COOPER INDUSTRIES INC
8-K, 2000-04-24
ELECTRIC LIGHTING & WIRING EQUIPMENT
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<PAGE>   1
                       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)            April 24, 2000
                                                 -------------------------------


                             Cooper Industries, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)



                                      Ohio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)


               1-1175                             31-4156620
- --------------------------------             -----------------------------------
      (Commission File Number)                (IRS Employer Identification No.)


600 Travis, Suite 5800, Houston, Texas                          77002
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                      (Zip Code)



                                  713/209-8400
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)



<PAGE>   2

Item 5.           Other Events.

On April 20, 2000, Cooper Industries, Inc. (the "Company") issued the press
release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 setting forth the Company's results of
operations for the first quarter of 2000.

Item 7.           Financial Statements and Exhibits.

                  Exhibits

                  99.1  Company press release dated April 20, 2000 titled
                  "Cooper Announces First-Quarter Per Share Earnings of $.089 -
                  An 11 Percent Gain"

<PAGE>   3


                                   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: April 24, 2000                                /S/ Diane K. Schumacher
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Diane K. Schumacher
                                                  Senior Vice President, General
                                                   Counsel and Secretary



<PAGE>   4


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.
- -----------

99.1     Company press release dated April 20, 2000 titled "Cooper Announces
         First-Quarter Per Share Earnings of $.089 - An 11 Percent Gain"




<PAGE>   1
                                  EXHIBIT 99.1







                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2000

Contact: John Breed
         (713) 209-8835

                COOPER ANNOUNCES FIRST-QUARTER PER SHARE EARNINGS
                          OF $0.89 - AN 11 PERCENT GAIN

HOUSTON, TX, Apr. 20 -- Cooper Industries, Inc. (NYSE:CBE) today reported
first-quarter earnings of 89 cents per share (assuming dilution). This
represents an 11 percent increase over first-quarter 1999 earnings of 80 cents
per share. Net income for the first quarter 2000 was $83.9 million, up 11
percent from last year's $75.6 million. First-quarter 1999 net income includes
$2.4 million, or $.02 per share, of nonrecurring net charges primarily related
to cost control and asset rationalization programs.

         First-quarter 2000 revenues were up 12 percent to $1.04 billion,
compared with $924.7 million for the same period in 1999. Operating earnings for
the first quarter 2000 increased 9 percent to $147.4 million. Operating earnings
for the first quarter 1999 were $135.1 million, excluding nonrecurring items.

         "We are very pleased with our performance in the first quarter," said
H. John Riley, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Quarterly
revenues topped the billion-dollar mark, reflecting solid core growth as we
continued to expand our participation in higher potential markets. Also,
complementary acquisitions added new products and significantly expanded our
worldwide channels to market.

         "During the quarter," continued Riley, "we also announced two major
acquisitions, which will add more than $450 million in annual revenues and
markedly broaden our participation in the electrical products marketplace.

         "The Company is off to an excellent start for 2000, and we are fully
confident in our ability to meet and manage the challenges ahead. Consequently,
we are optimistic about achieving our objectives for the year."

                                    - more -
<PAGE>   2

COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.                                                   PAGE 2

                               ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS

         First-quarter 2000 revenues from Electrical Products increased 15
percent to $839.1 million, compared with $728.5 million for the same period last
year. The segment's first-quarter 2000 operating earnings increased nearly 10
percent to $133.2 million. This compares to $121.4 million before nonrecurring
items for the first quarter of 1999. Weakness of international currencies
against the U.S. dollar reduced revenues approximately 1 percent for the
quarter.

         All of Cooper's Electrical Products businesses increased revenues
during the quarter. Aggressive penetration into higher growth electronics and
telecommunication markets resulted in double-digit increases in sales of circuit
protection products. Revenues in our lighting business increased 22 percent,
primarily as a result of new product offerings and acquisitions. Additionally,
recently completed acquisitions helped to drive a 77 percent revenue increase in
the Company's European lighting and security businesses. Power equipment and
hazardous duty electrical equipment sales modestly increased during the quarter.

         Operating margin for the Electrical Products segment was 15.9 percent
for the quarter, compared to 16.7 percent for the first quarter of 1999. The
difference was almost entirely due to the impact of recent acquisitions.
Excluding this effect, first-quarter 2000 margin for the segment was 16.6
percent.

         The acquisition of Eagle Electric was completed on March 17, 2000.
Concurrently, the Company formed Cooper Wiring Devices, a new Electrical
Products division. Comprised of the newly acquired Eagle and the existing
Arrow-Hart and Industrias Royer, S.A. de C. V. businesses, this new division
offers wiring devices and other electrical materials to the residential and
commercial markets.

         On March 27, 2000, Cooper announced an agreement to acquire B-Line
Systems, a leading manufacturer of support systems and enclosures for
increasingly sophisticated electrical, mechanical and telecommunications/data
applications. The acquisition, expected to be finalized in the second quarter of
2000, will broaden our product offerings to both existing and prospective
customers and position Cooper to further participate in the dynamic electronics
and telecommunications markets.


                                    - more -


<PAGE>   3

COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.                                                   PAGE 3


                                TOOLS & HARDWARE

         First-quarter 2000 revenues for the Tools & Hardware segment increased
to $199.8 million, compared to $196.2 million for the first quarter 1999. Demand
for hand tools from domestic electronic and retail markets increased 5 percent
over the prior year period. However, some of this improvement was offset by
reduced sales of power tools in North America. Translation further reduced
revenues in the Tools & Hardware segment by 2 percent in the first quarter.

         Segment operating earnings for the first quarter were in line with
expectations at $22 million. This compares with $23.3 million, before
nonrecurring items, for the same period last year. The Company continues to
rationalize its tools businesses. Excluding expenses related to the impact of
these actions, the operating margin for the Tools & Hardware segment was
consistent with the prior year. These rationalization expenses are expected to
diminish during the course of the year.

         "Cooper is well positioned to succeed in an increasingly demanding
business environment and we are more and more optimistic about the future of our
Company," continued Riley. "We have strong cash flow, well-known brands, loyal
customers and an expanding global reach. Our recent actions have created a
positive platform of sustainable growth, positioning us to achieve our long-term
growth objectives."

         Cooper Industries, with 1999 revenues of $3.9 billion, is a worldwide
manufacturer of electrical products, tools and hardware. Additional information
about Cooper is available on the Company's web site: www.cooperindustries.com.

         Comparisons of 2000 and 1999 first-quarter results appear on the
following pages.

         Statements in this news release are forward-looking under the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to
various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the
Company, such as the level of market demand for the Company's products,
competitive pressures and future economic conditions. These factors are
discussed in the Company's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other Securities
and Exchange Commission filings.

         Cooper's first-quarter 2000 earnings conference call for analysts and
investors will be broadcast over the Internet through the Company's web site at
noon (Eastern) on Thursday, April 20, 2000. The conference call also will be
available as a taped replay over the Internet through the Company's web page
until May 5, 2000.

                                    - more -

<PAGE>   4
                       CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Quarter Ended March 31,
                                                       2000              1999
                                                       ----              ----
                                                   (in millions where applicable)
<S>                                                    <C>               <C>
Revenues                                              $1,038.9           $   924.7

Cost of sales                                            701.7               622.0
Selling and administrative expenses                      176.4               156.3
Goodwill amortization                                     13.4                11.3
                                                      --------           ---------
Operating earnings before nonrecurring items             147.4               135.1

Nonrecurring charges                                        --                 3.7
Interest expense                                          18.3                13.2
                                                      --------           ---------

       Income Before Income Taxes                        129.1               118.2
Income taxes                                              45.2                42.6
                                                      --------           ---------
       Net Income                                     $   83.9           $    75.6
                                                      ========           =========

Net Income Per Common Share:
       Basic                                          $    .89           $     .80
                                                      ========           =========
       Diluted                                        $    .89           $     .80
                                                      ========           =========

Shares Utilized in Computation
   of Income Per Common Share:
         Basic                                         93.8 MILLION        94.0 million
         Diluted                                       94.4 MILLION        94.7 million
</TABLE>


                             PERCENTAGE OF REVENUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Quarter Ended March 31,
                                                       2000              1999
                                                       ----              ----
<S>                                                    <C>               <C>
Revenues                                              100.0%            100.0%
Cost of sales                                          67.5%             67.3%
Selling and administrative expenses                    17.0%             16.9%
Operating earnings before nonrecurring items           14.2%             14.6%
Income Before Income Taxes                             12.4%             12.8%
Net Income                                              8.1%              8.2%
</TABLE>

                                       (Additional information on next page)







                                    - more -
                                        4


<PAGE>   5
                 CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

              ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31

                               SEGMENT INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Quarter Ended March 31,
                                                       2000              1999
                                                       ----              ----
                                                            (in millions)
<S>                                                  <C>                <C>
Revenues:
   Electrical Products                               $  839.1           $   728.5
   Tools & Hardware                                     199.8               196.2
                                                     --------           ---------
       Total                                         $1,038.9           $   924.7
                                                     ========           =========

Segment Operating Earnings
Without Nonrecurring Items:
   Electrical Products                               $  133.2           $   121.4
   Tools & Hardware                                      22.0                23.3
                                                     --------           ---------
       Total                                            155.2               144.7

Segment Nonrecurring Items:
   Electrical Products                                     --                 3.0
   Tools & Hardware                                        --                 1.5
                                                     --------           ---------
       Total                                               --                 4.5
                                                     --------           ---------

Segment Operating Earnings
With Nonrecurring Items:
   Electrical Products                                  133.2               118.4
   Tools & Hardware                                      22.0                21.8
                                                     --------           ---------
       Total segment operating earnings                 155.2               140.2

General Corporate nonrecurring items                       --                 (.8)
General Corporate expense                                 7.8                 9.6
Interest expense                                         18.3                13.2
                                                     --------           ---------
Income before income taxes                           $  129.1           $   118.2
                                                     ========           =========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Quarter Ended March 31,
                                                     2000                  1999
                                                     ----                  ----
<S>                                                  <C>                   <C>
Return on Sales: (1)
   Electrical Products                               15.9%                 16.7%
   Tools & Hardware                                  11.0%                 11.9%
       Total Segments                                14.9%                 15.6%
</TABLE>

                                       (Additional information on next page)




(1)  Before nonrecurring items and after acquisitions. Adjusting for recent
     acquisitions, return on sales in 2000 was 16.6% for Electrical Products and
     10.9% for Tools & Hardware. Return on sales in 2000 for the total of the
     segments was 15.4%.


                                     -more-
                                        5


<PAGE>   6
                 CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

              ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Net Income Per
                                                Net Income              Diluted Common Share
                                            ------------------          --------------------
                                            2000          1999          2000            1999
                                            ----          ----          ----            ----
                                                    (in millions where applicable)
<S>                                         <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>
Income before                               $ 83.9       $ 78.0         $ .89          $ .82
     nonrecurring items
Nonrecurring items                              --         (2.4)           --           (.02)
                                            ------       ------         -----          -----
Net Income                                  $ 83.9       $ 75.6         $ .89          $ .80
                                            ======       ======         =====          =====
</TABLE>








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