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EXHIBIT 99.1
SALES TRENDS:
Sales comparisons are presented to help investors understand the general tone of
Cooper's business. These include the impacts of acquisitions, divestitures,
currency movements, etc. and are not necessarily indicative of business trends.
Specific questions regarding sales trends should be directed to Richard
Bajenski, Vice President, Investor Relations, bajenski@cooperindustries.com,
(713) 209-8610.
Sales for the three months ended on the date shown, compared to the same period
in the prior year:
11/30/00 12/31/00 01/31/01 02/28/01 03/31/01 04/30/01
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Cooper Industries 10-15% 10% 5-10% 0-5% 5% 0-5%
Electrical Products 15-20% 13% 10-15% 5-10% 8% 0-5%
Tools & Hardware (0-5)% (2)% (0-5)% (0-5)% (7)% (5-10)%
OBSERVATIONS ON RECENT SALES TRENDS, FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2001.
COOPER INDUSTRIES
Sales for the three months ended April 30, 2001, grew 0 - 5%, compared with last
year.
o Revenues increased as a result of recent acquisitions.
o Currency translation continues to have a modest negative impact.
ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS
Sales for the three months ended April 30, 2001, grew 0 - 5%, compared with last
year.
o Telecommunications and electronics product sales were considerably
weakened by lower demand from key customers, affecting sales of fuses,
other circuit protection products and enclosures.
o Construction-related markets continued to soften, impacting sales of
many products, including utility products, lighting fixtures and wiring
devices.
o Utility spending on distribution system products - distribution
transformers and power management products - remains weak.
o Demand for electrical construction materials was slow, with some recent
improvements in international markets.
o European-based business demand remained firm.
o Competitive pressures continue to impact pricing in many markets.
o Recent acquisitions, B-Line and Eagle Electric being the two most
significant of these, continue to provide an increase to sales.
o Currency translation effects remain modestly negative.
TOOLS AND HARDWARE
Sales for the three months ended April 30, 2001, declined 0 - 5%, compared with
last year.
o Slowing industrial activity in North America has led to reduced demand
for power and hand tools.
o Assembly equipment shipments, particularly from our European
operations, continue at levels higher than last year.
o Currency translation effects remain modestly negative.
Note: Includes impacts of acquisitions and divestitures.