Edgar Filing: ASML HOLDING NV

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)

FORM 20-F

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, 2012

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

E-mail: 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:

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.

407,165,221 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 (x) 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 (x)

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 (x) No ( )

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically

and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive

Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule

405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the

preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes (x) 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 (x) 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 (x) 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 (x)

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 2012

LOGO

Form 20-F


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012

Contents


Part I

1		Item 1 Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors

1		Item 2 Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

1		Item 3 Key Information
		A. Selected Financial Data
		B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
		C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
		D. Risk Factors

11		Item 4 Information on the Company
		A. History and Development of the Company
		B. Business Overview
		C. Organizational Structure
		D. Property, Plant and Equipment

20		Item 4A Unresolved Staff Comments

20		Item 5 Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
		A. Operating Results
		B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
		C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc
		D. Trend Information
		E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
		F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
		G. Safe Harbor

40		Item 6 Directors, Senior Management and Employees
		A. Directors and Senior Management
		B. Compensation
		C. Board Practices
		D. Employees
		E. Share Ownership

48		Item 7 Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
		A. Major Shareholders
		B. Related Party Transactions
		C. Interests of Experts & Counsel

51		Item 8 Financial Information
		A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
		B. Significant Changes

51		Item 9 The Offer and Listing
		A. Offer and Listing Details
		B. Plan of Distribution
		C. Markets
		D. Selling Shareholders
		E. Dilution
		F. Expenses of the Issue

53		Item 10 Additional Information
		A. Share Capital
		B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
		C. Material Contracts
		D. Exchange Controls
		E. Taxation
		F. Dividends and Paying Agents
		G. Statement by Experts
		H. Documents on Display
		I. Subsidiary Information

ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012



63		Item 11 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

65		Item 12 Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities

Part II

67		Item 13 Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

67		Item 14 Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

67		Item 15 Controls and Procedures

67		Item 16
		A. Audit Committee Financial Expert
		B. Code of Ethics
		C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
		D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
		E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
		F. Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant
		G. Corporate Governance
		H. Mine Safety Disclosure

Part III

73		Item 17 Financial Statements

73		Item 18 Financial Statements

73		Item 19 Exhibits

ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012

Part I

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, this Annual Report on Form 20-F (“Annual Report”) 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. They appear in a number of places throughout this report and include, without limitation, expected sales trends, expected shipments of tools, productivity of our tools, purchase commitments, intercircuit (“IC”) unit demand, financial results, statements about our co-investment program including potential funding commitments in connection with that program, statements about our agreement to acquire Cymer Inc. (“Cymer”) including the expected benefits of the acquisition and the development of EUV technology and volume production systems. These statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about the business and future financial results of ASML and readers should not place undue reliance on them.

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 2012		1

Five-Year Financial Summary


Year ended December 31 (in thousands, except per share data)	2012 EUR	2011 EUR	²	2010 EUR	2009 EUR	2008 EUR


Consolidated Statements of Operations data
Net sales	4,731,555	5,651,035		4,507,938	1,596,063	2,953,678
Cost of sales	2,726,298	3,201,645		2,552,768	1,137,671	1,938,164


Gross profit on sales	2,005,257	2,449,390		1,955,170	458,392	1,015,514
Research and development costs	589,182	590,270		523,426	466,761	516,128
Selling, general and administrative costs	259,301	217,904		181,045	154,756	210,172


Income (loss) from operations	1,156,774	1,641,216		1,250,699	(163,125)	289,214
Interest income (expense), net	(6,196)	7,419		(8,176)	(8,425)	20,430


Income (loss) before income taxes	1,150,578	1,648,635		1,242,523	(171,550)	309,644
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes	(4,262)	(181,675)		(220,703)	20,625	12,726


Net income (loss)	1,146,316	1,466,960		1,021,820	(150,925)	322,370

Earnings per share data
Basic net income (loss) per ordinary share	2.70	3.45		2.35	(0.35)	0.75
Diluted net income (loss) per ordinary share¹	2.68	3.42		2.33	(0.35)	0.74

Number of ordinary shares used in computing per share amounts (in thousands)
Basic	424,096	425,618		435,146	432,615	431,620
Diluted¹	426,986	429,053		438,974	432,615	434,205

The calculation of diluted net income per ordinary share assumes the exercise of options issued under ASML stock option plans and the issuance of shares under ASML share plans for periods in which exercises or issuances would have a dilutive effect. The calculation of diluted net income per ordinary share does not assume exercise of such options or issuance of shares when such exercises or issuance would be anti-dilutive.

As of January 1, 2011, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-13, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables” which amended ASC 605-25. The ASU was adopted prospectively and had an insignificant impact on timing and allocation of revenues. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		2

Five-Year Financial Summary


As of December 31		2012			2011	¹		2010		2009		2008
(in thousands, unless otherwise indicated)	EUR			EUR			EUR		EUR		EUR

Consolidated Balance Sheets data
Cash and cash equivalents		1,767,596			2,731,782			1,949,834		1,037,074		1,109,184
Short-term investments		930,005			-			-		-		-
Working capital²		3,745,559			3,473,767			2,787,220		1,704,714		1,964,906
Total assets		7,410,478			7,260,815			6,180,358		3,764,151		3,977,478
Long-term debt³		759,490			736,368			710,060		699,756		685,134
Total shareholders’ equity		4,066,893			3,444,154			2,773,908		1,774,768		1,988,769
Share capital		37,470			38,354			39,293		39,028		38,887

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows data
Depreciation and amortization		186,620			165,185			151,444		141,631		121,423
Impairment		3,234			12,272			8,563		15,896		25,109
Net cash provided by operating activities		703,478			2,070,440			940,048		99,194		282,979
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(171,879)			(300,898)			(128,728)		(104,959)		(259,770)
Purchase of available for sale securities		(1,379,997)			-			-		-		-
Maturity of available for sale securities		449,993			-			-		-		-
Acquisition of subsidiary (net of cash acquired)		(10,292)			-			-		-		-
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,119,833)			(300,898)			(124,903)		(98,082)		(259,805)
Net proceeds from issuance of shares		3,907,666			34,084			31,000		11,073		11,475
Capital repayment		(3,728,324)			-			-		-		-
Purchase of shares in conjunction with conversion rights of bondholders and share-based payments		-			-			-		-		(87,605)
Dividend paid		(188,892)			(172,645)			(86,960)		(86,486)		(107,841)
Deposits from customers		-			(150,000)			150,000		-		-
Purchase of shares		(535,373)			(700,452)			-		-		-
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(545,583)			(991,561)			92,702		(74,874)		(186,471)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(964,186)			781,948			912,760		(72,110)		(162,452)

Ratios and other data
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales		42.4			43.3			43.4		28.7		34.4
Income (loss) from operations as a percentage of net sales		24.4			29.0			27.7		(10.2)		9.8
Net income (loss) as a percentage of net sales		24.2			26.0			22.7		(9.5)		10.9
Shareholders’ equity as a percentage of total assets		54.9			47.4			44.9		47.1		50.0
Income taxes as a percentage of income (loss) before income taxes		0.4			11.0			17.8		12.0		(4.1)
Sales of systems (in units)		170			222			197		70		151
Average selling price of system sales (in millions)		22.4			22.0			19.8		16.8		16.7
Value of systems backlog excluding EUV (in millions)^4,5		1,214.1			1,732.5			3,855.7		2,113.7		857.3
Systems backlog excluding EUV (in units)^4,5		46			71			157		69		41
Average selling price of systems backlog excluding EUV (in millions)^4,5		26.4			24.4			24.6		30.6		20.9
Value of booked systems excluding EUV (in millions)^4,5		3,312.3			2,909.3			6,212.7		2,535.4		1,730.9
Net bookings excluding EUV (in units)^4,5		144			134			285		98		103
Average selling price of booked systems excluding EUV (in millions)^4,5		23.0			21.7			21.8		25.9		16.8
Number of payroll employees in FTEs⁶		8,497			7,955			7,184		6,548		6,930
Number of temporary employees in FTEs⁶		2,139			1,935			2,061		1,137		1,329
Increase (decrease) net sales in percentage		(16.3)			25.4			182.4		(46.0)		(21.6)
Number of ordinary shares issued and outstanding (in thousands)		407,165			413,669			436,593		433,639		432,074
ASML share price in euro⁷		48.00			32.48			28.90		24.00		12.75
Volatility 260 days in percentage of ASML shares⁸		28.64			32.46			30.25		38.45		51.14
Dividend per ordinary share in euro		0.53	⁹		0.46			0.40		0.20		0.20
Dividend per ordinary share in U.S. dollar		0.73	^9,10		0.60			0.54		0.27		0.26

2	Working capital is calculated as the difference between total current assets and total current liabilities.

3	Long-term debt includes the current portion of long-term debt.

4	Our systems backlog and net bookings include only orders for which written authorizations have been accepted and system shipment and revenue recognition dates within the following 12 months have been assigned.

From January 1, 2011, we value our net bookings and systems backlog at system sales value including factory options. Before January 1, 2011, we valued net bookings and systems backlog at full order value (i.e. including factory options, field options and services). The comparative figures for prior periods have not been adjusted because the impact on the comparative figures is insignificant (approximately EUR 20.0 million negative impact on backlog value as of December 31, 2010).

6	Full-time employees (“FTEs”).

7	Closing price at year-end of our ordinary shares listed on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam (“NYSE Euronext Amsterdam”) (source: Bloomberg Finance LP).

8	Volatility represents the variability in our share price on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam as measured over the 260 business days of each year presented (source: Bloomberg Finance LP).

9	Subject to approval of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (“AGM”) to be held on April 24, 2013.

10	The exchange rate used to convert the proposed dividend per ordinary share is the exchange rate at February 1, 2013.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		3

Exchange Rate Information

We publish our consolidated financial statements in euros. In this Annual Report, references to “euro” or “EUR” are to euros, and references to “U.S. dollar” or “USD” are to United States dollars.

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”.

The following are the Noon Buying Rates certified by the Federal Reserve Bank for customs purposes (the “Noon Buying Rate”), expressed in U.S. dollars per euro.


Calendar year	2013 (through February 1, 2013)		2012		2011		2010		2009		2008


Period End		1.37		1.32		1.30		1.33		1.43		1.39
Period Average¹		1.36		1.29		1.40		1.33		1.39		1.47
Period High		1.37		1.35		1.49		1.45		1.51		1.60
Period Low		1.30		1.21		1.29		1.20		1.25		1.24

1	The average of the Noon Buying Rates on the last business day of each month during the period presented.


Months of	February 2013 (through February 1, 2013)		January 2013		December 2012		November 2012		October 2012		September 2012		August 2012


Period High		1.37		1.36		1.33		1.30		1.31		1.31		1.26
Period Low		1.37		1.30		1.29		1.27		1.29		1.26		1.21

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. These risks are not the only ones that we face. Some risks may not yet be known to us and certain risks that we do not currently believe to be material could become material in the future.

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, of which the timing, duration and volatility are difficult to predict. The semiconductor industry has historically been cyclical. Sales of our lithography 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;

•

changes in semiconductor inventory levels;

•

general economic conditions; and

•

access to capital.

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, 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 that we must reach in a year to achieve net income. If sales


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		4

decrease significantly as a result of an industry downturn and we are unable to adjust our costs 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 may 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.

The ongoing financial crises that have affected the international banking system and global financial markets since 2008 have been in many respects unprecedented. Concerns persist over the debt burden of certain Eurozone countries and their ability to meet future obligations, the overall stability of the euro, and the suitability of the euro as a single currency given the diverse economic and political circumstances in individual Eurozone countries. These concerns could lead to the re-introduction of the individual currencies in one or more Eurozone countries, or in more extreme circumstances, the possible dissolution of the euro currency entirely. These potential developments, or market perceptions concerning these and related issues, could adversely affect the value of our euro-denominated assets and obligations. In addition, remaining concerns over the effect of this financial crisis on financial institutions in Europe and globally, and the instability of the financial markets and the global economy in general could result in a number of follow-on effects on our business, including (i) declining business and consumer confidence resulting in reduced, or delayed purchase of our products or shorter-term capital expenditures for our products; insolvency of key suppliers resulting in product delays, (ii) an inability of customers to obtain credit to finance purchases of our products, delayed payments from our customers and/or customer insolvencies and (iii) other adverse effects that we cannot currently anticipate. If global economic and market conditions deteriorate, we are likely to experience 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 successfully 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, damage to customer relationships and we may lose market share.

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 (“R&D”) programs and the 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 production facilities and upgrades of existing facilities, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In particular, we are investing considerable financial and other resources to develop and introduce new products and product enhancements, such as Extreme Ultraviolet lithography (“EUV”) and 450mm wafer technology. If we are unable to successfully develop and introduce these products and technologies, or if our customers do not fully adopt the new technologies, products or product enhancements due to a preference for more established or alternative new technologies and products or for any other reasons, we would not recoup all of our investments in these technologies or products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The success of EUV remains particularly dependent on light source (laser) availability and continuing related technical advances by us and our suppliers, as well as infrastructure developments in masks and photoresists, without which the EUV tools cannot achieve the productivity and yield required to economically justify the higher price of these tools. A delay in the developments of these tools could discourage or result in much slower adoption of this technology. If the technologies that we pursue to assist our customers in producing smaller and more efficient chips, are not as effective


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		5

as those developed by our competitors, or if our customers adopt new technological architectures that are less focused on lithography, this may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We Face Intense Competition

The semiconductor equipment industry is highly competitive. The principal elements of competition in our market are:

•

the technical performance characteristics of a lithography system;

•

the value of ownership of that system based on its purchase price, maintenance costs, productivity, and customer service and support costs;

•

the exchange rate of the euro particularly against the Japanese yen which results in varying prices and margins;

•

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”, Note 10 and Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements.

We compete primarily with Nikon Corporation (“Nikon”) and to a lesser degree with Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (“Canon”). 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, which may cause a decline in our sales or a loss of market acceptance for our lithography systems. In addition, adverse market conditions, industry overcapacity or a 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 which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, to competitors in lithography, we may face competition with respect to alternative technologies for the non-critical layers or for all layers. The failure to keep pace with Moore’s law, which postulates that the number of transistors on a chip doubles approximately every 18 to 24 months at equivalent marginal costs, or in the event the delivery of new technology is delayed, our customers may opt for other solutions in IC manufacturing as a substitute for purchasing our products.

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 lithography 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, used in our high resolution steppers and Step & Scan systems, and the extreme ultraviolet light source, used in our third-generation (NXE:3300B) EUV systems, are available from only a very limited number of suppliers.

Manufacturing some of these components and subassemblies that we use in our manufacturing processes is an extremely complex process and could result in delays by our suppliers. 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.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		6

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. We expect customer concentration to increase because of continuing consolidation in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. Consequently, 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 2012, recognized sales to our largest customer accounted for EUR 1,236.1 million, or 26.1 percent of net sales, compared with EUR 1,311.7 million, or 23.2 percent of net sales, in 2011. 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 our limited number of customers, credit risk on our receivables is concentrated. Our three largest customers (based on net sales) accounted for 58.9 percent of accounts receivable and finance receivables at December 31, 2012, compared with 35.5 percent at December 31, 2011. 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 Systems

We derive most of our revenues from the sale of a relatively small number of lithography equipment systems (170 units in 2012 and 222 units in 2011), with an average selling price (“ASP”) in 2012 of EUR 22.4 million (EUR 24.8 million for new systems and EUR 7.6 million for used systems) and an ASP in 2011 of EUR 22.0 million (EUR 24.5 million for new systems and EUR 3.8 million for used systems). As a result, the timing of recognition of revenue from a small number of system 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:

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a downturn in the highly cyclical semiconductor industry;

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unanticipated shipment rescheduling;

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cancellation or order push-back by customers;

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unexpected manufacturing difficulties; and

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delays in deliveries by suppliers

may cause net sales in a particular reporting period to fall significantly below net sales in previous periods or below our expected net sales, and may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations 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. Moreover, we anticipate that this learning-curve effect will continue to present increasingly difficult challenges with every new generation as a result of increasing technological complexity. In particular, the development of an EUV volume production system is dependent on, and subject to the successful implementation of, technology related to the light source and other technologies specific to EUV. There is a risk that we may not be able to introduce or bring to full-scale production new products as quickly as we anticipate in our product introduction plans, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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 canceling orders for our technology enhancements, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.


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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:

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intellectual property laws may not sufficiently support our proprietary rights or may change in the future in a manner adverse to us;

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patent rights may not be granted or construed as we expect;

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patents will expire which may result in key technology becoming widely available that may hurt our competitive position;

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the steps we take to prevent misappropriation or infringement of our proprietary rights may not be successful; and

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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, 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.

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 also may incur substantial licensing or settlement costs, which although potentially strengthening or expanding our intellectual property rights or limiting our exposure to intellectual property claims of third parties, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

From late 2001 through 2004, ASML was party to a series of civil litigations and administrative proceedings in which Nikon alleged ASML’s infringement of Nikon patents relating to lithography. 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 patent Cross-License agreement related to lithography equipment used to manufacture semiconductor devices (the “Nikon Cross-License Agreement”) and payments to Nikon by ASML and Zeiss. Beginning on January 1, 2015, the parties may bring suit for infringement of patents subject to the Nikon Cross-License Agreement, including any infringement that occurred during the Cross-License Transition Period. Damages related to claims for patent infringement occurring during the Cross-License Transition Period are limited to three percent of the net sales price of products utilizing patents that are valid and enforceable.

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:

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potentially adverse tax consequences;

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unfavorable political or economic environments;

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unexpected legal or regulatory changes; and

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an inability to effectively protect intellectual property.

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, 31.3 percent of our 2012 net sales and 20.3 percent of our 2011 net sales 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 Taiwanese 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.


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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 clean room facilities in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, in Wilton, Connecticut, the United States and in Linkou, Taiwan. These facilities may be 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. In addition, some of our key suppliers, including Zeiss, have a limited number of manufacturing facilities, the disruption of which may significantly and adversely affect our production capacity.

Because of Labor Laws and Practices, Any Workforce Reductions That We May Seek 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 workforce 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 formal procedures that can delay or may result in the modification of our planned workforce reductions. For example, ASML Netherlands B.V., our operating subsidiary in the Netherlands, has a Works Council, as required by Dutch law. If the Works Council renders contrary advice in connection with a proposed workforce 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. Also 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 for our systems predominantly in euros while portions of our net sales and cost of sales are denominated in U.S. dollars and Japanese yen.

In addition, a 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 euros. Accordingly, our results of operations and assets and liabilities are exposed to fluctuations in exchange rates between the euro and various currencies. In general, our customers run their businesses in U.S. dollars and therefore a weakening of the U.S. dollar against the euro might impact the ability of our customers to purchase our products.

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.

See Item 5.A. “Operating Results – Foreign Exchange Management”.

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 management from day-to-day operations of 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.

We have entered into an agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Cymer Inc. (“Cymer”). However the Cymer acquisition is subject to closing conditions, including review by U.S. and international regulators. Although closing is expected to occur within the first half of 2013, there is no assurance that the transaction will be completed within the expected time period or at all. If our acquisition of Cymer is not completed, we may need to develop EUV light source technology ourselves, which could lead to significant costs and delays in the introduction of EUV systems.


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We expect that the acquisition of Cymer will make EUV technology more efficient, prevent additional delays in the introduction of EUV technology, and simplify the supply chain of EUV modules. However, achieving the benefits of the acquisition will depend in part on the integration of our development organization, operations and employees with those of Cymer in a timely and efficient manner, so as to minimize the risk that the transaction will result in a delay in the development of EUV as result of the loss of key employees of Cymer or the diversion of the attention of management. There can be no assurance that Cymer will be successfully integrated in our business or that any of the anticipated benefits will be realized. Even if we are able to successfully integrate Cymer, there is no assurance that this transaction will result in successful development of our EUV technology.

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 depend 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. The EUV and 450mm R&D programs associated with the non-recurring research and development (“NRE”) commitments under the Customer Co-Investment Program will require a significant number of qualified employees. If we are unable to attract sufficient numbers of qualified employees, this could affect our ability to conduct our EUV and 450mm research programs on a timely basis, 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 may result in the incurrence of significant additional costs, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

See Item 4.B. “Business Overview, Customer Co-Investment Program”.

Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares

We May Not Declare Cash Dividends at All or in Any Particular Amounts in Any Given Year

We aim to pay an annual dividend that will be stable or growing over time. Annually, the Board of Management will, upon prior approval from the Supervisory Board, submit a proposal to the AGM with respect to the amount of dividend to be declared with respect to the prior year. The dividend proposal in any given year will be subject to the availability of distributable profits or retained earnings and may be affected by, among other factors, the Board of Management’s views on our potential future liquidity requirements, including for investments in production capacity, the funding of our research and development programs and for acquisition opportunities that may arise from time to time; and by future changes in applicable income tax and corporate laws. Accordingly, the Board of Management may decide to propose not to pay a dividend or pay a lower dividend with respect to any particular year in the future, which could have a negative effect on our share price.

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 Dutch 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 we have granted “Stichting Preferente Aandelen ASML”, a Dutch foundation, an option to acquire, at their nominal value of EUR 0.09 per share, such cumulative preference shares. Exercise of the 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 Item 6.C. “Board Practices” and Item 10.B. “Memorandum and Articles of Association”.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		10

Participating Customers in our Customer Co-Investment Program Together Own a Significant Amount of our Ordinary Shares

In the Customer Co-Investment Program, Intel Corporation (“Intel”), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (“TSMC”) and Samsung Electronics Corporation (“Samsung”) (collectively referred to as “participating customers”) through certain wholly-owned subsidiaries, acquired 15%, 5% and 3%, of our shares, respectively (such percentages give effect to our Synthetic Share Buyback in November 2012).

The interests of the participating customers may not always coincide with the interests of other holders of our shares. The shares acquired by the participating customers are held by Dutch foundations which have issued depositary receipts in respect thereof and the participating customers may only vote those shares in General Meetings in exceptional circumstances, including the authorization of certain significant share issuances and share repurchases, the approval of a significant change in the identity or nature of ASML or its business, any amendment to the Articles of Association that would materially affect the specific voting rights of Intel, TSMC and Samsung or that would cause a significant change in the identity or nature of ASML or its business, the dissolution of ASML, and any merger or demerger which would result in a material change in the identity or nature of ASML or its business. When such exceptional circumstances occur, the participating customers, and in particular Intel, will be able to influence matters requiring approval by the General Meeting and may vote their ordinary shares in a way with which other shareholders may not agree.

The participating customers have also agreed that they will not, without our prior written consent, transfer any of the ordinary shares they acquired in the Customer Co-Investment Program (or depositary receipts representing those shares) until two years and six months after the date they acquired such shares (September 12, 2012 for Intel and Samsung; October 31, 2012 for TSMC). Upon expiry of such period, the ordinary shares held by participating customers are freely transferable, subject to orderly market arrangements and certain other restrictions. Any sales of significant amounts of shares by participating customers in the program could have a negative effect on our share price.

See Item 4.B. “Business Overview, Customer Co-Investment Program”.

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 to ASML Holding N.V. Our registered office is located at De Run 6501, 5504 DR Veldhoven, the Netherlands, telephone number +31 40 268 3000.

From time to time, we pursue acquisitions of businesses that we believe will complement or enhance our core lithography business. These have included amongst others the acquisition of MaskTools division in 1999, Silicon Valley Group (“SVG”) in 2001, Brion Technologies, Inc. (“Brion”) in 2007 and the acquisition of Wijdeven Motion Holding B.V. and Wijdeven Motion B.V. (hereafter jointly referred to as “Wijdeven Motion”) in October 2012.

On October 16, 2012, we entered into a merger agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) with Cymer. Pursuant to the merger agreement, we will acquire each share of Cymer’s common stock for consideration per Cymer share of USD 20.00 in cash and ordinary shares of ASML equal to a fixed ratio of 1.1502 ASML ordinary shares per share of Cymer common stock. The Merger Agreement provides for the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of Cymer by a wholly-owned subsidiary of ASML US Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ASML Holding N.V. Completion of the merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and receipt of approvals under other foreign competition laws. On february 5, 2013, the Cymer Stockholders approved the merger agreement. We expect the transaction to close in the first half of 2013, however there is no assurance that the transaction will be completed within the expected time period or at all. See “Risk Factors, We May Be Unable to Make Desirable Acquisitions or to Integrate Any Businesses We Successfully Acquire”.

See Item 4.B. “Business overview, Research and development” and item 10.C. “Material Contracts, Cymer Merger” for more information on our agreements to acquire Cymer.


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Capital Expenditures and Divestures

Our capital expenditures (purchases of property, plant and equipment) for 2012, 2011 and 2010 amounted to EUR 171.9 million, EUR 300.9 million and EUR 128.7 million, respectively. Our capital expenditures in these years mainly related to (i) the construction of our production facilities in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, for our latest technologies such as EUV and an improved version of the TWINSCAN platform, (ii) information technology investments, and (iii) leasehold improvements to our facilities. Capital expenditures are primarily financed through cash provided by operating activities. Divestures, mainly consisting of machinery and equipment, amounted to EUR 2.3 million for 2012, EUR 3.4 million for 2011 and EUR 6.7 million for 2010. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements.

B. Business Overview

We are one of the world’s leading providers (measured in revenue) of lithography systems for the semiconductor industry, manufacturing complex machines that are critical to the production of integrated circuits or chips. Headquartered in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, ASML is traded on Euronext Amsterdam and NASDAQ under the symbol ASML. ASML has approximately 8,500 employees on payroll (expressed in full time equivalents), serving chip manufacturers in more than 55 locations in 16 countries.

Our business model

Our business model is derived from our “Value of Ownership” concept which is based on the following principles:

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offering ongoing improvements in productivity, imaging and overlay by introducing advanced technology based on modular platforms and advanced applications outside the traditional lithography business, each resulting in lower costs or higher value per product for our customers;

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providing customer services that ensure rapid, efficient installation and superior support and training to optimize manufacturing processes of our customers and improve productivity;

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maintaining appropriate levels of R&D to offer the most advanced technology suitable for high-throughput and low-cost volume production at the earliest possible date enhancing/following Moore’s law;

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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;

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reducing the cycle time between a customer’s order of a system and the use of that system in volume production;

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expanding operational flexibility in research and manufacturing by reinforcing strategic alliances with world class partners, including outsourcing companies;

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improving the reliability and uptime of our installed system base; and

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providing refurbishing services that effectively increase residual value by extending the life of equipment.

Market and Technology Overview

The chip-making business is focused on “shrink” or reducing the size of chip designs. The worldwide electronics and computer industries have experienced significant growth since the commercialization of ICs in the 1960s, 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. 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. Lithography 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 lithography equipment includes Step & Scan systems, which combine stepper technology with a photo-scanning method.

Our systems use a mask to achieve the required chip pattern. 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 photo resist and positioned so that the projected pattern aligns with existing features on the 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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Customer Roadmaps

The four major customer sectors to which we sell our products are micro-processor manufacturers and Foundries (together “Logic”), NAND-Flash memory and DRAM memory chipmakers (together “Memory”).

Supported by their technology roadmaps, IC manufacturers continue to show interest in shrinking resolution as a means to lower manufacturing costs per unit or adding value through more functional integration. We believe that the leading IC manufacturers have plans to migrate their production capabilities in the foreseeable future to resolutions beyond 10 nanometer (“nm”), for which they will require state-of-the-art lithography equipment.

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 continue to 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, Krypton Fluoride (“KrF”) and Argon Fluoride (“ArF”) processing of wafers up to 200 mm in diameter and are employed in volume manufacturing to achieve design nodes requiring resolutions down to 90 nm.

We offer TWINSCAN systems, based on i-line, KrF and ArF processing of wafers up to 300 mm in diameter for manufacturing environments for which design resolutions down to 38 nm are required. The modular upgradeable design philosophy of the PAS 5500 product family has been further refined and applied in the design TWINSCAN. Introduced in 2000, the TWINSCAN platform, is the basis for our current and next-generation Step-and Scan systems, which are capable of extending shrink technology down to the 38 nm node and beyond.

We are one of the world’s leaders (measured in revenues) 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 immersion systems enables our customers to benefit from the process enhancements of immersion while continuing to use familiar and proven metrology technology.

Furthermore, we continuously develop and sell a range of product options and enhancements designed to increase productivity and improve imaging and overlay to optimize value of ownership over the entire life of our systems.

The NXE platform (“NXE”) is based on a new platform utilizing the concepts of the TWINSCAN platform. NXE extends the industry proven modularity of our TWINSCAN NXT system (“NXT”) with new innovative technologies to support EUV imaging in several system critical areas, including the EUV light source, the reflective mirror optical system and all encompassed within a vacuum system. NXE is targeted for production of ICs down to 16 nm and beyond. It is equipped with EUV light source technology, based upon tin plasma, producing light at a wavelength of 13.5 nm. In addition, the NXE system has an innovative optical technology utilizing reflective mirrors rather than the traditional refractive optics with a numerical aperture (“NA”) of 0.25 – 0.33. The light in NXE operates in a vacuum environment, through the entire optical train to wafer level. With the combination of these revolutionary technologies, EUV offers the potential to provide our customers a roadmap for future shrink, and we expect it to become the Lithography technology for the coming years. The success of EUV remains particularly dependent on light source (laser) availability and continuing related technical advances by us and our suppliers, as well as infrastructure developments in masks and photoresists. We are actively working with our suppliers to improve the availability and performance of the light source and to achieve these related technical advances.


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Cymer

We have agreed to acquire Cymer, subject to certain closing conditions. We believe that the acquisition of Cymer, if completed, will help us achieving our strategic objective of delivering an economically viable EUV scanner to semiconductor manufacturers as soon as reasonably possible. We believe that combining Cymer’s expertise in EUV light sources with our expertise in lithography systems design and integration will reduce the risks related to the successful development of and accelerate the introduction of EUV technology. Without the acquisition, we do not believe that Cymer would have sufficient resources to complete the development of the EUV source and as a result, the only way to make the EUV source development successful without additional delay is through the acquisition of Cymer. In addition we believe that the acquisition will allow us to more effectively partition responsibilities between Cymer, its suppliers and us with respect to EUV light source development, reducing risk and increasing development speed.

Completion of the merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and receipt of approvals under other foreign competition laws. On february 5, 2013, the Cymer Stockholders approved the merger agreement. We expect the transaction to close in the first half of 2013, however there is no assurance that the transaction will be completed within the expected time period or at all. See “Risk Factors, We May Be Unable to Make Desirable Acquisitions or to Integrate Any Businesses We Successfully Acquire”.

See also Item 10.C “Material Contracts, Cymer Merger”.

Product Development

In 2003, we introduced the second-generation of TWINSCAN (“XT”) systems with 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 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.

Also in 2006, we started volume production of the TWINSCAN XT:1700i (“XT:1700i”), a 193 nm immersion scanner capable of imaging at the 45 nm node in volume production environments. With a catadioptric lens design, this system featured a NA of 1.2, substantially higher than that of its predecessor, the XT:1400, which had a NA of 0.93, exceeding the non-immersion barrier of 1.0. 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.

The acquisition of Brion in 2007 enabled us to improve the implementation of optical proximity correction (“OPC”) technology and resolution enhancement techniques (“RET”) such as double patterning technology (“DPT”) and Source-Mask Optimization (“SMO”) for masks. These improvements are extending the practical resolution limits of our ArF immersion products. Brion’s computational lithography capabilities have enabled us to offer products that further improve the set-up and control of our lithography systems.

Our current computational lithography portfolio comprises both traditional products (such as RET/OPC/DPT/SMO), as well as solutions that directly interface with the numerous calibration controls in our scanner to optimize performance. Our computational lithography products capture detailed knowledge of scanner design and real performance, which enables them to accurately predict real-life manufacturing performance. These predictions are essential in addressing possible ramp-up and yield problems in advance, potentially avoiding months of delay in time-to-market for our customers. The same prediction capabilities allow our scanners to be optimally calibrated for improved performance in production, given specific chip designs or masks, thereby achieving improved yield.

Once a scanner is optimally set-up for a given application, we also offer scanner control solutions that ensure that the performance of the lithographic process remains optimal and stable throughout production. These scanner control solutions leverage the scanner controls to compensate for potential performance drifts in the scanner itself, as well as in other steps of the device manufacturing process, such as mask deterioration, resist coating fingerprints, etching fingerprints, or chemical-mechanical polishing fingerprints. To provide a total solution for scanner control we offer our own advanced wafer metrology system (“Yieldstar”).

In 2007, we 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 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 worldwide.


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In 2008, we partly discontinued research into optical maskless lithography due to the reduced market opportunity for this technology. Research studies on alternative technologies continue for both mask-based and maskless lithography.

In 2009, we started shipments of XT:1950i systems, the enhanced version of the XT:1900i, with improved throughput of 148 wafers per hour, resolution of 38 nm and a scheduled overlay of 4 nm. This system extended the performance, imaging and overlay specifications of the successful XT:1900i system.

In 2009, we announced Tachyon SMO, a new product that provides the industry with improved manufacturable imaging solutions and is a major advancement of our industry standard SMO technology, which was currently in use by leading logic and memory manufacturers.

In 2009, we introduced FlexRay™ programmable illumination and BaseLiner™ scanner matching technology. Together, they offer scanner stability optimization and stabilize manufacturing process windows.

Also in 2009, we announced an improved version of the TWINSCAN platform called NXT featuring new stage and position control technology, providing improved imaging and overlay performance for immersion. Initial shipments started in the third quarter of 2009 and volume production and shipments commenced in 2010. By the end of 2011, three TWINSCAN NXT systems with throughput of 200 wafers per hour had been shipped to customers.

In 2010, we shipped the first second-generation EUV system called NXE:3100, and five more were shipped in 2011. EUV will provide a large “process window” and much greater shrink compared with current approaches and we expect it to become the lithography solution for the next decade. The NXE:3100 combine a wavelength of 13.5 nm and an optical system with a NA of 0.25 to provide imaging at a resolution of 27 nm.

In 2011, we received 11 orders for the successor to the NXE:3100, the third-generation, high-volume EUV system (“NXE:3300B”). We expect to ship our first NXT:3300B in the second quarter of 2013 and we are targeting for a maximum of 11 potential shipments in 2013. The third-generation EUV systems combine a wavelength of 13.5 mm and an optical system with a numerical aperture of 0.33 to provide imaging at a resolution of 22 nm. The enhancements or extensions of the NXE:3300B enable the improved performance, in the same manner that upgrades to the NXT platform improve its productivity.

Also in 2012, we delivered TWINSCAN NXT:19X0 immersion systems which enable our customers to increase the productivity to more than 200 wafers per hour.

The table below outlines our current product portfolio of Stepper and Scanner Systems by resolution and wavelength.

ASML lithography product portfolio of Step & Scan Systems



System	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:1000	80 nm	248 nm	KrF	0.50-0.93
TWINSCAN XT:1450	65 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:19X0 immersion	38 nm	193 nm	ArF	0.85-1.35

EUV
NXE:3100	27 nm	13.5 nm	EUV	0.25
NXE:3300B	22 nm	13.5 nm	EUV	0.33


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		15

The table above can be further explained by the following notes:

•

This table does not include older (including pre-used) products sold on the PAS 2500, PAS 5000 and PAS 5500 platforms or system enhancements on steppers and scanners and other products (e.g. Yieldstar or computational lithography products).

•

XT is a TWINSCAN system for 200 and 300 mm wafer sizes.

•

Wavelength refers to 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 nm is equal to one billionth of a meter.

•

The X in the product 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 improved imaging and overlay.

•

NXE is a new platform utilizing the concepts of the TWINSCAN platform with complete new technologies in three areas: light source, lens system, and vacuum body.

We have been developing Yieldstar for overlay and critical dimension (CD) measurements by using scatterometry technology. Yieldstar scatterometry provides high accuracy and low cost wafer metrology data that can be used for further improving the NXT/NXE performance.

Sales, Customer Support and Customers

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.

We market and sell our products through our direct sales force.

Our field sales, field engineers and applications, service and technical support specialists are located throughout Asia, the United States and Europe. We have established the ASML Center of Excellence (“ACE”) in Taiwan, Asia. The primary goal of ACE is to serve as a supplementary engine to propel ASML’s long-term growth. ACE features customer support, training, logistics, refurbishment, technology, application development and will also produce all Yieldstar systems. ACE also enables sourcing of selected equipment modules, components and services in the region. Finally, ACE is used as a training center to develop worldwide talent for our workforce.

Customers and Geographic Regions

In 2012, recognized sales to our largest customer accounted for EUR 1,236.1 million, or 26.1 percent of net sales, compared with EUR 1,311.7 million, or 23.2 percent of net sales, in 2011 (2010: EUR 1,270.8 million or 28.2 percent of net sales). We expect that sales to a limited number of customers will continue to account for a high percentage of our net sales in any particular period for the foreseeable future.

In 2012, we derived 70.7 percent of net sales from Asia, 23.9 percent from the United States and 5.4 percent from Europe (2011: Asia: 66.5 percent; US: 24.6 percent and Europe: 8.9 percent; 2010: Asia: 80.5 percent; US: 15.0 percent and Europe: 4.5 percent). See Note 20 to our 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 subassembly and testing of certain modules and the final assembly and fine tuning/testing of a finished system from components and modules that are manufactured to our specifications by third parties and by us. All of our manufacturing activities (subassembly, final assembly and system fine tuning/testing) are performed in clean room facilities in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, in Wilton, Connecticut, the United States and in Linkou, Taiwan. 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.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		16

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 2012, 28.0 percent of our aggregate cost of sales was purchased from Zeiss (2011: 28.7 percent; 2010: 31.4 percent).

Zeiss is highly dependent on its manufacturing and testing facilities in Oberkochen and Wetzlar, Germany, and its suppliers. Moreover, Zeiss has a finite capacity for production of lenses and optical components for our 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. However, in 2012 our production was not limited by the deliveries from Zeiss.

Our relationship with Zeiss is structured as a strategic alliance pursuant to several agreements executed in 1997 and subsequent years. These agreements define a framework in all areas of our business relationship. The partnership between ASML and Zeiss is focused on continuous improvement of operational excellence.

Pursuant to these agreements, ASML and Zeiss have agreed to continue their strategic alliance until either party provides at least three years’ notice of its intent to terminate.

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.

See also 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”.

We have a flexible labor model with a mix of fixed and flexible contracted labor in its manufacturing and R&D facilities in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, and payroll employees compensated under a partly variable salary structure through ASML’s profit sharing plan. 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 technically skilled workforce, we can shorten lead-times: a key driver of added value for customers. Flexibility also reduces our working capital requirements.

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 for us to maintain our competitive position. As a result, we have historically devoted a significant portion of our financial resources to R&D programs, and we expect to continue to allocate significant resources to these efforts. In addition, we have established sophisticated development centers in the Netherlands, the United States and Asia. We are also involved in joint R&D 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.

We apply for subsidy payments in connection with specific development projects under programs sponsored by the Dutch government, the European Union, the United States government and the Taiwanese government. These direct government grants are designed to stimulate high-risk research for the medium and long term future. R&D credits amounted to EUR 17.9 million in 2012, compared with EUR 25.1 million in 2011 and EUR 29.5 million in 2010.

Our innovative immersion lithography systems place a fluid between the wafer and a system’s projection lens to enhance focus and enable circuit line-width to shrink to smaller dimensions than what is possible with “dry” lithography systems. ASML pioneered this “wet” technology and has experienced strong demand for immersion-based systems, which have been adopted by most of our customers.

We have developed different immersion systems for different customer needs. We have optimized our TWINSCAN XT immersion systems for cost-effective imaging down to 38 nm and beyond patterning, and have developed a new dual wafer stage system called TWINSCAN NXT with improved positioning (“overlay”) and imaging. The TWINSCAN NXT platform enables next generations of semiconductors through the so-called double patterning technique which requires two exposures per layer on a chip, enabling precise imaging patterns and lines by using our TWINSCAN NXT planar wafer stage and breakthrough grid metrology.

Our customers optimize their scanner performance by taking into account the entire chip creation process, from design to volume manufacturing – we call this approach “holistic lithography”. We complement our scanner products with a rapidly expanding holistic lithography portfolio of software and metrology products to help our customers optimize


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		17

semiconductor scanner performance, provide a faster start to chip production and achieve better imaging at higher resolutions. In 2012, the use of holistic lithography solutions continued to grow. Semiconductor manufacturers face increasingly smaller margins of error as they shrink chip features. Holistic lithography provides a way to shrink within these margins, offering significant revenue-generating and cost-saving opportunities to our customers.

In 2010, we achieved a major milestone with EUV lithography when we shipped our first second-generation (NXE:3100) system to a customer’s manufacturing site. In 2011 five additional EUV systems were shipped. These second generation-systems (NXE:3100) are used by our customers to develop their EUV manufacturing process before high-volume EUV systems will become available.

In 2011, we received 11 orders for the successor to the NXE:3100, the third-generation, high-volume EUV system. We expect to ship our first NXT:3300B in the second quarter of 2013 and we are targeting for a maximum of 11 potential shipments in 2013. The third-generation EUV systems combine a wavelength of 13.5 mm and an optical system with a numerical aperture of 0.33 to provide imaging at a resolution of 22 nm.

During 2012, our NXE:3100 pre-production systems have exposed a cumulative total of more than 30,000 wafers at customers sites, enabling successful recipe developments for the sub 14 nm Logic and 22 nm DRAM nodes. Imaging of the NXE:3300B continues to improve by showing results down to 14 nm. With respect to the EUV light source power, we have been able to show a stable full-field expose power of up to 40 Watts.

Also in 2012, we delivered TWINSCAN NXT:19X0 immersion systems which enable our customers to increase the productivity to more than 200 wafers per hour.

We invested EUR 589.1 million in R&D in 2012, compared with EUR 590.3 million in 2011 and EUR 523.4 million in 2010. We focused our R&D investments on EUV, immersion, and holistic lithography solutions and we accelerated our 450mm wafer size R&D investments, also as result of the Customer Co-Investment Program, announced July 9, 2012. See item 4.B. “Research and Development, Customer Co-Investment Program”.

Customer Co-Investment Program

On July 9, 2012, we announced our Customer Co-Investment program to accelerate our development of EUV technology beyond the current generation and our development of future 450mm silicon wafer technology. The participating customers agreed to fund EUR 1.38 billion of our research and development projects from 2013 through 2017. This program creates risk sharing with some of our largest customers while the results of ASML’s development programs will be available to every semiconductor manufacturer with no restrictions. The R&D funding program in the Customer Co-Investment Program consist of two funding projects: a 450mm technology development project and a next-generation EUV development project. ASML has entered into Non Recurring Engineering funding agreements with the participating customers.

In addition, the participating customers also agreed to invest in ordinary shares equal to an aggregate for all participating customers of 23% of ASML’s issued share capital (calculated giving effect to our Synthetic Share Buyback in November 2012) with the proceeds of the share issuance, EUR 3.85 billion, being returned to the holders of ordinary shares (excluding the participating customers) through a Synthetic Share Buyback, executed in November 2012.

See Item 10.C “Material Contracts, Customer Co-Investment Program”.

Cymer

We have agreed to acquire Cymer, subject to certain closing conditions. We believe that the acquisition of Cymer, if completed, will help us achieving our strategic objective of delivering an economically viable EUV scanner to semiconductor manufacturers as soon as reasonably possible. We believe that combining Cymer’s expertise in EUV light sources with our expertise in lithography systems design and integration will reduce the risks related to the successful development of and accelerate the introduction of, EUV technology. Without the acquisition, we do not believe that Cymer would have sufficient resources to complete the development of the EUV source and as a result, the only way to make the EUV source development successful without additional delay is through the acquisition of Cymer. In addition we believe that the acquisition will allow us to more effectively partition responsibilities between Cymer, its suppliers and us with respect to EUV light source development, reducing risk and increasing development speed.

Completion of the merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and receipt of approvals under other foreign competition laws. On February 5, 2013, the Cymer Stockholders approved the merger agreement. We expect the transaction to close in the first half of 2013, however there is no assurance that the transaction will be completed within the expected time


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		18

period or at all. See “Risk Factors, We May Be Unable to Make Desirable Acquisitions or to Integrate Any Businesses We Successfully Acquire”.

See also Item 10.C “Material Contracts, Cymer Merger”.

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, alternatively, to have license rights in place with respect to such technology.

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 ICs. There was no transfer of technology and no payment was made among the parties.

From late 2001 through 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 lithography. 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 and a patent cross-license agreement related to lithography equipment used to manufacture semiconductor devices (the “Nikon Cross-License Agreement”) 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. The license period for certain patents subject to the Nikon Cross-License Agreement, which were not perpetually licensed, ended on December 31, 2009. Pursuant to the terms of the Nikon Cross-License Agreement, the parties have agreed, from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014 (the “Cross-License Transition Period”), not to bring suit for claims related to infringement of those patents or for claims related to infringement of patents issued during the Cross-License Transition Period. However, under the terms of the Cross-License Agreement, beginning on January 1, 2015, the parties may bring suit for infringement of patents subject to the Nikon Cross-License Agreement, including any infringement that occurred during the Cross-License Transition Period. Damages related to claims for patent infringement occurring during the Cross-License Transition Period are limited to three percent of the net sales price of products utilizing patents that are valid and enforceable.

See Item 3.D. “Risk Factors, Failure to Adequately Protect the Intellectual Property Rights Upon Which We Depend Could Harm Our Business” and “Risk Factors, Defending Against Intellectual Property Claims Brought by Others Could Harm Our Business.”

Competition

The semiconductor equipment industry is highly competitive. The principal elements of competition in our market are:

•

the technical performance characteristics of a lithography system;

•

the value of ownership of that system based on its purchase price, maintenance costs, productivity, and customer service and support costs;

•

the exchange rate of the euro particularly against the Japanese yen which results in varying prices and margins;

•

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.

We believe that the market segment for lithography 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.

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, safety 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 financial condition and our results of operations. 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.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		19

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 (direct or indirect) subsidiary, are ASML Netherlands B.V., ASML Systems B.V., ASML Hong Kong Limited and ASML US Inc.

See Exhibit 8.1 for a list of our main subsidiaries.

D. Property, Plant and Equipment

We lease a number of our facilities under operating leases. We also own a number of buildings, mainly consisting of production facilities in the Netherlands, United States and Taiwan. The book value of land, buildings and constructions owned amounted to EUR 659.8 million as of December 31, 2012 compared with EUR 586.3 million as of December 31, 2011. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements.

Subject to market conditions, we expect that our capital expenditures (purchases of property, plant and equipment) in 2013 will be approximately EUR 369.8 million (2012: EUR 171.9 million). These expenditures will mainly consist of investments used for the finalization of capacity expansion of EUV production facilities, which we plan to finalize by the end of 2014, and expansion of our facilities to support our 450mm activities. We expect to finance these capital expenditures through cash generated by operations and cash and cash equivalents.

Facilities in Europe

Our headquarters, main manufacturing facilities, applications laboratory and R&D facilities are located at a single site in Veldhoven, the Netherlands. This state-of-the-art facility includes 63 thousand square meter of office space and 42 thousand square meters of buildings used for manufacturing and R&D activities and 21 thousand square meters of warehouses. 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, the Netherlands, are financed through a special purpose vehicle that is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). We also lease several sales and service facilities at locations across Europe.

Facilities in the United States

Our United States head office is located in a 9 thousand square meter office building in Tempe, Arizona. We maintain lithography research, development and manufacturing operations in a 27 thousand square meter facility in Wilton, Connecticut, and a 5 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, The People’s Republic of China. In addition, our ACE facility in Linkou, Taiwan comprises clean room (approximately 3 thousand square meters) and office space (approximately 6 thousand square meters). The ACE facility supports customers in the Asia-Pacific region by focusing on technology and applications development, equipment support, training, logistics and refurbishment. ACE also enables local sourcing of equipment, components, services and will produce all Yieldstar systems. Our facility in Korea comprises a clean room (approximately 700 square meters) and office space (approximately 6 thousand square meters). The purpose of this facility is to support a closer working relationship with our customers in Korea. We also lease and own several sales, service and training facilities at locations across Asia.

Item 4A Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

Item 5 Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

Executive Summary

Introduction

ASML is one of the world’s leading providers (measured in revenue) of lithography systems for the semiconductor industry, manufacturing complex machines that are critical to the production of ICs or chips. Headquartered in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, ASML is traded on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam and NASDAQ under the symbol ASML. As of December 31, 2012, we employed 8,497 payroll employees (2011: 7,955) and 2,139 temporary employees (2011: 1,935), measured in full-time equivalents. We provide services to our customers to optimize their manufacturing processes in more than 55 locations in 16 countries.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		20

In 2012, we generated net sales of EUR 4,731.5 million and income from operations of EUR 1,156.8 million, or 24.4 percent of net sales. Net income in 2012 amounted to EUR 1,146.3 million, or 24.2 percent of net sales, representing basic net income per ordinary share of EUR 2.70.

In the executive summary below we provide an update of the semiconductor equipment industry, followed by a discussion of our business strategy and our key performance indicators. All information disclosed in this section is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Semiconductor equipment industry

The chip-making business is focused on “shrink”, or reducing the size of 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 and Nikon, and (to a lesser degree) Canon. In 2012, ASML was one of the world’s leading providers of lithography equipment (measured in revenues).

Total lithography equipment shipped by the industry as a whole in the six years ended December 31, 2012, is set out in the following table:


Year ended December 31	2012		2011		2010		2009		2008		2007


Total units shipped¹		270		376		304		128		344		604
Total value (in millions USD)¹		6,451		8,186		6,416		2,485		5,388		7,144

1	Historical data and full-year 2012 estimates as reported by Gartner Dataquest in its fourth quarter 2012 report.

For the year 2012, the latest indications of independent market analysts show a decrease in total lithography equipment shipped to the market by the industry of 28.2 percent in unit volume and 21.2 percent in value. Our net sales decreased by 16.3 percent compared to 2011. Despite lower net sales during 2012, it was our second best year ever based on total net sales and profitability. During 2012, the majority of the system sales was generated from Logic.

Business strategy

The long-term growth of the semiconductor industry is the result of the principle that the power, cost and time required for every computation on a digital electronic device can be reduced by shrinking the size of transistors on chips. In 2012, chip makers routinely produced electronic chip features with geometries of 32 nanometers, compared to typical geometries of 10,000 nanometers in the early 1970s, resulting in an increase in the number of transistors on leading chips from several thousand to over two billion. This trend was first observed by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore in 1965, and is referred to as ‘Moore’s Law’. Moore’s Law has resulted in our information society with fast wired and wireless communications – built on affordable chips. Moore’s Law also has an impact on the energy usage of chips. Smaller geometries allow for much lower electrical currents to operate the chip. This has helped to contain the world’s energy consumption despite the proliferation of affordable computing. Using advanced semiconductors in industrial and consumer products often provides economic benefits, user-friendliness and increased safety. The technology revolution powered by semiconductors has brought many advantages: not only can information be more widely disseminated than ever before, affordable chip intelligence has also enabled industry and service sectors to create and distribute products and ideas at lightning speed.

Smarter, smaller and more energy-efficient chips are made with increasingly sophisticated lithography systems produced by ASML. Lithography systems are crucial to the roadmaps of chipmakers to make smaller transistors on chips. Our business strategy is based on maintaining and further developing our position as a technology leader in semiconductor lithography. When executed, this strategy results in the delivery of lithography systems which enable customers to


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		21

produce highest performance and lowest cost chips. The superior value of ownership offered to customers as a result of our strategy also maximizes our own financial performance, aligning the interests of ASML and our customers.

Sustainability over the long term is essential in the relationship between ASML and its customers, because customers rely on us for their long-term roadmaps towards smarter and more energy efficient microchips.

Sustainability Strategy

Our customers want chip-making machines that produce more chips faster, using less energy and fewer natural resources, at a similar cost. They also want us, as their supplier, to operate according to the highest environmental, social and governance standards. Our sustainability strategy thus goes hand in hand with our business strategy, aimed at maintaining and further developing our position as a technology leader in the semiconductor industry.

ASML’s sustainability strategy focuses on four domains: sustainable operations, sustainable products, sustainable value chain and sustainable culture:

•

Focusing on sustainable operations means we seek to reduce the environmental impact of both our manufacturing process and our research and development activities.

•

Providing sustainable product means we continuously strive to make our chip-making machines more efficient, enabling our customers to reduce their energy and natural resources consumption per chip produced.

•

Focusing on a sustainable value chain signifies our ambition to stimulate our suppliers to meet increasingly high sustainability standards and to enable our customers to positively influence their impact on environment and society.

•

Focusing on a sustainable culture means we seek to provide a working environment that inspires our highly-skilled workforce and respects their cultural and individual differences. It also means we seek to make a positive contribution to the well-being of the communities in which we operate.

Sustainability Governance

In 2009, ASML decided to significantly strengthen its commitment in the area of sustainability by setting a number of stringent objectives to be reached by 2015. It is the mission of the Sustainability Board to monitor the realization of these objectives. The mandate given by the Board of Management to the Sustainability Board is to review and make recommendations on our sustainability management system and policies, authorize or recommend plans to the Board of Management, provide guidance to management on objectives and targets, monitor and provide guidance on sustainability performance and targets, monitor and oversee sustainability risk management review and monitor stakeholder relations, and review and make recommendations on sustainability impacts of major business decisions. The Sustainability Board also determines the scope, provides input, and recommends to the Board of Management adoption of the Sustainability Report.

In 2010, the Sustainability Board established the Corporate Sustainability department to coordinate the implementation of the overall sustainability strategy and policies on a day-to-day basis.

In 2011, senior management decided to expand the Sustainability Governance structure by nominating a ‘domain owner’ for each of the four strategic focus areas. Domain owners are responsible for coordinating the implementation of the sustainability goals in their respective domains.

In 2012, as result of the nomination of domain owners in 2011, the implementation of our sustainability strategy accelerated, leading to achievement of several of our targets earlier than anticipated.

Customer focus

Ensuring customers are served with the right products at the right time, supported by excellent service, is key to our commitment to a long-term relationship. With high-valued products, customers expect high-quality support customized to their specific requirements. This support includes service engineers, equipped with the latest technical information, to ensure the highest levels of system performance, as well as applications specialists who support optimal system processing and new product implementation.

ASML aims to deliver lithography systems with the lowest cost of ownership and highest earnings.

Customer satisfaction is a critical objective of ASML. We have account teams that are specifically dedicated to customer satisfaction throughout the lifecycle of our products.

Through 2012, all of the top 10 chip makers worldwide, in terms of semiconductor capital expenditure, were our customers. We also have a significant share of customers outside the top 10. We strive for continued business growth


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		22

with all our customers. We expect customer concentration to increase because of continuing consolidation in the semiconductor manufacturing industry.

In 2012, our satisfaction ratings by customers surpassed every lithography competitor for the tenth successive year, according to VLSI Research, an independent industry research firm that surveyed customers representing 95.0 percent of the world’s total semiconductor market.

Technology leadership

Our customers need lithography scanners that continuously improve performance in three areas: resolution, speed and precision. The image of the electronic chip circuit must be extremely small (currently the smallest features have a size of less than 30 nm), the system must be able to image billions of these features every second and it must be able to do that with extreme precision of just a few nm (one nm is four silicon atoms). To realize and improve this system performance for our customers, ASML needs to deliver the right technology at the right time to meet long-term roadmaps which often extend many years into the future. Therefore, ASML is committed to significant long-term investments in R&D that are not significantly impacted by short-term cyclical swings. In 2012, our R&D investments (net of credits) amounted to EUR 589.1 million (2011: EUR 590.3 million; 2010: EUR 523.4 million). A significant part of this budget was used for R&D jointly developed with our suppliers and technology partners.

Our lithography scanners are based on our dual-stage wafer imaging platform – the TWINSCAN system – which we introduced in 2000 and 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 productivity, enabling reduced cost-per-exposure per wafer. Dual-stage lithography also supports the required accuracy to position electronic features on the wafer, as it allows for more time to measure the wafer prior to exposure. We are the only lithography manufacturer that enables volume production based on dual-stage systems.

In order to meet the resolution, speed and accuracy demands of our customers, we have focused our R&D investments on three core programs: EUV, Immersion and holistic lithography solutions.

In 2011, we shipped five second-generation (NXE:3100) EUV systems, in addition to one shipped in 2010. Our customers are using the NXE:3100 system to develop their EUV manufacturing processes before high-volume EUV systems will become available. As of December 31, 2011, we had received 11 orders for the successor to the NXE:3100, the third-generation (NXE:3300B) high-volume EUV systems. The NXE (EUV) system, utilizing an evolved TWINSCAN platform, enables our customers to extend their roadmap towards smaller chip features. EUV permits chip makers to expose a critical layer in just one single step – as opposed to double patterning which requires multiple steps. EUV also has a roadmap from the initial 27 nm resolution down to 16 nm and beyond. We have published a roadmap to develop a range of EUV models, offering the greatest extendibility at the lowest cost of ownership for the future of lithography.

During 2012, our NXE:3100 pre-production systems have exposed a cumulative total of more than 30,000 wafers at customers sites, enabling successful recipe developments for the sub 14-nm Logic and 22 nm DRAM nodes. Imaging of the NXE:3300B continues to improve by showing results down to 14 nm. With respect to the EUV light source power, we have been able to show a stable full-field expose power of up to 40 Watts.

On October 16, 2012, we agreed to acquire Cymer, subject to certain closing conditions. The acquisition of Cymer, if completed, will help us to achieving our strategic objective of delivering an economically viable EUV scanner to semiconductor manufacturers as soon as reasonably possible. We believe that combining Cymer’s expertise in EUV light sources with our expertise in lithography systems design and integration will reduce the risks related to the successful development of, and accelerate the introduction of, EUV technology.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		23

We complement our scanner products with a rapidly expanding holistic lithography portfolio of software and metrology products to help our customers optimize semiconductor scanner performance, provide a faster start to chip production and achieve better imaging at higher resolutions. In 2012 the use of holistic lithography solutions continued to grow. Semiconductor manufacturers face increasingly smaller margins of error as they shrink chip features. Holistic lithography provides a way to shrink within these margins, offering significant revenue-generating and cost-saving opportunities to our customers.

Operational excellence

We strive to sustain our business success based on our technological leadership by continuing to execute our fundamental operating strategy, including reducing lead-times while improving our cost competitiveness. Lead-time is the time from a customer’s order to a tool delivery.

Our business strategy includes outsourcing the manufacturing of 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.

In view of the economic volatility of the semiconductor industry, we continue to strive improving efficiencies in our operations: addressing our cost structure and strengthening our capability to generate cash.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		24

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 (in millions)	2012 EUR	%²	2011¹ EUR	%²	2010 EUR	%²


Sales
Net sales	4,731.5		5,651.0		4,507.9
Increase (decrease) in net sales (%)	(16.3)		25.4		182.4
Net system sales	3,801.6		4,883.9		3,894.7
Net service and field option sales	929.9		767.1		613.2
Sales of systems (in units)	170		222		197
Average selling price of total system sales	22.4		22.0		19.8
Average selling price of new system sales	24.8		24.5		24.1
Average selling price of used system sales	7.6		3.8		4.4
Value of systems backlog excluding EUV^3,4	1,214.1		1,732.5		3,855.7
Systems backlog excluding EUV (in units)^3,4	46		71		157
Average selling price of systems backlog excluding EUV^3,4	26.4		24.4		24.6
Average selling price of systems backlog excluding EUV (New)^3,4	29.8		27.9		27.7
Average selling price of systems backlog excluding EUV (Used)^3,4	4.0		3.0		5.1
Immersion systems recognized (in units)⁵	72		101		95
NXE systems recognized (in units)⁶	1		3		-
Profitability
Gross profit	2,005.2	42.4	2,449.4	43.3	1,955.2	43.4
Income from operations	1,156.8	24.4	1,641.2	29.0	1,250.7	27.7
Net income	1,146.3	24.2	1,467.0	26.0	1,021.8	22.7
Liquidity
Cash and cash equivalents	1,767.6		2,731.8		1,949.8
Short-term investments	930.0		-		-
Operating cash flow	703.5		2,070.4		940.0

As of January 1, 2011, ASML adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-13, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables” which amended ASC 605-25. The ASU was adopted prospectively, and had an insignificant impact on timing and allocation of revenues. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

2	As a percentage of net sales.

3	Our systems backlog and net bookings include only orders for which written authorizations have been accepted and system shipment and revenue recognition dates within the following 12 months have been assigned.

5	Included in the total number of immersion system recognized in 2012 are 68 of our most advanced immersion technology NXT:19X0i systems (2011: 78 and 2010: 34).

6	Through December 31, 2012 a total of six NXE:3100 systems had been shipped. Three of these systems were recognized in net system sales in 2011, one was recognized in 2012, one was shipped under the condition of an operating lease contract and one is shipped to a research institute.

Sales

For the longer term, and based on industry analysts IC unit growth forecasts, we expect our sales level to grow. Our sales levels depend on multiple growth drivers: macro-economic developments, technological developments, market development, market share development and a broadening of our product and services scope.

Net sales decreased by EUR 919.5 million, or 16.3 percent, to EUR 4,731.5 million in 2012 from EUR 5,651.0 million in 2011 (2010: EUR 4,507.9 million). The decrease in net sales mainly resulted from a decrease in net system sales of EUR 1,082.3 million, or 22.2 percent, to EUR 3,801.6 million in 2012 from EUR 4,883.9 million in 2011 (2010: EUR 3,894.7 million), partly offset by an increase in net service and field option sales of EUR 162.8 million or 21.2 percent to EUR 929.9 million in 2012 from EUR 767.1 million in 2011 (2010: EUR 613.2 million), mainly due the further expansion of Holistic Lithography, integrated metrology and feedback loops. The number of total systems sold decreased by 23.4 percent to 170 systems in 2012 from 222 systems in 2011 (2010:197), mainly caused by decreased demand in Memory, as its major driver, the PC business shrunk compared to 2011. During 2012, the majority of the system sales were generated from Logic.

The ASP of our systems in 2012 EUR 22.4 million is in line with 2011 EUR 22.0 million (2010: EUR 19.8 million).

We started 2012 with a systems backlog excluding EUV of 71 systems. In 2012, we booked orders for 148 systems, received order cancellations for 4 systems and recognized sales for 169 systems. This resulted in a systems backlog of 46 as of December 31, 2012.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		25

As of December 31, 2012, our systems backlog excluding EUV was valued at EUR 1,214.1 million and includes 46 systems with an ASP of EUR 26.4 million. As of December 31, 2011, the systems backlog was valued at EUR 1,732.5 million and included 71 systems with an ASP of EUR 24.4 million.

Profitability

Our general strategy is to achieve annual income from operations to net sales of 13.0 to 18.0 percent at the trough of the industry’s business cycle and 25.0 to 30.0 percent at the peak. However in exceptional circumstances, as evidenced by the financial and economic crisis in 2009, we could see periods with income from operations that are substantially below our minimum target level.

Income from operations decreased to EUR 1,156.8 million, or 24.4 percent of net sales, in 2012 from an income from operations of EUR 1,641.2 million, or 29.0 percent of net sales, in 2011 (2010: EUR 1,250.7 million, or 27.7 percent of net sales). The EUR 484.4 million decrease was mainly driven by the decrease of gross profit on the system sales of EUR 487.3 million.

Gross profit on sales decreased to EUR 2,005.2 million or 42.4 percent of net sales in 2012 from EUR 2,449.4 million or 43.3 percent of net sales in 2011 (2010: EUR 1,955.2 million or 43.4 percent of net sales). Lower gross profit was mainly driven by the decreased number of total systems sold. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales in 2012 decreased compared to 2011, mainly due to increased infrastructure and manufacturing cost, driven primarily by EUV production, lower utilization of our production capacity and higher cost incurred in relation to excess and obsolete inventory as result of technological developments and design changes.

R&D costs (net of credits) in 2012 (EUR 589.1 million) are in line with 2011 (EUR 590.3 million). R&D spending remained stable and mainly related to our strategic programs, in particular EUV, immersion and holistic lithography.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) costs increased by EUR 41.4 million, or 19.0 percent, to EUR 259.3 million in 2012, or 5.5 percent of net sales, from EUR 217.9 million in 2011, or 3.9 percent of net sales. The increase was mainly driven by transaction costs incurred of EUR 26.1 million related to the Customer Co-Investment Program and transaction costs related to the proposed acquisition of Cymer and costs to implement and support IT solutions of EUR 10.2 million.

The effective tax rate was 0.4 percent of income before income taxes in 2012, compared with 11.0 percent of income before income taxes in 2011. The change in the effective tax rate is mainly due to a release of our liability for unrecognized tax benefits of EUR 92.5 million after successful conclusion of tax audits in different jurisdictions which almost completely offsets the tax expenses, resulting in an income tax expense of EUR 4.3 million (2011: EUR 181.7 million).

Net income in 2012 amounted to EUR 1,146.3 million, or 24.2 percent of net sales, representing EUR 2.70 basic net income per ordinary share, compared with net income in 2011 of EUR 1,467.0 million, or 26.0 percent of net sales, representing EUR 3.45 basic net income per ordinary share (2010: EUR 1,021.8 million or 22.7 percent of net sales, representing EUR 2.35 basic net income per ordinary share).

Liquidity

ASML seeks to ensure that cash generated from operations, together with the liquidity provided by existing cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments and its borrowing capability, will be sufficient to satisfy its liquidity requirements throughout every phase of the industry cycles.

Our cash and cash equivalents decreased to EUR 1,767.6 million as of December 31, 2012 from EUR 2,731.8 million as of December 31, 2011 and our short-term investments increased to EUR 930.0 million (2011: nil).

We generated net cash from operating activities of EUR 703.5 million in 2012. We used EUR 1,119.8 million for investing activities in 2012 primarily relating to our purchased short-term investments in Dutch Treasury Certificates and our deposits with the Dutch government. Net cash used in financing activities was EUR 545.6 million in 2012. In 2012 net cash used in financing activities includes the net cash outflow of EUR 3,728.3 million for the Synthetic Share Buyback, EUR 535.4 million for our regular share buyback programs and EUR 188.9 million for our annual dividend payment, to a large extent offset by the proceeds of EUR 3,853.9 million from issuance of shares under the Customer Co-Investment Program and EUR 53.8 million net proceeds from issuance of shares in connection with the exercise and purchase of employee stock options.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		26

The difference of EUR 125.6 million between the capital repayment of EUR 3,728.3 million and the net proceeds from issuance of shares EUR 3,853.9 million relates to the capital repayment on ASML’s treasury shares which was also part of the Synthetic Share Buyback in November 2012.

ASML’s available credit facility amounts to EUR 500.0 million. No amounts were drawn or outstanding under this facility during 2012 (2011: nil).

A. Operating Results

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 conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities on the balance sheet dates, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We evaluate our estimates continually and we base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates if the 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. This policy generally results in revenue recognition from the sale of a system upon delivery. 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 our 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, if any. A system is shipped, and revenue is recognized, only after all contractual specifications are met and customer sign-off is received or waived. In case not all specifications are met and the remaining performance obligation is not essential to the functionality of the system but is substantive rather than inconsequential or perfunctory, a portion of the sales price is deferred. Although each system’s performance is re-tested upon installation at the customer’s site, we have never failed to successfully complete installation of a system at a customer’s premises.

In connection with the introduction of new technology, such as our second-generation EUV systems (NXE:3100), we initially defer revenue recognition until completion of installation and acceptance of the new technology based system at customer premises. As our systems are based largely on two product platforms that permit incremental, modular upgrades, the introduction of genuinely “new” technology occurs infrequently, and in the past 15 years, has occurred on only two occasions: 2010 (EUV) and 1999 (TWINSCAN).

We have no significant repurchase commitments in our general sales terms and conditions. From time to time the we repurchase systems that we have manufactured and sold and, following refurbishment, resell 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. We consider reasonable offers from any vendor, including customers, to repurchase used systems so that we can refurbish, resell, and install these systems as part of our 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, 2012 and 2011, ASML had no repurchase commitments.

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 certain 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 as the agreements involve the delivery of multiple products. 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. The amount allocable to


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		27

a delivered item is limited to the amount that is not contingent upon the delivery of additional items or meeting other specified performance conditions (the non-contingent amount).

Revenues are recognized excluding the taxes levied on revenues (net basis).

In the event that an arrangement with a customer becomes onerous, we recognize a liability for the amount that the cost of settling the arrangement exceeds the amount of the contract price. When we satisfy the onerous arrangement, we derecognize the related liability.

Multiple element arrangements

The main portion of our revenue is derived from contractual arrangements with our customers that have multiple deliverables, which mainly include the sale of our systems, installation and training services and prepaid extended and enhanced (optic) warranty contracts. As of January 1, 2011, we have adopted ASU 2009-13, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables” which amended the guidance on arrangements with multiple deliverables in ASC 605-25. The amended standard changes the requirements for establishing separate units of accounting in a multiple element arrangement and requires the allocation of arrangement consideration to each deliverable to be based on the relative selling price. We apply this accounting guidance prospectively to arrangements originating or materially modified on or after January 1, 2011. The implementation resulted in additional qualitative disclosures that are included below, but did not result in additional units of accounting and only had an insignificant impact on timing and allocation of revenues.

Each element in the arrangement is accounted for as a separate unit of accounting provided the following criteria are met: the delivered products or services have value to the customer on a standalone basis; and for an arrangement that includes a general right of return relative to the delivered products or services, delivery or performance of the undelivered product or service is considered probable and is substantially controlled by us. We consider a deliverable to have stand-alone value if the product or service is sold separately by us or another vendor or could be resold by the customer. Further, our revenue arrangements do not include a general right of return relative to the delivered products. Where the aforementioned criteria for a separate unit of accounting are not met, the deliverable is combined with the undelivered element(s) and treated as a single unit of accounting for the purposes of allocation of the arrangement consideration and revenue recognition.

The hierarchy of evidence to determine a selling price in ASC 605-25 is as follows:

•

Vendor-Specific Objective Evidence (“VSOE”) – the price at which we sell the element in a separate stand-alone transaction;

•

Third-Party Evidence (“TPE”) – evidence from us or other companies of the value of a largely interchangeable element in a transaction;

•

Best Estimate of Selling Price (“BESP”) – our best estimate of the selling price of an element in the transaction.

To determine the selling price in multiple elements arrangements, we establish VSOE of the selling price for installation and training services and prepaid extended and enhanced (optic) warranty contracts. VSOE is determined based on the prices that we charge for installation and comparable services (such as relocating a system to another customer site) and prepaid extended and enhanced (optic) warranty contracts 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 extended and enhanced (optic) warranty contracts is recognized over the term of the contract. When we are unable to establish the selling price using VSOE or TPE, we use BESP. The objective of using estimated selling price-based methodology is to determine the price at which we would transact a sale if the product or service were sold on a stand-alone basis. Accordingly, we determine BESP considering several internal and external factors including, but not limited to, pricing practices, gross margin objectives, market conditions, competitive environment, internal costs and geographies. We review selling prices every reporting period and maintain internal controls over the establishment and updates of these estimates.

For arrangements entered into through December 31, 2010, we primarily recognized revenue based on the previous guidance of ASC 605-25. The revenue relating to the installation and training services and prepaid extended and enhanced (optic) warranty contracts was deferred at their fair value until delivery of these elements. When we were not able to determine the fair value for the system, but were able to determine the fair value for all other elements in the arrangement, revenue was allocated as the difference between the total arrangement consideration less the aggregate fair value of all other elements in the arrangement, and no revenue was recognized until all elements without fair value had been delivered.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		28

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 costs. On a semi-annual basis, we assess, and update if necessary, our accounting estimates used to calculate the standard warranty reserve based on the latest actual historical warranty costs and expected future warranty costs. The actual product performance and/or field expense profiles may differ, and in those cases we adjust our warranty reserves accordingly. Future warranty costs may exceed our estimates, which could lead to an increase in our cost of sales. In 2012, 2011 and 2010, any reassessments of the warranty reserve, and resulting change in accounting estimate, did not have a material effect on our consolidated statements of operations and per share amounts.

Evaluation of long-lived assets for impairment

Long-lived assets include goodwill, other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment.

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually on September 30 and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the goodwill may not be recoverable. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, legal factors, operating performance indicators, competition, or sale or disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit. The test is based on a two-step approach for each reporting unit (being an operating segment or one level below an operating segment) in which goodwill has been recorded. First, recoverability is tested by comparing the carrying amount of the reporting unit including goodwill with the fair value of the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit is higher than the fair value of the reporting unit, the second step should be performed. 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 their fair value, being the sum of the related undiscounted future cash flows. Second, if the carrying amount of the other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment is higher than this 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 long-lived asset (other than goodwill), we make estimates about future cash flows. These estimates are based on our 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 actual results may differ from our plans, estimates and assumptions, which may require impairment of certain long-lived assets. Future adverse changes in market conditions may also require impairment of certain long-lived assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

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 unsellable inventory and are reviewed on a quarterly basis. Our methodology involves matching our on-hand and on-order inventory with our requirements based on the expected demand and resulting manufacturing forecast. In determining inventory allowances, we evaluate inventory in excess of our forecasted needs on both technological and economic criteria and make appropriate provisions to reflect the risk of obsolescence. This methodology is significantly affected by our forecasted needs for inventory. If actual requirements 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.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		29

Accounts receivable and finance receivables

A majority of our accounts receivable and finance receivables 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. Respective allowances for credit losses on both accounts receivable and finance receivables are maintained based upon management’s assessment of the expected collectability of all accounts receivable and finance receivables. The respective allowances for credit losses on accounts receivable and finance receivables are reviewed periodically to assess the adequacy of these allowances. In making this assessment, management takes into consideration (i) any 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 our 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 provisions in contracts, before shipping systems to certain customers, which are intended to recover the systems in the event a customer defaults on payment. We have not incurred any material accounts receivable or finance receivable credit losses during the past three years. A business failure of one of our main customers could result in a substantial credit loss in respect to amounts owed to us by that customer, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Income taxes

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 recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position in accordance with ASC 740. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, and income tax disclosures. Judgment is required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Variations in the actual outcome of these future tax consequences could materially impact our financial statements.

Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of results of operations should be viewed in the context of the risks that may interfere with our business objectives, described in Item 3.D. “Risk Factors”.

Set out below our consolidated statements of operations data for the three years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:


Year ended December 31 (in millions)	2012 EUR	2011 EUR	¹	2010 EUR


Total net sales	4,731.5	5,651.0		4,507.9
Cost of sales	2,726.3	3,201.6		2,552.7
Gross profit on sales	2,005.2	2,449.4		1,955.2
Research and development costs	589.1	590.3		523.4
Selling, general and administrative costs	259.3	217.9		181.1
Income from operations	1,156.8	1,641.2		1,250.7
Interest income (expense), net	(6.2)	7.4		(8.2)
Income before income taxes	1,150.6	1,648.6		1,242.5
Provision for income taxes	(4.3)	(181.6)		(220.7)
Net income	1,146.3	1,467.0		1,021.8

As of January 1, 2011, ASML adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-13, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables” which amended ASC 605-25. The ASU was adopted prospectively and had an insignificant impact on timing and allocation of revenues. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		30

Set out below are our consolidated statements of operations data for the three years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 expressed as a percentage of our total net sales:


Year ended December 31 (as a percentage of net sales)	2012	2011	2010


Total net sales	100.0	100.0	100.0
Cost of sales	57.6	56.7	56.6
Gross profit on sales	42.4	43.3	43.4
Research and development costs	12.5	10.4	11.6
Selling, general and administrative costs	5.5	3.9	4.1
Income from operations	24.4	29.0	27.7
Interest income (expense), net	(0.1)	0.2	(0.1)
Income before income taxes	24.3	29.2	27.6
Provision for income taxes	(0.1)	(3.2)	(4.9)
Net income	24.2	26.0	22.7


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		31

Results of operations 2012 compared with 2011

Net sales and gross profit

The following table shows a summary of net sales (revenue and units sold), gross profit and ASP data on an annual and semi-annual basis for the years 2012 and 2011.




	First half year	2012 Second half year	Full year	First half year	2011 Second half year	¹	Full year


Net sales (EUR million)	2,479.6	2,251.9	4,731.5	2,981.6	2,669.4		5,651.0
Net system sales (EUR million)	2,034.8	1,766.8	3,801.6	2,618.0	2,265.9		4,883.9
Net service and field option sales (EUR million)	444.8	485.1	929.9	363.6	403.5		767.1
Total sales of systems (in units)	96	74	170	126	96		222
Total sales of new systems (in units)	89	57	146	114	81		195
Total sales of used systems (in units)	7	17	24	12	15		27
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales	42.5	42.2	42.4	44.9	41.6		43.3
ASP of system sales (EUR million)	21.2	23.9	22.4	20.8	23.6		22.0
ASP of new system sales (EUR million)	22.7	28.1	24.8	22.6	27.2		24.5
ASP of used system sales (EUR million)	2.4	9.7	7.6	3.5	4.0		3.8

The ASP of our new systems in 2012 EUR 24.8 million is in line with 2011 EUR 24.5 million.

From time to time, we repurchase systems that we have manufactured and sold and, following factory-rebuild or refurbishment, resell 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 2012 decreased to 24 from 27 in 2011. The ASP of our used systems increased by 100.0 percent to EUR 7.6 million in 2012 from EUR 3.8 million in 2011, which was the result of a shift in the mix of used systems sold toward more high-end system types.

Through 2012, all of the top 10 chipmakers worldwide, in terms of semiconductor capital expenditure, were our customers. In 2012, recognized sales to our largest customer accounted for EUR 1,236.1 million, or 26.1 percent of our net sales. In 2011, recognized sales to our largest customer accounted for EUR 1,311.7 million, or 23.2 percent of our net sales.

Research and development costs

Selling, general and administrative costs


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		32

transaction costs related to the proposed acquisition of Cymer and costs to implement and support IT solutions of EUR 10.2 million.

Interest income (expense), net

Net interest expense in 2012 was EUR 6.2 million compared with a net interest income in 2011 of EUR 7.4 million. Interest income relates to interest earned on our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments; interest income declined in 2012 due to a lower yield earned on cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, and was more than offset by the interest expense on our outstanding debt.

Income taxes


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		33

Results of operations 2011 compared with 2010

Net sales and gross profit

The following table shows a summary of net 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, 2011 and 2010.


	First half year		2011¹ Second half year		Full year		First half year		2010 Second half year		Full year


Net sales (EUR million)		2,981.6		2,669.4		5,651.0		1,810.5		2,697.4		4,507.9
Net system sales (EUR million)		2,618.0		2,265.9		4,883.9		1,554.6		2,340.1		3,894.7
Net service and field option sales (EUR million)		363.6		403.5		767.1		255.9		357.3		613.2
Total sales of systems (in units)		126		96		222		77		120		197
Total sales of new systems (in units)		114		81		195		58		96		154
Total sales of used systems (in units)		12		15		27		19		24		43
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales		44.9		41.6		43.3		41.9		44.4		43.4
ASP of system sales (EUR million)		20.8		23.6		22.0		20.2		19.5		19.8
ASP of new system sales (EUR million)		22.6		27.2		24.5		25.7		23.1		24.1
ASP of used system sales (EUR million)		3.5		4.0		3.8		3.4		5.2		4.4

Net sales increased by EUR 1,143.1 million, or 25.4 percent to EUR 5,651.0 million in 2011 from EUR 4,507.9 million in 2010. The increase in net sales mainly resulted from an increase in net system sales of EUR 989.2 million, or 25.4 percent to EUR 4,883.9 million in 2011 from EUR 3,894.7 million in 2010. Net service and field option sales increased to EUR 767.1 million in 2011 from EUR 613.2 million in 2010. The number of total systems sold increased by 12.7 percent to 222 systems in 2011 from 197 systems in 2010. The increase in total net sales was caused by increased demand for lithography imaging systems required for all of the various chip layers: customers continued to invest in new leading-edge immersion technology as well as dry lithography tools in order to execute their strategic investments in new technology and capacity to meet demand. Sales were derived from all two major markets in which our customers operate, with Logic generating the majority of system sales and Memory generating the remainder.

The ASP of our systems increased by 11.1 percent to EUR 22.0 million in 2011 from EUR 19.8 million in 2010 (2009: EUR 16.8 million) resulting from a decrease in the number of used systems sold with relatively lower ASPs. The ASP of our new systems increased by 1.7 percent to EUR 24.5 million in 2011 from EUR 24.1 million in 2010 (2009: EUR 21.1 million), which was mainly driven by three NXE:3100 systems recognized with an ASP of EUR 39.8 million, partly offset by a change in product mix.

The number of used systems sold in 2011 decreased to 27 from 43 in 2010. The ASP of our used systems decreased by 13.6 percent to EUR 3.8 million in 2011 from EUR 4.4 million in 2010, which was the result of a shift in the mix of used systems sold toward more low-end system types.

Through 2011, all of the top 10 chipmakers worldwide, in terms of semiconductor capital expenditure, were our customers. In 2011, recognized sales to our largest customer accounted for EUR 1,311.7 million, or 23.2 percent of our net sales. In 2010, recognized sales to our three largest customers accounted for EUR 1,270.8 million, or 28.2 percent of our net sales.

Gross profit increased to EUR 2,449.4 million or 43.3 percent of net sales in 2011 from EUR 1,955.2 million or 43.4 percent of net sales in 2010 (2009: EUR 458.4 gross profit or 28.7 percent of net sales). The higher gross profit reflects increased demand for lithography imaging systems across all chip layers: customers continued to invest in new leading-edge immersion technology as well as dry lithography tools in order to execute their strategic investments both in new technology and in capacity to meet demand. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales in 2011 is approximately the same as the 2010 percentage, which is due to the following: 2011 net sales and cost of sales included three NXE:3100 systems which represented net sales of approximately EUR 120.0 million with zero gross profit at the time these were recognized as revenue. Our gross profit was negatively impacted by increased cost of sales incurred on all six NXE:3100 systems shipped to our customers as a result of significant costs due to the introduction of the EUV program. These effects had a negative impact on the 2011 gross profit as a percentage of net sales of 1.5 percent. In addition, manufacturing costs increased in 2011 compared to 2010 (mainly EUV related expenditures).


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		34

Research and development costs

R&D costs (net of credits) increased by EUR 66.8 million, or 12.8 percent to EUR 590.3 million in 2011, or 10.4 percent of net sales, from EUR 523.4 million in 2010, or 11.6 percent of net sales. This increase reflected our acceleration of strategic investment in the development and enhancement of the next-generation TWINSCAN systems based on Immersion, EUV and holistic lithography solutions to extend these systems.

Selling, general and administrative costs

SG&A costs increased by EUR 36.9 million, or 20.4 percent, to EUR 217.9 million in 2011 as a result of both a higher sales level and increased costs to implement and support IT solutions and for improvement programs (relating mainly to employee development costs).

Interest income (expense), net

Net interest income in 2011 was EUR 7.4 million compared with a net interest expense in 2010 of EUR 8.2 million. Interest income relates to interest earned on our cash and cash equivalents and increased in 2011 mainly due to a significantly higher cash balance, which was only partly offset by net interest expense on our outstanding debt.

Income taxes

The effective tax rate was 11.0 percent of income before income taxes in 2011, compared with 17.8 percent of income before income taxes in 2010. This decrease is mainly caused by the fact that ASML reached agreement with the Dutch fiscal authorities regarding the application of the “Innovation Box” in December 2010, a facility under Dutch corporate tax law pursuant to which income associated with R&D is partially exempted from taxation. This tax ruling has retroactive effect to January 1, 2007 and is valid through December 31, 2016. Thereafter the validity of this ruling may be extended or this ruling may be adapted depending on a possible change of circumstances. For 2010, the beneficial impact of the Innovation Box was partially offset with the cumulative negative Innovation Box effects (previously called “Royalty Box”) incurred in The Netherlands during the period 2007-2009. In 2011, the Innovation Box effect is no longer offset by these prior year effects.

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”, Note 1 and Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements.

New U.S. GAAP Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)”. Under the ASU, an entity has the option to present comprehensive income in either one continuous statement or two consecutive financial statements. Under both options, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) along with a total for OCI and a total amount for comprehensive income. The option under current guidance which permits the presentation of components of OCI as part of the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity has been eliminated. In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12 which indefinitely defers certain provisions of ASU 2011-05, the main deferred provision relating to a requirement for entities to present reclassification adjustments out of accumulated OCI by component in both the statements in which net income is presented and the statement in which OCI in any period is presented. The ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We have early adopted this standard; adoption had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2011-11 “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities”. Under the new guidance, the entities must disclose both gross information and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset on the balance sheet in accordance with the offsetting guidance in ASC 210-20-45 or ASC 815-10-45, and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. The new guidance will be effective for us beginning January 1, 2013. Other than requiring some additional disclosures, we do not anticipate material impacts on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02 “Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment”. This ASU amends the guidance in ASC 350-30 on testing indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, for impairment. The FASB issued the ASU in response to feedback on ASU 2011-08, which amended the goodwill impairment testing requirements by allowing an entity to perform a qualitative impairment assessment before proceeding to the two-step


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		35

impairment test. The new guidance will be effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The ASU 2012-02 will not have any effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-04 “Technical Corrections and Improvements”. This ASU makes certain technical corrections (i.e., relatively minor corrections and clarifications) and “conforming fair value amendments” to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”). The new guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. We do not anticipate material impacts on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

B. Liquidity and Capital Resources

We generated net cash from operating activities of EUR 703.5 million, EUR 2,070.4 million and EUR 940.0 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Lower net cash provided by operating activities in 2012 compared to 2011 relates to decreased sales levels and decreased accrued and other liabilities mainly as a result of lower amounts of EUV down payments received in 2012. Higher net cash provided by operating activities in 2011 compared to 2010 was primarily related to increased sales levels and an increase in accrued and other liabilities mainly as a result of EUV down payments, partly offset by an increase of our working capital. This net increase in working capital mainly related to a decrease in accounts payable.

We used EUR 1,119.8 million for investing activities in 2012 and EUR 300.9 million in 2011 (2010: EUR 124.9 million). In 2012 our investing activities primarily related to our short-term investments in Dutch Treasury Certificates and deposits with the Dutch government of EUR 930.0 million and purchases of property, plant and equipment of EUR 171.9 million. In 2011 our investing activities mainly related to machinery and equipment, EUV and NXT production facilities in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, information technology and leasehold improvements to our facilities. In 2010 our investing activities were mainly related to machinery and equipment and the start of the second part of the EUV and NXT production facilities in Veldhoven, the Netherlands.

Net cash used in financing activities was EUR 545.6 million in 2012 compared with EUR 991.6 million in 2011 (2010: net cash provided by financing activities of EUR 92.7 million). In 2012 net cash used in financing activities includes the net cash outflow of EUR 3,728.3 million for the Synthetic Share Buyback, EUR 535.4 million for our regular share buyback programs and EUR 188.9 million for our annual dividend payment, to a large extent offset by the proceeds of EUR 3,853.9 million from issuance of shares under the Customer Co-Investment Program and EUR 53.8 million net proceeds from issuance of shares in connection with the exercise and purchase of employee stock options. In 2011 net cash used in financing activities included the cash outflow of EUR 700.5 million used in our regular share buyback program, our annual dividend payment of EUR 172.6 million and a repayment of deposits from our customers of EUR 150.0 million, partly offset by the net proceeds from issuance of shares in connection with the exercise and purchase of employee stock options of EUR 34.1 million. In 2010 net cash provided by financing activities included EUR 150.0 million cash inflow from deposits from customers and EUR 31.0 million cash inflow from the issuance of shares in connection with the exercise and purchase of employee stock options, partly offset by EUR 87.0 million cash outflow for our annual dividend payment.

Our principal sources of liquidity consist of cash flows from operations, cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2012 of EUR 1,767.6 million, short-term investments as of December 31, 2012 of EUR 930.0 million and available credit facilities as of December 31, 2012 of EUR 500.0 million. In addition, we may from time to time raise additional capital in debt and equity markets. Our goal is to remain an investment grade rated company and maintain a capital structure that supports this.

We invest our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments in short-term deposits with high-rated financial institutions and the Dutch government, in Dutch Treasury Certificates and in AAAm-rated money market funds that invest in high-rated short-term debt securities of financial institutions and governments. Our investments are predominantly denominated in euros and partly in US dollars.

Our available credit facility consists of an EUR 500.0 million committed revolving credit facility from a group of banks that will mature in 2015. The credit facility contains a restrictive covenant that requires us to maintain a minimum committed capital to net total assets ratio of 40.0 percent calculated in accordance with contractually agreed definitions. In 2012, we were in compliance with the covenant and currently do not expect any difficulty in continuing to meet our covenant requirement. Outstanding amounts under this credit facility will bear interest at EURIBOR or LIBOR plus a margin that depends on our liquidity position. No amounts were outstanding under this credit facility at the end of 2012 and 2011.

We have repayment obligations in 2017, amounting to EUR 600.0 million, on our 5.75 percent senior notes due 2017 (“Eurobond”). The coupons on the Eurobond have been swapped to a floating rate thereby creating a partial fair value


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		36

hedge of the floating rate cash flows which we receive from investments of our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.

Our liquidity needs are affected by many factors, some of which are based on the normal on-going 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 and cash equivalents and short-term investments and our borrowing capability are sufficient to satisfy our current requirements, including our 2013 capital expenditures. We intend to return cash to our shareholders on a regular basis in the form of dividend payments and, subject to our actual and anticipated liquidity requirements and other relevant factors, share buybacks or capital repayment.

See Notes 3, 4, 14 and 15 to our consolidated financial statements for discussion of our counterparty risk management, our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, our long-term debt and credit lines and Notes 26 and 27 for information on dividend, share buybacks and capital repayments.

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, Results of operations”.

Intellectual Property Matters

See Item 3.D. “Risk Factors, Failure to Adequately Protect the Intellectual Property Rights Upon Which We depend Could Harm Our Business” and “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 year 2012 was characterized by a decreased demand for lithography imaging systems. Customers mainly decreased their Memory capacity investments as the PC business shrunk compared to 2011. The majority of system sales was generated from Logic.

The following table sets forth our systems backlog, excluding EUV, as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.


Year ended December 31	2012	2011


New systems backlog excluding EUV (in units)	40	61
Used systems backlog excluding EUV (in units)	6	10
Total systems backlog excluding EUV (in units)	46	71
Value of new systems backlog excluding EUV (EUR million)	1,190.1	1,702.7
Value of used systems backlog excluding EUV (EUR million)	24.0	29.8
Total value of systems backlog excluding EUV (EUR million)	1,214.1	1,732.5
ASP of new systems backlog excluding EUV (EUR million)	29.8	27.9
ASP of used systems backlog excluding EUV (EUR million)	4.0	3.0
ASP of total systems backlog excluding EUV (EUR million)	26.4	24.4

Our systems backlog includes only orders for which written authorizations have been accepted and system shipment and revenue recognition 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 systems backlog at any particular date is not necessarily indicative of actual sales for any succeeding period.

We expect net sales for 2013 to be in line with 2012 supported by the strategic technology transition need for very lithography-intensive 14-20 nm foundry and logic nodes. These nodes will enable the next generation portable products, for which all semiconductor architecture leaders have designs pending and need initial capacity. In addition we will ship our first NXE:3300B EUV tool in the second quarter targeting for a maximum of 11 potential shipments in 2013.

For the first quarter of 2013, we expect net sales of about EUR 850 million, gross margin of about 38 percent, R&D costs of EUR 185 million, other income of EUR 16 million which consists of contributions from participants of the Customer Co-Investment Program and SG&A costs of EUR 63 million including EUR 6 million expenses related to the pending Cymer acquisition.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		37

In the fourth quarter of 2012, we announced the intended cash-and-stock acquisition of lithographic light source supplier Cymer. As part of the regulatory review process, clearance has been granted by the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and German anti-trust authorities. Completion of the merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and receipt of approvals under other foreign competition laws. On february 5, 2013, the Cymer Stockholders approved the merger agreement. We continue to expect the transaction to close in the first half of 2013. See also Item 10.C “Material Contract, Cymer Merger”.

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”.

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 obligations, namely operating lease commitments, purchase obligations and guarantees, are generally not required to be recognized as liabilities on our balance sheet but are required to be disclosed.

On October 16, 2012, we entered into a merger agreement with Cymer, a company engaged in the development, manufacturing and marketing of light sources for sale to customers who manufacture photolithography tools in the semiconductor equipment industry (the “Merger Agreement”), under which ASML will acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of Cymer for a consideration per Cymer share of Cymer common stock of USD 20.00 in cash and a fixed ratio of 1.1502 ASML Ordinary Shares). Completion of the merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and receipt of approvals under other foreign competition laws. On february 5, 2013, the Cymer Stockholders approved the merger agreement. We expect the transaction to close in the first half of 2013, however there is no assurance that the transaction will be completed within the expected time period or at all. See “Risk Factors, We May Be Unable to Make Desirable Acquisitions or to Integrate Any Businesses We Successfully Acquire”. See also Item 10.C “Material Contracts, Cymer Merger”. On October 16, 2012, we also entered into an EUV source R&D cooperation agreement and an EUV source supply agreement with Cymer.

F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2012 can be summarized as follows:


Payments due by period (in thousands)	Total EUR		1 year EUR		2 year EUR		3 year EUR		4 year EUR		5 year EUR		After 5 years EUR


Long-Term Debt Obligations, including interest expense¹		831,194		39,801		39,726		39,726		39,726		639,726		32,489
Operating Lease Obligations		98,827		32,195		22,267		17,192		13,465		5,265		8,443
Purchase Obligations		1,643,955		1,557,021		84,012		2,876		32		14		-
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, including interest expense		59,967		2,964		4,209		-		-		16,957		35,837


Total Contractual Obligations		2,633,943		1,631,981		150,214		59,794		53,223		661,962		76,769

1	See Note 14 for the amounts excluding interest expenses.

Long-term debt obligations mainly relate to interest payments and principal amount of the Eurobond. See Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements.

Operating lease obligations include leases of equipment and facilities. Lease payments recognized as an expense were EUR 41.6 million, EUR 40.6 million and EUR 37.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		38

Several operating leases for our buildings contain purchase options, exercisable 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 as of December 31, 2012 can be summarized as follows:

Purchase options

due by period

(in thousands)

Total

EUR

1 year

EUR

2 year

EUR

3 year

EUR

4 year

EUR

5 year

EUR

After

5 years

EUR

Purchase options

22,982

8,999

13,983

Purchase obligations include purchase commitments with suppliers in the ordinary course of business. ASML expects that it will honor these purchase obligations to fulfill future sales, in line with the timing of those future sales. The general terms and conditions of the agreements relating to the major part of our purchase commitments as of December 31, 2012 contain clauses that enable us to delay or cancel delivery of ordered goods and services up to the dates specified in the corresponding purchase contracts. These terms and conditions that we had agreed with our supply chain partners gives us additional flexibility to adapt our purchase obligations to our requirements in light of the inherent cyclicality of the semiconductor equipment industry in which we operate. We establish a provision for cancellation fees when it is probable that the liability has been incurred and the amount of cancellation fees is reasonably estimable.

G. Safe Harbor

See Part I “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		39

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 Poel^1,2,3	Chairman of the Supervisory Board		1948		2016
Jos W.B. Westerburgen^2,4	Member of the Supervisory Board		1942		2013
Fritz W. Fröhlich¹	Vice Chairman and Member of the Supervisory Board		1942		2014
Hendrika (leke) C.J. van den Burg⁴	Member of the Supervisory Board		1952		2013
OB Bilous^2,3	Member of the Supervisory Board		1938		2014
William T. Siegle³	Member of the Supervisory Board		1939		2013
Pauline F.M. van der Meer Mohr⁴	Member of the Supervisory Board		1960		2013
Wolfgang H. Ziebart^1,3,4	Member of the Supervisory Board		1950		2013
Eric Meurice	President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Management		1956		2014⁵
Peter T.F.M. Wennink	Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Board of Management		1957		N/A⁶
Martin A. van den Brink	Executive Vice President, Chief Product and Technology Officer and Member of the Board of Management		1957		N/A⁶
Frits J. van Hout	Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer and Member of the Board of Management		1960		2013
Frédéric J.M. Schneider-Maunoury	Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Member of the Board of Management		1961		2014

1	Member of the Audit Committee.

2	Member of the Selection and Nomination Committee.

3	Member of the Technology and Strategy Committee.

4	Member of the Remuneration Committee.

Upon notification to the AGM held on April 25, 2012, ASML’s Supervisory Board extended Eric Meurice’s appointment term as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Management of ASML until the 2014 AGM, with the option to further extend the appointment term by another two years if both parties agree.

6	There are no specified terms for members of the Board of Management appointed prior to March 2004.

Messrs. Bilous and Fröhlich retired by rotation in 2012 and were reappointed for a maximum period of two years in line with the Supervisory Board’s profile. Mr. Van der Poel also retired by rotation and was reappointed for a maximum period of four years. No new Supervisory Board members were appointed in 2012.

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 for nomination of one-third of the members of the Supervisory Board, which recommendations may be rejected by the Supervisory Board in limited circumstances. 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, and at the 2009 General Meeting of Shareholders she was reappointed in accordance with this recommendation right. At the 2009 General Meeting of Shareholders, Ms. Van der Meer Mohr was appointed pursuant to this recommendation right.

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 N.V. Mr. Van der Poel was a member of the Supervisory Board of PSV N.V. until June, 2012. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Gemalto Holding N.V. and as a member of the Supervisory Board of Royal HaskoningDHV B.V. and since October 2012, as member of the Supervisory Board of BDR Thermea.

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 served as Supervisory Board member of Unibail-Rodamco S.E. until 2010 and was Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Association of Aegon N.V. until April 2012.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		40

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 Board of Randstad Holding N.V. Mr. Fröhlich also serves as a member of the Supervisory Boards of Allianz Nederland N.V. and Rexel S.A. and as a member of the Board of Directors of Prysmian Group.

Hendrika (leke) C.J. van den Burg

Ms. Van den Burg was appointed to our Supervisory Board in March 2005. Ms. Van den Burg was a member of the European Parliament from 1999 until 2009. Currently she is a member of the Supervisory Board of APG Group N.V., serves as a member of the Dutch Monitoring Committee Corporate Governance Code, is chairperson of the Monitoring Foundation Dutch Insurance Companies (Stichting Toetsing Verzekeraars) and is a member of the Advisory Boards of the Dutch Data Protection Authority (College Bescherming Persoonsgegevens) and Dutch National Register of Supervisory Directors (Nationaal Register Commissarissen en Toezichthouders). Ms. Van den Burg also serves as a member of the Advisory Scientific Systemic Committee European Risk Board (ECB Frankfurt) and as a member of the Advisory Council International Affairs Commission Human Rights (Dutch Ministry Foreign Affairs).

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 Vice President Worldwide Manufacturing of IBM’s Microelectronics Division. Mr. Bilous also served on the Boards of SMST, ALTIS Semiconductor, Dominion Semiconductor and was chairman of the Board of Sematech from 2000 to 2009. Mr. Bilous currently serves 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 Senior Vice President 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.

Pauline F.M. van der Meer Mohr

Ms. Van der Meer Mohr was appointed to our Supervisory Board in March 2009. As of January 1, 2010, Ms. Van der Meer Mohr serves as President of the Executive Board of the Erasmus University Rotterdam. Prior thereto she was managing partner of the Amstelbridge Group, Senior Executive Vice President at ABN AMRO Bank, Head of Group Human Resources at TNT N.V., and held several senior executive roles at the Royal/Dutch Shell Group of Companies in various areas. Currently, Ms. Van der Meer Mohr is a member of the Supervisory Boards of Royal DSM N.V. and Duisenberg School of Finance.

Wolfgang H. Ziebart

Mr. Ziebart was appointed to our Supervisory Board in March 2009. Until May 2008, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Infineon Technologies A.G. Before Infineon, Mr. Ziebart was on the Boards of Management of car components manufacturer Continental A.G. and automobile producer BMW A.G. Mr. Ziebart is the chairman of the Supervisory Board of Nordex S.E. and of Novaled A.G. He also serves as member of the Board of Autoliv, Inc.

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 of 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 microcontroller group.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		41

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 was a member of the Supervisory Board of PSV N.V. until June 30, 2012. Mr. Wennink is a member of the Dutch 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 joined ASML when the company was founded in early 1984. He held several positions in engineering and from 1995 he served as Vice President Technology. Mr. Van den Brink was appointed as member of the Board of Management in 1999 and is currently ASML’s Executive Vice President and Chief Product & Technology Officer. Mr. Van den Brink has earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from HTS Arnhem (HAN University), and a degree in Physics (1984) from the University of Twente, the Netherlands. In 2012, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in physics by the University of Amsterdam.

Frits J. van Hout

Mr. Van Hout was appointed as Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer and Member of our Board of Management in 2009. 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. After rejoining ASML in 2001, he served as Senior Vice President Customer Support and two Business Units. In 2008, Mr. Van Hout was appointed Executive Vice President Integral Efficiency.

Frédéric J.M. Schneider-Maunoury

Mr. Schneider-Maunoury joined ASML on December 1, 2009 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer and was appointed to ASML’s Board of Management on March 24, 2010. Before joining ASML, Mr. Schneider-Maunoury served as Vice President Thermal Products Manufacturing of the power generation and rail transport equipment group ALSTOM. Previously, he ran the worldwide Hydro Business of ALSTOM as general manager. Before joining ALSTOM in 1996, Mr. Schneider-Maunoury held various positions at the French Ministry of Trade and Industry.

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 the 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 employee pension plans, see Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements.

C. Board Practices

General

We endorse the importance of good corporate governance, in which independent supervision, 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.

We pursue a policy of active communication with our shareholders. 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.


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Our corporate governance structure is intended to:

•

provide shareholders with regular, reliable, relevant and 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 board structure

ASML is incorporated under Dutch 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 Supervisory Board is responsible for supervising, monitoring and advising the Board of Management on: (i) the achievement of ASML’s objectives, (ii) the 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 Dutch Corporate Governance Code, members of the Board of Management that are initially 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 included in the Remuneration Report.

For details of the terms of office of the current members of the Board of Management, see Item 6.A “Directors and Senior Management”. For details of the benefits provided to members of Board of Management upon termination, see Note 21 to our consolidated financial statements.

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 rejected 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


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		43

nomination can be rejected by an absolute majority. If a nomination is rejected, the Supervisory Board must make a new nomination. If a nomination is not rejected and the General Meeting of Shareholders does not appoint the nominated person, the Supervisory Board will appoint the nominated person.

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 out in the rotation schedule as adopted by the Supervisory Board. They may be re-appointed, provided that their entire term of office does not exceed twelve years. The General Meeting of Shareholders may, with 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 may not be granted any shares or option rights by way of remuneration.

For details of the terms of office of the current members of the Supervisory Board, see Item 6.A “Directors and Senior Management”. For details of the benefits provided to members of Supervisory Board upon termination, see Note 21 to our consolidated financial statements.

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:

•

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 material joint venture between ASML and a third party; 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 Statutory Annual Report).

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 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 ASML, 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.

The Dutch Corporate Governance Code came into effect on January 1, 2004 and was amended as of January 1, 2009 (the “Code”). Dutch 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.

ASML reports on its compliance with the amended Code in its Statutory Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2012.


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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 available to all members of the Supervisory Board, enabling the Supervisory Board to make the appropriate decisions.

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 Wolfgang Ziebart, each of whom is an independent, non-executive member of our Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board has determined that Fritz Fröhlich qualifies as the Audit Committee financial 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 Senior Vice President Finance, our Corporate Chief Accountant, our Senior Director Corporate Risk and Assurance, 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 financial and non-financial disclosures;

•

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 2012, the Audit Committee held nine scheduled meetings, either in person or via conference calls.

Remuneration Committee

ASML’s Remuneration Committee is currently composed of four members of the Supervisory Board. The current members of our Remuneration Committee are Jos Westerburgen (chairman), Ieke van den Burg, Pauline van der Meer Mohr and Wolfgang Ziebart. The Remuneration Committee is responsible for the preparation and implementation 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 2012, the Remuneration Committee held seven scheduled meetings and several ad hoc meetings, either in person or via conference call.


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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 ASML’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.

In 2012, the Selection and Nomination Committee held four scheduled meetings and several ad hoc meetings, either in person or by conference call.

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 William Siegle (chairman), Arthur van der Poel, OB Bilous and Wolfgang Ziebart. In addition, the Technology and Strategy Committee may appoint one or more advisors from within and/or from outside ASML. The advisors to the Technology and Strategy Committee may be invited as guests to the meetings, or parts thereof, of the Committee, but are not entitled to vote in the meetings.

The Technology and Strategy Committee assists 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.

In 2012, the Technology and Strategy Committee held five meetings, either in person or by conference call.

Disclosure Committee

ASML has a Disclosure Committee to ensure compliance with applicable disclosure requirements arising under US and Dutch law and applicable stock exchange rules. The Disclosure Committee is composed of 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.

During 2012, the Disclosure Committee reviewed the quarterly financial result announcements, Statutory Interim Report, the Annual Report on Form 20-F and the Statutory Annual Report, the Form F-4 registration filed with the SEC in connection with our merger agreement with Cymer and the prospectus filed with the Dutch AFM in connection with the shares issued to participating customers in our Customer Co-Investment Program both including the audited consolidated financial statements and other public announcements containing financial information. They also advise the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer on the assessment of ASML’s disclosure controls and procedures and on the assessment of ASML’s internal controls over financial reporting.


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D. Employees

The following table presents our total numbers of payroll employees and temporary employees as of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (in FTEs), primarily in manufacturing, product development and customer support activities:



As of December 31		2012		2011		2010

	Payroll Employees		8,497		7,955		7,184
	Temporary Employees		2,139		1,935		2,061

	Employees (in FTEs)		10,636		9,890		9,245

During 2012, the average number of payroll employees in FTEs employed was 8,140, and the average number of temporary employees in FTE’s employed was 1,934.

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. 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. See Item 3.D. “Risk Factors, Our Business and Future Success Depend on Our Ability to Attract and Retain a Sufficient Number of Adequately Educated and Skilled Employees.”

ASML Netherlands B.V., our operating subsidiary in the Netherlands, has a Works Council, as required by Dutch law. A Works Council is a representative body of the employees of a Dutch company elected by the employees. The Board of Management of any Dutch 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 ASML, 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. In case the Works Council renders a contrary advice on a particular decision and the Board of Management nonetheless wishes to proceed, the Board of Management must temporarily suspend any further action while the Works Council determines whether to appeal to the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal. 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. Failing approval of the Works Council, the decision first has to be submitted to the Enterprise Chamber for mediation. If no resolution has been reached, the decision can only be taken by with the approval of the Dutch 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 7A “Major Shareholders” and Note 21 to our consolidated financial statements. Information with respect to the grant of shares and stock options to employees is included in Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements.


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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 is at least 5.0 percent of the ordinary shares issued and outstanding, as well as the ordinary shares (including options) owned by 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, 2012. The information set out below is solely based on public filings with the SEC and AFM (Autoriteit Financiele Markten; the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets) as through February 6, 2013.



Identity of Person or Group	Shares Owned		Percent of Class⁷

Capital Group International, Inc ¹		51,453,097		12.64%
FMR LLC²		36,311,008		8.92%
Stichting Administratiekantoor MAKTSJAB/Intel³		62,977,877		15.47%
Stichting Administratiekantoor TSMC/TSMC³		20,992,625		5.16%
BlackRock Inc⁴		22,878,489		5.62%
Members of ASML’s Board of Management, as a group (5 persons)^5,6		101,657		0.02%

As reported to the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets on September 3, 2012, Capital Group International, Inc. has voting rights related to 51,453,097 shares of our ordinary shares but does not have ownership rights related to those shares. In addition, Capital Research & Management Company (“CRMC”), which we believe to be an affiliate of Capital Group International, Inc., reported to the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets on August 2, 2011, that it holds voting rights related to 44,579,832 shares of our ordinary shares. Capital World Investors reported on a Schedule 13-G/A filed with the Commission on February 10, 2012 that it is the beneficial owner of 41,253,546 shares of our ordinary shares as a result of its affiliation with CRMC.

2	Based solely on the Schedule 13-G/A filed by FMR LLC with the Commission on February 14, 2012.

3	Stichting Administratiekantoor MAKTSJAB and Stichting Administratiekantoor TSMC own the stated percentage of ordinary shares and have simultaneously issued corresponding depository receipts to Intel respectively TSMC.

4	Based solely on the Schedule 13G filed by BlackRock Inc. with the Commission on January 30, 2013.

5	Does not include unvested shares and shares underlying options granted to members of ASML’s Board of Management. For further information, please refer to Note 21 to our consolidated financial statements.

6	No shares are owned by members of the Supervisory Board.

7	As a percentage of the total number of shares outstanding (407,165,221) as of December 31, 2012.

The Synthetic Share Buyback completed in November 2012 resulted in a reduction of the number of shares held by all of our shareholders (through a 100 for 77 share exchange) other than the customers who participated in our Customer Co-Investment Program (Intel, TSMC and Samsung).

Stichting Administratiekantoor MAKTSJAB (the “Intel Stichting”) and Stichting Administratiekantoor TSMC (the “TSMC Stichting”), (together referred to as the “Customer Stichtingen” and each a “Customer Stichting”) acquired the shares indicated above as part of our Customer Co-Investment Program in the second half of 2012. The Customer Stichtingen do not vote on the ordinary shares held by them, unless instructed to do so by Intel and TSMC in accordance with their respective shareholders agreements. Intel and TSMC, are not entitled to vote on the listing shares held by the Customer Stichtingen, except in certain exceptional circumstances, including the authorization of certain significant share issuances and share repurchases, any amendment to the Articles of Association that would materially affect the specific voting rights of Intel or TSMC or any significant change in the identity or nature of ASML or its business, the dissolution of ASML, and any merger or demerger which would result in a material change in the identity or nature of ASML or its business (see Item 10.C. “Material Contracts, Customer Co-Investment Program”).

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, 2012, 72,689,511 million ordinary shares were held by 323 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 Dutch Law

Holders of our shares may be subject to reporting obligations under the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht, the “Act”).

The disclosure obligations under the Act apply to any person or entity that acquires, holds 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, such as ASML. Disclosure is required when the percentage of voting rights or capital interest of a person or an entity reaches, exceeds or falls below 5.0,


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10.0, 15.0, 20.0, 25.0, 30.0, 40.0, 50.0, 60.0, 75.0 or 95.0 percent (as a result of an acquisition or disposal by such person, or as a result of a change in our total number of voting rights or capital issued). With respect to ASML, the Act requires 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 AFM immediately.

A legislative proposal pursuant to which an initial threshold of 3.0 percent will be introduced has been adopted and is currently expected to enter into force on July 1, 2013. The proposal would also introduce a mechanism pursuant to which ASML would be able to identify, and communicate with, beneficial holders of its shares through the respective custodians. ASML is required to notify the AFM immediately if our voting rights and/or capital have changed by 1.0 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 1.0 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 5.0 percent or more in ASML’s voting rights or capital must notify the AFM of any changes 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 ceases to be a subsidiary and who disposes of an interest of 5.0 percent or more in ASML’s voting rights or capital must immediately notify the AFM. As of that moment, all notification obligations under the Act 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 our General Meeting of Shareholders to the extent that such resolution would 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.


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B. Related Party Transactions

Loan Agreement With PSV N.V.

Consistent with ASML’s corporate responsibilities to its surrounding community and together with several other companies in the region, in prior year ASML entered into a loan agreement with a local sports club PSV N.V., pursuant to which ASML provided PSV N.V., as of August 1, 2011, a 14 year, interest free, subordinated loan of EUR 5.0 million. As of June 30, 2012 the chairman of the Supervisory Board of ASML, Mr. Arthur van der Poel, and Chief Financial Officer of ASML, Mr. Peter Wennink, resigned as members of the Supervisory Board of PSV N.V. Therefore the loan agreement with PSV N.V. is concluded to no longer classify as a related party transaction from that date onwards.

Intel Agreements

On July 9, 2012, we announced our Customer Co-Investment Program to accelerate our development of EUV technology beyond the current generation and our development of future 450mm silicon wafer technology. The participating collectively agreed to fund EUR 1.38 billion of our research and development projects from 2013 through 2017. This program creates risk sharing with some of our largest customers while the results of ASML’s development programs will be available to every semiconductor manufacturer with no restrictions. The R&D funding program in the Customer Co-Investment Program consists of two funding projects: a 450mm technology development project and a next-generation EUV development project. ASML has entered into Non Recurring Engineering (“NRE”) funding agreements with the participating customers.

In addition to the funding commitments described above, the participating customers have invested in ordinary shares equal, in aggregate, to 23 percent of ASML’s issued share capital (calculated giving effect to our Synthetic Share Buyback in November 2012). The proceeds of the share issuance, EUR 3.85 billion, were returned to the holders of ordinary shares (excluding the participating customers) through a Synthetic Share Buyback executed in November 2012. For further information regarding the Synthetic Share Buyback, see Note 26 to our consolidated financial statements.

Investment Agreement: Pursuant to the investment agreement between ASML and Intel, dated July 9, 2012 (“the Intel Investment Agreement”), ASML agreed to issue to a foundation established for Intel (the “Intel Stichting”) ordinary shares equal to 15 percent of ASML’s issued ordinary shares; the Intel Stichting issued to Intel depositary receipts representing the ordinary shares. The subscription price for the ordinary shares issued to Intel was EUR 39.91 per ordinary share, which is the average of the volume weighted average price of the ordinary shares on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam for the twenty trading days up to and including July 6, 2012. Under the Intel Investment Agreement, ASML has agreed to indemnify Intel, and its affiliates for certain losses and expenses related to breaches of representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in the Investment Agreements and with respect to certain legal proceedings related thereto, subject to certain limitations.

Shareholder Agreement: In connection with the issuance of shares pursuant to the Intel Investment Agreement, on September 12, 2012 ASML, Intel and the Intel Stichting entered into a shareholder agreement (the “Shareholder Agreement”) which governs certain matters relating to the holding of and further investment by Intel in ordinary shares of ASML, directly and indirectly through the Intel Stichting.

NRE Funding Agreement: On July 9, 2012, ASML and Intel entered into two NRE funding agreements pursuant to which Intel has agreed to fund certain of ASML’s R&D costs and project expenditures. One agreement relates to the development of 450mm lithography equipment (the “Intel 450mm NRE Funding Agreement”) and the other agreement relates to the development of EUV lithography equipment (the “Intel EUV NRE Funding Agreement”). Intel has committed to provide funding in an aggregate amount of EUR 553 million under the Intel 450mm NRE Funding Agreement and funding in an aggregate amount of EUR 276 million under the Intel EUV NRE Funding Agreement, payable over the term of the relevant agreements (2013-2017). Under the agreements, ASML retains sole control over the development of 450mm photo lithography equipment and EUV platforms and will own all intellectual property created by ASML in connection therewith. The NRE funding agreements provide that if ASML, in its reasonable discretion, determines to abandon either the 450mm or EUV development project, as a result of technical infeasibility or lack of sufficient industry demand, or if the then remaining funding exceeds the expenditure estimate for the development project (450mm or EUV), then the parties may agree on an alternative development project. If no alternative is agreed, ASML may invoice Intel for the remaining due portion of committed funding during each year of the remaining funding period in which ASML’s actual gross R&D expenditures exceed a minimum threshold specified in the relevant Intel NRE Funding Agreement. The NRE funding agreements will terminate on December 31, 2017 or upon pre-payment by Intel of the aggregate amount of funding owed under the Intel NRE Funding Agreements.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		50

Commercial Agreement: On July 9, 2012, ASML and Intel entered into the Commercial Agreement, pursuant to which ASML and Intel established a contractual framework for Intel to purchase equipment related to the 450mm and next-generation EUV lithography equipment. Under this agreement, Intel has committed to purchase specified numbers of 450mm and next-generation EUV tools. The agreement sets forth pricing terms for the tools as well as milestones related to product deliveries, and provides for certain commercial discounts in the form of credits in exchange for Intel’s early purchase commitments and volume purchase commitments and for specified additional credits in the event that certain schedules are not met. In addition, subject to certain conditions, ASML has agreed to install sufficient capacity to meet Intel’s forecasted 450mm lithography equipment needs through 2022.

Please see Item 10.C “Material Contracts, Customer Co-Investment Program” and Note 28 to our consolidated financial statements for more information about the Customer Co-Investment Program.

There have been no other transactions during our most recent fiscal year, and there are currently no transactions, between ASML or any of its subsidiaries, and any significant shareholder and any director or officer or any relative or spouse thereof other than ordinary course compensation arrangements. 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 shares and stock options described under Notes 17 and 21 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.

Legal Proceedings

See Item 4.B. “Business Overview, Intellectual Property” and Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements.

Dividend Policy

As part of our financing policy, we aim to pay an annual dividend that will be stable or growing over time. Annually, the Board of Management will, upon prior approval from the Supervisory Board, submit a proposal to the AGM with respect to the amount of dividend to be declared with respect to the prior year. The dividend proposal in any given year will be subject to the availability of distributable profits or retained earnings and may be affected by, among other factors, the Board of Management’s views on our potential future liquidity requirements, including for investments in production capacity, the funding of our research and development programs and for acquisition opportunities that may arise from time to time; and by future changes in applicable income tax and corporate laws. Accordingly, it may be decided to propose not to pay a dividend or to pay a lower dividend with respect to any particular year in the future.

For 2012, a proposal to declare a dividend of EUR 0.53 per ordinary share of EUR 0.09 nominal value will be submitted to the AGM to be held on April 24, 2013.

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 NYSE Euronext Amsterdam (“Amsterdam Shares”). The principal trading market of our ordinary shares is NYSE Euronext Amsterdam. For more information see Item 10.B. “Memorandum and Articles of Association”.


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New York shares are registered with J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “New York Transfer Agent”), 4 New York Plaza, New York, New York, pursuant to the terms of a transfer, registrar and dividend disbursing agreement (the “Transfer Agent Agreement”) between ASML and the New York Transfer Agent. Amsterdam shares are held in dematerialized form through the facilities of Nederlands Centraal Instituut voor Giraal Effectenverkeer B.V. (“Euroclear Nederland”), the Dutch centralized securities custody and administration system. The New York Transfer Agent charges shareholders a fee of USD 5.00 per 100 shares for the exchange of New York shares for Amsterdam shares and vice versa.

Dividends payable on New York shares are declared in euro and converted by us to U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange at the close of business on the date determined and announced by the Board of Management. The resulting amounts are distributed through the New York Transfer Agent and no charge is payable by holders of New York shares in connection with this conversion or distribution.

Pursuant to the terms of the Transfer Agent Agreement, we have agreed to reimburse the New York Transfer Agent for certain out of pocket expenses, including in connection with any mailing of notices, reports or other communications made generally available by ASML to holders of ordinary shares and the New York Transfer Agent has waived its fees associated with routine services to ASML associated with the New York shares. In addition, the New York Transfer Agent has agreed to reimburse certain reasonable expenses incurred by ASML in connection with the issuance and transfer of New York shares. In the year ended December 31, 2012, the Transfer Agent reimbursed USD 849,377 of expenses incurred by ASML, which mainly comprised legal, audit and accounting fees incurred due to the existence of the New York shares.

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 NYSE Euronext Amsterdam.


	NASDAQ				Euronext
	USD				Amsterdam EUR
	High		Low		High		Low

Annual Information
2012		64.68		40.91		49.36		31.81
2011		45.82		31.08		32.81		22.28
2010		38.45		24.73		29.26		19.68
2009		34.67		14.28		24.24		11.35
2008		30.47		12.66		20.97		10.68

Quarterly Information
4th quarter 2012		64.68		50.08		49.36		39.15
3rd quarter 2012		58.86		48.46		48.14		39.75
2nd quarter 2012		51.54		43.80		40.88		35.17
1st quarter 2012		50.14		40.91		37.48		31.81

4th quarter 2011		43.55		33.50		32.50		25.56
3rd quarter 2011		38.64		31.08		27.40		22.28
2nd quarter 2011		44.43		34.98		31.43		24.43
1st quarter 2011		45.82		35.90		32.81		27.35

Monthly Information
February (through February 4) 2013		78.21		76.43		56.80		56.59
January 2013		75.47		63.08		56.23		47.20
December 2012		64.68		61.42		49.36		47.04
November 2012		62.57		53.54		48.21		42.22
October 2012		56.29		50.08		43.55		39.15
September 2012		57.87		52.39		45.58		40.57
August 2012		58.86		55.84		47.30		44.67

B. Plan of Distribution

Not applicable.

C. Markets

See Item 9.A. “Offer and Listing Details”.

D. Selling Shareholders

Not applicable.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		52

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 in ASML’s Report on Form 6-K, filed with the Commission on February 8, 2013.

Current Authorizations to Issue and Repurchase Ordinary Shares

Our Board of Management has the power to issue ordinary shares and preference shares if and insofar as the Board of Management has been authorized to do so by the General Meeting of Shareholders (whether by means of an authorizing resolution or by an amendment to our Articles of Association). The Board of Management requires the approval, however, of the Supervisory Board for such an issue. An authorization of the Board of Management to issue ordinary shares or preference shares may be effective for a specified period of up to five years and may be renewed. In the absence of such authorization, the General Meeting of Shareholders has the power to authorize the issuance of ordinary shares or preference shares, upon the proposal of the Board of Management, which proposal must be authorized by the Supervisory Board.

At our Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (“EGM”), held on September 7, 2012, the Board of Management was authorized from September 7, 2012 through October 25, 2013, subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board, to issue shares and/or rights thereto representing up to a maximum of 5.0 percent of our issued share capital as of April 25, 2012, plus an additional 5.0 percent of our issued share capital as of April 25, 2012 that may be issued in connection with mergers, acquisitions and/or (strategic) alliances. With this authorization, the corresponding authorization granted at the AGM held on April 25, 2012, ceased to apply to the extent not already used. At our AGM to be held on April 24, 2013, 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 October 24, 2014, up to an aggregate maximum of 10.0 percent of ASML’s issued share capital. This authorization would supercede the authorization described above granted at the September 2012, EGM.

Holders of ASML’s 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 subject to approval of the Supervisory Board, to restrict or exclude the preemptive rights of holders of ordinary shares. At our EGM held on September 7, 2012, the Board of Management was authorized from September 7, 2012 through October 25, 2013, subject to approval of the Supervisory Board, to restrict or exclude preemptive rights of holders of ordinary shares up to a maximum of 10 percent of our issued share capital as of April 25, 2012. With this authorization, the corresponding authorization granted at the AGM held on April 25, 2012, ceased to apply to the extent not already used.

At our EGM held on September 7, 2012, the Board of Management was also authorized from September 7, 2012 through July 31, 2013, to issue shares or rights to subscribe for shares in our capital in connection with the Customer Co-Investment Program, subject to Supervisory Board approval, up to 25.0 percent of our issued share capital as of April 25, 2012, and to restrict or exclude the pre-emption rights accruing to shareholders in connection with the issue of these shares or rights. We issued shares (on September 12, 2012 and October 31, 2012) pursuant to the Customer Co-Investment Program equaling 23.0 percent of the issued share capital in ASML as of April 25, 2012 as per this authorization. At September 7, 2012, the Customer Co-Investment Program was closed for other participants.

At the EGM held on September 7, 2012, several changes in the articles of association of ASML were adopted. Consequently, on November 24, 2012 the articles of association were amended as follows. Upon the first amendment the ordinary shares to be held for the benefit of the participants to the Customer Co-Investment Program were converted into ordinary shares M and all other ordinary shares were converted into ordinary shares A. Upon the second


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amendment the par value per ordinary share A was increased from EUR 0.09 to EUR 9.24 at the expense of the share premium reserve. Upon the third amendment, the nominal value per ordinary share A was reduced to an amount of EUR 0.06, by decreasing the nominal value per ordinary share A by an amount of EUR 9.18, which resulted in a repayment of the same amount per share to holders of ordinary shares into which the ordinary shares A were converted. The fourth amendment provided for the consolidation of the ordinary shares A through the exchange of each 100 ordinary shares for 77 ordinary shares, resulting in an increase of the nominal value per ordinary share from EUR 0.06 to EUR 0.09, whereby the aggregate difference is booked at the expense of the share premium reserve. The fifth and last amendment provided for the deletion of the share class M for participants to the Customer Co-Investment Program and the share class A for the other shareholders. The ordinary shares M and A were converted thereafter into ordinary shares without a specific letter mark attached to it.

In addition, the articles of association provide for 9,000 ordinary shares B with a nominal value of EUR 0.01 to allow holders of fractional shares, created as a result of the share consolidation, to obtain voting rights with respect to those fractional shares.

We may repurchase our issued ordinary shares at any time, subject to compliance with the requirements of Dutch law and our Articles of Association. Any such repurchases are subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board and the authorization 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 as of April 25, 2012 through October 25, 2013, up to a maximum of two times 10.0 percent of ASML’s issued share capital as of April 25, 2012, at a price between the nominal value of the ordinary shares purchased and 110.0 percent of the market price of these securities on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam or NASDAQ.

C. Material Contracts

Overview

On July 9, 2012, we announced our Customer Co-Investment Program to accelerate our development of EUV technology beyond the current generation and our development of future 450mm silicon wafer technology. The participating customers collectively agreed to fund EUR 1.38 billion of our research and development projects from 2013 through 2017. This program creates risk sharing with some of our largest customers while the results of ASML’s development programs will be available to every semiconductor manufacturer with no restrictions. The R&D funding program in the Customer Co-Investment Program consists of two funding projects: a 450mm technology development project and a next-generation EUV development project. ASML has entered into Non Recurring Engineering (“NRE”) funding agreements with the participating customers.

Description of Investment Agreements, Shareholder Agreements and NRE Funding Agreements

In connection with the Customer Co-Investment Program, ASML entered into an investment agreement, a shareholder agreement and NRE funding agreements with each of the participating customers. Intel is the largest participant in the program, with an aggregate funding commitment of EUR 829 million and an investment in 15 percent of our ordinary shares (calculated giving effect to our Synthetic Share Buyback in November 2012). A description of the investment agreement, shareholders agreement and NRE funding agreements between ASML and Intel is set out below. The agreements between ASML and the other program participants – TSMC (which acquired 5 percent of our shares and made an EUR 277 million funding commitment) and Samsung (which acquired 3 percent of our shares and made an EUR 276 million funding commitment) are on substantially the same terms as those agreed with Intel. Shares were acquired by Dutch foundations (“Stichtingen”) established for each participant.

Investment Agreement

Pursuant to the investment agreement between ASML and Intel, dated July 9, 2012 (“the Intel Investment Agreement”), ASML agreed to issue to a foundation established for Intel (the “Intel Stichting”) ordinary shares equal to 15 percent of ASML’s issued ordinary shares; the Intel Stichting issued to Intel depositary receipts representing the ordinary shares. The subscription price for the ordinary shares issued to Intel was EUR 39.91 per ordinary share, which is the average of


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		54

the volume weighted average price of the ordinary shares on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam for the twenty trading days up to and including July 6, 2012.

Under the Intel Investment Agreement, ASML has agreed to indemnify Intel, and its affiliates for certain losses and expenses related to breaches of representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in the Investment Agreements and with respect to certain legal proceedings related thereto, subject to certain limitations.

Shareholder Agreement

In connection with the issuance of shares pursuant to the Intel Investment Agreement, on September 12, 2012 ASML, Intel and the Intel Stichting entered into a shareholder agreement (the “Shareholder Agreement”) which governs certain matters relating to the holding of and further investment by Intel in ordinary shares of ASML, directly and indirectly through the Intel Stichting, including the matters described below.

Voting Restrictions

Pursuant to the Intel Shareholder Agreement, Intel (and the Intel Stichting) will not be entitled to vote the ordinary shares that were acquired by the Intel Stichting as part of the Customer Co-Investment Program or any other ordinary shares otherwise transferred to the Intel Stichting (under the circumstances described under “Standstill; Additional Purchases” below) prior to a Shareholder Agreement Termination Event (as defined below), except when a Suspension Event (as described below) occurs and is continuing or where the following matters are proposed at any General Meeting (the “Voting Restrictions”): (i) an issuance of ASML shares or grant of rights to subscribe for ASML shares representing 25 percent or more of the issued and outstanding share capital of ASML or the restriction or exclusion of pre-emption rights relating thereto (in each case, on an aggregate basis during the preceding 12 months) or the designation of the Board of Management as the authorized body to resolve on these matters; (ii) an authorization to repurchase 25 percent or more of ASML’s issued and outstanding share capital on an aggregate basis during the preceding 12 months; (iii) the approval of a significant change in the identity or nature of ASML or its business, including a transfer of all or substantially all business or assets of ASML and its subsidiaries to a third party, the establishment or cancellation of a long-lasting cooperation of essential importance with a third party and an acquisition or disposition of an interest in the capital or assets of a person with a value of at least one third of the assets of ASML (on a consolidated basis); (iv) an amendment to ASML’s Articles of Association that would materially affect the specific voting rights of Intel, would materially affect the identity or nature of ASML or its business, or would disproportionately (or uniquely) and adversely affect the rights or benefits attached to or derived from the ordinary shares held by Intel through the Intel Stichting as compared to the shareholders; (v) the dissolution of ASML; and (vi) any merger or demerger which would result in a material change in the identity or nature of ASML or its business.

Standstill, Lock-up and Orderly Market Arrangements

Standstill; Additional Purchases

Subject to certain exceptions, pursuant to the Shareholder Agreement, Intel (or its affiliates) may not, prior to the six-year anniversary of the date of the Intel Shareholder Agreement (the “Standstill Period”), acquire more than 19.9 percent of the outstanding share capital of ASML without ASML’s prior approval (the “Standstill Restriction”). There is an exception from the Standstill Restriction in the case of a ‘suspension event’, which includes certain circumstances where a third party has acquired or made an offer to acquire at least 20 percent of ASML’s outstanding shares, and the Standstill Restriction will terminate upon the occurrence of a Shareholder Agreement Termination Event.

The Shareholder Agreement permits Intel (and its affiliates) to acquire up to 4.99 percent of ASML’s outstanding shares (other than shares acquired through the Customer Co-Investment Program) that may be held outside the Intel Stichting. For any additional ASML shares that Intel (or its affiliates) acquires in excess of 4.99 percent of the outstanding shares of ASML, Intel is required to deposit such shares with the Intel Stichting in exchange for Depositary Receipts. Shares held directly by Intel or its affiliates (and which not required to be deposited with the Intel Stichting) are not subject to the Voting Restrictions, or Lock-Up Restrictions (as defined below), but are subject to the Standstill Restriction.

The Intel Stichting will continue to hold ASML shares owned by Intel (notwithstanding termination of the Standstill Period) until the earlier of (i) such time as Intel owns (directly or through the Intel Stichting) less than 2 percent of ASML’s outstanding shares (the relevant percentage is 1 percent for the other participating customers) (ii) the date of notification to ASML by participating customers that the aggregate amount of ASML’s outstanding shares owned by Intel and the other participating customers represents less than 5 percent of ASML’s outstanding shares and (iii) a Shareholder Agreement Termination Event (as defined below), following which time Depositary Receipts will be exchanged for the underlying ASML shares. In case Intel would acquire ASML shares within 18 months after an event


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		55

described under (i) or (ii) above, any ASML shares held by Intel in excess of 4.99 percent of the outstanding shares of ASML must be transferred to (and held by) the Intel Stichting.

Lock-up; Orderly Sell Down

Intel may not, without prior written consent of ASML, transfer any ordinary shares or Depositary Receipts until the earliest of (i) two years and six months after the date of the Intel Shareholder Agreement, (ii) termination of the NRE funding agreements, and (iii) the occurrence of a Shareholder Agreement Termination Event ((i), (ii) and (iii) together, the “Lock-Up Restriction”). The Lock-Up Restriction does not apply in certain circumstances where a third party offers to acquire at least 20 percent of ASML’s shares. Intel is not permitted to transfer the ASML ordinary shares it acquired in the program in connection with an offer (before the end of the offer), or make any public statement in support of such offer, that is not recommended by the ASML Supervisory Board or Management Board, except in limited circumstances.

In addition, Intel may not (even after the Lock-Up Period has ended), without written consent of ASML, transfer on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam, NASDAQ or another securities exchange more than (i) in respect of Intel, 4 percent of the outstanding shares of ASML (the relevant percentage is 1.5 percent for Samsung and 2.5 percent for TSMC). There are also restrictions on Intel’s ability to transfer ASML shares to certain competitors or customers of ASML.

Termination

The Intel Shareholder Agreement will terminate upon the occurrence of the following events (each a “Shareholder Agreement Termination Event”) (i) certain change of control transactions were the shareholders of ASML prior to such a transaction are no longer entitled to exercise at least 50 percent of the votes in the General Meeting following such transaction, (ii) in the event of a delisting of the Ordinary Shares from NYSE Euronext Amsterdam or de listing from NASDAQ (except for certain voluntary delistings from NASDAQ), (iii) the winding up or liquidation of ASML, or (vi) in the event that all Depositary Receipts are exchanged for ASML shares and Intel does not acquire ASML shares in excess of 4.99 percent of the outstanding ASML shares within 18 months of such exchange (see “Standstill; Additional Purchases” above).

NRE Funding Agreements

Intel NRE Funding Agreements

On July 9, 2012, ASML and Intel entered into two NRE funding agreements pursuant to which Intel has agreed to fund certain of ASML’s R&D costs and project expenditures. One agreement relates to the development of 450mm lithography equipment (the “Intel 450mm NRE Funding Agreement” ) and the other agreement relates to the development of EUV lithography equipment (the “Intel EUV NRE Funding Agreement”). Intel has committed to provide funding in an aggregate amount of EUR 553 million under the Intel 450mm NRE Funding Agreement and funding in an aggregate amount of EUR 276 million under the Intel EUV NRE Funding Agreement, payable over the term of the relevant agreements (2013-2017). Under the agreements, ASML retains sole control over the development of 450mm photo lithography equipment and EUV platforms and will own all intellectual property created by ASML in connection therewith. The NRE funding agreements provide that if ASML, in its reasonable discretion, determines to abandon either the 450mm or EUV development project, as a result of technical infeasibility or lack of sufficient industry demand, or if the then remaining funding exceeds the expenditure estimate for the development project (450mm or EUV), then the parties may agree on an alternative development project. If no alternative is agreed, ASML may invoice Intel for the remaining due portion of committed funding during each year of the remaining funding period in which ASML’s actual gross R&D expenditures exceed a minimum threshold specified in the relevant Intel NRE Funding Agreement.

The NRE funding agreements will terminate on December 31, 2017 or upon pre-payment by Intel of the aggregate amount of funding owed under the Intel NRE Funding Agreements.


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Cymer Merger

The Merger

On October 16, 2012, we entered into a merger agreement with Cymer, a company engaged in the development, manufacturing and marketing of light sources for sale to customers who manufacture photolithography tools in the semiconductor equipment industry (the “Merger Agreement”), under which ASML will acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of Cymer for a consideration per Cymer share of Cymer common stock of USD 20.00 in cash and a fixed ratio of 1.1502 ASML Ordinary Shares. Completion of the merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and receipt of approvals under other foreign competition laws. On february 5, 2013, the Cymer Stockholders approved the merger agreement. We expect the transaction to close in the first half of 2013, however there is no assurance that the transaction will be completed within the expected time period or at all. See “Risk Factors, We May Be Unable to Make Desirable Acquisitions or to Integrate Any Businesses We Successfully Acquire”.

The Merger Agreement

Merger Consideration

The Merger Agreement provides that each share of Cymer common stock outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger (other than shares owned by ASML, ASML US Inc. (“Holdco”), Kona Acquisition Company Inc. (“Merger Sub”), Kona Technologies LLC (“Merger Sub 2”), any other wholly owned subsidiary of ASML, or held in the treasury of Cymer or owned by any wholly owned subsidiary of Cymer (the “Excluded Shares” )) will be converted into the right to receive from Holdco (i) USD 20.00 in cash, without interest thereon, and (ii) 1.1502 ASML Ordinary Shares. No fractional Ordinary Shares will be issued. In lieu of fractional Ordinary Shares, Cymer stockholders that would otherwise be entitled to a fractional Ordinary Share will receive in cash an amount equal to the product of the ASML Share Price (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and the fractional Ordinary Share to which such holder would otherwise be entitled.

In addition, for purposes of complying with requirements of Dutch law, upon consummation of the merger, each holder of Cymer capital stock (other than holders of Excluded Shares) will be entitled to receive the Dutch Compensation Amount (as defined in the Merger Agreement) from ASML, to be set off against the obligation to pay up the Ordinary Shares as described below. By virtue of the Merger, each Cymer stockholder will be deemed to have subscribed for the Ordinary Shares to be issued to such holder pursuant to the Merger. In accordance with the laws of The Netherlands, each Cymer stockholder, as a result of such deemed subscription, will be obligated to pay up such Ordinary Shares in an amount, determined solely for the purpose of satisfying such obligation, equal to the Dutch Compensation Amount to which such holder is entitled by virtue of the Merger. Such obligation will be satisfied by such Cymer stockholder by set off by ASML of such obligation against the right of such Cymer common stockholder to receive from ASML the Dutch Compensation Amount, and will have no effect on the receipt by a Cymer common stockholder of the merger consideration.

Conditions to the Merger

Each party’s obligation to effect the Merger is subject to satisfaction or waiver, at or prior to the closing of the merger, of certain conditions, including, among other things, certain regulatory approvals (including the expiration or termination of all applicable waiting periods under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and approval of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States), obtaining certain required clearances under certain foreign merger control laws, effectiveness of the registration statement filed in the United States relating to the Merger, and the accuracy of certain representations and warranties provided by each party under the Merger Agreement.

Representations and Warranties

The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties that Cymer, on the one hand, and ASML, Holdco, Merger Sub and Merger Sub 2, on the other hand, have made to each other, including, among other things, organization, corporate power and authority, financial condition, compliance with laws, environmental matters, intellectual property, real property and availability of cash consideration.

Covenants

The Merger Agreement contains covenants of both parties, including restrictions on Cymer with regard to the ability to, among other things, issue, sell, pledge or redeem shares of Cymer common stock, make acquisitions or investments, dispose of assets, create security rights and incur indebtedness. In the Merger Agreement, the parties have stated


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		57

their intent that, subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, ASML and its subsidiaries are free to conduct their businesses and operations without restrictions between the date of the Merger Agreement and the closing of the merger, except for certain restrictions on the ability of ASML to redeem Ordinary Shares, pay dividends or otherwise make a payment to holders of Ordinary Shares (other than pursuant to the Synthetic Share Buyback) and the entering into contracts that could reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the Merger.

For a period of six years after consummation of the Merger, ASML and the surviving entity will, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, indemnify and hold harmless, each of Cymer’s and its subsidiaries’ present and former directors, officers and employees against all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages, liabilities and settlement amounts paid in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation to the extent they were indemnified under Cymer’s articles, bylaws and indemnification contracts in effect as of the date of the Merger Agreement with respect to any action or omission in their capacity as an officer, director or employee, at or prior to the consummation of the merger.

Termination

The Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the effective time of the merger, (i) by the mutual written consent of ASML and Cymer and (ii) by ASML or Cymer if (a) a court or governmental entity issues a final order prohibiting the Merger, (b) the Cymer stockholders do not approve the Merger Agreement, (c) the Merger is not consummated on or before July 16, 2013 and parties have not extended this date, (d) the other party has breached or failed to perform its representations and warranties, covenants or agreements in the Merger Agreement or (e) the Cymer board changes its recommendation to Cymer stockholders to approve the Merger Agreement or fails to include its recommendation in the proxy statement/prospectus that has been filed with the SEC.

All costs and expenses incurred by the parties in connection with the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby are to be paid by the party that has incurred such costs and expenses, whether or not the Merger is consummated. However, Cymer must pay ASML a termination fee of USD 75,000,000 if the Merger Agreement is terminated on certain grounds including, among other things, termination because the Cymer board changes its recommendation to Cymer stockholders to approve the Merger Agreement in connection with a superior acquisition proposal or an intervening event or (subject to certain conditions) the Merger is not consummated on or before July 16, 2013 (or any date to which the termination date is extended, but not later than October 16, 2013).

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 euros on Amsterdam Shares may be officially transferred by a bank from the Netherlands and converted into any other currency without being subject to any Dutch legal restrictions. However, for statistical purposes, such payments and transactions must be reported by ASML to the Dutch 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 declared in euros but paid in U.S. dollars, converted by us at the rate of exchange at the close of business on the date fixed for that purpose by the Board of Management in accordance with the Articles of Association.

E. Taxation

Dutch Taxation

The statements below represent a summary of current Dutch 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 Dutch tax purposes (“Non-resident Holder”). This summary 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.

General

The acquisition of ordinary shares by a non-resident of the Netherlands should not be treated as a taxable event for Dutch tax purposes. The income consequences in connection with owning and disposing of our ordinary shares are discussed below.

Substantial Interest

A person that, (inter alia) directly or indirectly, and either independently or jointly with his partner (as defined in the Dutch Personal Income Tax Act 2001), owns 5.0 percent or more of our share capital, owns profit participating rights that


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		58

correspond to at least 5.0 percent of the annual profits of a Dutch company or to at least 5.0 percent of the liquidation proceeds of such company or holds options to purchase 5.0 percent or more of our share capital, is deemed to have a substantial interest in our shares, or our options, as applicable. Specific rules apply in case certain family members of the Non-resident hold a substantial interest. 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 Dutch 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, or 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), or (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 income to which the holding of our ordinary shares was connected;

•

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 (Dutch enterprise) and the ordinary shares are attributable to this permanent establishment or permanent agent, unless the participation exemption (discussed below) applies; or

•

The holder is a resident of Aruba, Curacao or Saint Martin with a permanent establishment or permanent representative in Bonaire, Eustatius or Saba to which out ordinary shares are attributable, while the profits of such holder are taxable in the Netherlands pursuant to article 17(3)(c) of the Dutch Corporate Income Tax Act 1969; or

•

The holder has a substantial interest in our share capital, which is held with the primary aim or one of the primary aims to evade the levy of income tax or dividend withholding tax at the level of another person and which is not attributable to his enterprise; or

•

Certain assets of the holder are deemed to be treated as a Dutch enterprise under Dutch tax law and the ordinary shares are attributable to this Dutch enterprise.

To qualify for the Dutch participation exemption, the holder must generally hold at least 5.0 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 15.0 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 Dutch dividend withholding tax purposes; and

•

Liquidation proceeds in excess of qualifying average paid-in capital for Dutch dividend withholding tax purposes.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		59

A reduction of Dutch 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;

•

The dividends are distributed to a qualifying EU corporate holder satisfying the conditions of article 4(2) and 4(3) of the Dutch Dividend Withholding Tax Act 1965; 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 15.0 percent Dutch withholding tax or, in the case of certain United States corporate shareholders owning at least 10.0 percent of our voting power, a reduction to 5.0 percent, provided that the Holder 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 also provides for a dividend withholding tax exemption on dividends, but only for a shareholders owning at least 80.0 percent of our voting power and meeting all other requirements. 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 15.0 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) he/she is a resident of the United States as defined therein, or (ii) he/she is deemed to be a resident on the basis of the provisions of article 24(4) of the Tax Treaty, and (iii) his or her entitlement to those benefits is not limited by the provisions of article 26 (limitation on benefits) of the Tax Treaty.

Dividend Stripping Rules

Under Dutch tax legislation regarding anti-dividend stripping, no exemption from, or refund of, Dutch 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

Dutch 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.

Gift tax and inheritance tax are levied on the beneficiary. For purposes of Dutch gift and inheritance tax, an individual of Dutch 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 Dutch gift tax, a person not possessing Dutch nationality is deemed to be a resident of the Netherlands if he/she has resided therein at any time in the twelve months preceding the gift.

Value Added Tax

No Dutch 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.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		60

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 (as defined below) acting in the capacity of a beneficial owner who is not a tax resident of the Netherlands. 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, regulated investment companies, 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 10.0 percent or more of ASML’s 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.-Dutch 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 ASML has not obtained, nor does ASML intend to obtain, a ruling from the IRS 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 for United States federal income tax purposes whose holding of such 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 tax 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.

Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations

ASML believes it was not a Passive Foreign Investment Company (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes in 2012 and that it will not be a PFIC in 2013. However, as PFIC status is a factual matter that must be determined annually at the close of each taxable year, there can be no certainty as to ASML’s actual PFIC status in any particular year until the close of the taxable year in question. ASML has not conducted a detailed study at this time to confirm its non-PFIC status. If ASML were treated as a PFIC in any year during which a United States Holder owned common shares, certain adverse tax consequences could apply. Investors should consult their tax advisors with respect to any PFIC considerations.

Taxation of Dividends

United States Holders should generally include in gross income, as foreign-source dividend income the gross amount of any non-liquidating distribution (before reduction for Dutch 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. euros) 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 U.S. tax basis in the Ordinary Shares and


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		61

thereafter as taxable capital gain. ASML presently does not maintain calculations of its earnings and profits under United States federal income tax principles. If ASML does not report to a United States Holder the portion of a distribution that exceeds earnings and profits, the distribution will generally be taxable as a dividend even if that distribution would otherwise be treated as a non-taxable return of capital or as capital gain under the rules described above.

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 Dutch withholding taxes. However, Dutch withholding tax may be credited only if the United States Holder does not claim a deduction for any Dutch or other non-United States taxes paid or accrued in that year. In addition, Dutch 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 Dutch Tax Administration. Currently, a Dutch corporation that receives dividends from qualifying non-Dutch subsidiaries may credit source country tax withheld from those dividends against Dutch withholding tax imposed on a dividend paid by a Dutch corporation, up to a maximum of 3.0 percent of the dividend paid by the Dutch corporation. The credit reduces the amount of dividend withholding that ASML is required to pay to the Dutch Tax Administration but does not reduce the amount of tax ASML is required to withhold from dividends.

For U.S. foreign tax credit purposes, dividends paid by ASML generally will be treated as foreign-source income and as ‘passive category income’ (or in the case of certain holders, as ‘general category income’). Gains or losses realized by a United States Holder on the sale or exchange of Ordinary Shares generally will be treated as U.S.-source gain or loss. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex and ASML suggests that each United States Holder consult his or her own tax advisor to determine whether, and to what extent, a foreign tax credit will be available.

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, as amended by the Tax Increase and Prevention Act of 2005 and the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 reduce to 15.0 percent the maximum tax rate for certain dividends received by individuals through taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2012, so long as certain exclusions do not apply and the stock has been held for at least 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date. Dividends received from ‘qualified foreign corporations’ generally qualify for the reduced rate. A non-United States corporation (other than a 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 for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States that has been identified as a qualifying treaty and contains an exchange of information program. Individual United States Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the impact of this provision on their particular situations.

Dividends paid by ASML generally will constitute ‘portfolio income’ for purposes of the limitations on the use of passive activity losses (and, therefore, generally may not be offset by passive activity losses) and as ‘investment income’ for purposes of the limitation on the deduction of investment interest expense.

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 U.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 his or her tax advisor with regard to the translation rules applicable when computing its adjusted U.S. tax 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 be applied to, and withheld from, 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


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		62

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 out 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.

G. Statement by Experts

Not applicable.

H. Documents on Display

We are subject to certain 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 four months after the end of each fiscal year, an annual report on Form 20-F containing financial statements audited by an independent accounting firm and interactive data comprising financial statements in extensible business reporting language. 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 room at 100 F Street, N.E., 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

We are exposed to certain financial risks such as market risk (including foreign currency exchange risk and interest rate risk), credit risk, liquidity risk and capital risk. The overall risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimize potentially adverse effects on our financial performance. We use derivative financial instruments to hedge certain risk exposures. None of our transactions are entered into for trading or speculative purposes. We believe that market information is the most reliable and transparent measure for our derivative financial instruments that are measured at fair value. To mitigate the risk that any of our counterparties in hedging transactions is unable to meets its obligations, we only enter into transactions with a limited number of major financial institutions that have high credit ratings and closely monitor the creditworthiness of our counterparties. Concentration risk is mitigated by limiting the exposure to a single counterparty. Our risk management program focuses appropriately on the current environment of uncertainty in the financial markets, especially in the euro-zone.

Foreign currency risk management

Our sales are predominately denominated in euros. Exceptions may occur on a customer by customer basis. Our cost of sales and other expenses are mainly denominated in euros, to a certain extent in U.S. dollars and Japanese yen and to a limited extent in other currencies. Therefore, we are exposed to foreign currency exchange risk.

It is our policy to hedge material transaction exposures, such as forecasted sales and purchase transactions, and material net remeasurement exposures, such as accounts receivable and payable. We hedge these exposures through


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		63

the use of foreign exchange contracts. It is our policy not to hedge currency translation exposures resulting from net equity investments in foreign subsidiaries.

Details of the forward foreign exchange contracts and hedging activities are included in Note 3 of our consolidated financial statements.

Interest rate risk management

We have interest-bearing assets and liabilities that expose us to fluctuations in market interest rates. We use interest rate swaps to align the interest-typical terms of interest-bearing liabilities with the interest-typical terms of interest-bearing assets. There may be residual interest rate risk to the extent the asset and liability positions do not fully offset.

As part of our hedging policy, we use interest rate swaps to hedge changes in fair value of our Eurobond due to changes in market interest rates, thereby offsetting the variability of future interest receipts on part of our cash and cash equivalents.

Furthermore, as part of our hedging policy, we use interest rate swaps to hedge the variability of future interest cash flows relating to certain of our operating lease obligations.

Details of the interest rate swaps and hedging activities are included in Note 3 of the consolidated financial statements.

Financial instruments

We use foreign exchange contracts to manage our currency risk and interest rate swaps to manage our interest rate risk. The following table summarizes the notional amounts and estimated fair values of our financial instruments:

2012

2011

As of December 31

(in thousands)

Notional

amount

EUR

Fair Value
EUR

Notional

amount

EUR

Fair Value
EUR

Forward foreign exchange contracts¹

262,146

16,805

389,579

(23,999)

Interest rate swaps²

624,900

124,050

641,500

109,991

1	Relates to forward contracts assigned as a hedge to forecasted sales and purchase transactions and to monetary assets and liabilities, mainly in U.S. dollar and Japanese Yen.

2	Relates to interest rate swaps assigned as a hedge to interest bearing assets and liabilities, mainly related to the Eurobond; the fair value of the interest rate swaps includes accrued interest.

The valuation technique used to determine the fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts (used for hedging purposes) approximates the Net Present Value technique, which is the estimated amount that a bank would receive or pay to terminate the forward foreign exchange contracts at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates and current exchange rates.

The valuation technique used to determine the fair value of interest rate swaps (used for hedging purposes) is the Net Present Value technique, which 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.

Sensitivity analysis financial instruments

Foreign currency sensitivity

We are mainly exposed to fluctuations in exchange rates between the euro and the U.S. dollar and the euro and the Japanese yen. The following table details our sensitivity to a 10.0 percent strengthening of foreign currencies against the euro. The sensitivity analysis includes foreign currency denominated monetary items outstanding and adjusts their translation at the period end for a 10.0 percent strengthening in foreign currency rates. A positive amount indicates an increase in income before income taxes or other comprehensive income, as shown.

2012

2011

(in thousands)

Impact on
income

before income
taxes

EUR

Impact on

other
comprehensive
income

EUR

Impact on

income before
income

taxes

EUR

Impact on

other
comprehensive
income

EUR

U.S. dollar

(5,646)

13,669

(2,317)

17,293

Japanese yen

465

(3,218)

(902)

(6,255)

Other currencies

(7,674)

(3,628)

Total

(12,855)

10,451

(6,847)

11,038


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		64

It is our policy to limit the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations on our consolidated statements of operations. The increased effect on income before income taxes in 2012 compared with 2011 reflects our higher net exposure at year end. The negative effect on income before income taxes as presented in the table above for 2012 is mainly attributable to timing differences between the arising and hedging of exposures.

The effects of the fair value movements of cash flow hedges, entered into for U.S. dollar and Japanese yen transactions are recognized in other comprehensive income. The decreased U.S. dollar and Japanese yen effect on other comprehensive income in 2012 compared with 2011 is the result of a decrease in outstanding sales and purchase hedges.

For a 10.0 percent weakening of the foreign currencies against the euro, there would be approximately an equal but opposite effect on the income before income taxes and other comprehensive income.

Interest rate sensitivity

The sensitivity analysis below has been determined based on the exposure to interest rates for both derivative financial and non-derivative financial instruments at the balance sheet date with 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 1.0 percentage point increase in interest rates on our income before income taxes and other comprehensive income. A positive amount indicates an increase in income before income taxes and other comprehensive income.

2012

2011

(in thousands)

Impact on
income

before income
taxes

EUR

Impact on

other
comprehensive

income

EUR

Impact on
income before
income

taxes

EUR

Impact on

other
comprehensive
income

EUR

Effect of a 1.0 percent point increase in interest rates

20,706

1,488

21,020

1,691

The positive effect on income before income taxes mainly relates to our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. The positive effect on other comprehensive income, is mainly attributable to the fair value movements of the interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges.

For a 1.0 percentage point decrease in interest rates there would be a lower opposite effect on income before income taxes and other comprehensive income due to the current interest rates.

See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for more information on our financial risk management.

Item 12 Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities

Not applicable.


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		65


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		66

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 December 31, 2012, 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, 2012, 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 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 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 as of December 31, 2012 based upon the framework in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that evaluation, management has concluded that ASML’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2012 at providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in conformity with US GAAP.

Deloitte Accountants B.V., an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the consolidated financial statements included in Item 18 “Financial Statements” 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, 2012 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. See also Item 6A.


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B. Code of Ethics

Within ASML, we use a code of ethics and conduct (“Code of Conduct”), that focuses on the following five key areas:

1.	show respect for people and planet;

2.	operate with integrity;

3.	preserve intellectual property and other assets;

4.	manage exposure by following processes; and

5.	adhere to the ASML business principles and applicable laws, and speak up.

The five key areas of the Code of Conduct are translated into a set of Business Principles, an internal set of practical rules and procedures that support the ASML employees in their the day-to-day activities and decision making process. The Code of Conduct is available on our website (www.asml.com).

Furthermore, in order to enhance adherence to and enforcement of the Code of Conduct and internal Business Principles, we use a reporting procedure that provides for whistleblower protection when reporting fraud and other breaches of the Code of Conduct and Business Principles. The reporting procedure is also posted on our website (www.asml.com).

C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Deloitte Accountants B.V. has served as our independent registered public accounting firm for each of the three financial years up to December 31, 2012. The following table sets out the aggregate fees for professional audit services and other services rendered by Deloitte Accountants B.V. and its member firms and/or affiliates in 2012 and 2011:


Year ended December 31 (in thousands)	2012 Deloitte Accountants B.V. EUR		Deloitte Network EUR		Total EUR		2011 Deloitte Accountants B.V. EUR		Deloitte Network EUR		Total EUR


Audit fees in relation to annual reports		1,002		-		1,002		1,022		-		1,022
Other audit fees		-		352		352		40		382		422
Audit-related fees		149		-		149		49		-		49
Tax fees		-		353		353		-		322		322
Other		-		247		247		-		-		-


Principal accountant fees and services		1,151		952		2,103		1,111		704		1,815

Audit fees and other audit fees

Audit fees primarily relate to the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements set out in our Annual Report on Form 20-F, our Statutory Annual Report, agreed upon procedures on our quarterly financial results and services related to statutory and regulatory filings of ASML Holding N.V. and its subsidiaries.

Audit-related fees

Audit-related fees mainly related to various audit services not related to the ASML’s consolidated financial statements.

Tax fees

Tax fees can be detailed as follows:


Year ended December 31 (in thousands)	2012 EUR		2011 EUR


Corporate Income Tax compliance services		123		73
Tax assistance for expatriate employees		79		179
Other tax advisory and compliance		151		70


Tax fees		353		322

The Audit Committee has approved the external audit plan and related audit fees for the year 2012. 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-


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		68

approves all audit and non-audit services not specifically prohibited under this policy and reviews the annual external audit plan and any subsequent engagements.

The Audit Committee will monitor compliance with the new Dutch rules on non-audit services provided by our auditor, which outlines strict separation of audit and advisory services for Dutch public interest entities. Furthermore, we will evaluate the implication of the mandatory firm rotation (not applicable to financial years before January 1, 2016) which applies to all Dutch public interest entities.

D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

Not applicable.

E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

In addition to dividend payments, we intend to return cash to our shareholders on a regular basis through share buybacks or capital repayment, subject to our actual and anticipated level of liquidity requirements, our current share price, other market conditions and other relevant factors.

On April 25, 2012, the General Meeting of Shareholders authorized the repurchase of up to a maximum of two times 10.0 percent of our issued share capital as of the date of authorization through October 25, 2013.

On January 19, 2011, we announced our intention to repurchase up to EUR 1.0 billion of our own shares within the next two years. On January 18, 2012, we announced to increase the size of the program to a maximum amount of EUR 1,130 million. During the period from January 20, 2011 up to and including November 22, 2012, when the program was completed, we had purchased 36,952,634 of our shares at an average price of EUR 30.58 per share. Of the shares purchased, 24,627,581 have been cancelled with the remaining shares intended to be cancelled in 2013.

Furthermore, on January 18, 2012, we announced our intention to purchase up to 2.2 million of additional shares during 2012 for the purpose of covering outstanding employee stock and stock option plans. During the period from November 22, 2012 up to and including December 14, 2012, when the program was completed, a total number of 2.2 million shares was purchased for a total amount of EUR 105.2 million at an average price of EUR 47.81 per share. These shares will be held as treasury shares pending delivery pursuant to such plans.

Both programs had been suspended between July 10, 2012 and October 18, 2012 following the announcement of the Customer Co-Investment Program on July 9, 2012.

The following table provides a summary of shares repurchased by ASML in 2012 (excluding the effect of the Synthetic Share Buyback):


Period	Total number of shares purchased		Average price paid per Share (EUR)		Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs		Maximum value of shares that may yet be purchased under the program¹ (EUR)		Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the program²


January 20 - 31, 2012		2,132,366		32.65		2,132,366		360,369,363		2,200,000
February 1 - 28, 2012		1,025,407		34.71		3,157,773		324,780,615		2,200,000
March 1 - 31, 2012		949,726		35.76		4,107,499		290,820,741		2,200,000
April 1 - 30, 2012		654,169		37.18		4,761,668		266,501,698		2,200,000
May 2 - 31, 2012		1,219,480		36.88		5,981,148		221,530,029		2,200,000
June 1 - 30, 2012		1,133,550		38.61		7,114,698		177,764,616		2,200,000
July 1 - 29, 2012		428,000		40.65		7,542,698		160,366,940		2,200,000
August 1 - 31, 2012		-		-		7,542,698		160,366,940		2,200,000
September 1 - 30, 2012		-		-		7,542,698		160,366,940		2,200,000
October 3 - 31, 2012		1,153,112		41.86		8,695,810		112,099,413		2,200,000
November 1 - 30, 2012		3,240,099		44.10		11,935,909		-		1,542,149
December 1 - 31, 2012		1,542,149		48.24		13,478,058		-		-

Total		13,478,058		39.71

1	Program to purchase shares up to a maximum amount of EUR 1,130 million. We have or will cancel these shares.

2	Program to purchase up to 2.2 million shares for the purpose of covering outstanding employee stock and stock option plans.

At the EGM held on September 7, 2012, a resolution was passed to amend the Articles of Association in connection with the Synthetic Share Buyback to be effected in connection with the Customer Co-Investment Program. We refer to Item 10 B. “Memorandum and Articles of Association” for a summary description of these amendments. On November 24,


ASML ANNUAL REPORT 2012		69

2012, we effectuated the amendments consisting of a repayment to shareholders (excluding participating customers) of EUR 9.18 per ordinary share and the exchange of each 100 ASML ordinary shares for 77 ASML ordinary shares.

As a result of these amendments, which in substance constitute a Synthetic Share Buyback, we effectively repurchased 93,411,216 shares at an average price of EUR 39.91 for a total amount of EUR 3,728.3 million.


Period	Year		Total amount paid (in EUR millions)		Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share (EUR)		Reduction of Shares Outstanding vs Beginning of Year (Percentage)

Share Buybacks		2006		677.2		40,385,139		16.77		8.3
Synthetic Share Buyback		2007		1,011.9		55,093,409		18.37		11.5
Share Buybacks		2007		359.8		17,000,000		21.16		3.6
Share Buybacks		2008		87.6		5,000,000		17.52		1.1
Share Buybacks		2011		700.0		25,674,576		27.26		5.9
Synthetic Share Buyback		2012		3,728.3		93,411,216		39.91		22.6
Share Buybacks		2012		535.2		13,478,058		39.71		3.3


Total / Average¹				3,371.7		156,631,182		21.53		32.3

1	Totals, average and percentage are excluding the synthetic share buyback executed in 2012 as part of our Customer Co-Investment Program. The percentage represents the reduction of shares outstanding compared to January 1, 2006.

F. Change in Registrant’s Cert