Cooper Industries 10-Q 2012 Q1 Quarterly report

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

10-Q

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

Commission File Number 1-31330

Cooper Industries plc

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ireland	98-0632292
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Unit F10, Maynooth Business Campus Maynooth, Ireland	0
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

+353 (1) 6292222

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

5 Fitzwilliam Square

Dublin 2, Ireland

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer	x	Accelerated Filer	¨
Non-Accelerated Filer	¨	Smaller Reporting Company	¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ¨    No  x

Number of registrant’s common shares outstanding as of March 31, 2012 was 159,069,645.

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

COOPER INDUSTRIES PLC

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012		2011
	(in millions, except per share data)
Revenues	$	1,403.6	$	1,277.7
Cost of sales		922.3		843.7
Selling and administrative expenses		284.1		250.9
Equity in income of Apex Tool Group, LLC		14.3		14.5
Operating earnings		211.5		197.6
Interest expense, net		14.6		16.3
Income from continuing operations before income taxes		196.9		181.3
Income taxes expense		36.2		25.5
Income from continuing operations		160.7		155.8
Income related to discontinued operations, net of income taxes		—		190.3
Net income	$	160.7	$	346.1
Income per common share:
Basic:
Income from continuing operations	$	1.01	$	.94
Income from discontinued operations		—		1.16
Net income	$	1.01	$	2.10
Diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$	1.00	$	.93
Income from discontinued operations		—		1.14
Net income	$	1.00	$	2.07
Cash dividends declared per common share	$	.31	$	.29

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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COOPER INDUSTRIES PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012		2011
	(in millions, except per share data)
Net income	$	160.7	$	346.1
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Pension and postretirement benefit plans		2.1		1.8
Derivative instruments		—		1.9
Foreign currency items		43.2		32.4
Other comprehensive income		45.3		36.1
Comprehensive income	$	206.0	$	382.2

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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COOPER INDUSTRIES PLC

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	March 31, 2012 (unaudited)			December 31, 2011 (Note 1)
	(in millions)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	616.5		$	676.6
Receivables, less allowances		961.4			878.8
Inventories		534.1			466.3
Current discontinued operations receivable		3.8			3.8
Other current assets		231.2			265.9
Total current assets		2,347.0			2,291.4
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation		640.3			625.4
Investment in Apex Tool Group, LLC		549.9			521.9
Goodwill		2,569.5			2,513.5
Other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization		417.3			380.4
Long-term discontinued operations receivable		5.0			5.1
Other noncurrent assets		112.5			109.9
Total assets	$	6,641.5		$	6,447.6
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Short-term debt	$	6.7		$	6.4
Accounts payable		557.3			502.6
Accrued liabilities		549.3			615.3
Current discontinued operations liability		9.2			9.3
Current maturities of long-term debt		325.3			325.0
Total current liabilities		1,447.8			1,458.6
Long-term debt		1,096.4			1,096.2
Long-term discontinued operations liability		40.5			40.5
Other long-term liabilities		341.1			316.3
Total liabilities		2,925.8			2,911.6
Common stock, $.01 par value		1.7			1.7
Retained earnings		4,556.2			4,421.8
Treasury stock		(671.6	)		(671.6	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(170.6	)		(215.9	)
Total shareholders’ equity		3,715.7			3,536.0
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	6,641.5		$	6,447.6

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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COOPER INDUSTRIES PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012			2011
	(in millions)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	160.7		$	346.1
Less: Income related to discontinued operations		—			190.3
Income from continuing operations		160.7			155.8
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		34.1			31.6
Deferred income taxes		(17.1	)		(8.7	)
Excess tax benefits from stock options and awards		(6.9	)		(7.3	)
Distribution of earnings from Apex Tool Group, LLC		5.0			5.4
Equity in income of Apex Tool Group, LLC		(14.3	)		(14.5	)
Changes in assets and liabilities:(1)
Receivables		(70.6	)		(78.5	)
Inventories		(60.1	)		(43.7	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(22.4	)		(45.3	)
Discontinued operations assets and liabilities, net		—			0.9
Other assets and liabilities, net		43.3			4.3
Net cash provided by operating activities		51.7			—
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(33.8	)		(25.8	)
Cash paid for acquired businesses		(57.3	)		(1.8	)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment and other		0.3			0.2
Net cash used in investing activities		(90.8	)		(27.4	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt		(0.1	)		(2.5	)
Short-term debt, net		0.2			9.5
Dividends		(45.8	)		(44.8	)
Purchases of treasury shares		—			(7.9	)
Purchases of common shares for cancellation		(7.4	)		—
Excess tax benefits from stock options and awards		6.9			7.3
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and other		17.0			33.4
Net cash used in financing activities		(29.2	)		(5.0	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		8.2			5.5
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(60.1	)		(26.9	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		676.6			1,035.3
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	616.5		$	1,008.4

⁽¹⁾  Net of the effects of acquisitions and translation.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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COOPER INDUSTRIES PLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Note 1. Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation—The consolidated financial statements of Cooper Industries plc, an Irish company (“Cooper”), have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

The financial information presented as of any date other than December 31 has been prepared from the books and records without audit. Financial information as of December 31 has been derived from Cooper’s audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information for the periods indicated, have been included. For further information regarding Cooper’s accounting policies, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2011 included in Part IV of Cooper’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Note 2. Acquisitions

Cooper has completed a number of acquisitions that were selected because of their strategic fit with existing Cooper businesses or were new strategic lines that were complementary to Cooper’s operations. In the three month period ended March 31, 2012, Cooper completed two acquisitions, one in each of the Energy and Safety Solutions segment and the Electrical Products Group segment. During the year ended December 31, 2011 Cooper completed seven acquisitions, three in the Energy and Safety Solutions segment and four in the Electrical Products Group, and also acquired certain other intangible assets in the Electrical Products Group.

The acquisition date fair value of the total consideration for the 2012 transactions was approximately $59.6 million and resulted in the preliminary recognition of aggregate goodwill of $27.2 million, substantially all of which is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill arising from the 2012 transactions includes $14.5 million related to the Electrical Products Group segment and $12.7 million related to the Energy and Safety Solutions segment. The goodwill arises because the purchase price reflects a number of factors including the future earnings and cash flow potential of these businesses and the complementary strategic fit and resulting synergies these businesses bring to existing operations. The transactions consummated in 2012 also resulted in the preliminary recognition of $38.6 million in other intangible assets consisting primarily of customer relationships, technology and trademarks. All of these identifiable intangibles are finite-lived intangible assets that are preliminarily expected to be amortized over periods of 3 to 15 years with a weighted average amortization period of approximately 10 years.

The results of operations of acquisitions are included in the consolidated income statements since the respective acquisition dates. Pro-forma income from continuing operations and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, assuming the acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of 2011, would not be materially different from reported results.

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Note 3. Inventories

	March 31, 2012			December 31, 2011
	(in millions)
Raw materials	$	222.2		$	194.8
Work-in-process		131.1			110.1
Finished goods		311.5			295.2
Perishable tooling and supplies		6.9			7.1
		671.7			607.2
Allowance for excess and obsolete inventory		(70.8	)		(65.8	)
Excess of FIFO costs over LIFO costs		(66.8	)		(75.1	)
Net inventories	$	534.1		$	466.3

Note 4. Goodwill

Cooper has goodwill of $2.57 billion and $2.51 billion at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Cooper completed its annual impairment tests for each reporting unit’s goodwill as of January 1, 2012. The results of step one of these goodwill impairment tests did not require the completion of step two of the test for any reporting unit.

Note 5. Contingencies

Cooper and its subsidiaries are defendants or otherwise involved in a number of lawsuits in the ordinary course of business. Cooper records its best estimate of a loss, including estimated defense costs, when the loss is considered probable. When a liability is probable and there is a range of estimated loss with no best estimate in the range, Cooper records the minimum estimated liability related to the lawsuits or claims. As additional information becomes available, Cooper assesses the potential liability related to pending litigation and claims and revises its estimates. Due to uncertainties related to the resolution of lawsuits and claims, the ultimate outcome may differ from the estimates. In the opinion of management and based on liability accruals provided, the ultimate exposure with respect to these pending lawsuits and claims is not expected to have a material adverse effect on Cooper’s consolidated financial position or cash flows, although they could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations for a particular reporting period.

The U.S. Federal Government has enacted legislation intended to deny certain federal funding and government contracts to U.S. companies that reincorporate outside the United States, including Section 745 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-161), Section 724(c) of the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (Public Law 109-115), and 6 U.S.C. 395(b) of The Homeland Security Act. In 2008 Cooper self-reported to the Department of Defense certain transactions aggregating approximately $8 million with U.S. government entities which may be subject to the legislation. At the time of this filing, it is not possible to determine whether any fines or penalties may be assessed against Cooper.

In connection with laws and regulations pertaining to the protection of the environment, Cooper and its subsidiaries are party to several environmental proceedings and remediation investigations and cleanups and, along with other companies, have been named a potentially responsible party (PRP) for certain sites at which hazardous substances have been released into the environment (“Superfund sites”).

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Each of these matters is subject to various uncertainties and it is possible that some of these matters will be decided unfavorably against Cooper. The resolution of these matters often spans several years and frequently involves regulatory oversight or adjudication. Additionally, many remediation requirements are not fixed and are likely to be affected by future technological, site and regulatory developments. Consequently, the ultimate liability with respect to such matters, as well as the timing of cash disbursements cannot be determined with certainty.

In the first quarter of 2010 Cooper received two notices of potential liability under Section 107(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) from the United States Environmental Protection Agency with respect to the release or threatened release of hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants into the 17-mile stretch of the river known as the Lower Passaic River Study Area, which is part of the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site located in Newark, New Jersey. The EPA sent notices to over 125 companies. The notices to Cooper identified three former sites in the Newark area owned by the former Thomas A. Edison, Inc. and McGraw-Edison Company. The notice alleges that as the successor to Thomas A. Edison, Inc. and the McGraw-Edison Company, the former owners and operators of the facilities, Cooper may be potentially liable for response costs and clean up of the site although the notices do not state an amount of potential liability.

During 2011 the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation selected a final remedy in a Record of Decision with respect to two inactive landfills in Syracuse, New York historically used by Cooper’s Crouse-Hinds business, the City of Syracuse, and others. The Record of Decision requires certain remediation actions having an estimated cost of approximately $13 million. Cooper believes that responsibility for the cost of the remediation should be borne by a variety of responsible parties and is pursuing its options in this regard.

In December 2011 Cooper agreed to accept a share of the costs for investigation and remediation at the Standard Chlorine Chemical Company Superfund Site located in Hudson County, New Jersey. The site is being administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Cooper’s share is based upon its alleged successorship to Thomas A. Edison, Inc, which operated a battery manufacturing facility on the site in the mid 1900s.

Environmental remediation costs are accrued based on estimates of known environmental remediation exposures. Such accruals are adjusted as information develops or circumstances change. The environmental liability accrual includes amounts related to sites owned by Cooper, retained environmental liabilities related to sites previously owned by Cooper and third-party sites where Cooper is a potentially responsible party. Third-party sites usually involve multiple contributors where Cooper’s liability will be determined based on an estimate of Cooper’s proportionate responsibility for the total cleanup. The amount actually accrued for such sites is based on these estimates as well as an assessment of the financial capacity of the other potentially responsible parties. Cooper had an accrual of $41.3 million at March 31, 2012 related to potential environmental liabilities, including $10.9 million classified as a long-term liability.

Note 6. Debt

At March 31, 2012, Cooper has $6.7 million of short-term debt and has no commercial paper borrowings outstanding. At March 31, 2012, Cooper has $500 million available under its five-year committed bank credit facility that matures in May 2016.

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Note 7. Shareholders’ Equity

Cooper Industries plc had common shares, $.01 par value outstanding of 159,069,645 (net of 14,325,562 treasury shares) and 158,314,748 (net of 14,325,562 treasury shares) at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. During the first quarter of 2012, Cooper issued 879,710 common shares primarily in connection with employee incentive and benefit plans and Cooper’s dividend reinvestment program. During the first quarter of 2012, Cooper repurchased and cancelled 124,813 common shares at an average price per share of $59.00 under the Board of Directors authorization discussed below.

On February 9, 2009, Cooper’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of ten million shares of common stock and increased the share repurchase authorization by ten million shares on November 1, 2011. Cooper’s Board has also authorized the repurchase of shares issued from time to time under its equity compensation plans, matched savings plan and dividend reinvestment plan in order to offset the dilution that results from issuing shares under these plans. For 2012 Cooper’s current estimate is that 2.5 million shares would be issued under equity compensation plans. Cooper may continue to repurchase shares under these authorizations from time to time during 2012. The decision whether to do so will depend on the favorability of market conditions, as well as potential cash requirements for acquisitions and debt repayments. As of March 31, 2012, 16,054,582 shares remain available to be repurchased under the authorizations by the Board of Directors.

Note 8. Segment Information

	Revenues				Operating Earnings
	Three Months Ended March 31,				Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
	(in millions)
Energy and Safety Solutions	$	751.7	$	680.8	$	126.2	$	116.3
Electrical Products Group		651.9		596.9		92.4		88.6
Total segments	$	1,403.6	$	1,277.7		218.6		204.9
General Corporate expense						21.4		21.8
Equity in income of Apex Tool Group, LLC						14.3		14.5
Interest expense, net						14.6		16.3
Income from continuing operations before income taxes					$	196.9	$	181.3

Note 9. Stock-Based Compensation

During the three month period ended March 31, 2012 Cooper granted 1,092,170 stock option awards, 358,468 performance-based shares and 52,253 restricted stock units. As of March 31, 2012, 9,655,622 shares were available for future grants under the 2011 Incentive Plan. Total compensation expense for all share-based compensation arrangements was $8.8 million and $9.3 million for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for all share-based compensation arrangements was $3.5 million and $3.6 million for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

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Note 10. Income Taxes

The effective tax rate from continuing operations was 18.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 14.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2011. Income tax expense from continuing operations was reduced by $9.7 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2011 for discrete tax adjustments related to the settlement of the discontinued operations asbestos liability that was required under accounting principles to be classified in continuing operations. Excluding these discrete tax adjustments, Cooper’s effective tax rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 was 19.4%.

Net deferred taxes recognized in the balance sheet consist of:

	March 31 2012			December 31, 2011
	(in millions)
Other current assets	$	77.9		$	69.8
Other long-term liabilities		(91.4	)		(67.4	)
	$	(13.5	)	$	2.4

In June 2008 the German Tax Authorities issued a proposed audit finding related to a 2004 reorganization that was treated as a non-taxable event. In December 2009 at Cooper’s request, the German taxing authorities finalized and issued a notice of assessment for €62.8 million, inclusive of €5.7 million of interest, related to this matter. To continue to challenge the German tax authorities finding, in December 2009, Cooper paid the assessment for approximately $90 million and filed a suit to challenge the notice of assessment. Cooper continues to believe that the reorganization was properly reflected on its German income tax returns in accordance with applicable tax laws and regulations in effect during the period involved and will challenge the assessment vigorously. Although the outcome of the proceedings with the German Tax Authorities cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that it is more likely than not that its tax position related to the 2004 reorganization will prevail. As such, Cooper has recognized the €62.8 million tax payment, including interest, in other noncurrent assets in the accompanying balance sheets. The German tax payment has been included in Cooper’s foreign tax credit calculations in the United States, which would be amended upon successful defense of the German reorganization.

Cooper is under examination by various United States State and Local taxing authorities, as well as various taxing authorities in other countries. Cooper is no longer subject to U.S. Federal income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2010 and, with few exceptions, Cooper is no longer subject to State and Local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2005. Cooper fully cooperates with all audits, but defends existing positions vigorously. These audits are in various stages of completion. To provide for potential tax exposures, Cooper maintains a liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which management believes is adequate. The results of future audit assessments, if any, could have a material effect on Cooper’s cash flows as these audits are completed.

At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, Cooper has a foreign deferred tax asset of approximately $1.1 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively, relating to a net operating loss carryforward that was approved by a foreign jurisdiction in September 2009. Although this net operating loss carryforward deferred tax asset has an indefinite life, a corresponding valuation allowance for the same amount has been recognized because management believes at this time it is more likely than not that there will not be sufficient taxable income in the future to realize this net operating loss carryforward in the foreign jurisdiction.

Cooper has unrecognized gross tax benefits of $9.3 million at March 31, 2012. Approximately $6.1 million of the unrecognized tax benefits would favorably impact the effective tax rate if recognized. Cooper believes it is reasonably possible that additional tax benefits in the range of approximately $1 to $4 million could be recognized during the next 12 months as audits close and statutes expire.

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Note 11. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

	Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
	Three Months Ended March 31,						Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
	(in millions)
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	0.6		$	0.6		$	—		$	—
Interest cost		7.2			8.4			0.6			0.9
Expected return on plan assets		(10.7	)		(10.9	)		—			—
Amortization of prior service cost		(0.7	)		(0.7	)		(0.5	)		(0.5	)
Recognized actuarial (gain) loss		5.3			4.9			(1.1	)		(0.8	)
Net periodic benefit cost (gain)	$	1.7		$	2.3		$	(1.0	)	$	(0.4	)

Note 12. Net Income Per Common Share

	Basic				Diluted
	Three Months Ended March 31,				Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
	(in millions)
Income from continuing operations	$	160.7	$	155.8	$	160.7	$	155.8
Income from discontinued operations		—		190.3		—		190.3
Net income applicable to common stock	$	160.7	$	346.1	$	160.7	$	346.1
Weighted average common shares outstanding		159.0		165.0		159.0		165.0
Incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Options, performance-based stock awards and other employee awards						1.9		2.6
Weighted average common shares and common share equivalents						160.9		167.6

Options and employee awards are not considered in the calculations if the effect would be anti-dilutive. Anti-dilutive options and employee awards of 2.3 million and 1.5 million shares were excluded in the period ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 respectively.

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Note 13. Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities, Concentrations of Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

As a result of having sales, purchases and certain intercompany transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of Cooper’s businesses, Cooper is exposed to the effect of currency exchange rate changes on its cash flows and earnings. Cooper enters into currency forward exchange contracts to hedge significant non-functional currency denominated transactions for periods consistent with the terms of the underlying transactions. Contracts generally have maturities that do not exceed one year.

Currency forward exchange contracts executed to hedge forecasted transactions are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Currency forward exchange contracts executed to hedge a recognized asset, liability or firm commitment are accounted for as fair value hedges. Cooper sometimes enters into certain currency forward exchange contracts that are not designated as hedges. These contracts are intended to reduce cash flow volatility generally related to short-term intercompany financing transactions. Cooper also enters into commodity swaps to reduce the volatility of price fluctuations on a portion of up to eighteen months of forecasted material purchases. These instruments are designated as cash flow hedges. Cooper does not enter into speculative derivative transactions.

During October 2005 Cooper entered into cross-currency swaps designated as cash flow hedges to effectively convert its newly issued $325 million, 5.25% fixed-rate debt maturing in November 2012 to €272.6 million of 3.55% fixed-rate debt. The $325 million debt issuance proceeds were swapped to €272.6 million and lent through an intercompany loan to a non-U.S. subsidiary to partially fund repayment of the 300 million Euro bond debt that matured on October 25, 2005. The cross-currency swaps mature in November 2012.

Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis at fair value using Level 2 inputs and a market approach are as follows:

	March 31, 2012				December 31, 2011
	Assets		Liabilities		Assets		Liabilities
	(in millions)
Short-term currency forward exchange contracts	$	60.7	$	50.2	$	75.3	$	64.4
Short-term commodity swaps		0.7		0.8		0.1		1.2
Short-term cross-currency swaps		—		35.0		—		27.8

Except as discussed below, the currency forward exchange contracts and commodity swaps in the above table are designated as hedging instruments. Currency forward exchange contracts representing assets of approximately $34.4 and $39.5 million and liabilities of $23.9 and $29.1 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively are not designated as hedging instruments.

The fair value of currency forward exchange contracts, commodity swaps and the cross-currency swaps are determined based on pricing models that use inputs from actively quoted markets that are readily accessible and observable. There were no changes in the valuation techniques used to measure asset or liability fair values on a recurring basis in 2012 or 2011.

Gains or losses on derivative instruments are reported in the same line item as the underlying hedged transaction in the consolidated statements of income. The net gain or loss on currency forward exchange contracts was not material in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. For commodity swaps, Cooper recognized, in cost of sales, a net loss of less than $0.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and a net gain of $1.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011. At March 31,

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2012 Cooper estimates that approximately $1.0 million of net losses on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income included in shareholders’ equity to earnings during the next twelve months. The amount of discontinued cash flow hedges in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was not material.

The table below summarizes the U. S. dollar equivalent contractual amount of forward exchange contracts.

	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
	(in millions)
U.S. Dollar	$	616.9	$	572.2
Euro		333.0		369.8
British Pound Sterling		149.5		144.9
Other		20.8		21.5
	$	1,120.2	$	1,108.4

The contractual amount of commodity swap contracts at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was approximately $23 million and $14 million, respectively.

Other Instruments

In the normal course of business, Cooper executes stand-by letters of credit, performance bonds and other guarantees that ensure Cooper’s performance or payment to third parties that are not reflected in the consolidated balance sheets. The aggregate notional value of these instruments was $119.6 million and $118.0 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. In the past, no significant claims have been made against these financial instruments. Management believes the likelihood of demand for payment under these instruments is minimal and expects no material losses to occur in connection with these instruments.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the wide variety of customers as well as their dispersion across many different geographic areas with no one customer receivable exceeding 5.2% of accounts receivable at March 31, 2012 (4.9% at December 31, 2011). At March 31, 2012, Cooper has approximately 34% of its cash and cash equivalents held at two financial institutions. Cooper believes these financial institutions to be financially stable.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Other than Derivatives

Cooper’s financial instruments other than derivative instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, trade payables and debt instruments. The book values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, and trade payables are considered to be representative of their respective fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Cooper had a book value of approximately $1.43 billion and $1.43 billion for debt instruments at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The fair value of these debt instruments was approximately $1.56 billion and $1.55 billion at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively based on a market approach using Level 2 inputs represented primarily by quoted market prices for similar instruments.

-13-

Note 14. Discontinued Operations Receivable and Liability

In October 1998 Cooper sold its Automotive Products business to Federal-Mogul Corporation (“Federal-Mogul”). These discontinued businesses (including the Abex Friction product line obtained from Pneumo-Abex Corporation (“Pneumo”) in 1994) were operated through subsidiary companies, and the stock of those subsidiaries were sold to Federal-Mogul pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement dated August 17, 1998 (“1998 Agreement”). In conjunction with the sale, Federal-Mogul indemnified Cooper for certain liabilities of these subsidiary companies, including liabilities related to the Abex Friction product line and any potential liability that Cooper had to Pneumo pursuant to a 1994 Mutual Guaranty Agreement (the “Mutual Guaranty”) between Cooper and Pneumo. On October 1, 2001, Federal-Mogul and several of its affiliates filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition. On February 1, 2011, Cooper entered into a settlement agreement that closed on April 5, 2011 resolving Cooper’s liability under the Mutual Guaranty with Pneumo. The settlement agreement terminated the Mutual Guaranty between Cooper and Pneumo and created a Settlement Trust. As a result of the April 2011 settlement the Company and its subsidiaries have no further obligations under the Mutual Guaranty. Cooper made the $250 million initial payment to the Settlement Trust on April 5, 2011. Remaining payments due under the settlement agreement total approximately $49.6 million and are due in installments in April of each year as follows: $9.1 million in 2012, $17.0 million in 2013, and $11.75 million in each of 2014 and 2015.

As discussed further in Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Cooper’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Cooper adjusted its previously recorded net liability in the first quarter of 2011 for its obligations under the Mutual Guaranty to the amounts payable under the settlement agreement and related unpaid legal expenses resulting in the recognition of an after-tax gain from discontinued operations of $190.3 million, which is net of a $105.6 million income tax expense. Cooper also has approximately $8.8 million in receivables for non-Abex related insurance recoveries remaining on the balance sheet at March 31, 2012 due through 2014 under previously recognized insurance settlements.

Note 15. Consolidating Financial Information

Cooper Industries plc along with Cooper Industries, Ltd. and certain of Cooper’s principal U.S. operating subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”) fully and unconditionally guarantee, on a joint and several basis, the registered debt securities of Cooper US, Inc. The following condensed consolidating financial information is included so that the separate financial statements of Cooper US, Inc. or the Guarantors are not required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The consolidating financial statements present investments in subsidiaries using the equity method of accounting.

-14-

Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

(in millions)

	Cooper Industries plc			Cooper US, Inc.			Guarantors			Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total
Revenues	$	—		$	—		$	915.8		$	696.4		$	(208.6	)	$	1,403.6
Cost of sales		—			(0.3	)		631.6			499.6			(208.6	)		922.3
Selling and administrative expenses		(0.2	)		51.5			143.5			125.1			(35.8	)		284.1
Equity in income of Apex Tool Group, LLC		—			—			—			14.3			—			14.3
Interest expense, net		—			16.0			—			(1.4	)		—			14.6
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax		124.9			82.6			14.3			40.5			(262.3	)		—
Intercompany income (expense)		(0.4	)		(21.0	)		(37.6	)		58.8			0.2			—
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		124.7			(5.6	)		117.4			186.7			(226.3	)		196.9
Income tax expense (benefit)		—			(22.5	)		41.3			17.4			—			36.2
Income from continuing operations		124.7			16.9			76.1			169.3			(226.3	)		160.7
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		—			—			—			—			—			—
Net Income		124.7			16.9			76.1			169.3			(226.3	)		160.7
Other comprehensive income (loss)		45.3			16.2			45.4			97.9			(159.5	)		45.3
Comprehensive income	$	170.0		$	33.1		$	121.5		$	267.2		$	(385.8	)	$	206.0

Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

(in millions)

	Cooper Industries plc			Cooper US, Inc.			Guarantors			Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total
Revenues	$	—		$	—		$	836.6		$	619.5		$	(178.4	)	$	1,277.7
Cost of sales		—			(0.6	)		586.3			436.4			(178.4	)		843.7
Selling and administrative expenses		—			44.3			126.0			106.6			(26.0	)		250.9
Equity in income of Apex Tool Group, LLC		—			—			—			14.5			—			14.5
Interest expense, net		—			16.5			—			(0.2	)		—			16.3
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax		320.3			244.4			290.1			199.0			(1,053.8	)		—
Intercompany income (expense)		(0.4	)		(17.1	)		(41.5	)		58.8			0.2			—
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		319.9			167.1			372.9			349.0			(1,027.6	)		181.3
Income tax expense (benefit)		—			(31.9	)		36.2			21.2			—			25.5
Income from continuing operations		319.9			199.0			336.7			327.8			(1,027.6	)		155.8
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		—			—			—			190.3			—			190.3
Net Income		319.9			199.0			336.7			518.1			(1,027.6	)		346.1
Other comprehensive income (loss)		2.8			2.6			39.3			32.8			(41.4	)		36.1
Comprehensive income	$	322.7		$	201.6		$	376.0		$	550.9		$	(1,069.0	)	$	382.2

-15-

Consolidating Balance Sheets

March 31, 2012

(in millions)

	Cooper Industries plc			Cooper US, Inc.			Guarantors			Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total
Cash and cash equivalents	$	50.6		$	214.5		$	1.2		$	350.2		$	—		$	616.5
Receivables, less allowances		—			0.8			274.9			685.7			—			961.4
Inventories		—			—			271.9			262.2			—			534.1
Current discontinued operations receivable		—			—			—			3.8			—			3.8
Other current assets		0.5			43.9			50.6			136.2			—			231.2
Total current assets		51.1			259.2			598.6			1,438.1			—			2,347.0
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation		—			35.1			321.9			283.3			—			640.3
Investment in Apex Tool Group, LLC		—			—			—			549.9			—			549.9
Investment in subsidiaries		1,263.8			3,529.8			5,333.4			4,709.5			(14,836.5	)		—
Investment in parent		—			3,428.0			—			312.7			(3,740.7	)		—
Intercompany accounts receivable		133.0			—			1,217.2			1,023.1			(2,373.3	)		—
Intercompany notes receivable		9,564.5			560.5			6,976.9			4,047.2			(21,149.1	)		—
Goodwill		—			—			1,295.7			1,273.8			—			2,569.5
Other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization		—			—			89.0			328.3			—			417.3
Long-term discontinued operations receivable		—			—			—			5.0			—			5.0
Other noncurrent assets		0.3			(3.5	)		1.8			113.9			—			112.5
Total assets	$	11,012.7		$	7,809.1		$	15,834.5		$	14,084.8		$	(42,099.6	)	$	6,641.5
Short-term debt	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	6.7		$	—		$	6.7
Accounts payable		49.7			24.3			237.0			246.3			—			557.3
Accrued liabilities		0.9			85.0			191.9			273.2			(1.7	)		549.3
Current discontinued operations liability		—			—			—			9.2			—			9.2
Current maturities of long-term debt		—			325.0			—			0.3			—			325.3
Total current liabilities		50.6			434.3			428.9			535.7			(1.7	)		1,447.8
Long-term debt		—			1,095.0			—			1.4			—			1,096.4
Intercompany accounts payable		—			2,373.3			—			—			(2,373.3	)		—
Intercompany notes payable		462.7			1,815.1			1,845.4			17,025.9			(21,149.1	)		—
Long-term discontinued operations liability		—			—			—			40.5			—			40.5
Other long-term liabilities		—			(49.8	)		217.4			173.5			—			341.1
Total liabilities		513.3			5,667.9			2,491.7			17,777.0			(23,524.1	)		2,925.8
Common stock		1.7			—			—			—			—			1.7
Subsidiary preferred stock		—			—			2,872.0			335.1			(3,207.1	)		—
Subsidiary common stock		—			—			9.2			257.8			(267.0	)		—
Capital in excess of par value		10,326.3			830.9			6,310.5			(8,633.6	)		(8,834.1	)		—
Retained earnings		804.6			1,445.7			4,296.4			4,510.2			(6,500.7	)		4,556.2
Treasury stock		(671.6	)		—			—			—			—			(671.6	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		38.4			(135.4	)		(145.3	)		(161.7	)		233.4			(170.6	)
Total shareholders’ equity		10,499.4			2,141.2			13,342.8			(3,692.2	)		(18,575.5	)		3,715.7
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	11,012.7		$	7,809.1		$	15,834.5		$	14,084.8		$	(42,099.6	)	$	6,641.5

-16-

Consolidating Balance Sheets

December 31, 2011

(in millions)

	Cooper Industries plc			Cooper US, Inc.			Guarantors			Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total
Cash and cash equivalents	$	20.8		$	276.9		$	0.6		$	378.3		$	—		$	676.6
Receivables, less allowances		—			0.5			253.0			625.3			—			878.8
Inventories		—			—			235.0			231.3			—			466.3
Current discontinued operations receivable		—			—			—			3.8			—			3.8
Other current assets		0.8			70.6			40.9			153.6			—			265.9
Total current assets		21.6			348.0			529.5			1,392.3			—			2,291.4
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation		—			36.3			324.4			264.7			—			625.4
Investment in Apex Tool Group, LLC		—			—			—			521.9			—			521.9
Investment in subsidiaries		1,093.5			3,432.0			5,266.0			4,709.6			(14,501.1	)		—
Investment in parent		—			3,428.0			—			312.7			(3,740.7	)		—
Intercompany accounts receivable		113.3			—			1,238.2			1,034.3			(2,385.8	)		—
Intercompany notes receivable		9,564.5			550.9			6,976.9			4,003.6			(21,095.9	)		—
Goodwill		—			—			1,295.7			1,217.8			—			2,513.5
Other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization		—			—			88.9			291.5			—			380.4
Long-term discontinued operations receivable		—			—			—			5.1			—			5.1
Other noncurrent assets		0.4			(2.4	)		0.9			111.0			—			109.9
Total assets	$	10,793.3		$	7,792.8		$	15,720.5		$	13,864.5		$	(41,723.5	)	$	6,447.6
Short-term debt	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	6.4		$	—		$	6.4
Accounts payable		46.3			25.3			214.0			217.0			—			502.6
Accrued liabilities		1.0			94.0			228.2			293.6			(1.5	)		615.3
Current discontinued operations liability		—			—			—			9.3			—			9.3
Current maturities of long-term debt		—			325.0			—			—			—			325.0
Total current liabilities		47.3			444.3			442.2			526.3			(1.5	)		1,458.6
Long-term debt		—			1,094.7			—			1.5			—			1,096.2
Intercompany accounts payable		—			2,385.8			—			—			(2,385.8	)		—
Intercompany notes payable		419.1			1,815.1			1,845.4			17,016.3			(21,095.9	)		—
Long-term discontinued operations liability		—			—			—			40.5			—			40.5
Other long-term liabilities		—			(48.1	)		218.3			146.1			—			316.3
Total liabilities		466.4			5,691.8			2,505.9			17,730.7			(23,483.2	)		2,911.6
Common stock		1.7			—			—			—			—			1.7
Subsidiary preferred stock		—			—			2,872.0			335.1			(3,207.1	)		—
Subsidiary common stock		—			—			9.2			257.8			(267.0	)		—
Capital in excess of par value		10,274.1			824.0			6,303.6			(8,540.2	)		(8,861.5	)		—
Retained earnings		729.6			1,428.6			4,220.5			4,340.7			(6,297.6	)		4,421.8
Treasury stock		(671.6	)		—			—			—			—			(671.6	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(6.9	)		(151.6	)		(190.7	)		(259.6	)		392.9			(215.9	)
Total shareholders’ equity		10,326.9			2,101.0			13,214.6			(3,866.2	)		(18,240.3	)		3,536.0
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	10,793.3		$	7,792.8		$	15,720.5		$	13,864.5		$	(41,723.5	)	$	6,447.6

-17-

Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

(in millions)

	Cooper Industries plc			Cooper US, Inc.			Guarantors			Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(0.1	)	$	(13.0	)	$	1.1		$	63.7		$	—		$	51.7
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		—			(2.0	)		(16.7	)		(15.1	)		—			(33.8	)
Cash paid for acquired businesses		—			—			(0.4	)		(56.9	)		—			(57.3	)
Investments in affiliates		—			—			(7.0	)		—			7.0			—
Loans to affiliates		—			—			—			(43.6	)		43.6			—
Dividends from affiliates		—			3.1			3.0			—			(6.1	)		—
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment and other		—			—			—			0.3			—			0.3
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		—			1.1			(21.1	)		(115.3	)		44.5			(90.8	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt		—			—			—			(0.1	)		—			(0.1	)
Short-term debt, net		—			—			—			0.2			—			0.2
Borrowings from affiliates		43.6			—			—			—			(43.6	)		—
Other intercompany financing activities		22.5			(57.4	)		20.6			14.3			—			—
Dividends		(45.8	)		—			—			—			—			(45.8	)
Dividends paid to affiliates		—			—			—			(6.1	)		6.1			—
Purchases of common shares for cancellation		(7.4	)		—			—			—			—			(7.4	)
Issuance of stock to affiliates		—			—			—			7.0			(7.0	)		—
Excess tax benefits from stock options and awards		—			6.9			—			—			—			6.9
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and other		17.0			—			—			—			—			17.0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		29.9			(50.5	)		20.6			15.3			(44.5	)		(29.2	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			—			8.2			—			8.2
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		29.8			(62.4	)		0.6			(28.1	)		—			(60.1	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		20.8			276.9			0.6			378.3			—			676.6
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	50.6		$	214.5		$	1.2		$	350.2		$	—		$	616.5

-18-

Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

(in millions)

	Cooper Industries plc			Cooper US, Inc.			Guarantors			Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(0.3	)	$	(7.3	)	$	(43.3	)	$	50.9		$	—		$	—
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		—			(3.8	)		(13.6	)		(8.4	)		—			(25.8	)
Cash paid for acquired businesses		—			—			(1.9	)		0.1			—			(1.8	)
Loans to affiliates		—			—			—			(350.0	)		350.0			—
Repayments of loans from affiliates		—			—			—			122.1			(122.1	)		—
Dividends from affiliates		—			1.0			2.4			—			(3.4	)		—
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment and other		—			—			—			0.2			—			0.2
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		—			(2.8	)		(13.1	)		(236.0	)		224.5			(27.4	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt		—			—			—			(2.5	)		—			(2.5	)
Short-term debt, net		—			—			—			9.5			—			9.5
Borrowings from affiliates		—			350.0			—			—			(350.0	)		—
Repayments of loans to affiliates		—			(122.1	)		—			—			122.1			—
Other intercompany financing activities		26.4			28.0			54.6			(109.0	)		—			—
Dividends		(44.8	)		—			—			—			—			(44.8	)
Dividends paid to affiliates		—			—			—			(3.4	)		3.4			—
Purchases of treasury shares		(7.9	)		—			—			—			—			(7.9	)
Excess tax benefits from stock options and awards		—			7.3			—			—			—			7.3
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and other		33.4			—			—			—			—			33.4
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		7.1			263.2			54.6			(105.4	)		(224.5	)		(5.0	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			—			5.5			—			5.5
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		6.8			253.1			(1.8	)		(285.0	)		—			(26.9	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		63.2			36.8			2.6			932.7			—			1,035.3
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	70.0		$	289.9		$	0.8		$	647.7		$	—		$	1,008.4

-19-

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

We often discuss expectations regarding our future markets, demand for our products and services, and our performance in our annual and quarterly reports, press releases, and other written and oral statements. Statements that relate to matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These “forward-looking statements” are based on an analysis of currently available competitive, financial and economic data and our operating plans. They are inherently uncertain and investors should recognize that events and actual results could turn out to be significantly different from our expectations. By way of illustration, when used in this document, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “predict” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, includes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, any statements regarding future revenues, costs and expenses, earnings, earnings per share, margins, cash flows, dividends and capital expenditures. Important factors which may affect the actual results include, but are not limited to, political developments, market and economic conditions, changes in raw material, transportation and energy costs, industry competition, the ability to execute and realize the expected benefits from strategic initiatives including revenue growth plans and cost control and productivity improvement programs, the ability to develop and introduce new products, the magnitude of any disruptions from manufacturing rationalizations, changes in mix of products sold, mergers and acquisitions and their integration into Cooper, the timing and amount of any stock repurchases by Cooper, changes in financial markets including currency exchange rate fluctuations, changing legislation and regulations including changes in tax law, tax treaties or tax regulations.

The above description of risks and uncertainties is by no means all-inclusive, but is designed to highlight what we believe are important factors to consider. For a more detailed description of risk factors, please seePart I — Item 1A. — Risk Factors.

Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company,” or “Cooper” means Cooper Industries plc and, where the context requires, includes our subsidiaries.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 Compared With Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

Income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2012 was $160.7 million on revenues of $1,403.6 million compared with 2011 first quarter income from continuing operations of $155.8 million on revenues of $1,277.7 million. First quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased 8% to $1.00 from $.93 in 2011. During the first quarter of 2011, reported income from continuing operations was increased by $9.7 million or $.06 per share for discrete tax adjustments related to the settlement of the discontinued operations asbestos liability that was required under accounting principles to be classified in continuing operations.

Revenues:

Revenues for the first quarter of 2012 increased 9.8% compared to the first quarter of 2011. Core revenues in the first quarter of 2012 were 6.8% higher than the prior year with acquisitions increasing comparable revenues by 3.5% in 2012. Currency translation decreased reported revenues by approximately 0.5% in the first quarter of 2012.

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Energy & Safety Solutions segment revenues for the first quarter of 2012 increased 10.4% compared to the first quarter of 2011. Core revenues were 9.7% higher in the first quarter of 2012 as a result of improving demand from Commercial, Industrial and Energy related markets coupled with continued strength in Utility markets. Acquisitions added 1.5% to reported revenues in 2012 while unfavorable currency translation decreased revenues by approximately 0.8% in the quarter.

Electrical Products Group segment revenues increased 9.2% compared to the first quarter of 2011. Core revenues in the first quarter of 2012 were 3.7% higher than the prior year’s first quarter with unfavorable currency translation decreasing reported revenues by 0.2% in the quarter. Acquisitions increased reported revenues by 5.7% in 2012 driven primarily by the July 2011 acquisition of Martek Power. Strong demand from our Industrial and Electronic markets with added demand for energy-efficient technologies such as LED products improved results from the non-residential markets.

Costs and Expenses:

Cost of sales, as a percentage of revenues, was 65.7% for the first quarter of 2012 compared to 66.0% for the comparable 2011 quarter. The decrease in the cost of sales percentage resulted from the favorable impact of higher production volumes, pricing actions which more than offset material price inflation for the period and the positive impact of Cooper’s activities to improve overall cost productivity. This favorable impact was partially offset by the impact of recent acquisitions which had a higher than average cost of sales, as a percentage of revenues.

Energy & Safety Solutions segment costs of sales, as a percentage of revenues, was 65.0% for the first quarter of 2012 compared to 66.3% for the first quarter of 2011. The decrease in cost of sales percentage resulted from the favorable impact of higher production volumes for selected markets, pricing actions which more than offset material price inflation and the positive impact of Cooper’s activities to improve overall cost productivity. These actions were partially offset by the impact of acquisitions which had a higher than average cost of sales percentage.

Electrical Products Group segment cost of sales, as a percentage of revenues, was 66.7% for the first quarter of 2012 compared to 65.8% for the first quarter of 2011. The increase in cost of sales as a percentage of revenues in comparison to the prior year first quarter was due to the unfavorable impact of acquisitions which have a higher than average cost of sales percentage and higher costs for restructuring actions being taken to improve overall long-term cost structure. Favorable pricing actions which more than offset material price inflation and the favorable impact from higher volumes partially offset the unfavorable impact of acquisitions and restructuring actions.

Selling and administrative expenses, as a percentage of revenues, for the first quarter of 2012 was 20.2% compared to 19.6% for the first quarter of 2011. Higher environmental and legal costs increased 2012 selling and administrative expenses, as a percentage of revenues by approximately 1.2%. This increase in percentage was mitigated by the favorable impact of higher revenue levels partially offset by expenses associated with global growth initiatives.

Energy & Safety Solutions segment selling and administrative expenses, as a percentage of revenues for the first quarter of 2012, was 18.2% compared to 16.6% for the first quarter of 2011. Higher environmental and legal costs increased 2012 selling and administrative expenses, as a percentage of revenues by approximately 2.0%. This increase in percentage was mitigated by the favorable impact of 10.4% higher comparable revenue levels for the first quarter 2012 that was partially offset by investments in resources designed to improve global growth.

Electrical Products Group segment selling and administrative expenses, as a percentage of revenues for the first quarter of 2012, was 19.2% compared to 19.3% for the first quarter of 2011. The decrease in percentage reflects the impact of 9.2% higher comparable revenue levels for the first quarter 2012 offset by investments in sales and marketing resources focused on driving improved global demand for products.

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Net interest expense in the first quarter of 2012 decreased $1.7 million from the 2011 first quarter primarily as a result of the favorable impact from foreign currency hedges related to intercompany financing activities. Average debt balances were $1.42 billion and $1.42 billion and average interest rates were 4.73% and 4.77% for the first quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Operating Earnings:

Energy & Safety Solutions segment first quarter 2012 operating earnings increased 8.5% to $126.2 million from $116.3 million for the same quarter of last year. The increase resulted from the improved demand for industrial, energy related and utility products coupled with favorable pricing actions which more than offset material price inflation. These items were partially offset by the lower margins for recently acquired businesses and higher environmental and legal costs. The Energy & Safety Solutions segment continues its investment in productivity initiatives which includes manufacturing productivity improvements, product redesign and investment in developing markets to increase global revenues.

Electrical Products Group segment first quarter 2012 operating earnings increased 4.3% to $92.4 million from $88.6 million for the same quarter of last year. The increase resulted from the improvement in demand from most global markets, favorable pricing actions that more than offset material price inflation and the continuing favorable impact of restructuring actions offset partially by lower margins from recently acquired businesses and further actions to improve the segment’s long-term cost structure. The Electrical Products Group segment continues its investment in productivity initiatives which includes manufacturing productivity improvements, product redesign and investment in developing markets to increase global revenues.

Equity income from the Apex Tool Group joint venture was $14.3 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to $14.5 million in the first quarter of 2011.

Income Taxes:

The effective tax rate from continuing operations was 18.4% for the first quarter of 2012 and 14.1% for the same period in 2011. Income tax expense from continuing operations was reduced by $9.7 million during the first quarter of 2011 for discrete tax adjustments related to the settlement of the discontinued operations asbestos liability that was required under accounting principles to be classified in continuing operations. Excluding these discrete tax adjustments, Cooper’s effective tax rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 was 19.4%.

Income Related to Discontinued Operations:

As discussed in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, on February 1, 2011, Cooper entered into a settlement agreement that closed on April 5, 2011 related to its asbestos liability regarding the Automotive Products segment, which was sold in 1998. The settlement terminated the 1994 Mutual Guaranty Agreement between Cooper and Pneumo and created a Settlement Trust. After the closing of the settlement in April 2011 the Company and its subsidiaries have no further obligations under the Mutual Guaranty Agreement. As a result of the settlement agreement, in the first quarter of 2011 Cooper adjusted its previously recorded net liability for its obligations under the Mutual Guaranty agreement to the amounts payable under the settlement agreement and related unpaid legal expenses resulting in the recognition of an after tax gain from discontinued operations of $190.3 million, which is net of a $105.6 million income tax expense.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cooper believes our internal cash generation together with existing cash and cash equivalent balances and availability under the committed credit facility is sufficient to fund current operations, projected capital expenditures, scheduled debt repayments, the current rate of cash dividends, and anticipated common stock repurchases. Cooper evaluates opportunities to expand through acquisitions as well as through the growth of our current businesses. While a significant acquisition may require additional debt and/or equity financing, Cooper believes its conservative financial structure and access to capital markets provides the strength and flexibility to support the liquidity needs to achieve its strategic objectives. Capital expenditures in 2012 are now projected to be approximately $160 to $180 million.

Liquidity:

Cooper’s operating working capital (defined as receivables and inventories less accounts payable) increased $95.7 million during the first quarter of 2012 reflecting working capital investments to support revenue growth and global growth initiatives. An $82.6 million increase in receivables and a $67.8 million increase in inventories were partially offset by a $54.7 million increase in accounts payable. Operating working capital turnover (defined as annualized quarterly revenues divided by average quarterly operating working capital) for the 2012 first quarter was 6.3 turns as compared to the 6.1 turns reported for the same period of 2011 reflecting efficient working capital utilization.

Cash provided by operating activities was $51.7 million during the 2012 first quarter. This cash plus an additional $60.1 million of cash and cash equivalents and $17.0 million of cash received from stock option exercises was used primarily to fund acquisitions of $57.3 million, dividends of $45.8 million, capital expenditures of $33.8 million and share purchases of $7.4 million.

During the first quarter of 2011 Cooper used $33.4 million of cash received from stock option exercises and existing cash on hand primarily to fund capital expenditures of $25.8 million, dividends of $44.8 million and share purchases of $7.9 million.

Capital Resources:

Cooper targets a 30% to 40% debt-to-total capitalization ratio. Cooper’s debt-to-total capitalization ratio was 27.8% at March 31, 2012, 28.8% at December 31, 2011 and 28.6% at March 31, 2011.

At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, Cooper had cash and cash equivalents of $616.5 million and $676.6 million, respectively. Cooper had short-term debt of $6.7 million and $6.4 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Cooper had no commercial paper outstanding at March 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011. Cooper’s practice is to back up its short-term debt balance with a combination of cash, cash equivalents, and committed credit facilities.

At March 31, 2012, Cooper has $500 million available under its five-year committed bank credit facility that matures in May 2016. The credit facility agreement is not subject to termination based on a decrease in Cooper’s debt ratings or a material adverse change clause. The only financial covenant in the agreement limits Cooper’s debt-to-total capitalization ratio to 60%. Cooper is in compliance with all covenants set forth in the credit facility agreement.

Cooper’s access to the commercial paper market could be adversely affected by a change in the credit ratings assigned to its commercial paper. Should Cooper’s access to the commercial paper market be adversely affected due to a change in its credit ratings, Cooper would rely on a combination of available cash and its committed credit facility to provide short-term funding. The committed credit facility does not contain any provision, which makes its availability to Cooper dependent on Cooper’s credit ratings.

Cooper’s senior unsecured notes, credit facility and any commercial paper amounts outstanding are guaranteed by Cooper and certain of its principal operating subsidiaries.

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Critical Accounting Estimates and Recently Issued Accounting Standards

We disclosed our critical accounting policies in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and there has been no significant changes to those policies.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations

As of March 31, 2012, there have been no material changes to Cooper’s off-balance sheet arrangements and contractual obligations as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Backlog

Sales backlog represents the dollar amount of all firm open orders for which all terms and conditions pertaining to the sale have been approved such that a future sale is reasonably expected. Sales backlog by segment was as follows:

`	March 31,
	2012		2011
	(in millions)
Energy & Safety Solutions	$	583.5	$	526.3
Electrical Products Group		252.9		200.9
	$	836.4	$	727.2

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We included quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and there has been no significant changes to our market risk.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective, at the reasonable assurance level, in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act and are effective, at the reasonable assurance level, in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Discontinued Operations Liability

Information regarding the discontinued operations liability is incorporated by reference to Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I of this Form 10-Q.

Other Matters

Information regarding other matters is incorporated by reference to Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I of this Form 10-Q.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the risk factors previously disclosed in Cooper’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table reflects activity related to equity securities purchased by Cooper during the three months ended March 31, 2012:

Purchases of Equity Securities

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(1)		Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the  Plans or Programs(1)
As of 12/31/11								13,679,395
1/01/12 – 1/31/12		29,813	$	54.01		29,813		16,149,582
2/01/12 – 2/29/12		35,000		60.75		35,000		16,114,582
3/01/12 – 3/31/12		60,000		60.47		60,000		16,054,582
Total		124,813	$	59.00		124,813

⁽¹⁾  On February 9, 2009, Cooper’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to ten million shares of Cooper common stock and increased the share repurchase authorization by ten million shares on November 1, 2011. Cooper’s Board has also authorized the repurchase of shares issued from time to time under its equity compensation plans, matched savings plan and dividend reinvestment plan in order to offset the dilution that results from issuing shares under these plans. For 2012 Cooper’s current estimate is that 2.5 million shares would be issued under equity compensation plans, which is reflected in the above table. Cooper may continue to repurchase shares under these authorizations from time to time during 2012. The decision whether to do so will depend on the favorability of market conditions, as well as potential cash requirements for acquisitions and debt repayments.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

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Item 6. Exhibits

10.1	Form of Executive Stock Incentive Agreement for the performance period January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014.
10.2	Form of Executive Stock Incentive Agreement for certain Corporate Officers for the performance period January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014.
10.3	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for the Cooper Industries Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.4	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for certain Corporate Officers for the Cooper Industries Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.5	Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for the Cooper Industries Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.6	Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for certain Corporate Officers for the Cooper Industries Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.
12	Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges for the Calendar Years 2007 through 2011 and the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Definition Linkbase Document

Signatures

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 thereunto duly authorized.

	Cooper Industries plc
	(Registrant)
Date: May 4, 2012	/s/ David A. Barta
	David A. Barta, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Date: May 4, 2012	/s/ Rick L. Johnson
	Rick L. Johnson, Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

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Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.

10.1	Form of Executive Stock Incentive Agreement for the performance period January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014.
10.2	Form of Executive Stock Incentive Agreement for certain Corporate Officers for the performance period January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014.
10.3	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for the Cooper Industries Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.4	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for certain Corporate Officers for the Cooper Industries Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.5	Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for the Cooper Industries Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.6	Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for certain Corporate Officers for the Cooper Industries Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.
12	Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges for the Calendar Years 2007 through 2011 and the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Definition Linkbase Document