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Technology Stocks : ASML Holding NV -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Narotham Reddy who wrote (286)	1/22/1998 5:47:00 AM
From: Narotham Reddy	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 42483

ASMLF Profits soar Netherlands ASML '97 Net Pft NLG329 Mln Vs NLG217.7 Mln AP-Dow Jones News Service ASM Lithography NV - Veldhoven, the Netherlands Year Ended Dec 31: All figures are rounded and in guilders 1997 1996 Net Profit 329 mln 217.7 mln Net Sales 1.80 bln 1.33 bln Operating Pft 455.2 mln 335.8 mln Per Share Net Profit * 4.77 3.18 * Basic and diluted income per ordinary share. AMSTERDAM -- Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASM Lithography NV (N.ASL) said Thursday net profit in 1997 soared 51% to NLG329 million despite the 'softness of the semiconductor market in 1997.' The results are above expectations. Analysts surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires earlier this week had predicted net profit of between NLG307 million and NLG328 million. ASML Chief Executive Willem Maris said he was 'very pleased' with the results which occurred despite less favorable circumstances on the semiconductor market. Maris said that, based on revenue, ASML expects its market share in 1997 to have risen to about 25% from 20%, which would make the group the second largest supplier of wafer steppers and scanners in the world. Maris, quoted in a press release, declined to give a specific forecast for 1998 and said developments in Asia would largely determine how the current year will develop. 'For 1998, we foresee further growth, however the rate of this growth for 1998 will be dependent on the semiconductor business in general and the situation in Korea in particular,' Maris said. The Dutch company, which manufactures lithography equipment used for the production of computer chips, has a large presence in Asia, especially in South Korea where Samsung and Hyundai are among its clients. ASML's 1997 results include a one-off gain of NLG31.1 million from the sale of its stake in U.S. computer equipment manufacturer Cymer in the first half of the year. Earnings per share excluding the gain amounted to NLG4.32, ASML said.