Cooper Industries Reports Third Quarter Earnings From Continuing Operations of $.70 Per Share, Excluding Unusual Items; Record Nine Month Free Cash Flow

Cooper Industries plc (NYSE:CBE) reported third quarter 2009 earnings per share from continuing operations of $.68 (diluted), compared with $1.08 per share from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2008. During the third quarter of 2009 Cooper recognized a pre-tax restructuring charge of $6.5 million or $.03 per share. The third quarter of 2009 also included a favorable impact from discrete tax items which improved reported results by approximately $.01 per share. Excluding these unusual items, the third quarter 2009 earnings per share was $.70 per share compared to $.97 per share for earnings for the third quarter of 2008, excluding favorable discrete tax items. Third quarter 2009 revenues decreased 25.5 percent to $1.29 billion, compared with $1.73 billion for the same period last year. Core revenues were 23.6 percent lower than comparable prior year with currency translation reducing reported revenue by 2.0 percent for the quarter.

"Our continued focus on cost management across the company allowed us to increase our operating margin 160 basis points sequentially from the second quarter, excluding unusual items, and deliver earnings per share at the top end of the forecast. Revenue and orders for maintenance and repair items and product lines that declined rapidly at the beginning of the economic downturn are beginning to improve, while the longer cycle products appear to have now bottomed,” said Cooper Industries’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kirk S. Hachigian.

During the first nine months of 2009 Cooper generated a record $569.0 million in free cash flow after $70.8 million of capital expenditures compared with the previous record of $473.4 million for the first nine months of 2008. Our total debt net of cash and investments totaled $547.3 million compared to $952.4 million at December 31, 2008. "Our global teams have delivered record free cash flow as we have adjusted our cost structure and working capital levels to be aligned with market conditions. As a result of these focused efforts, we are in position to retire our $275 million debt obligation in November from currently 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 the first nine months of 2009 were $3.81 billion, a 23.7 percent decrease from the $5.0 billion in revenues for the first nine months of 2008. Core revenues were 21.1 percent lower than the comparable prior year period with currency translation reducing reported revenue by 3.3 percent and acquisitions adding 0.7 percent to reported revenues for the nine month period. For the first nine months of 2009, income from continuing operations, excluding unusual items, was $296.0 million, compared with $487.1 million for the prior year’s first nine months excluding unusual items. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, excluding unusual items for comparable periods, were $1.76 compared with prior year’s $2.75.

During the third quarter of 2009, Cooper recognized a gain from discontinued operations of $6.6 million (net of tax of $4.2 million) or $.04 per share and for the first nine months Cooper recognized a gain from discontinued operations of $25.5 (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 third quarter of 2009 decreased 24.8 percent to $1.15 billion, compared with $1.53 billion in the third quarter 2008. Core revenues were 23.1 percent lower than comparable prior year periods with currency translation reducing reported results 1.8 percent and acquisitions adding 0.1 percent to reported revenues for the third quarter. Segment operating earnings, excluding the impact of restructuring charges, were $173.5 million, a decrease of 31 percent from the $249.7 million in the prior year’s third quarter. Segment operating margin, excluding the unusual items, decreased 130 basis points to 15.1 percent for the third quarter of 2009, compared to the third quarter of 2008. Sequentially from the second quarter of 2009, Electrical Products revenues were 1.4 percent higher with segment operating margins increasing 150 basis points, excluding unusual items.

Revenues for the first nine months of 2009 decreased 22.5 percent to $3.41 billion, compared to $4.4 billion for the same period last year. Segment operating earnings for the first nine months of 2009 declined to $467.0 million excluding restructuring charges, compared to $732.2 million in the prior-year period.

Tools segment revenues for the third quarter of 2009 were $139.2 million, down 31 percent from 2008 third quarter revenues of $201.7 million. Excluding the effects of currency translation, which reduced reported revenues in the quarter by 3.2 percent, core revenues for the quarter were 27.8 percent lower than 2008 third quarter on substantially lower industrial, retail and automotive demand. Segment operating earnings, excluding restructuring charges, were $6.8 million, compared to the third quarter 2008 earnings of $24.1 million. Segment operating margin, excluding restructuring charges, for the third quarter 2009 was 4.9 percent compared to 11.9 percent for the comparable prior year period. Sequentially from the second quarter of 2009, Tools segment revenues were flat with segment operating margins increasing 280 basis points, excluding unusual items.

Revenues for the first nine months of 2009 decreased 33 percent to $404.2 million, compared to $600.5 million for the same period last year. Segment operating earnings excluding restructuring charges for the first nine months of 2009 were $5.8 million compared to operating earnings of $63.6 million in the prior year period.

Outlook

"In the third quarter, we delivered another strong performance in the face of a continuing difficult global economic environment. While we have done an outstanding job right-sizing our businesses for the new economic reality, we have also remained focused on future growth by continuing to invest in new products, international expansion and evaluating acquisitions that strengthen our core. We are very well-positioned to capitalize on the emerging technologies and global trends that are impacting our business. Our teams are aligned and we have ample resources to execute our long-term strategies,” commented Hachigian.

"For 2009, we now are forecasting earnings per share from continuing operations of $2.35 to $2.45, excluding restructuring and unusual items, compared to the $2.30 to $2.50 forecast in July 2009. For the year, we currently expect to incur $.16 to $.18 per share of restructuring charges. For the fourth quarter of 2009, we expect earnings per share of $.60 to $.70, excluding restructuring and unusual items. In the fourth quarter of 2009, we expect to incur additional restructuring charges of $.03 to $.05 per share. Free cash flow after capital expenditures for the full year is expected to exceed $650 million,” said Hachigian.

About Cooper Industries

Cooper Industries plc (NYSE:CBE) is a global manufacturer with 2008 revenues of $6.5 billion, approximately 88% 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 2008, sixty-one percent of total sales were to customers in the industrial and utility end-markets and thirty-seven percent of total sales were to customers outside the United States. Cooper has manufacturing facilities in 23 countries as of 2008. For more information, visit the website at www.cooperindustries.com.

Comparisons of 2009 and 2008 third 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 EDT to provide shareholders and other interested parties an overview of the Company’s third quarter 2009 performance. Those interested in hearing the conference call may listen via telephone by dialing (866) 700-6293 using pass code 40181915, or over the Internet through the Investor Center section of the Company’s website, using the "Management Presentations” link. International callers should dial (617) 213-8835 and use pass code 40181915.

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 Investor Center section of the Company’s website under the heading "Management Presentations.”

Informational exhibits concerning the Company’s third quarter performance that may be referred to during the conference call will be available in the Investor Center section of the Company’s website under the heading "Management Presentations” prior to the beginning of the call.