Samsung Electronics has once again divested a portion of its stake in the Dutch semiconductor equipment company ASML, following a similar move in the second quarter. This is interpreted as a measure to sustain its investment momentum in preparation for the semiconductor industry’s recovery.
According to Samsung Electronics’ third-quarter report released on Nov. 14, the company’s stake in ASML decreased from 2,750,072 shares, or 0.7 percent as of the second quarter, to 1,580,407 shares, or 0.4 percent as of the end of September, marking a reduction of 1,169,965 shares, or 0.3 percent. The market value, known as the book value, of the stake decreased to 1.26 trillion won (US$956.74 million).
Considering that the market value was 2.6 trillion won as of the second quarter, it is estimated that this recent stake sale secured approximately 1.3 trillion won in funds. Following the disposal of 3,547,715 shares of ASML for about 3 trillion won in the second quarter, this move represents an additional effort to bolster funds. In total, Samsung Electronics has secured around 4.3 trillion won from the sale of ASML shares this year.
In 2012, Samsung Electronics acquired a 3.0 percent stake, or 12,5955,575 shares, in ASML for 363 billion won in order to establish a strategic partnership with ASML, the sole producer of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment in the world. In the third quarter of 2016, Samsung Electronics sold about half of its ASML shares, approximately 1.4 percent, earning 750 billion won. In the second quarter of this year, the company also disposed of shares worth around 3 trillion won.
It is reported that Samsung Electronics will utilize the funds secured through the stock disposal for investments in the construction of semiconductor production lines.