Cooper Industries Declares 8% Dividend Increase

Cooper Industries plc (NYSE:CBE) announced an increase in dividends from $1.00 to $1.08 per share on an annual basis, approved on February 15 by its Board of Directors. The first quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share will be paid on April 1, 2010 to shareholders of record as of February 26, 2010.

"Cooper is committed to increasing shareholder value by investing in its core businesses, repurchasing shares in the open markets and paying a competitive dividend,” said Cooper Industries Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kirk S. Hachigian. "This dividend increase signals our confidence in Cooper’s cash generation ability in both expanding and declining economies. This 8% increase follows a 19% increase to the dividend in 2008, after electing to maintain the dividend in 2009 due to the uncertainty in the global economy.”

Cooper’s total shareholder returns including the dividend payment have been 7% on a five-year and 11% on a ten-year compound annual basis as of the end of 2009.

About Cooper Industries

Cooper Industries plc (NYSE: CBE) is a global manufacturer with 2009 revenues of $5.1 billion, approximately eighty-nine percent of which are from electrical products. Founded in 1833, Cooper's sustained level of 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 eight operating divisions with leading market share 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 2009, sixty-one 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 2009. For more information, visit the website at www.cooperindustries.com.