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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) February 2, 1998
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Cooper Industries, Inc.
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Ohio
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
1-1175 31-4156620
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(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
600 Travis, Suite 5800, Houston, Texas 77002
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
713/209-8400
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(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
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Item 5. Other Events.
Business Outlook for 1998
The following sets forth the Company's general business outlook for 1998, based
on current expectations. The statements are forward looking and actual results
may differ materially. The comparative figures for 1998 include the effects of
acquisitions made during 1997 and exclude 1997 nonrecurring items and the
Kirsch division from the Tools & Hardware segment.
The Company expects revenues to increase by approximately 15 percent for the
Electrical Products segment and by about 5 percent for the Tools & Hardware
segment. Revenues for the Automotive Products segment are expected to be about
the same level in 1998 as in 1997.
The Company expects operating earnings for the Electrical Products segment to
increase by approximately 10 to 15 percent. Operating earnings for both the
Tools & Hardware and Automotive Products segments are expected to increase by
approximately 5 to 10 percent.
The above statements are forward-looking, and actual results may differ
materially. The above statements are based on a number of assumptions, risks
and uncertainties. The primary economic assumptions include, without
limitation, (i) modest growth in the domestic economy; (ii) a modest
improvement in European markets; (iii) a modest increase in construction
spending worldwide; (iv) no significant change in raw material costs; (v) no
major customer consolidation in the automotive aftermarket; and (vi) no
significant adverse changes in the relationship of the currencies of Western
European countries to the U.S. dollar. The estimates also assume, without
limitation, no significant change in competitive conditions and such other risk
factors as are discussed from time to time in the Company's periodic filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: February 2, 1998 /s/D Bradley McWilliams
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D. Bradley McWilliams
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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