Intel Investing $4.1 Billion in ASML to Speed Production

Intel Corp., the world’s largest semiconductor maker, agreed to invest as much as $4.1 billion in Dutch chip-equipment maker ASML Holding NV in an effort to shave two years from the time to adopt new production techniques.

The U.S. company said yesterday it will take an initial 10 percent stake in ASML for about $2.1 billion, and later another 5 percent for about $1 billion, pending shareholder approval. ASML, whose shares rose as much as 11 percent in Amsterdam, is also in talks with Samsung Electronics Co. and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. to sell as much as another 10 percent of its shares, Chief Executive Officer Eric Meurice said on a conference call today.