News Release

DUBLIN, Oct. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Cooper Industries plc (NYSE: CBE) today reported record earnings per share of $.98 on net income of $160.2 million for the third quarter of 2011 compared to earnings per share of $.85 on net income of $141.7 million for the same period last year. Third quarter 2011 revenues increased $149 million, or 12.0%, to $1.39 billion from revenues of $1.24 billion in the third quarter of the prior year. Core revenue growth was 7.1%, with currency translation adding 1.6% to reported revenues and acquisitions adding 3.3% when compared to the prior year. Total operating profit margin was 14.8% for the third quarter of 2011 and 15.4% in the same period last year.

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"Our investments continued to gain momentum as we saw developing markets' core revenue grow 14 percent. In addition, new product vitality, representing sales of products developed in the last three years, was a record 28% of total revenue. Our Company-wide strategic initiatives and proven business model have now delivered seven quarters of consecutive double-digit earnings per share growth, with the current quarter representing record earnings per share from continuing operations. Our longer cycle and international businesses continued to produce strong results in the face of macro uncertainty, while demand from non-residential and residential construction markets remains soft. Investments made over the last several years in new product development, targeted verticals, and our increased presence in emerging markets have continued to strengthen our growth profile," said Cooper Industries Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kirk S. Hachigian.

During the first nine months of 2011 Cooper reported free cash flow of $358.0 million, excluding the $250 million asbestos trust settlement payment. "During the quarter, we repurchased over 7 million shares, continuing to show a balanced approach to investing in our core, while returning cash to shareholders," said Hachigian. The company's total debt net of cash as of September 30 was $997.2 million, which resulted in a 22.4% net debt to capitalization ratio. "Our ability to generate strong free cash flow through all business cycles provides us with flexibility to execute a well balanced capital allocation program. Year to date, we have repurchased 7.8 million shares while increasing our dividend by 7 percent in February," said Hachigian.

Operating margin was down versus the same period last year as a result of:

• Increased restructuring over the prior year by approximately $2 million;
• Purchase accounting associated with the Martek Power acquisition;
• Pressures in the EPG Segment resulting from material inflation not fully recovered;
• Production shortfalls resulting from restructuring activities and component availability issues at a specific business.

Segment Results

Energy & Safety Solutions segment revenues for the third quarter of 2011 increased 14.7% to $752.2 million, compared with $655.7 million in the third quarter 2010. Core revenues were 9.3% higher than the comparable prior year period, with currency translation increasing reported revenues 2.5% and acquisitions adding 2.9%. Core revenue growth was primarily related to continued demand for utility products with solid demand from global industrial and energy markets.

Segment operating earnings were $125.6 million, an increase of 13.1% from the $111.1 million in the prior year's third quarter. Segment operating margin decreased 20 basis points to 16.7% for the third quarter 2011, compared to 16.9% for the third quarter of 2010.

Electrical Products Group segment revenues for the third quarter of 2011 increased 9.0% to $637.5 million, compared with $585.0 million in the third quarter 2010. Core revenues were 4.6% higher than prior year, with currency translation increasing reported results 0.7% and acquisitions adding 3.7%. Core revenue growth was driven primarily by demand for energy efficient products and broad industrial demand, offset partially by slowing demand for electronic components and the already weak residential and non-residential construction markets.

Segment operating earnings were $88.3 million, a decrease of 6.3% from the $94.2 million reported in the prior year's third quarter. Segment operating margin decreased 220 basis points to 13.9% for the third quarter of 2011, compared to a record 16.1% for the third quarter of 2010.

Tools Joint Venture

As a result of the creation of the Apex Tool Group joint venture on July 4, 2010, the Tools business was deconsolidated beginning with the third quarter 2010. Equity income from the Apex Tool Group joint venture of $16.0 million is included in operating earnings in the third quarter 2011, compared to equity income of $10.5 million in the third quarter of 2010.

Outlook

"We remain committed to delivering a balance of growth, margin expansion and cash generation. We expect 2011 full year earnings per share from continuing operations to be in the range of $3.78 to $3.83 compared to previously revised guidance of $3.75 to $3.82 earnings per share. This guidance now assumes full-year revenue growth of 11 to 13 percent, excluding Tools segment revenue from 2010. For the fourth quarter of 2011 we expect earnings per share of $.91 to $.96 on core revenue growth of 1 to 3 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2010," said Hachigian.

Cooper Announces Acquisition of TOLCO

Cooper Industries plc today announced the acquisition by Cooper B-Line, Inc. of TOLCO, an operating division of NIBCO INC., located in Corona, California. TOLCO represents a leading brand of pipe hangers, fabricated supports, and seismic bracing for the fire protection, commercial construction, and industrial process markets. TOLCO offers a wide array of supports, including custom fabricated supports, and highly engineered solutions for use in areas prone to seismic activity.

"Cooper is committed to building upon our core businesses and enhancing them by adding more technology and end-user specified products into the portfolio so that we can better serve our customers," said Cooper Industries Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kirk S. Hachigian. "The acquisitions of Martek Power, Gitiesse, and now TOLCO, complement our existing product offerings and enable us to offer more highly-engineered and customizable safety and support solutions to our customers in the industrial and commercial construction end-markets."

About Cooper Industries

Cooper Industries plc (NYSE: CBE) is a global electrical products manufacturer with 2010 revenues of $5.1 billion. Founded in 1833, Cooper's sustained success is attributable to a constant focus on innovation, evolving business practices while maintaining the highest ethical standards, and meeting customer needs. The Company has seven operating divisions with leading market positions and world-class products and brands including: Bussmann electrical and electronic fuses; Crouse-Hinds and CEAG explosion-proof electrical equipment; Halo and Metalux lighting fixtures; and Kyle and McGraw-Edison power systems products. With this broad range of products, Cooper is uniquely positioned for several long-term growth trends including the global infrastructure build-out, the need to improve the reliability and productivity of the electric grid, the demand for higher energy-efficient products and the need for improved electrical safety. In 2010 fifty-nine percent of total sales were to customers in the industrial and utility end-markets and thirty-nine percent of total sales were to customers outside the United States. Cooper has manufacturing facilities in 23 countries as of 2011. For more information, visit the website at http://www.cooperindustries.com/.

Comparisons of 2011 and 2010 third quarter results appear on the following pages.

Statements in this news release are forward looking under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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.

Conference Call

Cooper will hold a conference call today at 12:00 noon EDT to provide shareholders and other interested parties an overview of the Company's third quarter 2011 performance. Those interested in hearing the conference call may listen via telephone by dialing (866) 804-6927 using pass code 86511665, or over the Internet in the "Investors" section of the company website, http://www.cooperindustries.com/. International callers should dial (857) 350-1673 and use pass code 86511665.

The conference call may include non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of those measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures can be found in the supplementary financials of this press release.

Informational exhibits concerning the Company's third quarter performance that may be referred to during the conference call will be available in the "Investors" section of the Company's website, http://www.cooperindustries.com/ prior to the beginning of the call.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

PERCENTAGE OF REVENUES

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Additional Information for the Three Months Ended September 30

Segment Information

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

PERCENTAGE OF REVENUES

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Additional Information for the Nine Months Ended September 30

Segment Information

Impact of Unusual Items

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(PRELIMINARY)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(PRELIMINARY)

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

Ratios of Debt-To-Total Capitalization

And Net Debt-To-Total Capitalization Reconciliation

(Preliminary)

Note: Management believes that net debt to capital is a useful measure regarding Cooper Industries' financial leverage for evaluating the Company's ability to meet its funding needs.

Free Cash Flow Reconciliation

Note: Management believes that free cash flow provides useful information regarding Cooper Industries' ability to generate cash without reliance on external financings. In addition, management uses free cash flow to evaluate the resources available for investments in the business, strategic acquisitions and strengthening the balance sheet.

SOURCE: Cooper Industries plc