ASML Holdings (ASML) Tops Q4 EPS by 4c; Approves EUR 1.5B Stock Buyback

ASML Holdings (NASDAQ: ASML) reported Q4 EPS of EUR0.75, EUR0.04 better than the analyst estimate of EUR0.71. Revenue for the quarter came in at EUR1.55 billion versus the consensus estimate of EUR1.59 billion.

Outlook

For the first-quarter of 2016, ASML expects net sales at approximately EUR 1.3 billion, a gross margin of around 42%, R&D costs of about EUR 275 million, other income of about EUR 23 million -- which consists of contributions from participants of the Customer Co-Investment Program --, SG&A costs of about EUR 90 million and an effective annualized tax rate of around 13%.

Dividend and new Share Buyback Program

In accordance with its financial policy, ASML intends to continue to return excess cash to shareholders on a regular basis through stable or growing dividends and share buyback programs.

Supported by its long term business plan, ASML proposes a dividend per ordinary share which is 50 percent higher compared with last year. Therefore, we will submit a proposal to the 2016 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) to declare a dividend in respect of 2015 of EUR 1.05 per ordinary share (for a total amount of approximately EUR 450 million), compared with a dividend of EUR 0.70 per ordinary share paid in respect of 2014.

ASML also announces a new share buyback program, to be executed within the 2016-2017 time frame. As part of this program, ASML intends to purchase shares up to EUR 1.5 billion, which includes an amount of approximately EUR 500 million remaining from the prior program, announced on January 21, 2015. ASML intends to cancel the shares upon repurchase. This buyback program will start on January 21, 2016.
The share buyback program will be executed within the limitations of the existing authority granted by the AGM on April 22, 2015 and of the authority granted by future AGMs. The share buyback program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time. All transactions under this program will be published on ASML's website (www.asml.com/investors) on a weekly basis.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on ASML Holdings (ASML) click here.

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