Encore Wire (WIRE) 8-K Encore Wire Posts Record Sales

EXHIBIT 99.1

[Encore Wire Corporation Logo Omitted]

Encore Wire Corporation	PRESS RELEASE		April 25, 2006
1410 Millwood Road
McKinney, Texas 75069		Contact:	Frank J. Bilban
972-562-9473			Vice President & CFO

For Immediate Release

ENCORE WIRE POSTS RECORD SALES

MCKINNEY, TX — Encore Wire Corporation (NASDAQ/NMS: WIRE) announced today that 2006 first quarter sales dollars set a new company record.

Net sales for the first quarter of 2006 increased 83.7% to a record $252.0 million compared to $137.2 million during the first quarter of 2005. The increase in net sales dollars is due primarily to higher wire prices in 2006 versus 2005 along with a unit sales increase of over 18%. Net income for the first quarter of 2006 increased 1,456% to $16.1 million versus $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2005. Fully diluted net income per common share increased to $0.68 in the first quarter of 2006 versus $0.04 in the first quarter of 2005. The increased average sales price per pound of copper wire shipped in the first quarter of 2006 versus the first quarter of 2005 was driven by the price of copper, which increased 55%.

Commenting on the results, Daniel L. Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer of Encore Wire Corporation, said, “We are proud to announce another new record for quarterly sales, coupled with the second best quarterly earnings in the history of the Company. The trailing four quarters combined have produced net sales of $873.0 million and fully diluted earnings per share of $2.76. Copper continues to climb to new highs, driven by strong global demand. Demand from our customers has also remained strong. Construction of our new armored cable plant continues on schedule, with the building now complete and machinery currently being installed. The plant is expected to be operational in the third quarter of 2006 and should be a strong contributor to our sales going forward. Due to our strong cash flow in the first quarter, our debt rose only $19.2 million to $90.4 million despite the fact that we increased our working capital by $31.5 million and spent $7.7 million on capital expenditures. We will continue to manage the Company to grow sales and earnings while maintaining our historically strong and conservative balance sheet. We also want to thank our employees and associates for their tremendous efforts and our stockholders for their support.”

Encore Wire Corporation manufactures a broad range of copper electrical wire for interior wiring in homes, apartments, manufactured housing and commercial and industrial buildings.

The matters discussed in this news release, other than the historical financial information, including statements about the copper pricing environment, profitability and shareholder value, may include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including fluctuations in the price of copper and other raw materials, the impact of competitive pricing and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may vary materially from those anticipated.

Encore Wire Corporation
P.O. Box 1149
1410 Millwood Road
McKinney, Texas 75069
(972) 562-9473
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)

	March 31,			December 31,
	2006			2005
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash	$	2,063		$	2,622
Receivables, net		183,311			164,930
Inventories		73,136			67,932
Prepaid Expenses and Other		14,693			19,749
Total Current Assets		273,203			255,233
Property, Plant and Equipment, net		97,929			93,137
Other Assets		106			106
Total Assets	$	371,238		$	348,476
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts Payable	$	19,327		$	17,277
Accrued Liabilities and Other		23,304			38,844
Total Current Liabilities		42,631			56,121
Long Term Liabilities
Note Payable		88,792			70,438
Other Long Term Liabilities		1,608			762
Non-Current Deferred Income Taxes		10,213			10,620
Total Long Term Liabilities		100,613			81,820
Total Liabilities		143,244			137,941
Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock		260			259
Additional Paid in Capital		40,253			38,932
Treasury Stock		(15,275	)		(15,275	)
Retained Earnings		202,756			186,619
Total Stockholders’ Equity		227,994			210,535
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	371,238		$	348,476

Encore Wire Corporation
P.O. Box 1149
1410 Millwood Road
McKinney, Texas 75069
(972) 562-9473
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)

	Quarter Ended March 31,
	2006				2005
Net Sales	$	252,048	100.0	%	$	137,193		100.0	%
Cost of Sales		212,676	84.4	%		126,446		92.2	%
Gross Profit		39,372	15.6	%		10,747		7.8	%
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses		13,438	5.3	%		9,587		7.0	%
Operating Income		25,934	10.3	%		1,160		0.8	%
Net Interest & Other Expense		1,133	0.4	%		832		0.6	%
Income before Income Taxes		24,801	9.8	%		328		0.2	%
Income Taxes		8,664	3.4	%		(709	)	-0.5	%
Net Income	$	16,137	6.4	%	$	1,037		0.8	%
Basic Earnings Per Share	$	0.70			$	0.04
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$	0.68			$	0.04
Weighted Average Number of Common and Common Equivalent Shares Outstanding:
-Basic		23,213				23,106
-Diluted		23,694				23,427