ASML Announces Results of General Meeting of Shareholders.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

VELDHOVEN, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 2000

ASM Lithography Holding N.V. (ASML) (Nasdaq:ASML) (AEX:ASML) announced the results of its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on March 23, 2000.

The General Meeting approved (i) ASML's financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 1999; (ii) a three-for-one share split of ASML's Shares, together with a redenomination of their nominal value to 0.02 euros per share; (iii) additional amendments to ASML's articles of association in the form proposed to the meeting; (iv) a proposal to authorize ASML's Board of Management through September 23, 2001 to issue shares equivalent to up to 10% of ASML's paid-up capital and to restrict or exclude shareholders' pre-emption rights in connection with any such issuance; and (v) a proposal to authorize the Board of Management through September 23, 2001 to repurchase up to 10% of the issued share capital of ASML at a price between the par value of the shares acquired and 110% of the average market price of these securities on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. Subject to the receipt of Netherlands regulatory approvals, it is expected that the three-for-one share split will become effective within the next several weeks.

In addition, ASML's Supervisory Board appointed David P. Chavoustie, currently ASML's Executive Vice President Worldwide Sales, to the Board of Management, effective April 1, 2000. In addition, the Supervisory Board reappointed J.A. Dekker and P.H. Grassman to the Supervisory Board.

Regarding the proposal to appoint W.D. Maris, former CEO of ASML, as a member of the Supervisory Board, the Meeting of Shareholders was informed that Maris had decided to withdraw his candidacy after taking into account the relatively brief time since his retirement as CEO in December 1999 and a review of current best governance practices for Netherlands corporations. The latter generally contemplates a more extended period between the retirement of a managing director and his appointment to the supervisory board of the same company.

Furthermore, Doug Dunn, ASML's CEO, commented on the expectations for the current year. He believes that ASML's performance in the year 2000 will be strong and that the total number of systems shipped will reach levels of around 300 units.

About ASML

ASML, founded in 1984, is a world leader in advanced photolithography systems that are essential to the fabrication of integrated circuits. ASML is publicly traded on both the Amsterdam Exchange and on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol "ASML." Visit the company's web site at http://www.asml.com for more information.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this news release that may be considered forward-looking statements may be subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected, including uncertainties in the market, pricing competition, procurement and manufacturing efficiencies, and other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this release.