1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 8-K/A

   
                                 Amendment No. 1
    

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 16, 1999
                                                          --------------

                         MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
           -----------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware                          1-13828                             56-1505767
- --------                          -------                             ----------
(State or other           (Commission File Number)                 (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of                                                   Identification
incorporation)                                                           No.)


501 Pearl Drive, St. Peters, Missouri                                   63376
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(Address of principal executive offices)                              (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (314) 279-5000
                                                     --------------


                                (Not Applicable)
                              ---------------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

   2

Item 5. Other Events

FIVE YEAR SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Dollars in thousands, except share data



Year ended December 31,                            1998                1997           1996            1995              1994
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STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
                                                                                                            
Net sales                                    $    758,916       $    986,673    $  1,119,500    $    886,860      $    660,807
Gross margin                                      (31,829)           124,759         250,185         223,279           143,210
Marketing and administration                       73,515             70,715          79,680          63,893            41,298
Research and development                           81,591             64,457          44,313          31,226            27,403
Restructuring costs                               146,324(1)              --              --              --                --
Operating profit (loss)                          (333,259)           (10,413)        126,192         128,160            74,509
Equity in income (loss) of joint ventures         (43,496)             5,480          26,716          13,199            (6,384)
Net earnings (loss)                              (316,332)            (4,513)        103,388          86,564            34,475
Basic earnings (loss) per share                     (7.80)             (0.11)           2.50            2.83(2)           1.60
Diluted earnings (loss) per share                   (7.80)             (0.11)           2.49            2.81(2)           1.60(2)
Shares used in basic earnings (loss) per
   share computation                           40,580,869         41,345,193      41,308,806      30,612,636(2)     21,490,942(2)
Shares used in diluted earnings (loss) per
   share computation                           40,580,869         41,345,193      41,534,412      30,838,704(2)     21,490,942(2)

BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital                                    40,494             38,449          42,805         199,258            69,597
Total assets                                    1,773,714          1,794,424       1,519,472       1,102,167           631,543
Long-term debt (including current portion)        873,680            519,995         304,589          91,451           165,230
Stockholders' equity                              399,040            715,754         748,583         642,695           205,468

OTHER DATA:
Capital expenditures                              194,610            372,416         590,049         215,359            78,676
Equity infusions in joint ventures                 25,533             10,638          14,698          29,904            20,922
Employment                                          6,300              8,000           7,100           6,600             5,300
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(1)During 1998, the Company recorded restructuring costs totaling $146.3 million
to close its Spartanburg, South Carolina facility, to forego construction of an
eight-inch (200 millimeter) wafer facility at its joint venture in Malaysia, to
withdraw from its joint venture in a small diameter wafer operation in China and
to implement a voluntary separation program.

(2)Earnings (loss) per share and shares used in earnings (loss) per share
computation have been restated to comply with SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per
Share."

   3

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS

                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    RESULTS OF   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,1998 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED
    OPERATIONS   DECEMBER 31,1997 

                 NET SALES. Net sales decreased by 23.1% to $758.9 million for
                 1998 from $986.7 million for 1997, due to significant declines
                 in the price for silicon wafers and a 14.3% decrease in product
                 volumes somewhat offset by an improved product mix. The decline
                 in price during 1998 is primarily attributable to significant
                 excess capacity in the silicon wafer industry and continuing
                 pricing pressure from customers who are experiencing reduced
                 profitability or losses due to significant excess capacity and
                 price erosion in the semiconductor industry. The decrease in
                 product volume in 1998 was principally due to the weak economic
                 conditions in the Asia Pacific markets brought on by the Asian
                 financial crisis and the continuing recession in Japan coupled
                 with semiconductor customers shrinking the size of their
                 devices (requiring less silicon per device). A concerted effort
                 by customers to use fewer test/monitor wafers also caused
                 product volumes to decline in 1998. This marks the first year
                 since 1985 that product volumes for the silicon industry have
                 not increased year over year. Advanced large diameter and
                 epitaxial products represented 47.1% of product volume for 1998
                 compared to 39.1% for 1997. While both 200 millimeter and
                 epitaxial product volumes grew during 1998, the increase in
                 this ratio is primarily indicative of customers utilizing 200
                 millimeter wafers in preference to smaller diameter wafers in
                 order to obtain the lowest cost per device. While product
                 volume declined in total by 14.3% during 1998, 200 millimeter
                 product volume grew by 12.3%.

                 MEMC operates in all major semiconductor-producing regions of
                 the world, with almost half of the Company's 1998 net sales to
                 customers located outside North America. Net sales to North
                 America decreased 21.7% and comprised 51.4% of 1998 sales
                 compared to 50.4% of 1997 sales led by a fall in prices and
                 product volume, partially offset by improved product mix. Lower
                 prices offset by an improved product mix and higher volumes
                 combined to result in a 10.1% decrease in net sales to Europe,
                 which constituted 23.4% of 1998 sales compared to 20.0% of 1997
                 sales. Net sales to Japan decreased by 22.6% and comprised
                 15.7% of 1998 sales compared to 15.6% of 1997 sales as lower
                 volumes and prices more than offset an improved product mix.
                 Declines in product volumes, prices and product mix resulted in
                 a decrease of 47.5% in net sales to Asia Pacific, which
                 comprised 9.5% of 1998 sales compared to 13.9% of 1997 sales.
                 See Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                 herein.

                 GROSS MARGIN. The lower volumes experienced in 1998 decreased
                 the capacity utilization and, coupled with the lower selling
                 prices, caused gross margins to decrease to a negative 4.2% for
                 1998 from the 12.6% achieved in 1997. Despite the benefits from
                 the mix improvement and cost cutting measures that were
                 implemented during 1998, the volume decreases and price
                 pressures began early in the year and resulted in negative
                 margins. These initiatives included short-term plant shutdowns,
                 implementing the Company's "best practices" worldwide,
                 implementing a plant focus program that limits the number of
                 wafer diameters manufactured at each site, and working with our
                 suppliers to create cost reduction opportunities and price
                 reductions. In addition, the Company reduced its workforce by
                 approximately 1,700 employees, or 21.3%, compared to December
                 31, 1997.

                 MARKETING AND ADMINISTRATION. Marketing and administration
                 expenses increased 4.0% and represented 9.7% of net sales for
                 1998 compared to 7.2% for 1997. The increase is predominately
                 attributable to expenses incurred for business systems redesign
                 in anticipation of implementing SAP worldwide and fees related
                 to several other initiatives completed during the year.

                 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. Research and development costs rose
                 26.6% and represented 10.8% of net sales for 1998 compared to
                 6.5% for 1997. The increase in research and development costs
                 is attributable to continuing investments in 300 millimeter
                 wafer development and depreciation associated with capital
                 expenditures made for the 300 millimeter pilot line in St.
                 Peters, MO and the 300 millimeter integrated development line
                 in Utsunomiya, Japan.

                 RESTRUCTURING COSTS. During the second quarter of 1998, the
                 Company decided to close its small diameter wafer facility in
                 Spartanburg, South Carolina and to withdraw from the Company's
                 joint venture in a small diameter wafer operation in China.
                 These actions were taken because (1) a number of semiconductor
                 manufacturers have been running their larger diameter
                 manufacturing lines in preference to their small diameter lines
                 in order to

   4

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS

                 gain production efficiencies; (2) a number of semiconductor
                 manufacturers recently have undertaken restructuring
                 initiatives focused on permanently eliminating small diameter
                 lines; and (3) management believes that small diameter wafer
                 capacity will exceed demand even after the semiconductor
                 industry begins to recover.The Company also decided to forego
                 construction of a new 200 millimeter wafer facility at its
                 joint venture in Malaysia. This decision was based upon current
                 and anticipated excess capacity for 200 millimeter wafers and
                 the significant price erosion that the Company has experienced
                 for these wafers.

                 These actions resulted in a charge to operations of $121.7
                 million, comprised of $81.3 million non-cash asset
                 impairments/write-offs, $25.9 million in dismantling and
                 related costs and $14.5 million in personnel related costs. The
                 assets for which an impairment loss has been recorded or which
                 have been or will be written-off are primarily property, plant
                 and equipment which cannot be sold or used at other Company
                 facilities. In addition, the Company wrote-off architectural
                 design and site preparation fees as well as costs incurred to
                 develop a computer integrated manufacturing system for the
                 Malaysian joint venture.

                 Personnel costs represent the expected cost of involuntary
                 terminations for approximately 600 hourly and salaried
                 employees whom the Company does not expect to relocate
                 elsewhere within the organization. See Note 5 of Notes to
                 Consolidated Financial Statements herein. The Company also
                 recorded a $24.7 million charge for a voluntary separation
                 program for approximately 600 hourly and salaried U.S.
                 employees. Substantially all this amount was paid to employees
                 as of June 30, 1998.

                 Ongoing operating expenses such as infrastructure, utilities,
                 and other costs associated with the Spartanburg facility will
                 continue to be recorded as period costs. Dismantling costs
                 relating to the relocation of equipment from the Spartanburg
                 facility to other sites will also be treated as period costs.

                 The Company estimates pre-tax savings from these restructuring
                 activities and the voluntary separation program to be
                 approximately $60 million on an annualized basis. Approximately
                 half of these expected savings relate to the voluntary
                 separation program. As employees who participated in the
                 voluntary separation plan were no longer employed by the
                 Company as of June 30, 1998, these savings began to be realized
                 in the third quarter of 1998.

                 The remaining $30 million in annualized savings principally
                 relates to the closure of the Company's Spartanburg
                 facility.Approximately half of these expected savings relate to
                 personnel costs and the other half relate to manufacturing
                 costs such as depreciation and supplies and utilities which
                 will not be duplicated when Spartanburg's silicon wafer
                 production is transferred to another Company location. As the
                 Company re-qualifies and transfers the production of silicon
                 wafers made at the Spartanburg facility to other Company
                 locations, it will reduce its Spartanburg workforce. With each
                 workforce reduction, the Company expects a portion of the
                 annualized cost savings associated with personnel costs to be
                 realized and to a much lesser extent manufacturing costs. As a
                 result, a portion of the remaining $30 million in annualized
                 cost savings began to be realized in the third quarter of 1998
                 and is expected to grow as workforce and production at the
                 Spartanburg facility are reduced. Because the manufacturing
                 cost savings are fixed in nature, they will largely be realized
                 upon the closure of the Spartanburg facility. While the Company
                 believes that this will occur by April 30, 1999, the ability to
                 re-qualify silicon wafers is highly dependent upon the
                 cooperation of the Company's customers.

                 INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense increased to $45.8 million
                 for 1998 from $14.7 million for 1997. The increase in interest
                 expense is primarily attributable to increased borrowings, and
                 to a lesser extent the completion of projects for which
                 interest expense could no longer be capitalized. In addition,
                 the interest rates on the Company's loan agreements with its
                 principal lender were increased as a result of a debt
                 re-negotiation during September 1998, as described in Liquidity
                 and Capital Resources below. Total debt was $909.8 million and
                 $632.5 million at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

                 OTHER, NET. Other, net decreased to $1.0 million in expense for
                 1998 from $4.1 million of income for 1997, primarily due to the
                 sale of the Company's Santa Clara wafer facility in May 1997
                 that resulted in a pre-tax gain of $6.0 million.

   5

                 INCOME TAXES. The effective income tax rate was 24.0% for 1998,
                 as compared to (26.8%) for 1997. This fluctuation is the result
                 of changes in the composition of worldwide taxable income,
                 restructuring costs, non-deductible operating expenses at the
                 Company's Malaysian and Chinese joint ventures, the
                 establishment of valuation allowances on certain deferred tax
                 assets in Japan and certain foreign tax credit elections.

                 EQUITY IN INCOME (LOSS) OF JOINT VENTURES. Equity in income
                 (loss) of joint ventures decreased $49.0 million to a loss of
                 $43.5 million in 1998 from $5.5 million in income in 1997.
                 POSCO Huls Company, Ltd. (PHC), the Company's 40% owned,
                 unconsolidated joint venture in South Korea, experienced
                 significantly lower product volume and prices resulting in
                 lower sales throughout 1998. While the reasons for the decline
                 in prices are similar to those of the Company, product volume
                 declines were primarily the result of excess capacity within
                 the DRAM industry and efforts by Korean DRAM manufacturers to
                 reduce their production, thereby reducing the worldwide
                 oversupply, and shrinking the size of their devices. For the
                 year, PHC contributed losses of $17.8 million compared to $11.1
                 million in income for 1997.

                 Net sales for Taisil Electronic Materials Corporation (Taisil),
                 the Company's 45% owned, unconsolidated joint venture in
                 Taiwan, decreased slightly due to significantly lower prices
                 which were partially offset by significantly higher product
                 volumes. The higher product volumes were primarily attributable
                 to obtaining additional customer qualifications during 1998. In
                 addition, the Taiwanese semiconductor market, particularly the
                 foundry market, grew during 1998. During 1998, Taisil also made
                 adjustments to its deferred tax valuation allowance in
                 recognition of changes in expected realization of its operating
                 loss carryforwards, of which the Company's share was $6.0
                 million. For the year,Taisil contributed losses of $25.7
                 million in 1998 compared to $5.6 million in losses for 1997.

                 NET LOSS. The decrease in net sales, restructuring costs,
                 higher research and development costs and interest expense and
                 the equity in loss of joint ventures resulted in a net loss of
                 $316.3 million for 1998 compared to $4.5 million for 1997. Due
                 to overcapacity and decreasing prices in the semiconductor and
                 silicon wafer industries, weak economic conditions in the Asia
                 Pacific region and Japan, and other factors, while the Company
                 will continue its significant performance improvements and
                 cost-cutting efforts, management does not expect the Company to
                 be profitable in 1999.

                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,1997 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
                 31,1996

                 NET SALES. Net sales decreased by 11.9% to $986.7 million for
                 1997 from $1.1 billion for 1996, due to a 5.1% decrease in
                 product volume and a decline in price somewhat offset by an
                 improved product mix. Overcapacity, inventory reduction and
                 weak pricing in the semiconductor industry, particularly for
                 the DRAM (memory) market, led to reduced orders for silicon
                 wafers that began in the second half of 1996 and gradually
                 recovered throughout 1997. In addition, the Company and its
                 competitors expanded at a faster rate than silicon consumption
                 growth during 1997, resulting in overcapacity in the silicon
                 wafer industry.The combination of these market conditions led
                 to significant price reductions throughout 1997. Advanced large
                 diameter and epitaxial products represented 39.1% of product
                 volume for 1997 compared to 36.7% for 1996.

                 Net sales to North America decreased 12.5% and comprised 50.4%
                 of 1997 sales compared to 50.8% of 1996 sales led by a fall in
                 prices and, to a lesser extent, volume, partially offset by
                 improved product mix. Lower prices and volume, a less favorable
                 product mix and the general weakening of European currencies
                 relative to the U.S. dollar throughout 1997 combined to result
                 in a 22.8% decrease in net sales to Europe, which constituted
                 20.0% of 1997 sales compared to 22.9% of 1996 sales. Net sales
                 to Japan increased by 21.0% and comprised 15.6% of 1997 sales
                 compared to 11.4% of 1996 sales as higher volume from expanded
                 manufacturing capacity and improved product mix more than
                 offset lower pricing and the weakening of the Japanese yen
                 relative to the U.S. dollar throughout 1997. The Asia Pacific
                 market experienced similar declines in pricing, volume and
                 prod-

   6

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS

                 uct mix as did other geographic markets served by the Company.
                 Net sales to Asia Pacific decreased 17.9% and comprised 13.9%
                 of 1997 sales compared to 14.9% of 1996 sales. Product volume
                 also declined due to the continued shift in sales from the
                 Company to PHC and Taisil.

                 GROSS MARGIN. Gross margin as a percentage of net sales
                 decreased to 12.6% in 1997 from 22.3% in 1996. Lower pricing
                 and capacity utilization more than offset the slight
                 improvement in product mix during 1997. The Company also
                 completed the construction of its 200 millimeter silicon wafer
                 facility at MEMC Southwest (the Company's 80% owned joint
                 venture in Sherman, Texas) and the expansion of its 200
                 millimeter epitaxial wafer facility in St. Peters, Missouri
                 which resulted in higher levels of training and start-up costs
                 and contributed to the lower capacity utilization. However,
                 these expansions, which are dedicated to the production of 200
                 millimeter product, position the Company to respond to the
                 demand for this diameter wafer, which analysts estimate grew
                 approximately 28% industry wide in 1997.

                 MARKETING AND ADMINISTRATION. Marketing and administration
                 expenses declined 11.3% and represented 7.2% of net sales for
                 1997 compared to 7.1% for 1996. The decrease is predominately
                 attributable to a reduction in incentive compensation.

                 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. Research and development costs rose
                 45.5% and represented 6.5% of net sales for 1997 compared to
                 4.0% for 1996. The increase in research and development costs
                 is attributable to the addition of engineering and scientific
                 personnel, the start-up of the 300 millimeter pilot line in St.
                 Peters and increased efforts in the areas of crystal
                 technology, epitaxial silicon research and the development of
                 the 300 millimeter wafer.

                 INTEREST EXPENSE.Interest expense increased to $14.7 million
                 for 1997 from $0.5 million for 1996 as outstanding debt rose,
                 projects were completed and interest costs were no longer
                 capitalized. Total debt was $632.5 million and $331.8 million
                 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

                 OTHER, NET. Other, net improved to $4.1 million of income for
                 1997 from $7.4 million in expense for 1996, primarily due to
                 the recognition of a $6.0 million gain on the sale of its Santa
                 Clara, California silicon wafer facility.

                 INCOME TAXES. Income tax expense was recorded for 1997 despite
                 the recognition of a pre-tax loss primarily due to the
                 composition of the Company's worldwide taxable income. The
                 effective income tax rate for 1996 was 40.0%.

                 EQUITY IN INCOME OF JOINT VENTURES. Equity in income of joint
                 ventures decreased to $5.5 million in 1997 from $26.7 million
                 in 1996. PHC recorded higher volumes and net sales; however,
                 the impact of lower prices, a less favorable product mix and a
                 work stoppage in the third quarter (and the subsequent ramp-up
                 of operations) resulted in significantly reduced gross margins.
                 For the year, PHC provided a contribution of $11.1 million
                 compared to $34.1 million for 1996. Following the start-up and
                 qualification of its operations, Taisil was able to generate
                 net sales sufficient to keep pace with the increase in expenses
                 as its capacity expanded. As a result, the Company's share of
                 Taisil's loss of $5.6 million in 1997 and $7.4 million in 1996
                 is fairly consistent.

                 NET EARNINGS (LOSS). Lower pricing and capacity utilization
                 coupled with higher start-up and training costs, research and
                 development costs and interest expense, and lower equity in
                 income of joint ventures resulted in a net loss of $4.5 million
                 for 1997 compared to net earnings of $103.4 million for 1996.

   7


                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
LIQUIDITY AND    At December 31, 1998, the Company had $16.2 million of cash and
      CAPITAL    cash equivalents compared to $30.1 million at December 31,     
    RESOURCES    1997.                                                          
                 
                 Cash flows from operating activities decreased to ($33.9)
                 million for 1998 from $29.4 million for 1997. This $63.3
                 million decline was largely attributable to lower results from
                 operations, an increase in deferred taxes, and a decrease in
                 accounts payable, partially offset by a decrease in accounts
                 receivable and inventories.

                 Accounts receivable of $98.5 million at December 31, 1998
                 decreased $56.2 million, or 36.3%, from $154.7 million at the
                 end of 1997. This decrease is consistent with the 40.5%
                 decrease in fourth quarter sales between the two years.
                 Days' sales outstanding were 58.4 at December 31, 1998 compared
                 to 55.0 at the end of 1997 based upon annualized fourth quarter
                 sales for the respective years. This increase is attributable
                 to lengthier collection periods in the Asian region in the
                 fourth quarter of 1998.

                 Inventories declined $25.5 million, or 18.0%, from the prior
                 year to $115.9 million at December 31, 1998. This decrease is
                 primarily due to lower anticipated sales in the first quarter
                 of 1999 compared to the year-ago period and a concerted effort
                 by the Company to reduce raw materials and manage inventory
                 levels. Related inventory reserves for obsolescence, lower of
                 cost or market issues, or other impairments increased $11.7
                 million in 1998 to $19.6 million, as a result of declining
                 sales and the resultant determination that certain goods in
                 process, finished goods and spare parts were no longer salable
                 or usable. Year-end inventories as a percentage of annualized
                 fourth quarter sales increased from 13.8% at the end of 1997 to
                 18.8% at December 31, 1998, as a result of the significant
                 sales decline in 1998 and the character of certain inventory
                 items such as spare parts which do not fluctuate with sales
                 levels.

                 The Company's net deferred tax assets increased $97.5 million
                 to $126.2 million at December 31, 1998. Management believes it
                 is more likely than not that, with its projections of future
                 taxable income and after consideration of the valuation
                 allowance, the Company will generate sufficient taxable income
                 to realize the benefits of the net deferred tax assets existing
                 at December 31, 1998.

                 In order to realize the net deferred tax assets existing at
                 December 31, 1998, the Company will need to generate future
                 taxable income of approximately $353 million. The Company's net
                 operating loss (NOL) carryforwards total $410 million, of which
                 $7 million will expire in 2001; $15 million will expire in
                 2002; $32 million will expire in 2003; $27 million will expire
                 in 2012; and $329 million will expire in 2018. There can be no
                 assurance, however, that the Company will generate sufficient
                 taxable income.

                 Accounts payable decreased $33.6 million or 23.0% compared to
                 the balance at the end of 1997 due to a significant reduction
                 in capital expenditures and lower operating costs as a result
                 of lower product volumes in the fourth quarter of 1998 compared
                 to the year-ago period.

                 Capital expenditures decreased $177.8 million or 47.7% versus
                 the prior year to $194.6 million. The 1998 capital expenditures
                 primarily consisted of equipping the 300 millimeter pilot line
                 in St. Peters, MO, the 300 millimeter integrated development
                 line in Utsunomiya, Japan, the granular polysilicon expansion
                 at MEMC Pasadena and the installation of epitaxial reactors in
                 Utsunomiya, Japan. The Company anticipates that it will reduce
                 capital expenditures in 1999 to less than $85.0 million. At
                 December 31, 1998, the Company had $38.8 million of committed
                 capital expenditures.

   8

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS

                 Equity infusions in joint ventures increased $14.9 million to
                 $25.5 million for 1998 and related solely to Taisil. Although
                 Taisil has not yet generated positive net income, the Company
                 does not consider its investment in Taisil to be impaired as of
                 December 31, 1998 or December 31, 1997 based on the following
                 factors: the level of commitment by all of Taisil's
                 shareholders; the growing Taiwanese silicon wafer market;
                 increased customer qualifications and associated increased
                 product volumes; and future anticipated positive operating cash
                 flows. As discussed below, the Company intends to make an
                 additional equity infusion into Taisil of approximately $12.3
                 million in the first half of 1999.

                 At December 31, 1998, the Company maintained $927.2 million of
                 committed long-term loan agreements, of which $873.7 million
                 was outstanding. The Company also maintained $83.0 million of
                 short-term lines of credit, of which $36.1 million was
                 outstanding at year-end. The Company's weighted average cost of
                 borrowing was 7.8% at December 31, 1998.

                 Total debt outstanding increased to $909.8 million at December
                 31, 1998 from $632.5 million at December 31, 1997. The total
                 debt to total capital ratio at December 31, 1998 was 67.0%.

                 During September 1998, the Company received a three-year $100.0
                 million revolving credit facility from VEBA AG, the parent of
                 the Company's majority stockholder. This is in addition to a
                 $50.0 million credit facility from VEBA AG that was made
                 available to the Company on June 30, 1998. VEBA AG and its
                 affiliates agreed to extend until 2001 all of the Company's
                 outstanding debt maturing prior to January 1, 2001 (but only in
                 the event the Company has used its best efforts to obtain
                 replacement financing on equivalent terms).

                 As part of this agreement, the Company agreed to increase the
                 interest rates payable on the Company's outstanding debt with
                 VEBA AG and its affiliates to reflect interest rate spreads
                 applicable to an average industrial borrower at a specified
                 credit rating. These higher rates, which are in part
                 attributable to extended terms, will result in an increase in
                 interest expense of approximately $15.0 million per year based
                 upon $679.6 million of debt outstanding with VEBA AG and its
                 affiliates as of September 30, 1998. Prior to this debt
                 re-negotiation, interest rates on the U.S. dollar and Japanese
                 yen based loans outstanding with VEBA AG and its affiliates
                 ranged from 2.1% to 7.6%. As a result of this debt
                 re-negotiation, these loans will now have interest rates
                 ranging from 3.4% to 10.2%. Additionally, all outstanding debt
                 with VEBA AG and its affiliates maturing prior to January 1,
                 2001 which is extended at maturity will be repriced based upon
                 then-current interest rates applicable to an average industrial
                 borrower at a specified credit rating.

                 Subsequent to year-end, the Company received a $75 million
                 short-term revolving credit facility from an affiliate of VEBA
                 AG. The interest rate on the credit facility reflects interest
                 rate spreads applicable to an average industrial borrower at a
                 specified credit rating. Under the loan agreement, the Company
                 cannot pledge any of its assets to secure additional financing.

                 During 1998, the Company repurchased 893,000 shares of common
                 stock for a total of $15.7 million.
   
                 On October 22, 1998, the Company filed a registration
                 statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
                 for the sale of its common stock in a rights offering to
                 existing shareholders except VEBA AG and its affiliates (the
                 "Offering"). The Company expects approximately $91.1 million
                 in aggregate net proceeds from the Offering, after paying
                 estimated expenses including fees to dealer managers.
                 Immediately prior to the Offering, the Company will sell
                 common stock to VEBA Zweite Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, an
                 affiliate of VEBA AG ("VEBA Zweite") for aggregate net
                 proceeds of approximately $105.9 million. VEBA Zweite has also
                 agreed to purchase all shares issuable upon exercise of the
                 rights that are not subscribed for pursuant to the basic
                 subscription privilege or the over-subscription privilege by
                 other stockholders, subject to certain conditions that are
                 customary in a firm commitment underwriting. The subscription
                 price and number of shares will be determined based on the
                 average share price during a period shortly before the
                 effective date of the registration statement. The Company
                 intends to use the proceeds from the Offering and the private
                 placement to reduce debt outstanding under revolving credit
                 agree-

   9
                ments, for a capital contribution to Taisil of approximately
                $12.3 million, and for general corporate purposes. The Company
                expects the registration to be effective and the Offering to
                commence by the end of the first quarter of 1999. The private
                placement to VEBA Zweite will be consummated immediately prior
                to commencement of the rights offering.
    

                Management currently believes that cash generated from
                operations, together with the liquidity provided by existing
                cash balances and credit facilities and the anticipated proceeds
                from the private placement and Offering will be sufficient to
                satisfy commitments for capital expenditures and other cash
                requirements into 2000.

                The silicon wafer industry is highly capital intensive. Even
                with the proceeds from the private placement to VEBA Zweite and
                rights offering (if such transactions are consummated) and
                anticipated cash from operations, the Company may need to seek
                additional capital in order to fund all its future needs for
                capital expenditures, research and development, and marketing
                and customer service and support. The Company's capital needs
                depend on numerous factors, including its profitability and
                investment in capital expenditures and research and development.

                Historically, the Company has funded its operations primarily
                through loans from VEBA AG and its affiliates, internally
                generated funds, and an initial public offering. To a lesser
                extent, the Company has raised funds by borrowing money from
                commercial banks. The Company will continue to explore and, as
                appropriate, enter into discussions with other parties regarding
                possible future sources of capital. Under the loan agreements
                between the Company and its principal lender,VEBA AG and its
                affiliates, the Company cannot pledge any of its assets to
                secure additional financing. The Company does not believe that
                it currently can obtain unsecured financing from third parties
                on better terms than those with VEBA AG and its affiliates.

                For financial reporting purposes, both VEBA Corporation and
                VEBA AG include VEBA Corporation's share of the Company's net
                earnings or losses in their consolidated financial statements.
                The Company's recent losses have adversely affected
                VEBA Corporation's and VEBA AG's reported earnings. While the
                Company is not one of the focus areas of VEBA AG and its
                affiliates' future major investments, they have recently 
                provided the Company with additional capital and have committed
                to provide substantial additional capital, as described herein.
                However,VEBA AG and its affiliates are not otherwise obligated
                to provide capital to the Company. There can be no assurance
                that VEBA AG and its affiliates will continue to provide capital
                to the Company in the future.

                ----------------------------------------------------------------
   YEAR 2000    Many existing software programs, computers and other types
                of equipment were not designed to accommodate the Year 2000 and
                beyond. If not corrected, these computer applications and
                equipment could fail or create erroneous results. For the
                Company, this could disrupt purchasing, manufacturing, sales,
                finance and other support areas and affect the Company's ability
                to timely deliver silicon wafers with the exacting
                specifications required by the Company's customers, thereby
                causing potential lost sales and additional expenses.

                STATE OF READINESS. The Company has created a Year 2000 Project
                Team that is comprised of a Program Office, including a Global
                Project Manager, Customer and Vendor Management groups and Year
                2000 representatives from all sites around the world, including
                the Company's unconsolidated joint ventures. This team is
                responsible for planning and monitoring all Year 2000 activities
                and reporting to the Company's executive management. The
                Company's Chief Financial Officer is the sponsor for the Year
                2000 project and reports to the Company's Board of Directors on
                a periodic basis.

                The Company's Year 2000 project encompasses both information and
                non-information systems within the Company as well as the
                investigation of the readiness of the Company's strategic
                suppliers/business partners. The Company's goal is to have all
                Year 2000 issues resolved by June 1999, with Year 2000 issues
                relating to the

   10

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS

                 most critical business systems (i.e. financial, order
                 processing) resolved by the first quarter of 1999. To that end,
                 the Company has inventoried and assessed the Year 2000
                 readiness of the following:

                 -  In-house Applications -- Those applications that are
                    developed and supported in-house or purchased applications
                    that are heavily customized and supported in-house. This
                    classification also includes end-user-developed applications
                    deemed critical to the business.

                 -  Business Software (Purchased) -- Applications purchased from
                    an outside vendor and used for automating business processes
                    (i.e., financial systems, order processing systems,
                    purchasing systems).

                 -  Manufacturing Software (Purchased) -- Applications purchased
                    from an outside vendor and used for automating manufacturing
                    processes.

                 -  Personal Computer Software (Purchased) -- All software
                    packages resident on personal computers. This includes
                    things such as operating systems, word processing software,
                    communications software, project management software, and
                    spreadsheet software.

                 -  Infrastructure Software (Purchased) -- Purchased software
                    used in the client/server and network environments.

                 -  IT Hardware -- Information Technology hardware components
                    including midrange machines, personal computers, printers,
                    network hardware.

                 -  Facilities & Utilities -- Components in the office and
                    manufacturing supporting systems environments. Types of
                    components include: copy machines, fax machines,
                    telephone/communications systems, security systems, fire
                    alarm/control, electrical, waste treatment, alarms, and air
                    handlers.

                 -  Manufacturing Equipment -- Shop floor equipment such as
                    clean rooms, crystal pullers, epitaxial reactors,
                    inspection, lab, lappers, laser markers, measurement tools,
                    grinders, polishers, slicers, and wet benches.

                 IN-HOUSE APPLICATIONS. The Company is evaluating the extent to
                 which modifications of the Company's in-house applications will
                 be necessary to accommodate the Year 2000 and are modifying the
                 Company's in-house applications to enable continued processing
                 of data into and beyond the Year 2000. This phase of the
                 Company's Year 2000 project is approximately 75% complete and
                 the Company anticipates completing remediation and testing of
                 the Company's in-house applications by the end of the first
                 quarter of fiscal 1999.

                 PURCHASED SOFTWARE.The Company is obtaining, where feasible,
                 contractual warranties from systems vendors that their products
                 are or will be Year 2000 compliant. The Company has completed
                 approximately 85%, 55% and 75% of its Year 2000 project related
                 to business software, manufacturing software and personal
                 computer software, respectively, and has completed its Year
                 2000 project related to infrastructure software. The Company
                 expects this phase of its Year 2000 project to be completed by
                 the end of the first quarter of 1999. The Company requires Year
                 2000 contractual warranties from all vendors of new software
                 and hardware. In addition, the Company is testing newly
                 purchased computer hardware and software systems in an effort
                 to ensure their Year 2000 compliance.

                 EMBEDDED SYSTEMS. For in-house embedded systems, the Company is
                 modifying its systems to enable the continuing functioning of
                 equipment into and beyond the Year 2000. For third party
                 embedded systems, the Company is obtaining, where feasible,
                 contractual warranties from systems vendors that their products
                 are or will be Year 2000 compliant. The Company has completed
                 this phase of its Year 2000 project for hardware and has
                 completed approximately 65% and 55% of its Year 2000 project
                 related to facilities and utilities, and manufacturing
                 equipment, respectively.The Company anticipates that such
                 embedded systems will be fully tested by June 1999.

   11
                 SUPPLIERS/BUSINESS PARTNERS. The Company has also communicated
                 with its strategic suppliers and equipment vendors seeking
                 assurances that they will be Year 2000 ready. The Company's
                 goal is to obtain as much detailed information as possible
                 about its strategic suppliers/business partners' Year 2000
                 plans so as to identify those companies which appear to pose a
                 significant risk of failure to perform their obligations to the
                 Company as a result of the Year 2000. Detailed information
                 regarding all of its strategic suppliers and equipment vendors
                 has been compiled and Year 2000 audits are planned for the most
                 critical suppliers. This will be an ongoing process during the
                 Company's Year 2000 project. For those strategic suppliers and
                 equipment vendors that do not respond as to their status or
                 their response is not satisfactory, the Company intends to
                 develop contingency plans to ensure that sufficient resources
                 are available to continue with business operations.

                 COSTS TO ADDRESS THE YEAR 2000. Spending for modifications and
                 updates is being expensed as incurred and is not expected to
                 have a material impact on the Company's results of operations
                 or cash flows. The cost of the Company's Year 2000 project is
                 being funded through borrowings. The Company estimates that its
                 total incremental Year 2000 expenditures will be in the range
                 of $5 - $7 million. Through December 31, 1998, the Company has
                 expended approximately $2.2 million of incremental costs
                 consisting mainly of contract programmers and consulting costs
                 associated with the evaluation, assessment and remediation of
                 computer systems and manufacturing equipment. The Company
                 anticipates that contract programming costs will be its most
                 significant cost as the Year 2000 project proceeds to
                 completion.

                 RISK ANALYSIS. Like most large business enterprises, the
                 Company is dependent upon its own internal computer technology
                 and relies upon the timely performance of its
                 suppliers/business partners. A large-scale Year 2000 failure
                 could impair the Company's ability to timely deliver silicon
                 wafers with the exacting specifications required by its
                 customers, thereby causing potential lost sales and additional
                 expenses. The Company's Year 2000 project seeks to identify and
                 minimize this risk and includes testing of its in-house
                 applications, purchased software and embedded systems to ensure
                 that all such systems will function before and after the Year
                 2000. The Company is continually refining its understanding of
                 the risk the Year 2000 poses to its strategic
                 suppliers/business partners based upon information obtained
                 through its surveys. This refinement will continue into
                 mid-1999.

                 CONTINGENCY PLANS. The Company's Year 2000 project includes the
                 development of contingency plans for business critical systems
                 and manufacturing equipment as well as for strategic
                 suppliers/business partners to attempt to minimize disruption
                 to its operations in the event of a Year 2000 failure. The
                 Company will be formulating plans to address a variety of
                 failure scenarios, including failures of its in-house
                 applications, as well as failures of strategic
                 suppliers/business partners. The Company anticipates it will
                 complete Year 2000 contingency planning by March 1999.

                 YEAR 2000 CAUTIONARY STATEMENT. Year 2000 issues are widespread
                 and complex. While the Company believes it will address them on
                 a timely basis, the Company cannot guarantee that it will be
                 successful or that these problems will not materially adversely
                 affect its business or results of operations. To a large
                 extent, the Company depends on the efforts of its customers,
                 suppliers and other organizations with which it conducts
                 transactions to address their Year 2000 issues, over which the
                 Company has no control.

                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
EURO CONVERSION  On January 1, 1999, eleven of the fifteen member countries of 
                 the European union established fixed conversion rates between
                 their existing sovereign currencies and the euro. The
                 participating countries have agreed to adopt the euro as their
                 common legal currency as of that date while still utilizing
                 their local currency until January 1, 2002.

                 The Company has begun to assess the potential impact to the
                 Company that may result from the euro conversion. In addition
                 to tax accounting considerations, the Company is also assessing
                 the potential impact from the euro conversion in a number of
                 other areas, including: the technical challenges to adapt
                 information technology
   12

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS

                 and other systems to accommodate euro-denominated transactions;
                 the competitive impact of cross-border price transparency,
                 which may make it more difficult for businesses to charge
                 different prices for the same products on a country-by-country
                 basis; the impact on currency exchange costs and currency
                 exchange rate risk; and, the impact on existing contracts.
                 While the Company will continue to assess the impact of the
                 introduction of the euro, based on currently available
                 information, management does not believe that the introduction
                 of the euro will have a material adverse effect on the
                 Company's financial condition or results of operation.

 


                 ---------------------------------------------------------------



 RECENTLY ISSUED In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
      ACCOUNTING Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133,
  PRONOUNCEMENTS "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities."
                 SFAS No. 133 requires the recognition of all derivatives as
                 assets or liabilities within the balance sheet, and requires
                 both the derivatives and the underlying exposure to be recorded
                 at fair value. Any gain or loss resulting from changes in fair
                 value will be recorded as part of the results of operations, or
                 as a component of comprehensive income or loss, depending upon
                 the intended use of the derivative. SFAS No. 133 is effective
                 for all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June
                 15, 1999. The Company does not believe that the implementation
                 of this Statement will have a material adverse affect on its
                 financial condition or results of operations.

                 In March 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public
                 Accountants issued Statement of Position (SOP) 98-1,
                 "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or
                 Obtained for Internal Use." SOP 98-1 requires that certain
                 costs related to the development or purchase of internal-use
                 software be capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful
                 life of the software. This Statement also requires that costs
                 related to the preliminary project stage and the
                 post-implementation/ operations stage of an internal-use
                 computer software development project be expensed as incurred.
                 SOP 98-1 is effective for financial statements issued for
                 fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1998. The Company
                 does not believe that the implementation of this Statement will
                 have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or
                 results of operations.

                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
 RISK FACTORS    Certain statements made in this report are or may constitute
                 "forward looking statements". These include statements
                 concerning the manner, timing and estimated savings and effects
                 of the Company's restructuring activities; estimated cost
                 reductions for the global purchasing, plant focus and other
                 initiatives; the Company's expectations for an increase in
                 market demand for silicon wafers and semiconductors and an
                 easing of pressure on pricing and margins in the year 2000; the
                 Company's expectations concerning its lack of profitability in
                 1999 and its ability to generate positive operating cash flows
                 in the year 2000; implementation in MEMC plants of QS 900 and
                 ISO 14001 certification; the transfer of Spartanburg-based
                 small diameter production activities to other existing
                 locations; utilization of the restructuring reserve; capital
                 expenditures in 1999; the expectations concerning Taisil and
                 the Taiwanese silicon wafer market; the consummation of the
                 pending private placement to the VEBA Group and the Offering;
                 the continued support of the Company by the VEBA Group; and the
                 status, effectiveness and projected completion of the
                 Company's Year 2000 initiative.

                 Because these matters are subject to risks and uncertainties,
                 actual results may differ materially from those expressed or
                 implied by forward looking statements. Factors that could cause
                 actual results to differ materially include the demand for
                 semiconductors worldwide; changes in the pricing environment
                 for the Company's products; changes in financial market
                 conditions; the economic conditions in the Asia Pacific region
                 and Japan; actions taken by the Company's competitors; the
                 willingness of the Company's customers to re-qualify
                 Spartanburg-based production to other locations; the accuracy
                 of assumptions made by the Company regarding savings from its
                 restructuring activities; and changes in interest and exchange
                 rates.

                 Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward looking
                 statements, which speak only as of the date that they are made.
                 The Company does not undertake any obligation to release
                 publically any revisions to these statements to reflect later
                 events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of
                 unanticipated events.
   13

                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
   MARKET RISK   Market risks relating to the Company's operations result
                 primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in foreign
                 exchange rates. The Company enters into currency swaps to
                 minimize the risk and costs associated with its financing
                 activities in currencies other than its functional currency.
                 The Company does not hold derivatives for trading purposes.

                 The following table provides information about the Company's
                 financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest
                 rates. For debt obligations, the table presents principal
                 maturities and related weighted-average interest rates by
                 expected maturity dates. Weighted average variable rates are
                 based on implied forward rates in the yield curve at the
                 reporting date. The information is presented in U.S. dollar
                 equivalents. The instrument's actual cash flows are denominated
                 in U.S. dollars (USD), Japanese Yen (JPY), and Italian Lira
                 (ITL), as indicated in parentheses.




INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY
Principal (Notional) Amount by Expected Maturity Average Interest Rate

 
                                                                              
                                                                                                                 Fair Value  
(Amounts in thousands)              1999        2000       2001          2002       2003    Thereafter   Total    12/31/98
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                
LIABILITIES

Variable rate debt:
Long-term debt - (USD)                                     $131,400                                     $131,400   $131,400
   Average interest rate                                       10.2%                                        10.2%

Fixed rate debt:
Long-term debt - (USD)            $30,000(1)   $10,000(1)  $145,000    $100,000    $90,000   $200,000   $575,000   $542,593
Long-term debt - (JPY)              8,610(1)    20,776(1)    44,410      31,461      4,219     45,504    154,980    154,581
Long-term debt - (ITL)              2,517        2,288        2,347       1,926      1,220      2,002     12,300     12,670
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total fixed rate debt          $41,127      $33,064     $191,757    $133,387    $95,439   $247,506   $742,280   $709,844
===========================================================================================================================
   Average interest rate              7.2%         4.4%         7.5%        7.5%       8.4%       8.1%       7.6%
Total Fixed and Variable                                                                                 873,680   $841,244
===========================================================================================================================


(1)The Company has the ability and intent to refinance all U.S. Dollar
denominated debt in 1999 and 2000, all Japanese Yen denominated debt in 1999,
and $8,610 of the Japanese Yen denominated debt in 2000 at interest rates
reflecting new maturities to 2001 and interest rate spreads applicable to an
average industrial borrower at an assumed credit rating.
   14

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS

                 The Company routinely enters into forward currency exchange
                 contracts in the regular course of its business to manage its
                 exposure against foreign currencies. The Company had $30.8
                 million in foreign currency contracts outstanding at December
                 31, 1998 with an estimated fair value of $32.1 million. These
                 contracts are for a short duration, generally less than six
                 months, and their contract values approximate fair value. Thus,
                 they have been omitted from the table below. In addition, the
                 Company entered into a foreign currency swaps to hedge a
                 portion of its debt in Japan. For debt obligations, the table
                 presents debt obligations which are held by the Company in a
                 currency that is not its reporting currency.

                 FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE SENSITIVITY

                 Principal (National) Amount by Expected Maturity



                                                                                                       Fair Value
                 (Amounts in thousands)                        1999    2000    2001     2002     Total   12/31/98
                 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          
                 LONG-TERM DEBT (US $ Functional Currency)
                  Long-term debt - JPY                      $8,610  $8,610   $8,610   $8,610  $34,440   $33,582
                  Average interest rates                      3.4%    4.1%     4.7%     5.2%     4.4%

                 CURRENCY SWAP AGREEMENTS
                 Payment of Japanese Yen                                                       
                 Notional amount                                             12,634            12,634    10,384
                  Average contract rate                                       79.15
                 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   15


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS




Year ended December 31,                                               1998            1997            1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dollars in thousands, except share data
                                                                                               
Net sales                                                      $    758,916    $    986,673    $  1,119,500
Cost of goods sold                                                  790,745         861,914         869,315
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Gross margin                                                   (31,829)        124,759         250,185
Operating expenses:
   Marketing and administration                                      73,515          70,715          79,680
   Research and development                                          81,591          64,457          44,313
   Restructuring costs                                              146,324              --              --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Operating profit (loss)                                       (333,259)        (10,413)        126,192
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonoperating (income) expense:
   Interest expense                                                  45,832          14,743             494
   Interest income                                                   (2,291)         (2,570)         (5,436)
   Royalty income                                                    (4,628)         (8,186)         (6,158)
   Other, net                                                         1,043          (4,070)          7,437
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total nonoperating (income) expense                             39,956             (83)         (3,663)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Earnings (loss) before income taxes, equity in income
        (loss) of joint ventures and minority interests            (373,215)        (10,330)        129,855
Income taxes                                                        (89,394)          2,769          51,942
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Earnings (loss) before equity in income (loss) of joint
        ventures and minority interests                            (283,821)        (13,099)         77,913
Equity in income (loss) of joint ventures                           (43,496)          5,480          26,716
Minority interests                                                   10,985           3,106          (1,241)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss)                                            $   (316,332)   $     (4,513)   $    103,388
===========================================================================================================
Basic earnings (loss) per share                                $      (7.80)   $      (0.11)   $       2.50
Diluted earnings (loss) per share                              $      (7.80)   $      (0.11)   $       2.49
===========================================================================================================
Weighted average shares used in computing basic
   earnings (loss) per share                                     40,580,869      41,345,193      41,308,806
===========================================================================================================
Weighted average shares used in computing diluted
   earnings (loss) per share                                     40,580,869      41,345,193      41,534,412
===========================================================================================================


                         
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
   16

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS




December 31,                                                                         1998           1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dollars in thousands, except share data

ASSETS

Current assets:
                                                                                                 
   Cash and cash equivalents                                                    $    16,168    $    30,053
   Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of
     $2,853 and $3,473 in 1998 and 1997, respectively                                98,528        154,702
   Income taxes receivable                                                           10,161         14,382
   Inventories                                                                      115,927        141,447
   Deferred tax assets, net                                                          23,129         13,206
   Prepaid and other current assets                                                  35,225         23,185
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total current assets                                                           299,138        376,975
Property, plant and equipment, net                                                1,188,832      1,200,827
Investment in joint ventures                                                         94,610        112,573
Excess of cost over net assets acquired, net of accumulated amortization of
   $5,128 and $3,752 in 1998 and 1997, respectively                                  48,396         49,772
Deferred tax asset, net                                                             104,650         15,472
Other assets                                                                         38,088         38,805
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total assets                                                               $ 1,773,714    $ 1,794,424
==========================================================================================================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
   Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt                  $    38,644    $   122,476
   Accounts payable                                                                 112,581        146,172
   Accrued liabilities                                                               35,404         40,219
   Customer deposits                                                                 17,639          8,392
   Provision for restructuring costs                                                 37,299             --
   Accrued wages and salaries                                                        17,077         21,267
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total current liabilities                                                      258,644        338,526
Long-term debt, less current portion                                                871,163        510,038
Pension and similar liabilities                                                      92,466         76,837
Customer deposits                                                                    59,033         67,141
Other liabilities                                                                    45,126         26,901
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total liabilities                                                            1,326,432      1,019,443
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minority interests                                                                   48,242         59,227
Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:
   Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, none issued
     or outstanding in 1998 or 1997                                                      --             --
   Common stock, $.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 41,436,421
     and 41,440,369 issued in 1998 and 1997, respectively                               414            414
   Additional paid-in capital                                                       574,188        574,317
   Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)                                         (147,836)       168,496
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                             (10,581)       (25,721)
   Unearned restricted stock awards                                                    (125)          (424)
   Treasury stock, at cost: 929,205 and 36,205 shares in 1998 and 1997              (17,020)        (1,328)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total stockholders' equity                                                     399,040        715,754
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                 $ 1,773,714    $ 1,794,424
==========================================================================================================


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
   17

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


Year ended December 31,                                                                 1998                1997             1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                
Dollars in thousands

Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net earnings (loss)                                                                $(316,332)        $  (4,513)        $ 103,388
   Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash
     provided by (used in) operating activities:
        Depreciation and amortization                                                   155,874           126,913            91,660
        Minority interests                                                              (10,985)           (3,106)            1,241
        Equity in (income) loss of joint ventures                                        43,496            (5,480)          (26,716)
        Restructuring costs                                                             104,704                --                --
        (Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment                              6,916            (4,766)              610
        Deferred compensation earned                                                        299               596             1,001
        Changes in assets and liabilities:
          Accounts receivable                                                            61,836           (36,051)           32,247
          Income taxes receivable                                                         4,655            (8,794)          (24,127)
          Inventories                                                                    28,461           (46,445)          (11,126)
          Prepaid and other current assets                                               (1,203)            9,487           (10,638)
          Deferred taxes                                                                (98,074)          (17,783)           11,546
          Accounts payable                                                              (38,833)            3,976            19,221
          Accrued liabilities                                                            (7,792)            8,301            (8,257)
          Accrued wages and salaries                                                     (4,209)           (3,797)            1,749
          Customer deposits                                                                (348)           17,806            69,626
          Other, net                                                                     37,680            (6,915)           10,480
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                        (33,855)           29,429           261,905
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
   Capital expenditures                                                                (194,610)         (372,416)         (590,049)
   Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                                    5,730            21,512               884
   Equity infusions in joint ventures                                                   (25,533)          (10,638)          (14,698)
   Dividend received from unconsolidated joint venture                                       --            11,263                --
   Deposit with affiliate                                                                    --                --            55,000
   Notes receivable from affiliates                                                      (8,642)              212             2,376
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Net cash used in investing activities                                     (223,055)         (350,067)         (546,487)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
   Net short-term borrowings                                                             (8,843)           87,420            14,898
   Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                             515,313           248,553           222,166
   Principal payments on long-term debt                                                (248,936)          (18,693)           (2,060)
   Repurchase of common stock                                                           (15,692)               --            (1,328)
   Other                                                                                   (129)              385             8,603
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Net cash provided by financing activities                                  241,713           317,665           242,279
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents                              1,312            (2,070)              207
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                                  (13,885)           (5,043)          (42,096)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                                           30,053            35,096            77,192
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                                              $  16,168         $  30,053         $  35,096
====================================================================================================================================
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
   Interest payments, net of amount capitalized                                       $  48,179         $  21,204         $      --
   Income taxes paid                                                                  $   9,794            18,020            57,590
====================================================================================================================================

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
   18

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY




                                        Common Stock
                               ----------------------------                    Retained 
                                   Number                    Additional        Earnings 
                                  of Shares         Par         Paid-in    (Accumulated 
                                   Issued          Value        Capital         Deficit)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         
Dollars in thousands,
except per share data
Balance at December 31, 1995     41,399,998    $       414    $   569,959    $    69,621
Comprehensive income
   Net earnings                          --             --             --        103,388
   Net translation adjustment            --             --             --             -- 
Comprehensive income                
Stock plans, net                     70,973              1          3,392             -- 
Deferred compensation earned             --             --             --             -- 
Repurchase of common stock               --             --             --             -- 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1996     41,470,971            415        573,351        173,009
Comprehensive loss
   Net loss                              --             --             --         (4,513)
   Net translation adjustment            --             --             --             -- 
Comprehensive loss                  
Stock plans, net                    (30,602)            (1)           966             -- 
Deferred compensation earned             --             --             --             -- 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1997     41,440,369            414        574,317        168,496
Comprehensive loss
   Net loss                              --             --             --       (316,332)
   Net translation adjustment            --             --             --             -- 
   Minimum pension liability             --             --             --             --
Comprehensive loss (net of tax)
Stock plans, net                     (3,948)            --           (129)            -- 
Deferred compensation earned             --             --             --             -- 
Repurchase of common stock               --             --             --             -- 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31,1998      41,436,421    $       414    $   574,188    $  (147,836)
========================================================================================




                                 Accumulated       Unearned                        
                                       Other     Restricted                          
                               Comprehensive          Stock      Treasury           
                               Income (loss)         Awards         Stock          Total
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         
Dollars in thousands,                                                                            
except per share data                
Balance at December 31, 1995    $     4,717    $    (2,016)   $        --    $   642,695
Comprehensive income                                                             
   Net earnings                          --             --             --        103,388
   Net translation adjustment          (364)            --             --           (364)
Comprehensive income                                                             103,024
Stock plans, net                         --           (202)            --          3,191
Deferred compensation earned             --          1,001             --          1,001
Repurchase of common stock               --             --         (1,328)        (1,328)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1996           4,353        (1,217)        (1,328)       748,583
Comprehensive loss
   Net loss                              --             --             --         (4,513)
   Net translation adjustment        (30,074)           --             --        (30,074)
Comprehensive loss                                                               (34,587)
Stock plans, net                         --            197             --          1,162
Deferred compensation earned             --            596             --            596
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1997         (25,721)         (424)        (1,328)       715,754
Comprehensive loss
   Net loss                              --             --             --       (316,332)
   Net translation adjustment        17,682             --             --         17,682
   Minimum pension liability         (2,542)            --             --         (2,542)
Comprehensive loss (net of tax)                                                 (301,192)
Stock plans, net                         --            129             --             --
Deferred compensation earned             --            170             --            170
Repurchase of common stock               --             --        (15,692)       (15,692)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31,1998     $   (10,581)   $      (125)   $   (17,020)   $   399,040
========================================================================================

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
   19
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Dollars in thousands, except share data



       1 - NATURE OF   MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. and subsidiaries (the
          OPERATIONS   Company) is a manufacturer and leading worldwide supplier
                       of electronic grade silicon wafers for the semiconductor 
                       industry. The Company has production facilities directly 
                       or through joint ventures in Italy, Japan, Malaysia, 
                       South Korea, Taiwan and the United States. The Company's 
                       customers are located throughout the world.
                       ---------------------------------------------------------

        2 - SUMMARY    (a) Basis of Presentation
     OF SIGNIFICANT    The preparation of the consolidated financial statements
ACCOUNTING POLICIES    in conformity with generally accepted accounting 
                       principals (GAAP) requires management to make estimates 
                       and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of 
                       assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent 
                       assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated 
                       financial statements, and the reported amounts of 
                       revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual
                       results could differ from those estimates.

                       Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to
                       conform to the current year's presentation.

                       (b) Principles of Consolidation
                       The consolidated financial statements include the
                       accounts of MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. and its
                       wholly and majority owned subsidiaries. Investments of
                       less than 50% in two joint venture companies are
                       accounted for using the equity method. All significant
                       intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

                       (c) Cash Equivalents
                       Cash equivalents consist of cash in banks, principally
                       overnight investments and short-term time deposits, with
                       original maturities of three months or less.

                       (d) Inventories
                       Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market.
                       Raw materials and supplies inventories are valued using
                       the first-in, first-out method. Goods in process and
                       finished goods inventory values are based upon standard
                       costs which approximate average costs.

                       (e) Property, Plant and Equipment
                       Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost.
                       Depreciation is computed principally using the
                       straight-line method over estimated service lives as
                       follows:
                       ---------------------------------------------------------


                                                                           Years
                                                                          
                       Land improvements                                    6-15
                       Buildings and building improvements                 10-30
                       Machinery and equipment                              3-12
                       =========================================================

                       The Company capitalizes interest costs as part of the
                       cost of constructing facilities and equipment. Interest
                       costs of $5,521, $15,968 and $8,957 were capitalized in
                       1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

                       (f) Excess of Cost Over Net Assets Acquired 
                       Excess of cost over net assets acquired (goodwill) is
                       amortized on a straight-line basis over the periods
                       estimated to be benefited, not exceeding 40 years. Excess
                       of cost over net assets acquired is reviewed for
                       impairment whenever events and changes in business
                       circumstances indicate the carrying value of the goodwill
                       and related acquired assets that gave rise to the
                       goodwill may not be recoverable. Impairment losses are
                       recognized if expected future cash flows of the related
                       assets are less than their carrying values. There is no
                       indication of impairment of excess cost over net assets
                       acquired at December 31, 1998 and 1997.

                       (g) Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal 
                           Use
                       Costs related to the development or purchase of
                       internal-use software are capitalized and amortized over
                       the estimated useful life of the software. Costs related
                       to the preliminary project stage and the post-
                       implementation/operations stage of an internal-use
                       computer software development project are expensed as
                       incurred.

                       (h) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets
                       to Be Disposed of

                       Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured
                       by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to
                       future net cash flows expected to be generated by the
                       asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the
                       impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by
                       which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the

   20
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                       fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are
                       reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair
                       value less costs to sell. There is no indication of
                       impairment of property, plant and equipment at December
                       31, 1998 and 1997.

                       (i) Impairment of Investment in Joint Ventures 
                       Impairment of investments in joint ventures is measured
                       by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to future
                       net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. In
                       addition, the level of commitment of the joint venture's
                       shareholders, the silicon wafer markets serviced by the
                       joint ventures, and the level of customer qualifications
                       at the joint ventures are also considered in assessing
                       the impairment of the Company's investments in joint
                       ventures. There is no indication of impairment of these
                       investments at December 31, 1998 and 1997.

                       (j) Revenue Recognition
                       Revenues are recognized when products are shipped.

                       (k) Derivative Financial Instruments
                       The Company enters into forward exchange contracts to
                       manage foreign currency exchange risk relating to current
                       trade receivables with its foreign subsidiaries and
                       current trade receivables with its customers denominated
                       in foreign currencies (primarily Japanese yen and
                       Deutsche mark). The purpose of the Company's foreign
                       currency hedging activities is to protect the Company
                       from the risk that the eventual dollar net cash flows
                       resulting from foreign currency transactions will be
                       adversely affected by changes in exchange rates. The
                       Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for
                       trading purposes.

                       The Company's forward exchange contracts are accounted
                       for as hedges and, accordingly, gains and losses on those
                       contracts are deferred and recognized at the time of
                       settlement of the related receivables. Deferred gains and
                       losses are included on a net basis in the consolidated
                       balance sheets as either other assets or other
                       liabilities. Upon termination, gains and losses are
                       included in the consolidated statements of operations as
                       other income or expense. If a forward exchange contract
                       is designated as a hedge but is no longer effective, it
                       is marked to market and included in other income or
                       expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
                       A payment or receipt arising from the termination of a
                       forward exchange contract that is effective as a hedge is
                       included in other income or expense in the consolidated
                       statements of operations.

                       (l) Translation of Foreign Currencies
                       Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries whose
                       functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar are
                       translated to U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in
                       effect at the balance sheet date. Results of operations
                       are translated using average rates during the period.
                       Adjustments resulting from the translation process are
                       included as a separate component of stockholders' equity

                       (m) Income Taxes
                       Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for
                       the future tax consequences attributable to material
                       differences between the financial statement carrying
                       amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
                       respective tax bases and operating losses and tax credit
                       carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
                       measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to
                       taxable income in the years in which those temporary
                       differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The
                       effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change
                       in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period that
                       includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance has
                       been established for deferred tax assets that the Company
                       believes may not be realized.

                       No provision is made for U.S. income taxes on unremitted
                       earnings of the Company's consolidated non-U.S.
                       subsidiaries, as the retention of such earnings is
                       considered essential for continuing operations, or the
                       additional taxes are considered to be minimal based upon
                       available foreign tax credits.

                       (n) Stock-Based Compensation
                       The Company measures its compensation cost of equity
                       instruments issued under employee compensation plans
                       under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board
                       Opinion No. 25 and related Interpretations. Compensation
                       expense related to restricted stock awards is recognized
                       over the applicable vesting periods, and the unamortized
                       portion of deferred compensation is reflected as a
                       separate component of stockholders' equity. The Company
                       does not issue equity instruments to non-employees.


   21

                       (o) Comprehensive Income 
                       (Loss) Reclassification Adjustment 
                       The Company's decision to forego construction of a new
                       200 millimeter facility at its joint venture in Malaysia
                       and to withdraw from its small diameter joint venture in
                       China resulted in a reclassification adjustment to
                       comprehensive income (loss) in 1998 of approximately
                       $9,500.

                       (p) Contingencies
                       Contingent liabilities are disclosed when management
                       believes they are material to the Company's financial
                       position. There are no such known contingent liabilities
                       at December 31, 1998.

                       ---------------------------------------------------------
 3 - FAIR VALUE OF     The carrying amount of the Company's cash, accounts
         FINANCIAL     receivable, income taxes receivable, short-term 
       INSTRUMENTS     borrowings accounts payable and accrued liabilities
                       approximates fair value due to the short maturity of
                       these instruments. Consequently, such instruments are not
                       included in the table below which provides information
                       regarding the estimated fair values of other financial
                       instruments, both on and off balance sheet, as follows:



                                  DECEMBER 31,                                        1998                         1997        
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            CARRYING       ESTIMATED      CARRYING    ESTIMATED
                                                                              AMOUNT      FAIR VALUE        AMOUNT   FAIR VALUE
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                
                                  Dollars in thousands                                                                         
                                  Long-term debt                            $873,680        $841,244      $519,995     $522,970
                                  Off-balance sheet financial instruments:                                                     
                                       Foreign currency contracts             30,846          32,139        69,842       67,810
                                       Currency swap contract                 12,634          10,384        12,634        9,334
                                  =============================================================================================


                       The fair value of each long-term debt facility is based
                       upon the amount of future cash flows associated with each
                       instrument discounted at the Company's current borrowing
                       rate for similar debt instruments of comparable terms.

                       The Company has entered into forward exchange contracts
                       with VEBAAG and its affiliates to manage foreign currency
                       exchange risk relating to current trade sales with its
                       foreign subsidiaries and current trade sales with its
                       customers denominated in foreign currencies (primarily
                       Japanese yen and Deutsche mark), and a currency swap
                       contract relating to foreign currency denominated
                       intercompany loans. The Company believes its hedging
                       arrangements with VEBAAG and its affiliates allow for
                       transactions on a basis that is comparable to terms
                       available from unrelated third party financial
                       intermediaries.

                       The fair values of the forward and the currency swap
                       contracts were a net gain to the Company of $957 and
                       $5,332, as measured by the amount that would have been
                       paid to liquidate and repurchase all open contracts as of
                       December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Deferred losses
                       for intercompany loans totaled $2,897 and $3,437 at
                       December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

                       ---------------------------------------------------------
4 - CONCENTRATION      The Company sells products to customers in the
   OF CREDIT RISK      semiconductor industry which are located in various
                       geographic regions including the United States, Europe,
                       Japan and Asia Pacific. The primary customers in this
                       industry are well capitalized and the concentration of
                       credit risk is considered minimal due to the Company's
                       customer base. Sales to the Company's largest customer
                       were 20.3%, 20.0% and 16.8% of net sales in 1998, 1997
                       and 1996, respectively. No other customer constituted 10%
                       or more of net sales in 1998, 1997 or 1996.

                       ---------------------------------------------------------
 5 - RESTRUCTURING     During the second quarter of 1998, the Company decided to
             COSTS     close its small diameter wafer facility in Spartanburg,
                       South Carolina and to withdraw from its 60% owned joint
                       venture in a small diameter wafer operation in China.
                       These actions were taken because (1) a number of
                       semiconductor manufacturers have been running their
                       larger diameter manufacturing lines in preference to
                       their small diameter lines in order to gain production
                       efficiencies; (2) a number of semiconductor manufacturers
                       recently have undertaken restructuring initiatives
                       focused on permanently eliminating small diameter lines;
                       and (3) management believes that small diameter wafer
                       capacity will exceed demand even after the semiconductor
                       industry begins to recover. The Company also decided to
                       forego construction of a new 200 millimeter wafer
                       facility at its 75% owned joint venture in Malaysia. This
                       decision was based upon current and anticipated excess
                       capacity for 200 millimeter wafers and the significant
                       price erosion that the Company has experienced for these
                       wafers.

                       The Company recorded a charge to operations of $121,670
                       (of which $81,325 is non-cash) related to the above
                       actions.


   22

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                       Restructuring activity since the provision for
                       restructuring costs was recorded is as follows:




                                                                                                        BALANCE AT
                                                                                            AMOUNT    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                         PROVISION        UTILIZED            1998
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      
                        Asset impairment/write-off:                                                               
                          Spartanburg property, plant and equipment       $ 36,300         $36,300        $    -- 
                          Malaysian joint venture assets                    28,000          25,195          2,805 
                          Chinese joint venture assets                      13,800           9,642          4,158 
                          Other infrastructure                               3,225           3,225             -- 
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Total                                               81,325          74,362          6,963 
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                  
                        Dismantling and related costs:                                                            
                          Dismantling costs                                 11,345           1,039         10,306 
                          Costs incurred by equipment supplier               5,000           5,000             -- 
                          Environmental costs                                3,500              11          3,489 
                          Operating leases                                   3,000              --          3,000 
                          Other                                              3,000              --          3,000 
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Total                                             25,845           6,050         19,795 
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                  
                        Personnel costs                                     14,500           3,959         10,541 
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                  
                        Total restructuring costs                         $121,670         $84,371        $37,299 
                        ==========================================================================================



                       The assets for which an impairment loss has been recorded
                       or which have or will be written-off are primarily
                       property, plant and equipment that cannot be sold or used
                       at other Company facilities. Accordingly, these assets
                       have been written down to net realizable value. The net
                       balance of Spartanburg property, plant and equipment
                       before and after the write-off was $50,965 and $14,665,
                       respectively. Additionally, the Company wrote-off
                       architectural design and site preparation fees and costs
                       incurred to develop a computer integrated manufacturing
                       system for the Malaysian joint venture that do not have
                       applicability elsewhere within the Company. Ongoing
                       operating expenses until plant closure associated with
                       the Spartanburg facility of approximately $7,930 will
                       continue to be recorded as period costs. Costs of
                       approximately $8,000 relating to the relocation and
                       installation of equipment from the Spartanburg facility
                       to other sites will be capitalized as incurred.

                       The Chinese joint venture assets represent the operating
                       assets of the Company's 60% owned joint venture in China.
                       The Company anticipates ceding its interest in the
                       operating assets of the joint venture to the partner in
                       the joint venture, with which the Company has no other
                       interest, and receiving deminimus proceeds in conjunction
                       with its withdrawal.

                       The provision for dismantling and related costs primarily
                       relates to the Spartanburg facility and includes
                       estimates for the dismantling of the facility, collection
                       and disposal of process chemicals, decontamination of
                       manufacturing equipment, modification of the wastewater
                       treatment facility, remaining operating lease payments on
                       equipment that will not be used elsewhere in the Company
                       and scrapping charges. Environmental remediation costs of
                       $3,500 relating to the closure of the Spartanburg
                       facility were accrued in accordance with Statement of
                       accounting Financial Standards No. 5, "Accounting for
                       Contingencies".


   23
                       Personnel costs of $12,200 represent the expected
                       severance cost of involuntary terminations for all hourly
                       and salaried employees, at the Spartanburg facility, whom
                       the Company does not expect to relocate elsewhere within
                       the organization. At December 31, 1998, approximately 240
                       of these employees had not yet been terminated. An
                       additional $2,300 restructuring charge relates to
                       severance benefits for certain employees at other MEMC
                       sites.

                       In addition to the restructuring activities discussed
                       above, the Company recorded a $24,654 charge for a
                       voluntary separation program for approximately 600 hourly
                       and salaried U.S. employees. All of this amount was paid
                       to participants as of December 31, 1998. Of the $37,299
                       restructuring reserve at December 31, 1998, approximately
                       $7,000 is non-cash. Half of the approximately $30,000
                       remaining reserve is expected to be paid out in the first
                       half of 1999. During this time, the Company will transfer
                       the small diameter production activities of the
                       Spartanburg facility to other existing Company locations.
                       The remaining half is expected to be expended by 1999
                       year-end and relates primarily to dismantling costs
                       associated with the Spartanburg facility.

                       ---------------------------------------------------------
   6 - INVENTORIES     Inventories consist of the following:



                        DECEMBER 31,                                         1998                  1997
                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Dollars in thousands                                                           
                                                                                               
                        Raw materials and supplies                       $ 59,722              $ 65,369
                        Goods in process                                   33,612                37,996
                        Finished goods                                     22,593                38,082
                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         $115,927              $141,447
                        ===============================================================================


                       ---------------------------------------------------------
7 - PROPERTY, PLANt    Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:
     AND EQUIPMENT


                        December 31,                                           1998                1997
                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Dollars in thousands                                                           
                                                                                              
                        Land and land improvements                       $   14,404          $   13,055
                        Buildings and building improvements                 484,820             435,740
                        Machinery and equipment                           1,110,195           1,001,846
                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          1,609,419           1,450,641
                        Less accumulated depreciation                       569,327             465,384
                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          1,040,092             985,257
                        Construction in progress                            148,740             215,570
                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         $1,188,832          $1,200,827
                        ===============================================================================


                       ---------------------------------------------------------
  8  - INVESTMENT IN   The Company has a 40% interest in POSCO HULS Co. Ltd.
      JOINT VENTURES   (PHC), a joint stock company formed to manufac- ture and
                       sell silicon wafers in South Korea, and a 45% interest in
                       Taisil Electronic Materials Corporation (Taisil), a
                       company limited by shares formed to manufacture and sell
                       silicon wafers in Taiwan.

                       During 1998, 1997 and 1996, the Company earned $4,628,
                       $8,186 and $6,158, respectively, from these
                       unconsolidated joint ventures under royalty agreements.
                       Sales by PHC of intermediate and finished product to the
                       Company totaled $22,301, $32,313 and $89,723 in 1998,
                       1997 and 1996, respectively.

                       The Company provides PHC and Taisil with debt guarantees
                       totaling $581 and $74,711, respectively.At December 31,
                       1998, PHC and Taisil had $581 and $74,711, respectively,
                       in standby letters of credit and borrowings outstanding
                       against these guarantees.

   24

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                       A summary of the results of operations for 1998, 1997 and
                       1996, and financial position as of December 31, 1998 and
                       1997 of the Company's unconsolidated joint ventures
                       follows: 



                        December 31,                                     1998                1997                   1996
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Dollars in thousands                                                                            
                                                                                                            
                        Total:                                                                                          
                          Net sales                                 $179,643             $277,492               $282,310
                          Gross margin                               (33,668)              54,120                107,366
                          Net earnings (loss)                       (101,596)              15,274                 68,847
                        ================================================================================================
                        The Company's share --                                                                          
                          Net earnings (loss)                       $(43,496)            $  5,480               $ 26,716
                        ================================================================================================
                        Current assets                              $169,532             $147,644                       
                        Noncurrent assets                            488,634              565,201                       
                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------                       
                          Total assets                               658,166              712,845                       
                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------                       
                        Current liabilities                          165,157              155,038                       
                        Noncurrent liabilities                       266,352              284,736                       
                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------                       
                          Total liabilities                          431,509              439,774                       
                        Interests of others                          132,047              160,498                       
                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------                       
                          The Company's investment                  $ 94,610             $112,573                       
                        =========================================================================                       


                       The Company's share of undistributed retained earnings of
                       unconsolidated joint ventures was approximately ($28,156)
                       and $16,090 at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
                       In 1997, the Company received a dividend from PHC of
                       $11,263.

                       The Company's unconsolidated joint ventures have net
                       sales denominated in or based on the U.S. dollar and
                       manufacturing expenses primarily denominated in the
                       U.S. dollar, Korean won and New Taiwanese dollar. PHC
                       also has significant debt denominated in the U.S. dollar
                       and Korean won. Likewise, Taisil has significant debt
                       denominated in the U.S. dollar and New Taiwanese dollar.
                       PHC and Taisil use the U.S. dollar as their functional
                       currency for U.S. GAAP purposes and do not hedge net
                       Korean won or New Taiwanese dollar exposures.

                       ---------------------------------------------------------
      9 - SHORT-TERM   Interest expense related to short-term borrowings with an
           BORROWING   affiliate was $4,195, $1,667 and $181 in 1998, 1997  and
      AGREEMENTS AND   1996, respectively.
     LINES OF CREDIT
                       The Company has unsecured borrowings from foreign banks
                       of approximately $36,000 at December 31, 1998, under
                       approximately $83,000 of short-term loan agreements which
                       bear interest at various rates ranging from 1.0% to 11.1%
                       and are renewable annually. The interest rate on the
                       borrowings is negotiated at the time of the borrowings.

                       Commitment fees of 1/4 of 1% are paid on the unused
                       portion of the lines of credit. The Company's weighted
                       average interest rate on short-term borrowings was 3.3%
                       and 4.9% at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, and
                       was favorably impacted by interest rates in Japan.

   25

                       ---------------------------------------------------------
10 - LONG-TERM DEBT    Long-term debt consists of the following:



                        December 31,                                                               1998             1997
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Dollars in thousands                                                                            
                                                                                                               
                        Owed to affiliates:                                                                             
                          Note with interest payable semiannually at 6.7%, due in 1998         $     --         $ 25,000
                          Notes with interest payable semiannually at rates ranging from                                
                            2.1% to 7.2%, due in 1999                                                --           37,690
                          Notes with interest payable semiannually at rates ranging from                                
                            2.5% to 6.4%, due in 2000                                                --           17,690
                          Notes with interest payable semiannually at rates ranging from                                
                            2.9% to 10.2%, due in 2001                                          342,230           77,690
                          Notes with interest payable semiannually at rates ranging from                                
                            3.2% to 9.7%, due in 2002                                           108,610           82,690
                          Note with interest payable semiannually at rates ranging from                                 
                            6.4% to 8.8%, due in 2003                                            90,000           40,000
                          Notes with interest payable semiannually at rates ranging from                                
                            6.5% to 9.7%, due in 2004                                           125,000          100,000
                          Note with interest payable semiannually at rates ranging from                                 
                            7.3% to 9.6%, due in 2005                                            75,000           75,000
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Total owed to affiliates                                                740,840          455,760
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                        
                        Owed to nonaffiliates:                                                                          
                          Note with interest payable semiannually at 4.1%, due in 1998               --            7,690
                          Notes with interest payable semiannually at rates ranging from                                
                            1.7% to 2.2%, due in 2001                                           $17,220           15,380
                          Note with interest payable semiannually at  rates ranging from                                
                            1.6% to 1.7%, due in 2000 through 2002                               43,050           15,380
                          Other notes with interest payable semiannually at rates ranging                               
                            from 1.5% to 8.9%, due in 1999 through 2017                          72,570           25,785
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Total owed to nonaffiliates                                             132,840           64,235
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Total long-term debt                                                    873,680          519,995
                        Less current portion                                                      2,517            9,957
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               $871,163         $510,038
                        ================================================================================================


                       The Company has long-term committed loan agreements of
                       approximately $927,000 at December 31, 1998, of which
                       approximately $874,000 is outstanding. Commitment fees of
                       1/4 of 1% are paid on the unused portion of committed
                       loan agreements. The Company has approximately $54,000 of
                       available long-term loan agreements with affiliates at
                       December 31, 1998. Under the terms of certain of these
                       long-term loan agreements owed to affiliates, the Company
                       cannot pledge any of its assets to secure additional
                       financing.

                       Interest expense related to long-term notes payable to
                       affiliates was $43,567, $25,633 and $7,337 in 1998, 1997
                       and 1996, respectively.
   26

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



                       The aggregate amounts of long-term debt maturing
                       subsequent to December 31, 1998 are as follows:
                       ---------------------------------------------------------
                       Dollars in thousands
                                                                     
                       1999                                             $  2,517
                       2000                                               14,454
                       2001                                              380,377
                       2002                                              133,387
                       2003                                               95,439
                       Thereafter                                        247,506
                       ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        $873,680
                       =========================================================


                       In October 1996, the Company entered into a financing
                       arrangement with the City of O'Fallon, Missouri related
                       to the expansion of the Company's St. Peters, Missouri
                       facility. In total, approximately $252 million of
                       industrial revenue bonds were issued to the Company by
                       the City of O'Fallon, of which at December 31, 1998 and
                       1997, $215 million and $210 million was outstanding,
                       respectively.

                       The bonds were exchanged by the City of O'Fallon for the
                       assets related to the expansion, which were then leased
                       by the Company for a period of 10 years for machinery and
                       equipment and 15 years for building and building
                       improvements. The Company has the option to purchase the
                       machinery and equipment at the end of five years and the
                       building and building improvements at the end of 10
                       years. The industrial revenue bonds bear interest at a
                       rate of 6% per annum and mature concurrent with the
                       annual payments due under the terms of the lease.

                       The Company has classified the leased assets as property,
                       plant and equipment and has established a capital lease
                       obligation equal to the outstanding principal balance of
                       industrial revenue bonds. Lease payments may be made by
                       tendering an equivalent portion of the industrial revenue
                       bonds. As the capital lease payments to the City of
                       O'Fallon may be satisfied by tendering industrial revenue
                       bonds (which is the Company's intention), the capital
                       lease obligation, industrial revenue bonds and related
                       interest expense and interest income, respectively, have
                       been offset for presentation purposes in the consolidated
                       financial statements.

                       ---------------------------------------------------------
   11 - STOCKHOLDERS'  Preferred Stock
             EQUITY    The Company has 50,000,000 authorized shares of $.01 per
                       share par value preferred stock. The Board of Directors
                       is authorized, without further action by the
                       stockholders, to issue any or all of the preferred stock.

                       Common Stock
                       Holders of the $.01 per share par value common stock are
                       entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters
                       submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Subject to the
                       rights of any holders of preferred stock, holders of
                       common stock are entitled to receive ratably such
                       dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors.
                       In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
                       the Company, holders of the common stock are entitled to
                       share ratably in the distribution of all assets remaining
                       after payment of liabilities, subject to the rights of
                       any holders of preferred stock.

                       Stock-Based Compensation
                       The Company has an Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) that
                       provides for the award of incentive and non-qualified
                       stock options, restricted stock and performance shares.
                       Total shares authorized for grant under the Plan are
                       3,597,045. Non-qualified stock options to employees are
                       typically granted on January 1 and vest at a rate of 25%
                       annually over four years. Non-qualified stock options to
                       non-employee directors are also typically granted on
                       January 1 but vest at a rate of 33 1/3% annually over
                       three years. The exercise price of each option equals the
                       market price of the Company's common stock on the date of
                       the grant, and each option's maximum term is 10 years.
                       Total restricted shares awarded in 1997 and 1996 were
                       1,300 and 38,200, respectively, with weighted average
                       fair values of $22.50 and $33.46, respectively. Total
                       compensation cost recognized for these awards in 1998,
                       1997 and 1996 was $170, $596 and $1,001, respectively.

   27

                       The Company applies Opinion 25 and related
                       Interpretations in accounting for the Plan. Accordingly,
                       no compensation cost has been recognized for
                       non-qualified stock options granted under the Plan. Had
                       compensation cost been determined for the Company's
                       non-qualified stock options based on the fair value at
                       the grant dates consistent with the alternative method
                       set forth under SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for
                       Stock-Based Compensation," the Company's net earnings
                       (loss) and basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share
                       would have been reduced (increased) to the pro forma
                       amounts indicated below: 
        

                                       
                       Year ended December 31,                         1998         1997           1996
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Dollars in thousands, except share data                                         
                                                                                           
                       Net earnings (loss):                                                            
                          As reported                            $(316,332)     $(4,513)       $103,388
                          Pro forma                               (319,627)      (6,551)        101,820
                       Basic earnings (loss) per common share:                                         
                          As reported                                (7.80)       (0.11)           2.50
                          Pro forma                                  (7.88)       (0.16)           2.46
                       Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:                                       
                          As reported                                (7.80)       (0.11)           2.49
                          Pro forma                                  (7.88)       (0.16)           2.45
                       ================================================================================


                       The fair value of options granted is estimated on the
                       date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing
                       model with the following weighted-average assumptions
                       used for grants in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively:
                       risk-free interest rate of 5.7%, 6.1% and 6.5%; expected
                       life of six years for all periods; expected volatility of
                       51.4%, 44.8% and 36.4%; expected dividends of zero
                       percent for all periods. A summary of the Company's Plan
                       activity with respect to stock options is presented
                       below:
        


                                                                                        Weighted                Weighted
                                                                                         Average      Average Fair Value
                                                                   Shares           Option Price      of Options Granted
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Year ended December 31, 1998                                                                    
                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                            
                        Outstanding at beginning of year        1,024,292                 $24.92                        
                        Granted                                   887,300                  15.06                   $8.40
                        Exercised                                      --                     --                        
                        Canceled                                 (138,418)                 23.31                        
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Outstanding at end of year              1,773,174                 $20.11                        
                        ================================================================================================
                        Options exercisable at year-end           894,065                 $22.99                        
                        ================================================================================================
                                                                                                                        
                        Year ended December 31, 1997                                                                    
                        Outstanding at beginning of year          965,838                 $25.32                        
                        Granted                                   177,352                  22.56                  $11.94
                        Exercised                                 (12,298)                 27.23                        
                        Canceled                                 (106,600)                 24.36                        
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Outstanding at end of year              1,024,292                 $24.92                        
                        ================================================================================================
                        Options exercisable at year-end           516,674                 $24.77                        
                        ================================================================================================
                                                                                                                        
                        Year ended December 31, 1996                                                                    
                        Outstanding at beginning of year          914,694                 $24.00                        
                        Granted                                   141,300                  32.99                  $15.54
                        Exercised                                 (36,333)                 24.00                        
                        Canceled                                  (53,823)                 24.00                        
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Outstanding at end of year                965,838                 $25.32                        
                        ================================================================================================
                        Options exercisable at year-end           146,733                 $24.53                        
                        ================================================================================================

   28

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                       A summary of information about non-qualified stock 
                       options outstanding at December 31, 1998 is presented 
                       below:



                                                                              Options Outstanding                   
                                                           ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Number    Weighted Average            Weighted
                        Range of                              Outstanding at           Remaining             Average
                        Exercise Prices                    December 31, 1998    Contractual Life      Exercise Price
                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                        
                        $24.00                                       618,424           6.5 years              $24.00
                        $32.63-49.50                                 126,900           7.0 years               32.81
                        $22.50-29.00                                 157,750           8.0 years               22.57
                        $3.13-15.25                                  870,100           9.0 years               15.05
                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        $3.13-49.50                                1,773,174           7.9 years              $20.11
                        ============================================================================================



                                                                             Exercisable Options Outstanding
                                                                      ---------------------------------------------
                       Range of                                       Number Exercisable at        Weighted Average
                       Exercise Prices                                    December 31, 1998          Exercise Price
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     
                       $24.00                                                       537,781                  $24.00
                       $32.63-49.50                                                  87,300                   32.78
                       $22.50-29.00                                                  85,584                   22.58
                       $3.13-15.25                                                  183,400                   15.25
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       $3.13-49.50                                                  894,065                  $22.99
                       ============================================================================================


 12 - EARNINGS (LOSS)  A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the
            PER SHARE  earnings (loss) per share calculations is provided for 
                       all periods presented. The numerator for basic and
                       diluted earnings (loss) per share is net earnings (loss)
                       for all periods presented. The denominator for basic and
                       diluted earnings (loss) per share for 1998, 1997 and 1996
                       follows:



                                  Year ended December 31,                         1998              1997                 1996
                                  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                 
                                  Weighted average shares used for                                                           
                                    basic earnings (loss) per share         40,580,869        41,345,193           41,308,806
                                  Effect of dilutive securities:                                                             
                                    Restricted stock                                --                --               74,579
                                    Stock options                                   --                --              151,027
                                  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Weighted average shares used for                                                           
                                    diluted earnings (loss) per share       40,580,869        41,345,193           41,534,412
                                  ===========================================================================================


                       Options outstanding at December 31, 1998, 1,773,174
                       shares, were not included in the computation of diluted
                       loss per share during 1998, because they were
                       antidilutive.

                       In January 1999, the Company granted options to purchase
                       647,600 shares of common stock at $8.50 to $10.50 per
                       share. These options will expire in January 2008.

                       ---------------------------------------------------------
   13 - INCOME TAXES   Earnings (loss) before income taxes, equity in income
                       (loss) of joint ventures and minority interests are as
                       follows:



                        Year ended December 31,                        1998                 1997                  1996
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Dollars in thousands                                                                          
                                                                                                          
                        U.S.                                     $(349,573)            $(59,702)              $ 57,200
                        Foreign                                    (23,642)              49,372                 72,655
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 $(373,215)            $(10,330)              $129,855
                        ==============================================================================================

   29
                        Income tax expense consists of the following:



                                                                  Current        Deferred          Total
                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Dollars in thousands                                                            
                                                                                                        
                                                                                            
                        Year ended December 31,1998:                                                    
                           U.S. federal                         $   1,524      $(103,435)     $(101,911)
                           State and local                          2,207         (4,534)        (2,327)
                           Foreign                                  4,790         10,054         14,844 
                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                $   8,521      $ (97,915)     $ (89,394)
                        ================================================================================
                        Year ended December 31,1997:                                                    
                           U.S. federal                         $  (5,764)     $ (18,712)     $ (24,476)
                           State and local                           (924)          (398)        (1,322)
                           Foreign                                 25,766          2,801         28,567 
                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                $  19,078      $ (16,309)     $   2,769 
                        ================================================================================
                        Year ended December 31,1996:                                                    
                           U.S. federal                         $   5,425      $   5,420      $  10,845 
                           State and local                          2,778           (133)         2,645 
                           Foreign                                 33,756          4,696         38,452 
                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                $  41,959      $   9,983      $  51,942 
                        ================================================================================


                       Income tax expense differed from the amounts computed by
                       applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% in 1998,
                       1997 and 1996 to earnings (loss) before income taxes,
                       equity in income (loss) of joint ventures and minority
                       interests as a result of the following:
        



                        Year ended December 31,                                1998      1997       1996 
                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                        Dollars in thousands                                                             
                                                                                             
                        Income tax at federal statutory rate             $(130,625)  $(3,616)   $ 45,449 
                        Increase (reduction) in income taxes                                             
                           resulting from:                                                               
                             Change in the balance of the valuation                                      
                                allowance for deferred tax assets                                        
                                allocated to income tax expense             19,386    (4,738)     (3,200)
                             Foreign tax differences                        15,310    13,511      12,323 
                             State income taxes, net                                                     
                                of federal benefit                          (1,513)     (859)      1,719 
                             Investment incentives                            (600)     (916)     (1,809)
                             Malaysian joint venture charges                 5,552        --          -- 
                             Other, net                                      3,096      (613)     (2,540)
                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                         $ (89,394)  $ 2,769    $ 51,942 
                        ================================================================================ 
                                                                    

   30

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                       The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise
                       to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and
                       deferred tax liabilities are as follows:



                        December 31,                                                            1998         1997 
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                        Dollars in thousands                                                                      
                                                                                                         
                        Deferred tax assets:                                                                      
                          Inventory, principally due to additional costs inventoried for                          
                             tax purposes and/or financial reserves recorded to state                             
                             inventories at net realizable values                          $   7,427    $   5,584 
                          Accruals for expenses currently not deductible for tax purposes     40,936       11,115 
                          Pension, medical and other employee benefits, principally due                           
                             to accrual for financial reporting purposes                      35,808       31,838 
                          Net operating loss carryforwards                                   160,640       14,175 
                          Investment tax credit carryforwards                                  1,456        1,456 
                          Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards                         3,427        3,737 
                          Foreign tax credit carryforwards                                        --       21,407 
                          Other                                                                1,151          498 
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                             Total gross deferred tax assets                                 250,845       89,810 
                          Less valuation allowance                                           (42,166)     (11,408)
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                             Net deferred tax assets                                         208,679       78,402 
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                        Deferred tax liabilities:                                                                 
                          Property, plant and equipment, principally due to differences                           
                             in depreciation and capitalized interest                        (80,505)     (45,480)
                          Other                                                               (2,020)      (4,244)
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                             Total deferred tax liabilities                                  (82,525)     (49,724)
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                             Net deferred tax assets                                       $ 126,154    $  28,678 
                        ========================================================================================= 

                       
                       Net deferred tax assets were classified in the
                       consolidated balance sheets as follows:
        


                        December 31,                                                            1998         1997
                        -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Dollars in thousands                                                                     
                                                                                                        
                        Current deferred tax assets, net                                   $  23,129    $  13,206
                        Noncurrent deferred tax assets, net                                  103,025       15,472
                        -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           $ 126,154    $  28,678
                        =========================================================================================


                       
   31

                       The Company's net deferred tax assets increased $97.5
                       million to $126.2 million at December 31, 1998.
                       Management believes it is more likely than not that, with
                       its projections of future taxable income and after
                       consideration of the valuation allowance, the Company
                       will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the
                       benefits of the net deferred tax assets existing at
                       December 31, 1998.

                       In order to realize the net deferred tax assets existing
                       at December 31, 1998, the Company will need to generate
                       future taxable income of approximately $353 million. The
                       Company's net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards total
                       $410 million, of which $7 million will expire in 2001;
                       $15 million will expire in 2002; $32 million will expire
                       in 2003; $27 will expire in 2012; and $329 million will
                       expire in 2018. There can be no assurance, however, that
                       the Company will generate sufficient taxable income. The
                       Company also has AMT credit carryforwards of $3,427 and
                       net investment tax credit carryforwards available of
                       $1,456. Utilization of $7,053 of loss carryforwards and
                       all of the investment tax credit carryforwards are
                       subject to limitation under Internal Revenue Code
                       Sections 382 and 383, respectively. Pursuant to these
                       Internal Revenue Code Sections, the amount of combined
                       loss and tax credit carryforwards that may be utilized is
                       limited to approximately $2,000 per year. Under Internal
                       Revenue Service regulations, the investment tax credit
                       carryforwards are not permitted to reduce income tax
                       expense until the year 2000.

      14 -  PENSION    The Company has a noncontributory defined benefit plan 
    PLANS AND OTHER    covering most U.S. employees. Benefits for this plan are 
RETIREMENT BENEFITS    based on years of service and qualifying compensation
                       during the final years of employment. The Company
                       complies with federal funding requirements.

                       The Company also has a nonqualified plan under the
                       Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, which
                       provides benefits not otherwise payable under the above
                       plans due to Internal Revenue Code Restrictions.
                       Eligibility for participation in this plan requires
                       coverage under the above plan and other specific
                       circumstances.

                       In addition, the Company sponsors a health care plan that
                       provides postretirement medical benefits to full-time
                       U.S. employees who meet minimum age and service
                       requirements. The plan is contributory, with retiree
                       contributions adjusted annually, and contains other
                       cost-sharing features such as deductibles and
                       coinsurance. The Company's policy is to fund the cost of
                       medical benefits in amounts determined at the discretion
                       of management.

                       In 1998, the Company changed the measurement date for the
                       defined benefit plans from December 31 to September 30 to
                       improve administrative efficiencies and the timeliness
                       and accuracy of its financial reporting and planning
                       process. The effect on retirement plan expense was
                       immaterial.

                       Net periodic pension cost consists of the following:



                                                                           Pension Plans        
                                                               -------------------------------- 
                        Year ended December 31,                    1998        1997        1996 
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                        Dollars in thousands                                                    
                                                                                    
                        Service Cost                           $  8,134    $  8,178    $  6,449 
                        Interest Cost                             9,128       7,937       6,121 
                        Expected return on plan assets           (7,219)     (6,189)     (5,316)
                        Amortization of service costs               501         576          68 
                        Net actuarial loss/(gain)                   818         562         443 
                        Curtailment (gain) recognized             4,381          --          -- 
                        Cost of special termination benefits         --       1,067          -- 
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           Net periodic benefit cost           $ 15,743    $ 12,131    $  7,765 
                        ======================================================================= 
                                                                                       
                                                                           Health Care Plan     
                                                               -------------------------------- 
                        Year ended December 31,                    1998        1997        1996 
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                        Dollars in thousands                                                    
                                                                                    
                        Service Cost                           $  1,791    $  2,441    $  2,552 
                        Interest Cost                             2,995       3,468       3,435 
                        Expected return on plan assets               --          --          -- 
                        Amortization of service costs            (1,010)       (206)         -- 
                        Net actuarial loss/(gain)                    47         (76)          3 
                        Curtailment (gain) recognized              (148)         --          -- 
                        Cost of special termination benefits      1,023          --          -- 
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           Net periodic benefit cost           $  4,698    $  5,627    $  5,990 
                        ======================================================================= 

                       
   32

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                       The following summarizes the change in benefit
                       obligation, change in plan assets and funded status of
                       the Company's plans:



                                                                           Pension Plans           Health Care Plan   
                                                                    --------------------------------------------------
                                                                         1998         1997         1998         1997  
                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Dollars in thousands                                                                         
                         Change in benefit obligation                                                                 
                                                                                                       
                           Benefit obligation at January 1          $ 134,408    $ 104,246    $  38,751    $  51,057  
                           Service Cost                                 6,235        8,179        1,407        2,441  
                           Interest Cost                                6,919        7,939        2,128        3,468  
                           Amendments                                     140        8,685           --      (13,768) 
                         Actuarial (gain)/loss                          6,123       12,317        3,899       (3,673) 
                           Benefits paid                              (18,494)      (6,958)        (773)        (774) 
                           Curtailments                                 2,144           --        6,138           --  
                           Special termination benefits                    --           --        1,023           --  
                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                      
                              Benefit obligation at December 31     $ 137,475    $ 134,408    $  52,573    $  38,751  
                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Change in plan assets                                                                        
                           Fair value of plan assets at January 1   $  94,707    $  75,155    $      --    $      --  
                           Actual return on plan assets                 6,744       14,846           --           --  
                           Employer contributions                       2,155       11,664          773          774  
                           Benefits paid                              (18,494)      (6,958)        (773)        (774) 
                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Fair value of plan assets                                                               
                                at December 31                      $  85,112    $  94,707    $      --    $      --  
                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Funded status                            $ (52,363)   $ (39,701)   $ (52,573)   $ (38,751) 
                           Unrecognized prior service cost              4,726       18,813       (8,495)     (14,484) 
                           Unrecognized net actuarial (gain)/loss      20,511        7,324        2,596       (1,604) 
                           Fourth quarter contribution                    801           --           --           --  
                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Accrued benefit cost                  $ (26,325)   $ (13,564)   $ (58,472)   $ (54,839) 
                         =============================================================================================
                         Amounts recognized in statement                                                              
                           of financial position                                                                      
                              Accrued benefit liability             $ (31,396)   $ (13,860)   $ (58,472)   $ (54,839) 
                              Fourth quarter contribution                 801           --           --           --  
                              Intangible asset                            109          296           --           --  
                              Accumulated other                                                                       
                                comprehensive income                    4,161           --           --           --  
                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Accrued pension expense               $ (26,325)   $ (13,564)   $ (58,472)   $ (54,839) 
                         =============================================================================================

                       
                       Pension plan assets consist principally of insurance
                       contracts, marketable securities including common stocks,
                       bonds and interest-bearing deposits.

                       The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit
                       obligation, and fair value of plan assets for pension
                       plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of
                       plan assets were $137,475, $109,865, and $85,112,
                       respectively, as of December 31, 1998, and $8,457,
                       $7,698, and $547, respectively, as of December 31, 1997.

                       The Company recognized the curtailments and the special
                       termination benefits related to the closure of the
                       Spartanburg facility and the voluntary severance program
                       offered to employees during 1998.


   33

                       The following is a table of the actuarial assumptions:


                                              
                                                                         Pension Plans              Health Care Plan
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------
                         Year ended December 31,                      1998            1997         1998         1997
                         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     
                         Weighted-average assumptions                                                               
                            as of December 31                                                                       
                         Discount rate                               6.75%           7.00%        6.75%        7.00%
                         Expected return on plan assets              8.00%           8.00%          N/A          N/A
                         Rate of compensation increase               4.50%           4.50%        4.50%        4.50%
                         ===========================================================================================


                       For measurement purposes, a 6% annual rate of increase
                       in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits
                       was assumed for 1998. The rate was assumed to decrease
                       gradually to 5% by the year 2001 and remain at that
                       level thereafter. 

                       Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant
                       effect on the amounts reported for health care plans. A
                       one-percentage change in assumed health care cost trend
                       would have the following effects:



                                                                               1-Percentage-            1-Percentage- 
                                                                               Point Increase           Point Decrease
                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             
                         Effect on total service and                                                                  
                            interest cost components                                  $ 58                   $ (56)   
                         Effect on postretirement                                                                     
                            benefit obligation                                        $190                   $(186)   
                         =============================================================================================


                       The Company has pension plans for its foreign
                       subsidiaries. The aggregate pension expense and
                       liability are not material to the consolidated financial
                       statements.

                       ---------------------------------------------------------
  15 - RETIREMENT      The Company sponsors a defined contribution plan under 
     SAVINGS PLAN      Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code covering all
                       U.S. salaried and hourly employees with more than one
                       year of service. Company contributions included in
                       results of operations totaled $4,012, $4,138 and $3,656
                       for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

                       ---------------------------------------------------------
 16 - COMMITMENTS      The Company leases buildings, equipment and automobiles 
AND CONTINGENCIES      under operating leases. Rental expense under these leases
                       was $28,733, $23,789 and $17,262 in 1998, 1997 and 1996,
                       respectively. Minimum aggregate future rental obligations
                       under leases having remaining terms of one year or more
                       at December 31, 1998, are as follows: 



                         Dollars in thousands 
                     
                                                                           
                         1999                                             $22,603
                         2000                                              14,275
                         2001                                               4,188
                         2002                                                  62
                         2003                                                  --
                         Thereafter                                            --
                         --------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          $41,128
                         ========================================================


                                                                    
   34

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                       ---------------------------------------------------------
     17 - GEOGRAPHIC   The Company is engaged in one reportable segment--the
            SEGMENTS   design, manufacture and sale of electronic grade silicon
                       wafers for the semiconductor industry.

                       Geographic financial information is as follows:



                                                                                                      Other              
                                                             United                                 Foreign              
                                                             States        Japan        Italy     Countries         Total
                         ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Dollars in thousands                                                                            
                                                                                                                         
                         Net sales to customers:                                                                         
                                                                                                       
                           1998                          $  389,721     $119,138     $ 30,855      $219,202    $  758,916
                           1997                             497,601      153,897       25,784       309,391       986,673
                           1996                             516,571      127,231       29,066       446,632     1,119,500
                         ================================================================================================
                         Long-lived assets:                                                                              
                           1998                          $  901,940     $221,701     $131,436      $114,849    $1,369,926
                           1997                             976,032      136,567      135,588       153,790     1,401,977
                           1996                             821,029      111,196      132,299       136,811     1,201,335
                         ================================================================================================


                       Net sales are attributed to countries based on location
                       of customer. Investments in joint ventures are presented
                       based on the countries in which they are located.




                                   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      18 - UNAUDITED                                                          First      Second         Third       Fourth 
  QUARTERLY FINANCIAL              1998                                     Quarter      Quarter      Quarter      Quarter 
        INFORMATION                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Dollars in thousands,except share data                                                  
                                                                                                            
                                   Net sales                              $ 235,243    $ 202,153    $ 167,685    $ 153,835 
                                   Gross margin                              23,768       (3,812)     (28,095)     (23,690)
                                   Loss before equity in loss of joint                                                     
                                     ventures and minority interests        (20,497)    (143,705)     (57,897)     (61,722)
                                   Equity in loss of joint ventures         (11,621)      (6,860)     (12,860)     (12,155)
                                   Minority interests                         1,280        1,920        5,807        1,978 
                                   Net loss                                 (30,838)    (148,645)     (64,950)     (71,899)
                                   Basic loss per share                       (0.75)       (3.67)       (1.60)      (1.78) 
                                   Diluted loss per share                     (0.75)       (3.67)       (1.60)      (1.78) 
                                   Market price:                                                                           
                                     High                                    19          16 7/16     10 13/16   12 5/8     
                                     Low                                     14 1/2       9  1/4     2  15/16    2 15/16   

                                                                                                                           
                                   1997                                                                                    
                                   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                            
                                   Net sales                              $ 222,284    $ 245,780    $ 260,026    $ 258,583 
                                   Gross margin                              28,069       30,832       36,170       29,688 
                                   Earnings (loss) before equity                                                           
                                     in income (loss) of joint ventures                                                    
                                     and minority interests                  (1,337)       4,315         (111)     (15,966)
                                   Equity in income (loss) of joint                                                        
                                     ventures                                (1,891)      (1,205)      (3,737)      12,313 
                                   Minority interests                           333        1,109        1,883         (219)
                                   Net earnings (loss)                       (2,895)       4,219       (1,965)      (3,872)
                                   Basic earnings (loss) per share            (0.07)        0.10        (0.05)      (0.09) 
                                   Diluted earnings (loss) per share          (0.07)        0.10        (0.05)      (0.09) 
                                   Market price:                                                                           
                                     High                                    29 3/4       38 1/4       38 7/8    30        
                                     Low                                     22 1/4       22 7/8       25 5/8    14 7/16   
                                   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


   35

                       As noted in Note 19 below, the Company restated its
                       results for all periods presented to reflect the
                       designation of the U.S. dollar as the functional currency
                       for PHC and Taisil, the Company's unconsolidated joint
                       ventures. Accordingly, the unaudited quarterly financial
                       information presented above has also been restated.

                       The Company does not anticipate paying dividends in the
                       foreseeable future. The declaration and payment of future
                       dividends by the Company, if any, will be at the sole
                       discretion of the Board of Directors.

19 - RESTATEMENT OF    The Company's financial statements for all periods 
  OPERATING RESULTS    presented have been restated to reflect the designation
                       of the U.S. dollar as the functional currency for PHC and
                       Taisil, the Company's unconsolidated joint ventures.

                       The effect of the restatement on each year is as follows:



                       December 31,                                      1997                  
                       ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                       Dollars in thousands                     As previously                  
                                                                     reported      As restated 
                       ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                      
                       Balance Sheet:                                                          
                          Investment in joint ventures                 95,307          112,573 
                          Retained earnings                           164,396          168,496 
                          Accumulated other comprehensive loss        (38,887)         (25,721)
                                                                                               
                       Statement of operations:                                                
                          Equity in income (loss) of joint ventures     3,246            5,480 
                          Net earnings (loss)                          (6,747)          (4,513)
                          Basic earnings (loss) per share               (0.16)           (0.11)
                          Diluted earnings (loss) per share             (0.16)           (0.11)
                       ======================================================================= 


                       December 31,                                 1996
                       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Dollars in thousands                     As previously
                                                                     reported    As restated
                       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            
                       Balance Sheet:                           
                          Investment in joint ventures          
                          Retained earnings                     
                          Accumulated other comprehensive loss  
                                                                
                       Statement of operations:                 
                          Equity in income (loss) of joint ventures    24,884         26,716
                          Net earnings (loss)                         101,556        103,388
                          Basic earnings (loss) per share                2.46           2.50
                          Diluted earnings (loss) per share              2.45           2.49
                       =====================================================================


                       ---------------------------------------------------------
   
   20 - SUBSEQUENT     On October 22, 1998, the Company filed a registration
   EVENTS--PRIVATE     statement with the SEC for the sale of its common stock
     PLACEMENT AND     in a rights offering to existing shareholders except
   RIGHTS OFFERING     VEBA AG and its affiliates (the "Offering"). The Company
                       expects approximately $91.1 million in aggregate net
                       proceeds from the Offering, after paying estimated
                       expenses,including fees to dealer managers. Immediately
                       prior to the Offering, the Company will sell common stock
                       to VEBA Zweite for aggregate net proceeds of
                       approximately $105.9 million. VEBA Zweite has also agreed
                       to purchase all shares issuable upon exercise of the
                       rights that are not subscribed for pursuant to the basic
                       subscription privilege or the over-subscription privilege
                       by other stockholders, subject to certain conditions that
                       are customary in a firm commitment underwriting.  The
                       subscription price and number of shares will be
                       determined based on the average share price during a 
                       period shortly before the effective date of the 
                       registration statement. The Company intends to use the 
                       proceeds from the Offering and the private placement to
                       reduce debt outstanding under revolving credit 
                       agreements, for a capital contribution to Taisil of 
                       approximately $12.3 million, and for general
                       corporate purposes. The Company expects the registration
                       to be effective and the Offering to commence by the end
                       of the first quarter of 1999. The private placement to
                       VEBA Zweite will be consummated immediately prior to
                       commencement of the rights offering.
    

                       Subsequent to year-end, the Company received a $75.0
                       million short-term revolving credit facility from an
                       affiliate of VEBA AG. The interest rate on the credit
                       facility reflects interest rate spreads applicable to an
                       average industrial borrower at a specified credit rating.
                       Under the loan agreement, the Company cannot pledge any
                       of its assets to secure additional financing.


   36
 
The Board of Directors
MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MEMC Electronic
Materials, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash
flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1998.
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of MEMC Electronic
Materials, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement
schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial
statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the
information set forth therein.

                                        /s/ KPMG LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
January 25, 1999
 
                                        2
   37


                                                  MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
                                                          AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                          Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts


                                               Balance at      Charged to         Charged to                     Balance at
                                                Beginning       Costs and       Other Accounts-   Deductions-      End of
Dollars in thousands                            of Period        Expenses          Describe        Describe        Period
                                                ---------        --------          --------        --------        ------
                                                                                                    
Allowance for doubtful accounts:

   Year ended December 31, 1995                   1,680             338              30(FB)          (8)(FB)        2,040

   Year ended December 31, 1996                   2,040             295               0             (36)(FA)(FB)    2,299

   Year ended December 31, 1997                   2,299           1,700               0             (526)(FA)(FB)   3,473
   
   Year ended December 31, 1998                   3,473            (620)              0                0(FA)(FB)    2,853
                                                  =====           =====              ==             ====            =====

Inventory reserves:

   Year ended December 31, 1995                   3,891           3,921(FD)           0             (3,380)(FC)     4,432

   Year ended December 31, 1996                   4,432           6,576(FD)           0             (4,063)(FC)     6,945

   Year ended December 31, 1997                   6,945           5,902(FD)           0             (4,984)(FC)     7,863
   
   Year ended December 31, 1998                   7,863          18,420(FD)           0             (6,681)(FC)    19,602 
                                                  =====          ======              ==              =====         ======


<FN>
(FA) Currency fluctuations
(FB) Write-off of uncollectible accounts
(FC) Write-off of inventory
(FD) Charged to cost of goods sold
</FN>




                                    
   38
     Filed herewith and incorporated by reference herein are the following
documents for MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. and subsidiaries, which are
attached hereto as Exhibit 23(a) and Exhibit 27:

     1)  Consent of KPMG LLP; and
     2)  Financial Data Schedule.
     
     Filed herewith and incorporated by reference herein are the following
documents for POSCO Huls Co., Ltd., which are attached hereto as Exhibits 99(a)
through 99(f) and Exhibit 23(b):

     1)  Independent Auditors' Report of KPMG San Tong Corp.;
     2)  Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1998 and 1997;
     3)  Statements of Operations - Years ended December 31, 1998, 1997
         and 1996;
     4)  Statements of Appropriation (Disposition) of Retained Earnings
         (Deficit) - Years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996;
     5)  Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended December 31, 1998, 1997
         and 1996;
     6)  Notes to Financial Statements; and
     7)  Consent of KPMG San Tong Corp.

     Filed herewith and incorporated by reference herein are the following
documents for Taisil Electronic Materials Corporation, which are attached hereto
as Exhibits 99(g) through 99(l) and Exhibit 23(c):

     1)  Independent Auditors' Report of KPMG Certified Public Accountants;
     2)  Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1998 and 1997;
     3)  Statements of Operations - Years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 
         1996;
     4)  Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity - Years ended
         December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996;
     5)  Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended December 31, 1998, 1997
         and 1996;
     6)  Notes to Financial Statements; and
     7)  Consent of KPMG Certified Public Accountants.

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

       C.  Exhibits

           Exhibit No.   Description
           -----------   -------------------------------------------------------

           23(a)         Consent of KPMG LLP
           23(b)         Consent of KPMG San Tong Corp.
           23(c)         Consent of KPMG Certified Public Accountants
           27            Financial Data Schedule (filed electronically with the 
                         SEC only) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 27 of 
                         the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 2,
                         1999)
   
           99(a)         Independent Auditors' Report of KPMG San Tong Corp.
    
           99(b)         Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 for 
                         POSCO Huls Co., Ltd. ("PHC") (Incorporated by reference
                         to Exhibit 99(b) of the Company's Current Report on
                         Form 8-K dated March 2, 1999)
           99(c)         Statements of Operations - Years ended December 31, 
                         1998, 1997 and 1996 for PHC (Incorporated by reference
                         to Exhibit 99(c) of the Company's Current Report on
                         Form 8-K dated March 2, 1999)
           99(d)         Statements of Appropriation (Disposition) of Retained 
                         Earnings (Deficit) - Years ended December 31, 1998,
                         1997 and 1996 for PHC (Incorporated by reference to
                         Exhibit 99(d) of the Company's Current Report on Form
                         8-K dated March 2, 1999)
           99(e)         Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended December 31, 
                         1998, 1997 and 1996 for PHC (Incorporated by reference
                         to Exhibit 99(e) of the Company's Current Report on
                         Form 8-K dated March 2, 1999)
           99(f)         Notes to Financial Statements of PHC
           99(g)         Independent Auditors' Report of KPMG Certified Public 
                         Accountants (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(g)
                         of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
                         March 2, 1999)
           99(h)         Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 for 
                         Taisil Electronic Materials Corporation ("Taisil")
                         (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(h) of 
                         the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 2,
                         1999)
           99(i)         Statements of Operations - Years ended December 31, 
                         1998, 1997 and 1996 for Taisil (Incorporated by
                         reference to Exhibit 99(i) of the Company's Current
                         Report on Form 8-K dated March 2, 1999)      
           99(j)         Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity - Years 
                         ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 for Taisil
                         (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(j) of the
                         Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 2,
                         1999)
           99(k)         Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended December 31, 
                         1998, 1997 and 1996 for Taisil (Incorporated by
                         reference to Exhibit 99(k) of the Company's Current
                         Report on Form 8-K dated March 2, 1999)
           99(l)         Notes to Financial Statements of Taisil


                                    SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                                MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.

Date:  March 16, 1999                           /s/ James M. Stolze
       -------------                            -------------------------------
                                                James M. Stolze
                                                Executive Vice President and
                                                  Chief Financial Officer


   39

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

     The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:

     Exhibit No.       Description
     -----------       -----------
     23(a)             Consent of KPMG LLP
     23(b)             Consent of KPMG San Tong Corp.
     23(c)             Consent of KPMG Certified Public Accountants
   
     99(a)             Independent Auditors' Report of KPMG San Tong Corp.
    
     99(f)             Notes to Financial Statements of PHC
     99(l)             Notes to Financial Statements of Taisil