ASML Shares Tumble; Warns '08 Sales Could Drop 20 Percent

In the latest indication of the deep downturn in the semiconductor capital equipment industry, Netherlands-based ASML Holding (ASML) warned that its 2008 revenues could be down 20 percent from 2007.

The company posted second-quarter sales of 844 million Euros, down from 919 million in the first quarter, and from 930 million a year ago. Second-quarter net income was 192 million, including a tax credit of 70 million, compared to 145 million in the first quarter, and 160 million in the year-ago quarter. Bookings in the quarter totaled 632 million Euros, boosting backlog to 1.1 billion Euros.

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