Cooper Industries Reports Fourth Quarter Earnings from Continuing Operations of $.76 Per Share and 2009 Free Cash Flow of $723 Million (Exclusive of a $90 Million Discretionary Tax Deposit)

Cooper Industries plc (NYSE:CBE) reported fourth quarter 2009 GAAP earnings per share from continuing operations of $.76 (diluted), compared with $.65 per share from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2008. During the fourth quarter of 2009 Cooper recognized a pre-tax restructuring and asset impairment charge of $4.2 million or $.02 per share related primarily to reductions in work force offset by discrete tax items which improved reported results by $.02 per share. Excluding these unusual items, the fourth quarter 2009 earnings per share was $.76 per share compared to $.84 per share earnings for the fourth quarter of 2008, excluding restructuring and asset impairment charges. The fourth quarter 2009 results also included the favorable impact of a lower effective tax rate and inventory revaluations partially offset by other items which improved reported quarterly results by approximately $.04 per share. The fourth quarter 2008 results include the favorable impact of a lower effective tax rate, impact from a change in estimate for long-term incentive compensation and other items which improved reported quarterly results by approximately $.09 per share. Adjusting for these items on a non-GAAP basis the fourth quarter 2009 results of $.72 per share compares to $.75 per share for the fourth quarter of 2008. Fourth quarter 2009 revenues decreased 17.5 percent to $1.26 billion, compared with $1.52 billion for the same period last year. Core revenues were 19.8 percent lower than comparable prior year with currency translation increasing reported revenue by 2.0 percent and acquisitions adding 0.3 percent for the quarter.

"Our employees rapidly and efficiently right-sized our businesses for the economic challenges faced in 2009, allowing the company to improve earnings sequentially in the fourth quarter. As we begin to see growth in several of our end markets, our businesses are very well positioned to capitalize on the improvements with exceptional earnings growth,” said Cooper Industries’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kirk S. Hachigian.

During 2009 Cooper generated $632.6 million in free cash flow (including a $90 million discretionary income tax deposit) compared with the record $761.2 million for 2008. Our total debt net of cash and investments totaled $552.8 million compared to $952.4 million at December 31, 2008. "Our global teams have delivered exceptional free cash flow, in fact a record for the company excluding the $141 million received in 2008 from Federal-Mogul and the $90 million discretionary tax payment in 2009. As a result of our record cash flow, we were able to retire our $275 million debt obligation in November from available cash and preserve our financial flexibility to continue to invest in our long-term strategic initiatives and return capital to our shareholders,” said Hachigian.

Revenues for 2009 were $5.1 billion, a 22.3 percent decrease from the $6.5 billion in revenues for 2008. Core revenues were 20.9 percent lower than the comparable prior year period with currency translation reducing reported revenue by 2.0 percent and acquisitions adding 0.6 percent to reported revenues for 2009. For 2009 income from continuing operations, excluding unusual items, was $425.2 million, compared with $630.8 million for the prior year, excluding unusual items. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, excluding unusual items for comparable periods, were $2.52 compared with prior year’s $3.59.

During 2009 Cooper recognized a gain from discontinued operations of $25.5 million (net of tax of $16.2 million) or $.15 per share from negotiated insurance coverage settlements that were not previously recognized. Cooper believes that it is likely that additional insurance recoveries will be recorded in the future as new insurance-in-place agreements are consummated or settlements with insurance carriers are completed. Timing and value of these agreements and settlements cannot be currently estimated as they may be subject to extensive additional negotiation and litigation.

Segment Results

Electrical Products segment revenues for the fourth quarter of 2009 decreased 18.8 percent to $1.10 billion, compared with $1.36 billion in the fourth quarter 2008. Core revenues were 20.6 percent lower than comparable prior year periods with currency translation increasing reported results 1.5 percent and acquisitions adding 0.3 percent to reported revenues for the fourth quarter. Segment operating earnings, excluding the impact of restructuring and asset impairment charges, were $171.2 million, a decrease of 14 percent from the $198.1 million in the prior year’s fourth quarter. Segment operating margin, excluding the unusual items, increased 90 basis points to 15.5 percent for the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to the fourth quarter of 2008. Sequentially from the third quarter of 2009, Electrical Products revenues were approximately 4 percent lower driven by normal seasonality and delays in distributor purchases prior to year end with segment operating margins increasing 40 basis points, excluding unusual items.

Revenues for 2009 decreased 21.6 percent to $4.51 billion, compared to $5.76 billion for last year. Segment operating earnings for 2009 declined to $638.2 million excluding restructuring and asset impairment charges, compared to $930.3 million in the prior year.

Tools segment revenues for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $153.5 million, down 7 percent from 2008 fourth quarter revenues of $165.1 million. Excluding the effects of currency translation, which increased reported revenues in the quarter by 6.2 percent, core revenues for the quarter were 13.2 percent lower than 2008 fourth quarter. Segment operating earnings, excluding restructuring charges, were $12.7 million, compared to the fourth quarter 2008 earnings of $17.5 million. Segment operating margin, excluding restructuring charges, for the fourth quarter 2009 was 8.3 percent compared to 10.6 percent for the comparable prior year period. Sequentially from the third quarter of 2009, Tools segment revenues increased 10.3 percent with segment operating margins increasing 340 basis points, excluding unusual items.

Revenues for 2009 decreased 27.2 percent to $557.7 million, compared to $765.6 million for last year. Segment operating earnings excluding restructuring charges for 2009 were $18.5 million compared to operating earnings of $81.1 million in the prior year.

Outlook

"We are extremely pleased with how well our businesses adjusted to the economic realities of 2009. Cooper’s portfolio, management team and balance sheet are stronger than they have been in over a decade. We enter 2010 with strong profitability on a significantly lower revenue base and are in a great position to deliver outstanding increased earnings as the global economies recover,” commented Hachigian.

"For 2010 we are initiating EPS guidance for continuing operations of $2.70 to $2.90, excluding restructuring and unusual items, with revenue down 1 percent to up 4 percent including currency translation and acquisition revenue of approximately 2 percent. For the first quarter of 2010 we expect earnings per share of $.65 to $.70, excluding restructuring and unusual items, with revenue down 3 percent to up 2 percent compared to both the first quarter 2009 and sequentially with the fourth quarter 2009 results. In the first quarter of 2010 we expect to incur additional restructuring charges of $.01 to $.02 per share. Consistent with prior years, we look forward to reviewing our detailed 2010 outlook with the investment community on February 23^rd in New York City,” said Hachigian.

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.

Comparisons of 2009 and 2008 fourth quarter results appear below.

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 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, and the resolution of potential liabilities and insurance recoveries resulting from on-going Pneumo-Abex related asbestos claims.

Conference Call

Cooper will hold a conference call today at 12:00 noon EST to provide shareholders and other interested parties an overview of the Company’s fourth quarter 2009 performance. Those interested in hearing the conference call may listen via telephone by dialing (800) 706-7745 using pass code 69530127, or over the Internet in the "Investors” section of the company website, www.cooperindustries.com. International callers should dial (617) 614-3472 and use pass code 69530127.

The conference call may include non-GAAP financial measures. Cooper will post a reconciliation of those measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in the "Investors” section of the Company’s website, www.cooperindustries.com.

Informational exhibits concerning the Company’s fourth quarter performance that may be referred to during the conference call will be available in the "Investors” section of the Company’s website, www.cooperindustries.com prior to the beginning of the call.