ASML buys back half of its shares issued from convertible bonds

ASML Holding NV (ASML) today announced that it will issue 30.8 million ordinary shares to satisfy the conversion rights exercised under its convertible bonds due October 15, 2006. In all, 99.99% of the bonds were converted.

Of the 30.8 million shares issuable upon conversion of the bonds, 14.9 million shares were bought back pursuant to the call option transaction announced on October 9, 2006. The net effect of the call option transaction will be to reduce the number of new shares issued to 15.9 million shares.

ASML has paid USD $347.5 million in cash for this share buyback and the underlying call options.