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EXHIBIT 99.1
SALES TRENDS:
Sales comparisons are presented to help investors understand the general tone of
Cooper's business. These include the impacts of acquisitions, divestitures,
currency movements, etc. and are not necessarily indicative of business trends.
Specific questions regarding sales trends should be directed to Richard
Bajenski, Vice President, Investor Relations, [email protected],
(713) 209-8610.
Sales for the three months ending on the date shown, compared to the same period
in the prior year:
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06/30/00 07/31/00 08/31/00 09/30/00 10/31/00 11/30/00
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cooper Industries 22% 20-25% 20-25% 17% 15-20% 10-15%
Electrical Products 28% 30-35% 25-30% 22% 20-25% 15-20%
Tools & Hardware 0% (0-5%) (0-5%) (4%) (0-5%) (0-5%)
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OBSERVATIONS ON RECENT SALES TRENDS, FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING
NOVEMBER 30, 2000.
Cooper Industries
-----------------
Sales for the three months ending November 30, 2000 grew 10% - 15%, compared
with last year.
o Pace of growth slowing in several business areas.
o Acquisitions continue as a major contributor to revenue growth.
Electrical Products
-------------------
Sales for the three months ending November 30, 2000 grew 15% - 20%, compared
with last year.
o Cooper Bussmann sales of electronic products to fast growing
telecommunications applications continue to increase at a high rate.
o Continued increases at Cooper Lighting are primarily the result of recent
acquisitions.
o Cooper Power Systems continues to experience slowing construction-related
distribution transformer demand, offsetting rising sales of power management
products.
o Energy sector project demand for the Company's electrical construction
materials remains weak.
o Acquisitions provided an increase for Cooper Menvier.
o Recent acquisitions - the most significant of which were B-Line Systems
(mechanical supports and electronics enclosures) and Eagle Electric (wiring
devices) - contributed to the majority of the sales increase for the
segment.
o Currency translation effects remain modestly negative.
Tools & Hardware
----------------
Sales for the three months ending November 30, 2000 declined 0% - 5%, compared
with last year.
o Improved demand in North America led to increased hand tool sales.
o Power tool sales continue to reflect a lighter shipping schedule for
assembly equipment, worldwide.
o Currency translation effects reduced reported sales trends.
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NOTE: Includes impacts of acquisitions and divestitures.
Sales trends are forward-looking statements as defined by The Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act. Such statements are subject to many uncertainties and
risks in the company's operations and business environment. These uncertainties
and risks, which are discussed further in the company's Annual Report on Form
10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), may
cause the actual results of the company to be materially different from any
future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.