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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:
12/31/00 01/31/01 02/28/01 03/31/01 04/30/01 05/31/01
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Cooper Industries 10% 5-10% 0-5% 5% 0-5% (0-5)%
Electrical Products 13% 10-15% 5-10% 8% 0-5% (0-5)%
Tools & Hardware (2)% (0-5)% (0-5)% (7)% (5-10)% (0-5)%
OBSERVATIONS ON RECENT SALES TRENDS, FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2001.
COOPER INDUSTRIES
Sales for the three months ended May 31, 2001, declined 0 - 5%, compared with
last year.
o Incremental contribution to revenues from recent acquisitions
diminishes as the anniversary of those acquisitions
approaches.
o Currency translation continues to have a modest negative
impact.
ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS
Sales for the three months ended May 31, 2001, declined 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 remains 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.
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TOOLS AND HARDWARE
Sales for the three months ended May 31, 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.