Applied Materials to re-file HSR Act Notification in connection with Semitool tender offer

SANTA CLARA, USA: Applied Materials Inc. announced that it has voluntarily withdrawn its premerger notification and report form under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (HSR Act) filed on November 17, 2009 in connection with its announced $11.00 per share cash tender offer for all outstanding shares of Semitool Inc.

Applied intends to re-file its premerger notification and report form with the US Federal Trade Commission and US Department of Justice (DOJ) on December 4, 2009, in order to begin a new waiting period under the HSR Act and provide the DOJ with additional time to conclude its review of the proposed acquisition.

Applied remains committed to working cooperatively with the DOJ as the DOJ conducts its review of the proposed acquisition. The new waiting period under the HSR Act will expire at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on December 21, 2009, unless this period is earlier terminated.

The tender offer is expected to close later this month, subject to customary closing conditions. Unless the tender offer is extended, the offer and withdrawal rights will expire at 12:00 midnight, Eastern Standard Time, on December 17, 2009. If, as of December 17, 2009, the waiting period under the HSR Act has not been earlier terminated by the DOJ, Applied expects to extend the tender offer so that it expires concurrently with or after the waiting period under the HSR Act.

The depositary for the tender offer is BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, 480 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310, Attn: Corporate Actions Department. The Information Agent for the tender offer is Innisfree M&A Incorporated, 501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10022.