News Article
Plan will optimize capital structure in capital repayment and reverse Stock split
ASML Holding (ASML) has announced that it will further optimize its capital structure through a return of approximately EUR 960 million to shareholders in combination with a reverse stock split.
ASML Holding (ASML) has announced that it will further optimize its capital structure through a return of approximately EUR 960 million to shareholders in combination with a reverse stock split. "ASML has clearly shown its ability to be profitable throughout industry cycles and generate cash above its operational needs," said Peter Wennink, Chief Financial Officer of ASML. "We are committed to return excess cash to our shareholders and to regularly review the efficiency of our capital structure. We have concluded that our debt-to-equity ratio could be further optimized and have undertaken initiatives to address that issue. We feel that the capital repayment combined with a reverse stock split will allow us to create additional value for our shareholders. "ASML believes that, within the current Dutch regulatory tax environment, the most efficient method to return cash to shareholders is through a capital repayment. This capital repayment will be effected by paying a total cash distribution of approximately EUR 960 million to the shareholders as repayment of capital of EUR 2.04 per share, and will be combined with a subsequent reduction of the number of outstanding ordinary shares by 11% through a 8 for 9 reverse share split.An extraordinary general meeting of shareholders will be held on July17, 2007 (the "EGM") to vote on the proposed capital repayment and share reduction plan. ASML has set a record date of June 18, 2007 for participation at the EGM. Convocation of the EGM and distribution of all relevant materials is expected to be on or about June 14, 2007.At this meeting, ASML will propose:- Conversion of EUR 2.10 per ordinary share of the share premium reserve into nominal ordinary share capital;- Reduction of the adjusted nominal value of each ordinary share through a distribution of a cash amount of EUR 2.04 per ordinary share; and- Consolidation of all outstanding ordinary shares at a ratio of 8 for 9, which will then have a nominal value of EUR 0.09.Subject to shareholder approval and the amendment of ASML's articles of association, it is expected that the capital repayment and the share reduction plan will be executed before the end of September 2007.
