholding.
 
 
A Non-resident Holder of ordinary shares can be eligible for a partial or complete exemption or refund of all or a portion of the above withholding tax under a Tax Treaty that is in effect between the Netherlands and the Non-resident Holder’s country of residence. The Netherlands has concluded such treaties with the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Japan, most European Union member states, as well as many other countries. Under the Treaty between the United States and the Netherlands for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income (the “Tax Treaty”), dividends paid by us to a Non-resident Holder that is a resident of the United States as defined in the Tax Treaty (other than an exempt organization or exempt pension trust, as discussed below) are generally liable to 15 percent Netherlands withholding tax or, in the case of certain United States corporate shareholders owning at least ten percent of our voting power, a reduction to five percent, provided that it does not have an enterprise or an interest in an enterprise that is, in whole or in part, carried on through a permanent establishment or permanent representative in the Netherlands to which the dividends are attributable. The Tax Treaty provides for a complete exemption from tax on dividends received by exempt pension trusts and exempt organizations, as defined therein. Except in the case of exempt organizations, the reduced dividend withholding tax rate (or exemption from withholding) can be applied at the source upon payment of the dividends, provided that the proper forms have been filed in advance of the payment. Exempt organizations remain subject to the statutory withholding rate of 15 percent and are required to file for a refund of such withholding.
 
 
A Non-resident Holder may not claim the benefits of the Tax Treaty unless (i) it is a resident of the United States as defined therein, or (ii) it is deemed to be a resident on the basis of the provisions of article 24(4) of the Tax Treaty, and (iii) its entitlement to those benefits is not limited by the provisions of article 26 (limitation on benefits) of the Tax Treaty.
 
 
In this respect it is noted that the United States and the Netherlands have agreed on a protocol to the Tax Treaty. It provides for (among others) a 0 percent dividend withholding tax rate on dividends, provided certain requirements are met. One of these requirements is that the shareholder is a company which owns directly shares representing 80 percent of the voting power in our company. In addition, abovementioned article 26 (limitation on benefits) has been adjusted. Some requirements to the various tests mentioned in article 26 will become more severe and others will be moderated.
 
 
Dividend Stripping Rules
Under Netherlands tax legislation regarding anti-dividend stripping, no exemption from, or refund of, Netherlands dividend withholding tax is granted if the recipient of dividends paid by us is not considered the beneficial owner of such dividends.
 
 
Gift or Inheritance Taxes
Netherlands gift or inheritance taxes will not be levied on the transfer of ordinary shares by way of gift, or upon the death of a Non-resident Holder, unless:
 
 
(1) the transfer is construed as an inheritance or as a gift made by or on behalf of a person who, at the time of the gift or death, is deemed to be, resident of the Netherlands; or
 
 
(2) the ordinary shares are attributable to an enterprise or part thereof that is carried on through a permanent establishment or a permanent representative in the Netherlands.
 
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For purposes of Netherlands gift and inheritance tax, an individual of Netherlands nationality is deemed to be a resident of the Netherlands if he has been a resident thereof at any time during the ten years preceding the time of the gift or death. For purposes of Netherlands gift tax, a person not possessing Netherlands nationality is deemed to be a resident of the Netherlands if he has resided therein at any time in the twelve months preceding the gift.
 
 
Value Added Tax
No Netherlands value added tax is imposed on dividends in respect of our ordinary shares or on the transfer of our shares.
 
 
Residence
A Non-resident Holder will not become resident, or be deemed to be resident, in the Netherlands solely as a result of holding our ordinary shares or of the execution, performance, delivery and/or enforcement of rights in respect of our ordinary shares.
 
 
United States Taxation
The following is a discussion of the material United States federal income tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares by a United States Holder acting in the capacity of a beneficial owner (as defined below). This discussion deals only with ordinary shares held as capital assets and does not deal with the tax consequences applicable to all categories of investors, some of which (such as tax-exempt entities, financial institutions, dealers in securities/traders in securities that elect a mark-to-market method of accounting for securities holdings, insurance companies, investors owning directly, indirectly or constructively 10 percent or more of our outstanding voting shares, investors who hold ordinary shares as part of hedging or conversion transactions and investors whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar) may be subject to special rules. In addition, the discussion does not address any alternative minimum tax or any state, local, FIRPTA related United States federal income tax consequences, or non-United States tax consequences.
 
 
This discussion is based on the U.S.-Netherlands Income Tax Treaty (“Treaty”) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended to the date hereof, final, temporary and proposed Treasury Department regulations promulgated, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, changes to any of which subsequent to the date hereof, possibly with retroactive effect, may affect the tax consequences described herein. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described herein, and we have not obtained, nor do we intend to obtain, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel with respect to the United States federal income tax consequences of acquiring or holding shares. Prospective purchasers of ordinary shares are advised to consult their tax advisers with respect to their particular circumstances and with respect to the effects of United States federal, state, local or non-United States tax laws to which they may be subject.
 
 
As used herein, the term “United States Holder” means a beneficial owner of ordinary shares that for United States federal income tax purposes whose holding of ordinary shares does not form part of the business property or assets of a permanent establishment or fixed base in the Netherlands; who is fully entitled to the benefits of the Treaty in respect of such ordinary shares; and is:
•  an individual citizen or resident of the United States;
•  a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof;
•  an estate of which the income is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
•  a trust whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions.
 
 
If an entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes owns ordinary shares, the United States federal income tax treatment of a partner in such partnership will generally depend upon the status and tax residency of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partnership that owns ordinary shares and the partners in such partnership should consult their tax advisors about the United States federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing of the ordinary shares.
 
 
Taxation of Dividends
United States Holders will include in gross income as foreign-source dividend income the gross amount of any distribution (before reduction for Netherlands withholding taxes) ASML makes out of its current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for United States federal income tax purposes) when the distribution is actually or constructively received by the United States Holder. Distributions will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to United States corporations in respect of dividends received from other United States corporations. The amount of the dividend distribution includible in income of a United States Holder should be the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency (e.g. euro) paid, determined by the spot rate of exchange on the date of the distribution, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for United States federal income tax purposes, will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the United States Holder’s basis in the ordinary shares and thereafter as
 
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taxable capital gain. ASML does not maintain calculations of its earnings and profits under United States federal income tax principles.
 
 
Subject to limitations provided in the United States Internal Revenue Code, a United States Holder may generally deduct from its United States federal taxable income, or credit against its United States federal income tax liability, the amount of qualified Netherlands withholding taxes. However, Netherlands withholding tax may be credited only if the United States Holder does not claim a deduction for any Netherlands or other non-United States taxes paid or accrued in that year. In addition, Netherlands dividend withholding taxes will likely not be creditable against the United States Holder’s United States tax liability to the extent ASML is not required to pay over the amount withheld to the Netherlands Tax Administration. Currently, a Netherlands corporation that receives dividends from qualifying non-Netherlands subsidiaries may credit source country tax withheld from those dividends against Netherlands withholding tax imposed on a dividend paid by a Netherlands corporation, up to a maximum of three percent of the dividend paid by the Netherlands corporation. The credit reduces the amount of dividend withholding that ASML is required to pay to the Netherlands Tax Administration but does not reduce the amount of tax ASML is required to withhold from dividends.
 
 
Dividends received by a United States Holder will generally be taxed at ordinary income tax rates. However, the Jobs and Growth Tax Reconciliation Act of 2003,(the “2003 Tax Act”) and subsequently the Tax Increase and Prevention Act of 2006 reduces to 15 percent the maximum tax rate for certain dividends received by individuals through taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010, so long as the stock has been held for more than 60 days during the 120 day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date. The rules governing foreign tax credit are complex and we suggest each United States Holder to consult its own tax advisor to determine whether, and to what extent, a foreign tax credit will be available. Dividends received from “qualified foreign corporations” generally qualify for the reduced rate. A non-United States corporation (other than a foreign personal holding company, foreign investment company, or passive foreign investment company) generally will be considered to be a qualified foreign corporation if (i) the shares of the non-United States corporation are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States or (ii) the non-United States corporation is eligible with respect to substantially all of its income for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States which contains an exchange of information program and the Tax Treaty has been identified as a qualifying treaty. Individual United States Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the impact of the provisions of the 2003 Tax Act on their particular situations.
 
 
Taxation on Sale or Other Disposition of Ordinary Shares
Upon a sale or other disposition of ordinary shares, a United States Holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized, if paid in U.S. dollars, or the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized (determined at the spot rate on the settlement date of the sale) if proceeds are paid in currency other than the U.S. dollar, as the case may be, and the United States Holder’s tax basis (determined in U.S. dollars) in such ordinary shares. Generally, the capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holding period of the United States Holder in the ordinary shares exceeds one year at the time of the sale or other disposition. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations for United States federal income tax purposes. Gain or loss from the sale or other disposition of ordinary shares generally will be treated as United States source income or loss for United States foreign tax credit purposes. Generally, any gain or loss resulting from currency fluctuations during the period between the date of the sale of the ordinary shares and the date the sale proceeds are converted into U.S. dollars will be treated as ordinary income or loss from sources within the United States. Each United States Holder should consult its tax advisor with regard to the translation rules of its adjusted basis and the amount realized upon a sale or other disposition of its ordinary shares if purchased in, or sold or disposed of for, a currency other than U.S. dollar.
 
 
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Information returns may be filed with the IRS in connection with payments on the ordinary shares or proceeds from a sale, redemption or other disposition of the ordinary shares. A “backup withholding” tax may apply to these payments if the beneficial owner fails to provide a correct taxpayer identification number to the paying agent and to comply with certain certification procedures or otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules might be refunded (or credited against the beneficial owner’s United States federal income tax liability, if any) depending on the facts and provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
 
 
The discussion set forth above is included for general information only and may not be applicable depending upon a holder’s particular situation. Holders should consult their tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares including the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws and the possible effects of changes in United States federal and other tax laws.
 
 
F. Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
 
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G. Statement by Experts
Not applicable.
 
 
H. Documents on Display
We are subject to certain of the reporting requirements of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). As a “foreign private issuer”, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing certain disclosure and procedural requirements for proxy solicitations, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act, with respect to their purchases and sales of shares. In addition, we are not required to file reports and financial statements with the Commission as frequently or as promptly as companies that are not foreign private issuers whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, we are required to file with the Commission, within six months after the end of each fiscal year, an annual report on Form 20-F containing financial statements audited by an independent accounting firm. We publish unaudited interim financial information after the end of each quarter. We furnish this quarterly financial information to the Commission under cover of a Form 6-K.
 
 
Documents we file with the Commission are publicly available at its public reference facilities at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20549, Woolworth Building, 233 Broadway, New York, New York 10048 and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of the documents are available at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington DC 20549. The Commission also maintains a website that contains reports and other information regarding registrants that are required to file electronically with the Commission. The address of this website is http://www.sec.gov. Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities.
 
 
I. Subsidiary Information
See Item 4.C. “Organizational Structure”.
 
 
Item 11 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
 
The Company is exposed to a variety of financial risks: market risks (including foreign currency exchange risk and interest rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The overall risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimize potentially adverse effects on the Company’s financial performance. The Company uses derivative instruments to hedge certain risk exposures. None of the transactions are entered into for trading or speculative purposes.
 
 
While the financial markets have shown an increased volatility, we continue to believe that market information is the most reliable and transparent means of measurement for our derivative instruments that are measured at fair value.
 
 
Foreign currency risk management
The Company uses the euro as its invoicing currency in order to limit the exposure to foreign currency movements. Exceptions may occur on a customer by customer basis. To the extent that invoicing is done in a currency other than the euro, the Company is exposed to foreign currency risk.
 
 
It is the Company’s policy to hedge material transaction exposures, such as sales transactions, forecasted purchase transactions and accounts receivable/accounts payable. The Company hedges these exposures through the use of foreign exchange options and forward contracts. The use of a mix of foreign exchange options and forward contracts is aimed at reflecting the likelihood of the transactions occurring. In 2008, we identified four ineffective cash-flow hedges related to forecasted sales transactions. During the 12 months ended December 31, 2008, EUR 18.0 million loss was recognized in sales relating to ineffective hedges (2007: EUR 0.2 million gain was recognized in cost of sales relating to ineffective hedges). The effectiveness of all outstanding hedge contracts is monitored closely throughout the life of the hedges.
 
 
As of December 31, 2008 other comprehensive income, net of taxes, includes EUR 43.6 million loss (2007: EUR 3.7 million loss) representing the total anticipated loss to be released to sales, and EUR 1.9 million gain (2007: EUR 3.1 million loss) representing the total anticipated gain to be charged to cost of sales over the next twelve months as the forecasted revenue and purchase transactions occur.
 
 
It is the Company’s policy to hedge material remeasurement exposures. These net exposures from certain monetary assets and liabilities in non-functional currencies are hedged with forward contracts.
 
 
It is the Company’s policy to manage material currency translation exposures resulting predominantly from ASML’s U.S. dollar net investments by hedging these partly with forward contracts. The related foreign currency translation amounts (gross of taxes)
 
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included in cumulative translation adjustment for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 were EUR 23.3 million gain and EUR 12.7 million gain, respectively.
 
 
Interest rate risk management
The Company has both assets and liabilities that bear interest, which expose the Company to fluctuations in the prevailing market rate of interest. The Company uses interest rate swaps to align the interest typical terms of interest bearing assets with the interest typical terms of interest bearing liabilities. The Company still retains residual financial statements exposure risk to the extent that the asset and liability positions do not fully offset.
 
 
It is the Company’s policy to enter into interest rate swaps to hedge this residual exposure. For this purpose the Company uses interest rate swaps to hedge changes in market value of fixed loan coupons payable on our Eurobond due to changes in market interest rates and to hedge the variability of future interest receipts as a result of changes in market interest rates on part of our cash and cash equivalents.
 
 
Financial instruments
The Company uses foreign exchange derivatives to manage its currency risk and interest rate swaps to manage its interest rate risk. Most derivatives will mature in one year or less after the balance sheet date. The following table summarizes the notional amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments:
 
 
                                 
 
   
    2007
          2008
       
    Notional
          Notional
       
As of December 31
  Amount
    Fair Value
    Amount
    Fair Value
 
(in thousands)   EUR     EUR     EUR     EUR  
Currency forward contracts1,2
    283,881       528       896,642       (38,521 )
Currency options2
    90,000       4,887              
Interest rate swaps3
    1,029,900       16,553       641,500       63,172  
 
 
(Source: Bloomberg Finance LP)
Mainly includes forward contracts on U.S. dollar and Japanese yen.
Net amount of forward and option contracts assigned as a hedge to sales and purchase transactions, to monetary assets and liabilities and to net investments in foreign operations.
The 2007 notional amount of the interest rate swaps mainly consists of EUR 600 million relating to a Eurobond and of EUR 380 million relating to cash and cash equivalents. The 2008 notional amount of the interest rate swaps mainly consists of EUR 600 million relating to a Eurobond. The fair value of interest rate swaps includes accrued interest and mainly consists of the fair value of interest rate swaps relating to a EUR 600 million Eurobond.
 
 
The fair value of forward contracts (used for hedging purposes) is the estimated amount that a bank would receive or pay to terminate the forward contracts at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates and current exchange rates.
 
 
The fair value of currency options (used for hedging purposes) is the estimated amount that a bank would receive or pay to terminate the option agreements at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates, current exchange rates and volatility.
 
 
The fair value of interest rate swaps (used for hedging purposes) is the estimated amount that a bank would receive or pay to terminate the swap agreements at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates.
 
 
Credit risk management
Financial instruments that potentially subject ASML to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and derivative financial instruments used in hedging activities.
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents and derivative instruments contain an element of risk of the counterparties being unable to meet their obligations. This financial credit risk is monitored and minimized per type of financial instrument by limiting ASML’s counterparties to a sufficient number of major financial institutions. Also, in response to the increased volatility of the financial markets, a material part of the cash and cash equivalents has been invested in government related securities. ASML does not expect the counterparties to default given their high credit quality.
 
 
ASML’s customers consist of IC manufacturers located throughout the world. ASML performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition. ASML regularly reviews if an allowance for doubtful debts is needed by considering factors such as historical payment experience, credit quality, age of the accounts receivable balances, and current economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay. In response to the increased volatility of the financial markets, ASML has taken additional
 
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measures to mitigate credit risk when considered appropriate by means of e.g. letters of credit, down payments and retention of ownership. Retention of ownership enables ASML to recover the systems in the event a customer defaults on payment.
 
 
Capital risk management
Our general strategy is to seek to maintain our strategic target level of cash and cash equivalents between EUR 1.0 and 1.5 billion. The Company regularly reviews the efficiency of its capital structure. To the extent that our cash and cash equivalents exceeds this target and there are no investment opportunities that we wish to pursue, we will consider to return excess cash to our shareholders, including through share buybacks, dividends and capital repayment.
 
 
Sensitivity analysis financial instruments
 
Foreign currency sensitivity
ASML is mainly exposed to the U.S. dollar and Japanese yen. The following table details the Company’s sensitivity to a 10 percent strengthening of foreign currencies against the euro. The sensitivity analysis includes outstanding foreign currency denominated monetary items and adjusts their translation at the period end for a 10 percent strengthening in foreign currency rates. A positive amount indicates an increase in income from operations before income taxes and equity.
 
 
                                 
 
   
                2008
       
    2007
          Impact on
       
    Impact on
          income from
       
    income from operations
    Impact on
    operations
    Impact on
 
    before income taxes
    equity
    before income taxes
    equity
 
(in thousands)   EUR     EUR     EUR     EUR  
U.S. dollar
    (709 )     18,523       (2,915 )     14,118  
Japanese yen
    (502 )     (3,977 )     (14,501 )     (38,886 )
Other currencies
    (1,296 )     11,236       (1,285 )     8,482  
                                 
Total
    (2,507 )     25,782       (18,701 )     (16,286 )
 
 
 
The revaluation effects of investments in foreign entities, which are partly hedged, are recognized in other comprehensive income, within equity. The movements of currency rates therefore show a relatively large effect on other comprehensive income. The effect on other comprehensive income for other currencies mainly relates to investments in foreign entities in Singapore dollar and Taiwan dollar.
 
 
Fair value movements of cash-flow hedges are recognized in other comprehensive income. The main reason for the decreased effect in other comprehensive income in 2008 compared to 2007 is a high volume of cash-flow hedges (EUR 341 million), mainly sales hedges (2007: mainly purchase hedges).
 
 
It is the Company’s policy to limit the currency effects through the consolidated statements of operations. The effect on income from operations before income taxes as presented in 2008 and 2007 is mainly attributable to unavoidable timing differences between the arising of exposures and the hedging thereof. Furthermore, in the fourth quarter of 2008, we identified four system sales hedges that became ineffective. During the 12 months ended December 31, 2008, EUR 18.0 million loss was recognized in sales relating to ineffective hedges (2007: EUR 0.2 million gain was recognized in cost of sales relating to ineffective hedges).
 
 
For a 10 percent weakening of the foreign currencies against the euro, there would be approximately an equal and opposite effect on the income from operations before income taxes and other comprehensive income. Only for the sensitivity for a 10 percent weakening of the Japanese yen against the euro, there would be a lower opposite effect than presented in the table shown above of EUR 10 million (2007: EUR 2.9 million higher) on other comprehensive income.
 
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Interest rate sensitivity
The sensitivity analysis below has been determined based on the exposure to interest rates for both derivatives and non-derivative instruments at the balance sheet date and the stipulated change taking place at the beginning of the financial year and held constant throughout the reporting period. The table below shows the effect of a one percent increase in interest rates on the Company’s income from operations before income taxes and other comprehensive income. For a one percent decrease in interest rates there would approximately be an equal and opposite effect on the income from operations before income taxes and other comprehensive income. A positive amount indicates an increase in income from operations before income taxes and other comprehensive income.
 
 
                                 
 
   
    2007
          2008
       
    Impact on
          Impact on
       
    income before
    Impact on
    income before
    Impact on
 
    income taxes
    equity
    income taxes
    equity
 
(in thousands)   EUR     EUR     EUR     EUR  
  
    2,602       (7,578 )     6,018       2,465  
 
 
 
The positive effect on other comprehensive income, within equity, is mainly attributable to the fair value movements of the interest rate swaps (EUR 41.5 million) designated as cash-flow hedges. The effect on the other comprehensive income and income from operations before income taxes has increased, due to the lower notional amounts in the outstanding interest rate swaps in 2008.
 
 
Item 12 Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities
 
 
Not applicable.
 
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Part II
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 13 Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
 
 
None.
 
 
Item 14 Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
 
 
None.
 
 
Item 15 Controls and Procedures
 
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, the management of ASML conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of ASML’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of ASML’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on such evaluation, ASML’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2008, ASML’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by ASML in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act and are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by ASML in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to ASML’s management, including ASML’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
ASML’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act, for ASML. Under the supervision and with the participation of ASML’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, ASML’s management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of ASML’s internal control over financial reporting based upon the framework in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, management has concluded that ASML’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008 at providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
 
Deloitte Accountants B.V., an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on Form 20-F and, as part of the audit, has issued a report, included herein, on the effectiveness of ASML’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the year ended December 31, 2008 there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
Inherent Limitations of Disclosure Controls and Procedures in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
It should be noted that any system of controls, however well-designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system will be met. In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events.
 
 
Item 16
 
 
A. Audit Committee Financial Expert
Our Supervisory Board has determined that effective March 18, 2004, Mr. Fritz Fröhlich, an independent member of the Supervisory Board, qualifies as the Audit Committee Financial Expert.
 
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B. Code of Ethics
ASML has adopted its “Principles of Ethical Business Conduct”, which contain ASML’s ethical principles in relation to various subjects. These Principles have been developed into day-to-day guidelines (the “Internal Guidelines on Ethical Business Conduct”). The Internal Guidelines on Ethical Business Conduct apply to ASML employees worldwide, including ASML’s Supervisory Board and Board of Management. Our Principles of Ethical Business Conduct and Internal Guidelines on Ethical Business Conduct are posted on our website (www.asml.com).
 
 
The Internal Guidelines on Ethical Business Conduct contain, among others, written standards that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
•  honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
•  full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that ASML files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by ASML;
•  compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;
•  prompt internal reporting of violations of the Internal Guidelines on Ethical Business Conduct to an appropriate person or persons identified in these guidelines; and
•  accountability for adherence to the guidelines.
 
 
In 2008, ASML introduced mandatory Code of Conduct training for all its employees.
 
 
C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Deloitte Accountants B.V. has served as our independent registered public accounting firm for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008. The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for professional audit services and other services rendered by Deloitte Accountants B.V. in 2007 and 2008.
 
                 

 
   
Year ended December 31
  2007
    2008
 
(in thousands)   EUR     EUR  
Audit fees
    1,297       1,377  
Audit-related fees
    188       52  
Tax fees
    237       536  
                 
Total
    1,722       1,965  
 
 
 
Audit fees
Audit fees primarily relate to the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements set forth in our Annual Report on Form 20-F, agreed upon procedures work on our quarterly financial results, services related to statutory and regulatory filings of ASML Holding N.V. and its subsidiaries and services in connection with accounting consultations on U.S. GAAP.
 
 
Audit-related fees
Audit-related fees mainly related to various audit services not related to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
 
Tax fees
Tax fees can be detailed as follows:
 
                 

 
   
Year ended December 31
  2007
    2008
 
(in thousands)   EUR     EUR  
Corporate Income Tax compliance services
    146       160  
Tax assistance for expatriate employees
    62       152  
Other tax advisory and compliance
    29       224  
                 
Total
    237       536  
 
 
 
The Audit Committee has approved the external audit plan and related audit fees for the year 2008. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy regarding audit and non-audit services, in consultation with Deloitte Accountants B.V. This policy ensures the independence of our auditors by expressly setting forth all services that the auditors may not perform and reinforcing the principle of independence regardless of the type of work performed. Certain non-audit services, such as certain tax-related services and acquisition advisory services, are permitted. The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services not specifically prohibited under this policy and reviews the annual external audit plan and any subsequent engagements.
 
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D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Not applicable.
 
 
E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
The following table provides a summary of shares repurchased by the Company between 2006 and 2008:
 
                                                 

 
   
                                  Total value of
 
                      Total Number of
          Shares
 
                      Shares
    Maximum
    Purchased as
 
                      Purchased as
    Number of
    Part of Publicly
 
                      Part of Publicly
    Shares That May
    Announced
 
          Total Number of
    Average Price
    Announced
    Yet be Purchased
    Plans or
 
          Shares
    Paid per Share
    Plans or
    Under the
    Programs (in
 
Program   Period     purchased     (EUR)     Programs     Programs     EUR million)  
2006-2007 Share program
    May 17-26, 2006       6,412,920       15.59       6,412,920       19,037,376       100  
2006-2007 Share program
    June 7-30, 2006       13,517,078       15.81       19,929,998       5,520,298       314  
2006-2007 Share program
    July 3-13, 2006       5,520,298       15.62       25,450,296             400  
                                                 
2006-2007 Share program
    October 12, 2006       14,934,843       18.55       14,934,843             277  
                                                 
2006-2007 Share program
    February 14-23, 2007       8,000,000       19.53       8,000,000             156  
                                                 
Capital repayment program 2007
    September - October 2007       55,093,409       18.36       55,093,409             1,012  
                                                 
2007-2008 Share program
    November 14-26, 2007       9,000,000       22.62       9,000,000       5,000,000       204  
2007-2008 Share program
    January 17-22, 2008       5,000,000       17.52       14,000,000             292  
 
 
 
2006-2007 Share program
On March 23, 2006, the General Meeting of Shareholders authorized the repurchase of up to a maximum of 10 percent of our issued shares through September 23, 2007. The number of shares bought back in the initial phase of this Repurchase Program was 25,450,296 shares, representing 100 percent of the announced objective for the initial phase of the Repurchase Program of maximum EUR 400 million and 5.25 percent of outstanding shares. This 2006 Repurchase Program was completed in the third quarter of 2006. Shares repurchased were recorded at cost and classified within shareholders’ equity. ASML cancelled these repurchased shares in 2007.
 
 
In the second phase of the Repurchase Program, ASML repurchased 14,934,843 additional shares pursuant to a call option transaction announced on October 9, 2006. These repurchased shares represented 100% of the announced objective of the second phase of the Repurchase Program. In order to mitigate the dilution due to the issuance of shares upon conversion of its convertible bond due October 2006, these shares were subsequently used to satisfy the conversion rights of holders of ASML’s 5.75 percent Convertible Subordinated Notes. The Company paid an aggregate of EUR 277 million in cash for these shares. This repurchase program was completed in the fourth quarter of 2006. These shares were purchased from a third party who issued the call option.
 
 
In February 2007, ASML repurchased the final phase of shares under the Repurchase Program of the remaining 1.7 percent of outstanding share. , being 8,000,000 shares. The share program was announced on February 14, 2007 and was completed in the first quarter of 2007. Shares repurchased have been used to cover outstanding stock options and to satisfy partly the conversion rights of holders of ASML’s 5.50 percent Convertible Subordinated Notes.
 
 
Capital repayment program 2007
On July 17, 2007 the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders approved three proposals to amend the Company’s Articles of Association. The first amendment involved an increase of share capital by an increase in the nominal value per ordinary share from EUR 0.02 to EUR 2.12 and a corresponding reduction in share premium. The second amendment was a reduction of the nominal value per ordinary share from EUR 2.12 to EUR 0.08 resulting in the payment to shareholders of EUR 2.04 per ordinary share. The third amendment involved a reduction in stock, whereby 9 ordinary shares with a nominal value of EUR 0.08 each were consolidated into 8 ordinary shares with a nominal value of EUR 0.09 each. As a result of these amendments, which in substance constitute a synthetic share buyback, EUR 1,012 million has been repaid to our shareholders and the outstanding number of ordinary shares was reduced by 55,093,409 shares or 11 percent. The capital repayment program was completed in October 2007.
 
 
2007-2008 Share program
On March 28, 2007, the General Meeting of Shareholders authorized the repurchase of up to a maximum of three times 10 percent of our issued shares through September 28, 2008.
 
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In 2007, the aggregate number of shares bought back under the 2007-2008 share program was 9,000,000, representing 64.3 percent of the announced objective of 14,000,000 shares to be repurchased during a period ending on September 28, 2008. The share program was announced on October 17, 2007. Shares repurchased will be used to cover outstanding stock options.
 
 
In January 2008, ASML bought back 5,000,000 shares. The aggregate number of shares bought back up to and including January 2008, represents 100 percent of the announced objective of 14,000,000 shares.
 
 
Authorization of share repurchases
On April 3, 2008, the General Meeting of Shareholders authorized the repurchase of up to a maximum of approximately 27 percent of our issued share capital as of the date of authorization (April 3, 2008) through October 3, 2009. However, implementation of additional share buy back programs will depend on the recovery of the industry and economy.
 
 
G. Corporate governance
See Item 6.B. “Variations from Certain NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules”.
 
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Part III
 
 
 
 
Item 17 Financial Statements
 
 
Not applicable.
 
 
Item 18 Financial Statements
 
 
In response to this item, the Company incorporates herein by reference the consolidated financial statements of the Company set forth on pages F-2 through F-48 hereto.
 
 
Item 19 Exhibits
 
     

 
Exhibit No.   Description
1
  Articles of Association of ASML Holding N.V. (English translation) (Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 11 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A, filed with the Commission on November 2, 2007)
2.1
  Fiscal Agency Agreement between ASML Holding N.V., Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch and Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. relating to the Registrant’s 5.75 percent Notes due 2017
4.1
  Agreement between ASML Lithography B.V. and Carl Zeiss, dated March 17, 2000 (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000) #
4.2
  Agreement between ASML Holding N.V. and Carl Zeiss, dated October 24, 2003 (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2003) #
4.3
  Form of Indemnity Agreement between ASML Holding N.V. and members of its Board of Management (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2003)
4.4
  Form of Indemnity Agreement between ASML Holding N.V. and members of its Supervisory Board (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2003)
4.5
  Form of Employment Agreement for members of the Board of Management (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003)
4.6
  Nikon-ASML Patent Cross License Agreement, dated December 10, 2004, between ASML Holding N.V. and Nikon Corporation (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004) #
4.7
  ASML/Zeiss Sublicense Agreement, 2004, dated December 10, 2004, between Carl Zeiss SMT AG and ASML Holding N.V. (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004) #
4.8
  ASML New Hires and Incentive Stock Option Plan For Management (Version 2003) (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Statement on Form S-8, filed with the Commission on September 2, 2003 (File No. 333-109154))
4.9
  ASML Incentive and New Hire Option Plan for Board of Management (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed with the Commission on June 9, 2004 (File No. 333-116337))
4.10
  ASML Option Plan for Management of ASML Holding Group Companies (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on June 30, 2005 (file No. 333-126340))
4.11
  ASML Stock Option Plan for New Hire Options granted to Members of the Board of Management (Version April 2006) (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on August 7, 2006 (file No. 333-136362))
4.12
  ASML Stock Option Plan for Incentive or New Hire Options granted to Senior and Executive Management (Version April 2006) (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on August 7, 2006 (file No. 333-136362))
4.13
  ASML Stock Option Plan for Incentive or New Hire Options granted to Senior and Executive Management (Version July 2006) (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on August 7, 2006 (file No. 333-136362))
4.14
  ASML Stock Option Plan for Incentive or New Hire Options granted to Senior and Executive Management (Version October 2006) (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on August 7, 2006 (file No. 333-136362))
4.15
  ASML Restricted Stock Plan (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on March 7, 2007 (file No. 333-141125))
4.16
  Brion Technologies, Inc., 2002 Stock Option Plan (as amended on March 25, 2005; March 24, 2006; and November 17, 2006) (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on April 20, 2007 (file No. 333-142254))
4.17
  ASML Stock Option Plan for Incentive or New Hire Options granted to Senior and Executive Management (Version January 2007) (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on July 5, 2007 (file No. 333-144356))
4.18
  ASML Stock Option Plan for Incentive or New Hire Options granted to Senior and Executive Management (Version April 2007) (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on July 5, 2007 (file No. 333-144356))
 
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Exhibit No.   Description
4.19
  ASML Stock Option Plan for Incentive or New Hire Options granted to Senior and Executive Management (Version July 2007) (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on July 5, 2007 (file No. 333-144356))
4.20
  ASML Stock Option Plan for Incentive or New Hire Options granted to Senior and Executive Management (Version October 2007) (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on July 5, 2007 (file No. 333-144356))
4.21
  ASML Performance Stock Plan for Members of the Board of Management (Version 1) (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on July 5, 2007 (file No. 333-144356))
4.22
  ASML Performance Stock Option Plan for Members of the Board of Management (Version 2) (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on July 5, 2007 (file No. 333-144356))
4.23
  ASML Stock Option Plan from Base Salary for Senior & Executive Management (Version October 2007) (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on November 2, 2007 (file No. 333-147128))
4.24
  ASML Performance Stock Option Plan for Senior and Executive Management (version 1) (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on August 29, 2008 (file No. 333-153277))
4.25
  ASML Performance Share Plan for Senior and Executive Management (version 1) (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on August 29, 2008 (file No. 333-153277))
4.26
  ASML Restricted Stock Plan (version 2) (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on August 29, 2008 (file No. 333-153277))
8.1
  List of Material Subsidiaries*
12.1
  Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934*
13.1
  Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
15.1
  Consent of Deloitte Accountants B.V.*
 
Filed at the Commission herewith
Certain information omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission
 
 
ASML Holding N.V. hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
 
 
ASML Holding N.V.
(Registrant)
 
 
/s/  Eric Meurice
Eric Meurice
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Management
Dated: January 23, 2009
 
 
/s/  Peter T.F.M. Wennink
Peter T.F.M. Wennink
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Board of Management
Dated: January 23, 2009
 
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ASML Logo 
 
Financial Statements 


Table of Contents


Table of Contents

 
 
Index to Financial Statements
 
     
F-2
  Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008
F-2
  Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008
F-3
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2007 and 2008
F-4
  Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008
F-5
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008
F-6
  Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
F-47
  Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
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Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
                             

 
   
    Year ended December 31
  20061
    20071,2
    2008
 
Notes   (in thousands, except per share data)   EUR     EUR     EUR  
                             
                             
20
  Net system sales     3,213,736       3,351,281       2,516,762  
    Net service and field option sales     368,040       416,904       436,916  
                             
                             
                             
20
  Total net sales     3,581,776       3,768,185       2,953,678  
    Cost of system sales     1,904,073       1,943,779       1,631,069  
    Cost of service and field option sales