ASML and Cymer provide transaction status update

ASML is one of the world's leading providers 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 more than 8,200 employees on payroll (expressed in full-time equivalents), serving chip manufacturers in more than 55 locations in 16 countries. More information about our company, our products and technology, and career opportunities is available on our website at www.asml.com.

ASML and Cymer announced on October 17, 2012, their intention for ASML to acquire Cymer and thereby accelerate the development of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) semiconductor lithography technology. EUV is vital to support the semiconductor industry's transition to the next manufacturing technology, which is needed to create more energy-efficient microchips with more functions at lower cost, consistent with Moore's Law.

Cymer, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYMI) is an industry leader in developing lithography light sources, used by chipmakers worldwide to pattern advanced semiconductor chips, and is pioneering a new silicon crystallization tool for the display industry. Cymer's light sources have been widely adopted by the world's top chipmakers and the company's installed base comprises approximately 3,750 systems. Continuing its legacy of leadership, Cymer is currently pioneering the industry's transition to EUV lithography, the next viable step on the technology roadmap for the creation of smaller, faster chips. The company is headquartered in San Diego, California, and has more than 1,200 employees on payroll (expressed in full-time equivalents) and supports its customers from numerous offices around the globe. Cymer maintains a website to which it regularly posts press releases, SEC filings, and additional information about Cymer. Interested persons can also subscribe to automated email alerts or RSS feeds. Please visit www.cymer.com    .

'Safe Harbor' Statement under the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: this press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, as they relate to Cymer or ASML, this transaction or the expected benefits of this transaction, involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. We use words such as 'anticipates', 'believes', 'plans', 'expects', 'projects', 'future', 'intends', 'may', 'will', 'should', 'could', 'estimates', 'predicts', 'potential', 'continue', 'guidance' and similar expressions to identify these forward-looking statements. 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 Cymer, and readers should not place undue reliance on them. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the inability to obtain Cymer stockholder approval or regulatory approval for this transaction, the satisfaction of other conditions to the closing of the transaction, the possibility that the length of time necessary to consummate this transaction may be longer than anticipated, the achievement of the expected benefits of the transaction, risks associated with integrating the businesses of Cymer and ASML, the possibility that the businesses of ASML and Cymer may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the proposed transaction, the expected capacity and capability developments in EUV systems, the anticipated effect of this transaction on ASML's earnings per share and EUV margins, the benefits of the DUV and IBP businesses and other risks associated with the development of EUV technology. The foregoing risk list of factors is not exhaustive. You should consider carefully the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that affect the businesses of ASML and Cymer described in the risk factors included in ASML's Annual Report on Form 20-F and Cymer's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Cymer's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other documents filed by ASML and Cymer from time to time with the SEC. The parties disclaim any obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained herein.

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The proposed transaction will be submitted to the stockholders of Cymer for their consideration. In connection with the proposed transaction, ASML has filed a registration statement on Form F-4 with additional information concerning the transaction, including a proxy statement/prospectus. CYMER STOCKHOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THESE DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY (WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. The proxy statement, the registration statement, and other documents containing other important information about Cymer and ASML filed or furnished to the SEC (when they become available) may be read and copied at the SEC's public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Rooms may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website, www.sec.gov    , from which any electronic filings made by ASML and Cymer may be obtained without charge. In addition, investors and shareholders may obtain copies of the documents filed with or furnished to the SEC upon oral or written request without charge. Requests may be made in writing by regular mail by contacting ASML at the following address: De Run 6501, 5504 DR, Veldhoven, the Netherlands, Attention: Investor Relations, or by contacting Cymer at the following address: 17075 Thornmint Court, San Diego, CA, 92127, Attention: Investor Relations, +1 858 385 6097. Cymer and ASML and their respective directors, executive officers and employees and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the transaction. Information regarding Cymer's directors and executive officers and their ownership of Cymer common stock is available in Cymer's proxy statement for its 2012 meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC of Schedule 14A on April 11, 2012. Information about ASML's directors and executive officers and their ownership of ASML ordinary shares is available in its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2011 and will be available in the joint proxy statement/prospectus (when available). Other information regarding the interests of such individuals as well as information regarding Cymer's and ASML's directors and officers will be available in the proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.