ASML Reports Record Q2 Results

Staff Reporter -- Electronic News, 7/19/2006

Lithography systems manufacturer ASML Holding NV today announced record sales and profits for Q2.

Sales of  $1.2 billion (942 million euros) showed a 50 percent increase over ASML’s Q1 sales numbers. Profit of $208.5 million (167 million euros), 17.7 percent of sales, versus the $100 million (80 million euros) profit, 12.7 percent of sales, that ASML had in Q1.

The Netherlands-based company shipped 58 new and 14 refurbished systems in Q2. In Q1, the company shipped 39 new and 12 refurbished systems. To date, the company has shipped a total of 21 immersion systems.

The average selling price for a new system in Q2 increased to $17.1 million ( 13.7 million euros), up from $16.9 million (13.5 million euros) in Q1. The average selling price for all systems sold in Q2 increased to $14.6 million (11.7 million euros) from $13.5 million (10.8 million euros) in Q1, also due, the company said, to a higher percentage of new systems in the Q2 mix.

Gross margin was also up, at 40.4 percent in Q2 versus 40 percent in Q1.

"ASML continued its strong execution in Q2 2006, marking a record quarter for sales and profit, while bookings grew 50 percent above Q1 level," Eric Meurice, ASML's president and CEO, said in a statement.

Looking ahead, ASML expects to ship 62 systems in Q3 with an average selling price of $18.1 million (14.5 million euros) for new systems and an average selling price for all systems of $15.6 million (12.5 million euros). Eighty-eight percent of the unit backlog has Q3 and Q4 shipment dates, supporting a gross margin in Q3 between 39 and 41 percent, ASML said.

"ASML expects unit bookings in Q3 2006 to be higher than Q3 shipments," Meurice added.