COOPER INDUSTRIES INC
DEF 14A, 2000-03-08
ELECTRIC LIGHTING & WIRING EQUIPMENT
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<PAGE>   1

                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (RULE 14A-101)

                    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

          PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
                EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO.           )

     Filed by the Registrant [X]
     Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
     Check the appropriate box:
     [ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement       [ ] Confidential, for Use of the
                                               Commission Only (as permitted by
                                               Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
     [X] Definitive Proxy Statement
     [ ] Definitive Additional Materials
     [ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec. 240.14a-11(c) or sec. 240.14a-12

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
     [X] No fee required.
     [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(l) and
         0-11.

     (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee
is calculated and state how it was determined):

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (5) Total fee paid:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

     [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

     (1) Amount Previously Paid:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (3) Filing Party:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (4) Date Filed:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2

                                                 COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC. LOGO

March 8, 2000

Dear Shareholder:

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I cordially invite you to attend the Annual
Meeting of Cooper Industries' shareholders. The meeting will be held on Tuesday,
April 25, 2000, at 11:00 a.m. in the Chase Center Auditorium, 601 Travis Street,
Houston, Texas.

The notice of meeting and proxy statement following this letter describe the
business to be conducted at the meeting, including the election of three
directors.

To make it easier for you to vote your shares, this year we are pleased to offer
Internet and telephone voting for registered shareholders. Your proxy card
describes how to use these new services. PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT NOW TO VOTE YOUR
PROXY VIA THE INTERNET, BY TELEPHONE OR BY SIGNING AND RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD
IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED, even if you plan to attend the meeting. YOUR VOTE IS
IMPORTANT.

The Board of Directors appreciates and encourages shareholder participation.
Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

/s/ H. JOHN RILEY, JR.

H. JOHN RILEY, JR.
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>   3

                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                 P.O. BOX 4446
                              HOUSTON, TEXAS 77210

                             ---------------------

TIME..........................11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 25, 2000.

PLACE.........................Chase Center Auditorium, 601 Travis Street,
                              Houston, Texas. Free parking is available at the
                              Chase Center.

ITEMS OF BUSINESS.............1. Elect three directors for the term expiring at
                                 the annual meeting of shareholders in 2003.

                              2. If presented at the meeting, consider and vote
                                 upon a shareholder proposal requesting the
                                 Board of Directors to review or amend the
                                 company's standards for international
                                 operations and to report to shareholders on
                                 such review.

                              3. Consider any other matters to come properly
                                 before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

RECORD DATE...................Holders of Common Stock of record at the close of
                              business on March 1, 2000, may vote at the
                              meeting.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS..........We have attached as Appendix A to this proxy
                              statement our audited financial statements for the
                              year ended December 31, 1999, and the related
                              Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                              Condition and Results of Operations. We have also
                              included in this mailing a separate summary annual
                              report for the year 1999.

IMPORTANT.....................In order to avoid additional soliciting expense to
                              Cooper, please vote your proxy as soon as possible
                              by Internet, by telephone or by signing and
                              returning the proxy card in the envelope provided,
                              even if you plan to attend the meeting. If you
                              attend the meeting and wish to vote your shares in
                              person, you may do so by giving notice of
                              revocation of your earlier proxy at the meeting.

                                        By order of the Board of Directors:

                                        /s/ DIANE K. SCHUMACHER

                                        DIANE K. SCHUMACHER
                                        Senior Vice President, General Counsel
                                        and Secretary

Houston, Texas
March 8, 2000
<PAGE>   4

                                PROXY STATEMENT

     We have sent you this booklet and proxy card because the Board of Directors
of Cooper Industries, Inc. ("Cooper") is soliciting your proxy to vote at our
2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on April 25, 2000. This booklet contains
information about the items being voted on at the Annual Meeting and information
about Cooper.

                             QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHAT MAY I VOTE ON?

     - The election of three nominees to serve on our Board of Directors; AND

     - If presented, a shareholder proposal that the Board of Directors review
       or amend Cooper's standards for international operations and report to
       shareholders on such review.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOW DOES THE BOARD RECOMMEND I VOTE ON THE PROPOSALS?

     The Board recommends a vote FOR each of the nominees for the Board of
     Directors and AGAINST the shareholder proposal.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE?

     Holders of Common Stock as of the close of business on March 1, 2000 may
     vote at the Annual Meeting.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOW DO I VOTE?

     You may vote your shares by means of a proxy using one of the following
     three methods of voting:

     - electronically using the Internet,

     - by use of the telephone, or

     - by signing and dating the enclosed proxy card and returning it in the
     prepaid envelope.

     All of the instructions for these three methods are contained on the
     enclosed proxy card. If you return your signed proxy card but do not mark
     the boxes showing how you wish to vote, your shares will be voted as
     recommended by the Board of Directors. The giving of such proxy does not
     affect your right to vote in person if you attend the meeting.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAN I REVOKE MY PROXY CARD?

     Whichever voting method you use, you have the right to revoke your proxy at
     any time before the meeting by:

     - Filing with Cooper's Corporate Secretary an instrument revoking your
       proxy;

     - attending the meeting and giving notice of revocation; OR

     - submitting a later-dated proxy by any of the three voting methods
       described above.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IS MY VOTE CONFIDENTIAL?

     Proxy cards, proxies delivered by Internet or telephone, ballots and voting
     tabulations that identify individual shareholders are mailed or returned
     directly to an independent inspector of election, and handled in a manner
     that protects your voting privacy. The independent inspector of election
     will count the votes. We have adopted a confidential voting policy which
     provides that your vote will not be disclosed except: (1) to respond to
     written comments on the proxy card; (2) as required by law; or (3) in other
     limited circumstances, such as a proxy contest in opposition to the Board.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                        1
<PAGE>   5

WHAT SHARES ARE INCLUDED ON THE PROXY CARD(S)?

     The shares listed on your proxy card(s) represent ALL of your record
     shares, including the following, as applicable:

     - shares held in the Cooper Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan;

     - shares held in custody for your account by The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
       Trustee of the Cooper Industries, Inc. Retirement Savings and Stock
       Ownership Plan ("CO-SAV"); and

     - shares acquired through Cooper's Employee Stock Purchase Plan that are
       being held in a book-entry account at First Chicago Trust Company of New
       York, Cooper's transfer agent.

     If you do not properly submit your proxy by one of the three methods
     described above, your shares (except for CO-SAV) will not be voted. See the
     question below for an explanation of the voting procedure for CO-SAV
     shares. If you hold shares in a broker account, you will receive a separate
     proxy card and instructions from your broker.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOW IS COOPER COMMON STOCK IN CO-SAV VOTED?

     If you hold shares of Cooper Common Stock through CO-SAV, you must instruct
     the CO-SAV trustee, The Chase Manhattan Bank, how to vote your shares. If
     you do not properly submit your proxy by one of the three methods described
     above (or if you submit your proxy with an unclear voting designation, or
     with no voting designation at all), then the Trustee will vote the shares
     in your CO-SAV account in proportion to the way the other CO-SAV
     participants voted their shares. The Trustee will also vote shares of
     Common Stock not yet allocated to participants' accounts in proportion to
     the way that CO-SAV participants voted their shares. CO-SAV votes receive
     the same confidentiality as all other shares voted.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOW MANY SHARES CAN VOTE?

     As of the March 1, 2000 record date, 93,413,843 shares of Common Stock were
     issued and outstanding. These are the only outstanding securities entitled
     to vote. Every shareholder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each
     share held.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL?

     Provided a quorum is present, the election of a director and approval of
     the shareholder proposal each require the affirmative vote of a majority of
     the shares represented in person or by proxy at the meeting and entitled to
     vote on such matters. Abstentions have the same effect as a vote against
     the proposal. Broker nonvotes are not counted for purposes of voting.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHAT IS A "QUORUM"?

     A "quorum" is a majority of the issued and outstanding shares. Shares may
     be present at the meeting or represented by proxy. There must be a quorum
     for the meeting to be held. If you submit a valid proxy by any of the
     described methods, even if you abstain from voting, then you will be
     considered part of the quorum.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHO CAN ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING?

     If you own Cooper shares on March 1, 2000, you may attend the annual
     meeting. Please indicate on your proxy if you plan to attend. If your
     shares are held through a broker and you would like to attend, please write
     to Diane K. Schumacher, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
     Secretary, Cooper Industries, Inc., 600 Travis Street, Suite 5800, Houston,
     Texas 77002 or bring proof of ownership to the meeting.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOW WILL VOTING ON ANY OTHER BUSINESS BE CONDUCTED?

     Although we do not know of any other business to be considered at the 2000
     Annual Meeting, if any other business is presented at the Annual Meeting,
     your proxy will be voted as determined by the persons voting the proxies.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                        2
<PAGE>   6

WHEN ARE THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2001 ANNUAL MEETING DUE?

     All shareholder proposals must be submitted in writing to Diane K.
     Schumacher, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Cooper
     Industries, Inc., 600 Travis Street, Suite 5800, Houston, Texas 77002. Any
     shareholder who intends to present a proposal at the 2001 Annual Meeting of
     Shareholders must deliver the proposal to us so that it is received no
     later than November 11, 2000, to have the proposal included in our proxy
     materials for that meeting. Shareholder proposals must also meet other
     requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 to be eligible for
     inclusion. If a shareholder proposal is received after January 25, 2001,
     the persons voting the proxies may vote in their discretion on such
     proposal as to all the shares for which they have received proxies for the
     2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHAT ARE THE COSTS OF THIS PROXY SOLICITATION?

     Georgeson Shareholder Communications, Inc. was hired to assist in the
     distribution of proxy materials and solicitation of votes for a fee of
     $16,000, plus out-of-pocket costs and expenses. We also reimburse brokerage
     houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable
     out-of-pocket expenses of forwarding proxy and solicitation materials to
     shareholders. Our directors, officers and employees may also solicit
     proxies without additional compensation by letter, telephone or otherwise.
     We will bear all expenses of solicitation.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                             COOPER STOCK OWNERSHIP

     We know of no person who was the beneficial owner as of March 1, 2000 of
more than five percent of the outstanding shares of any class of voting
securities, other than the following, which have filed statements of ownership
on Schedule 13G with the Securities and Exchange Commission:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               AMOUNT AND
                                                                               NATURE OF
                                                 NAME AND ADDRESS OF           BENEFICIAL   PERCENT OF
TITLE OF CLASS                                     BENEFICIAL OWNER            OWNERSHIP      CLASS
- --------------                                   -------------------           ----------   ----------
<S>                                       <C>                                  <C>          <C>
Common Stock............................  Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., Inc.     10,140,116        10.9%
                                          767 Fifth Avenue
                                          New York, NY 10153
Common Stock............................  Wellington Management Company, LLP    7,310,000(1)      7.8%
                                          75 State Street
                                          Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Common Stock............................  J.P. Morgan & Co., Incorporated       6,600,921(2)      7.1%
                                          60 Wall Street
                                          New York, New York 10260
Common Stock............................  Harris Associates L.P.                4,894,450(3)      5.2%
                                          Two North LaSalle Street,
                                          Suite 500
                                          Chicago, IL 60602-3790
</TABLE>

- ---------------

(1) Shares are held by Wellington Management Company, LLP directly or through
    its affiliate, Wellington Trust Company, NA. Includes 5,085,700 shares that
    are beneficially owned by Vanguard Wellington Fund which is a client of
    Wellington Management Company, LLP.

(2) Shares are held by J.P. Morgan & Co., Incorporated directly or through its
    affiliates, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, J.P. Morgan
    Investment Management, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Florida Federal Savings Bank.

(3) Shares are held by Harris Associates L.P. directly or through its affiliate,
    Harris Associates Investment Trust.

     In addition, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee of CO-SAV, holds of
record 4,026,434 shares of Cooper Common Stock, which is 4.3% of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock. The CO-SAV participants have voting rights with respect
to all such shares, as discussed on page 2.

                                        3
<PAGE>   7

                                   PROPOSAL 1

                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     The authorized number of directors is 11, divided into three classes, one
having three members and two having four members each. Each class is elected for
a term of three years, so that the term of one class of directors expires at
every meeting.

     The Board of Directors has nominated three persons for election as
directors in the class whose term will expire in April 2003, or when their
successors are elected and qualified. The nominees are: Clifford J. Grum, Sir
Ralph H. Robins and James R. Wilson. All of the nominees are directors and
members of the class whose term expires at the meeting.

     If any nominee becomes unable to serve as a director, an event not now
anticipated, it is intended that the shares represented by proxies will be voted
for the election of a substitute nominated by the Board of Directors. Certain
information with respect to the persons nominated as directors and the current
directors who will continue as directors after the Annual Meeting is set forth
below.

                      NOMINEES FOR TERMS EXPIRING IN 2003

- ------------------------------
CLIFFORD J. GRUM
Retired Chairman and
Chief
  Executive Officer,
  Temple-Inland Inc.
Chairman -- Committee on
  Nominations and
  Corporate Governance
Member -- Executive
Committee,
  Finance Committee and
  Management Development
and
  Compensation Committee
Director since 1982
Age 65
[PHOTO]                              Received a B.A. degree from Austin College
                                     and an M.B.A. from University of
                                     Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Finance.
                                     Joined Temple Industries, Inc. in 1968 as
                                     Vice President, Finance. After a merger
                                     with Time Inc. in 1973, held various
                                     positions with Time Inc., including
                                     Treasurer, publisher of Fortune magazine
                                     and Executive Vice President. Elected a
                                     director of Time Inc. in 1980 and, after a
                                     spin-off of Temple-Inland (container and
                                     containerboard, pulp and paperboard,
                                     building products and financial services)
                       by Time Inc. in 1983, became President and Chief
                       Executive Officer and a director of Temple-Inland. Served
                       as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
                       Temple-Inland from 1991 until January 2000, when he
                       retired.

                       Director: Trinity Industries Inc. and Tupperware
                       Corporation.

                       Director, Texas Association of Business and Chambers of
                       Commerce. Trustee: Austin College, Sherman, Texas; Lufkin
                       Industrial Foundation and Memorial Medical Center of East
                       Texas.

- ------------------------------
SIR RALPH H. ROBINS
Chairman, Rolls-Royce plc
Member -- Audit Committee
and
  Management Development
  and Compensation
Committee
Director since 1991
Age 67
[PHOTO]                              Received a B.S. degree from Imperial
                                     College, London and is a Chartered
                                     Engineer. Joined Rolls-Royce (aerospace
                                     engines and industrial power equipment) in
                                     1955 as a Graduate Apprentice and held
                                     various positions with the Aero Engine
                                     Division before being named Executive Vice
                                     President of Rolls-Royce Aero Engines Inc.
                                     in 1972 and then Managing Director of the
                                     Rolls-Royce Industrial and Marine Division
                                     in 1973. Elected to the Board of
                                     Rolls-Royce plc in 1982 as Commercial
                                     Director, then appointed Managing Director
                       in 1984. Became Deputy Chairman in 1989, Chief Executive
                       in 1991 and Chairman in 1992.

                       Chairman and Director: Cable & Wireless plc and Cable &
                       Wireless Optus Ltd. Director: Rolls-Royce plc; Cable &
                       Wireless HKT Limited; Marks & Spencer plc; Schroders plc
                       and Standard Chartered plc.

                       Chairman, Defence Industries Council. Honorary Fellow of
                       The Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Fellow: The
                       Royal Academy of Engineering; Imperial College and The
                       Royal Aeronautical Society.

                                        4
<PAGE>   8

- ------------------------------
JAMES R. WILSON
Chairman, President and
  Chief Executive
Officer,
  Cordant Technologies
Inc.
Chairman -- Audit
Committee
Member -- Management
  Development and
Compensation
  Committee and Committee
onNominations and
Corporate
  Governance
Director since 1997
Age 59
[PHOTO]                              Received a B.A. degree from College of
                                     Wooster and an M.B.A. from Harvard Graduate
                                     School of Business Administration. Joined
                                     Cordant Technologies Inc. (solid rocket
                                     motors, precision fastening systems and
                                     high performance cast components for
                                     aircraft and industrial gas turbine
                                     engines), formerly known as Thiokol
                                     Corporation, in 1989 as Vice President and
                                     Chief Financial Officer and named Executive
                                     Vice President in 1992. Became President
                                     and Chief Executive Officer and a director
                                     in 1993 and Chairman in 1995.

                       Director: Cordant Technologies Inc.; The BFGoodrich
                       Company; First Security Corporation and Howmet
                       International Inc.

                       Board of Governors, Aerospace Industries Association.
                       Board of Trustees: College of Wooster and Manufacturers
                       Alliance/MAPI Inc.

                  PRESENT DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 2001

- ------------------------------
ALAIN J. P. BELDA
President and Chief
Executive
  Officer, Alcoa Inc.
Member -- Audit Committee
and
  Management Development
and
  Compensation Committee
Director since 1997
Age 56
[PHOTO]                              Received a B.A. degree from MacKenzie
                                     University, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Joined Alcoa
                                     Aluminio S.A., Alcoa Inc.'s majority owned
                                     Brazilian affiliate, in 1969 and held
                                     various financial and planning positions.
                                     In 1979, named President of Alcoa Aluminio
                                     S.A., which position he held until March
                                     1994. Elected a Vice President of Alcoa
                                     Inc. (aluminum producer) in 1982 and in
                                     1989 assumed additional responsibility as
                                     Vice President of Latin America. Named
                                     President - Latin America in 1991,
                                     Executive Vice President in 1994 and Vice
                       Chairman in 1995. Named President and Chief Operating
                       Officer in 1997, elected a director in 1998, and named
                       President and Chief Executive Officer in 1999.

                       Director: Alcoa Inc.; Citigroup Inc. and E.I. du Pont de
                       Nemours and Company.

                                        5
<PAGE>   9
- ------------------------------
JOHN D. ONG
Chairman Emeritus, The
  BFGoodrich Company
Member -- Audit
Committee,
  Executive Committee,
  Finance Committee
  and Committee on
Nominations
  and Corporate
Governance
Director since 1975
Age 66
[PHOTO]                              Received B.A. and M.A. degrees in history
                                     from Ohio State University. Received an
                                     LL.B. degree from Harvard Law School.
                                     Joined The BFGoodrich Company (chemicals
                                     and aerospace products) in 1961 and held
                                     various positions in the international
                                     division. Elected a Group Vice President in
                                     1972 and then Executive Vice President and
                                     a director in 1973. Elected Vice Chairman
                                     of the Board in 1974, President in 1975 and
                                     Chairman in 1979. Served as Chief Executive
                                     Officer from 1979 to 1996 and as Chairman
                       until 1997, when he retired.

                       Director: Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. and TRW Inc.

                       Chairman: Musical Arts Association (Cleveland Orchestra)
                       and New American Schools. Trustee: University of Chicago;
                       John S. & James L. Knight Foundation and Inventure Place,
                       Inc. Member: Business Committee for the Arts; The
                       Business Council and Senior Member of The Conference
                       Board.

- ------------------------------
H. LEE SCOTT
President and Chief
  Executive Officer,
  Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Member -- Audit Committee
and
  Finance Committee
Director since 1999
Age 50
[PHOTO]                              Received a B.S. degree in business from
                                     Pittsburg State University. Joined Wal-Mart
                                     Stores, Inc. (discount retailer) in 1979
                                     and held various positions in
                                     transportation and logistics. Served as
                                     Executive Vice President, Logistics from
                                     1992 to 1995 and Executive Vice President,
                                     Merchandising from 1995 to 1998. Named
                                     President and Chief Executive Officer of
                                     the Wal-Mart Stores Division in 1998 and
                                     promoted to Vice Chairman and Chief
                                     Operating Officer in January 1999. Became
                                     President and Chief Executive Officer of
                       Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. in January 2000.

                       Director, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

- ------------------------------
DAN F. SMITH
President and Chief
  Executive Officer,
Lyondell
  Chemical Company
Member -- Audit Committee
and
  Finance Committee
Director since 1998
Age 53
[PHOTO]                              Received a B.S. degree from Lamar
                                     University. Joined Atlantic Richfield
                                     Company ("ARCO") in 1968. Held various
                                     executive, financial, planning and
                                     manufacturing positions with ARCO and the
                                     Lyondell Division of ARCO. Served as
                                     Executive Vice President and Chief
                                     Financial Officer of Lyondell from 1988 to
                                     1991, during which time Lyondell Chemical
                                     Company (petrochemicals and refining
                                     operations) became a public company. Has
                                     been a director of Lyondell since 1988.
                                     Served as Vice President, Corporate
                       Planning of ARCO from 1991 to 1993 and as Executive Vice
                       President and Chief Operating Officer of Lyondell from
                       1993 to 1996. Became President in 1994 and Chief
                       Executive Officer in 1996. Since 1997, also has served as
                       Chief Executive Officer of Equistar Chemicals, LP, a
                       joint venture company owned 41% percent by Lyondell.

                       Director: Lyondell Chemical Company and ChemFirst Inc.

                                        6
<PAGE>   10

                  PRESENT DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 2002

- ------------------------------
WARREN L. BATTS
Former Chairman and Chief
  Executive Officer,
  Premark International,
Inc.
Chairman -- Finance
Committee
Member -- Management
  Development and
Compensation
  Committee and Committee
onNominations and
Corporate
  Governance
Director since 1986
Age 67
[PHOTO]                              Received a B.S. degree in electrical
                                     engineering from Georgia Institute of
                                     Technology and an M.B.A. from Harvard
                                     University Graduate School of Business
                                     Administration. Joined Dart Industries in
                                     1980 and became President of Dart & Kraft,
                                     Inc. in 1981 and Chief Operating Officer in
                                     1983. In 1986, when Premark International,
                                     Inc. (food containers, commercial food
                                     equipment, housewares and decorative
                                     laminates) was created by Dart & Kraft,
                                     Inc., elected Chairman and Chief Executive
                                     Officer and a director of Premark. After a
                       spin-off of Tupperware (food containers) by Premark in
                       1996, became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
                       Tupperware Corporation and continued as Chairman and a
                       director of Premark International, Inc. Retired as
                       Chairman and a director of Premark International, Inc.
                       and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tupperware
                       Corporation in September 1997.

                       Director: The Allstate Corporation; Sears, Roebuck and
                       Co. and Sprint Corporation.

                       Chairman and Director, Children's Memorial Hospital and
                       Children's Memorial Medical Center (Chicago). Director:
                       National Association of Manufacturers and National
                       Association of Corporate Directors. Trustee: Northwestern
                       University and Art Institute of Chicago.

- ------------------------------
ROBERT M. DEVLIN
Chairman, President and
Chief
  Executive Officer,
American
  General Corporation
Chairman -- Management
  Development and
  Compensation Committee
Member -- Executive
Committee,
  Finance Committee and
  Committee on
Nominations and
  Corporate Governance
Director since 1997
Age 59
[PHOTO]                              Received a B.A. degree from Tulane
                                     University. Joined American General
                                     Corporation (insurance) in 1977 as Vice
                                     President and Assistant to the President of
                                     California-Western States Life Insurance
                                     Company. Served as Executive Vice President
                                     of American General Corporation in 1986,
                                     and as Executive Vice President and Chief
                                     Marketing Officer for American General Life
                                     and Accident from 1980 to 1986. Served as
                                     President and Chief Executive Officer of
                                     American General Life Insurance Company
                       from 1986 to 1993. Elected Vice Chairman and a director
                       of American General Corporation in 1993. Served as
                       President from 1995 to 1997. Named Chief Executive
                       Officer in 1996, elected Chairman in 1997 and named
                       President in 1998.

                       Director: American General Corporation and Phillips
                       Petroleum Company.

                       Director: America's Promise -- The Alliance for Youth;
                       International Insurance Society and American Council of
                       Life Insurance. Advisory Board, Tulane University.
                       Trustee: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Member,
                       Governor's Business Council, State of Texas.

                                        7
<PAGE>   11

- ------------------------------
LINDA A. HILL
Professor, Harvard
Business
  School
Member -- Audit Committee
  and Finance Committee
Director since 1994
Age 43
[PHOTO]                              Received an A.B., summa cum laude in
                                     psychology, from Bryn Mawr College and an
                                     M.A. in educational psychology from the
                                     University of Chicago. Earned a Ph.D in
                                     behavioral sciences at the University of
                                     Chicago. Prior to 1984, was a postdoctoral
                                     research fellow at the Harvard Business
                                     School, an advisor to the Federal
                                     Commissioner of Education and a member of
                                     the "Blueprint 2000" Employment Committee
                                     for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
                                     Joined the faculty of Harvard Business
                       School in 1984 as an Assistant Professor in
                       organizational behavior and human resource management.
                       Named Associate Professor in 1991, Professor in 1995, and
                       the Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business
                       Administration in 1997.

                       Director, Independent Means. Member: American Repertory
                       Theatre Advisory Board and An Income of Her Own Advisory
                       Board. Board of Trustees: Bryn Mawr College; Rockefeller
                       Foundation and The Children's Museum, Boston. Board of
                       Overseers, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston.

- ------------------------------
H. JOHN RILEY, JR.
Chairman, President and
Chief
  Executive Officer
Chairman -- Executive
  Committee
Director since 1992
Age 59
[PHOTO]                              Received a B.S. degree in industrial
                                     engineering from Syracuse University. Also
                                     a graduate of the Harvard Advanced
                                     Management Program. Joined Crouse-Hinds
                                     Company in 1962 and held various
                                     manufacturing positions before appointment
                                     as Corporate Vice President in 1979. In
                                     1982, after Cooper acquired Crouse-Hinds
                                     Company, became Executive Vice President,
                                     Operations for Cooper. Named President and
                                     Chief Operating Officer in 1992, Chief
                                     Executive Officer in 1995 and Chairman in
                       1996.

                       Director: The Allstate Corporation and Baker Hughes
                       Incorporated.

                       Director: The Business Committee for the Arts; Central
                       Houston, Inc.; The Greater Houston Partnership; The
                       Houston Forum; The Houston Symphony; Junior Achievement,
                       Inc.; Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas and National
                       Association of Manufacturers. Trustee: Manufacturers
                       Alliance/MAPI Inc. and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
                       Member, The Electrical Manufacturers Club.

                                        8
<PAGE>   12

                 INFORMATION ABOUT MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION
                           OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     The table below contains certain information as of March 8, 2000 with
respect to Cooper's present executive officers. All executive officers are
elected to terms that expire at the organizational meeting of the Board of
Directors, which follows the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               YEARS OF   OFFICER
             NAME                                       POSITION                          AGE  SERVICE     SINCE
             ----                                       --------                          ---  --------   -------
<S>                              <C>                                                      <C>  <C>        <C>
H. John Riley, Jr. ............  Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer           59      37      1982
Ralph E. Jackson, Jr. .........  Executive Vice President, Operations                      58      23      1992
Terry A. Klebe.................  Senior Vice President, Strategic Sourcing                 45       5      1995
D. Bradley McWilliams..........  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer         58      28      1982
Diane K. Schumacher............  Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary      46      20      1988
David R. Sheil.................  Senior Vice President, Human Resources                    43      14      1996
David A. White, Jr. ...........  Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning                 58      28      1988
Richard J. Bajenski............  Vice President, Investor Relations                        47      18      1998
Victoria B. Guennewig..........  Vice President, Public Affairs                            49       1      1999
Alan J. Hill...................  Vice President and Treasurer                              55      22      1979
E. Daniel Leightman............  Vice President, Taxes                                     59      12      1994
Jeffrey B. Levos...............  Vice President and Controller                             39      --      2000
Terrance M. Smith..............  Vice President, Information Systems                       50      14      1996
Robert W. Teets................  Vice President, Environmental Affairs and Risk            49      22      1993
                                 Management
</TABLE>

     All of the executive officers have been employed by Cooper in management
positions for more than five years, except Victoria B. Guennewig, Terry A.
Klebe, Jeffrey B. Levos and Terrance M. Smith. Victoria B. Guennewig joined
Cooper in February 1999 after serving as Vice President, Public Affairs, of The
Coastal Corporation since 1997. She previously held management positions in
public affairs with Pan Energy Corp and Union Pacific Resources Group Inc. Terry
A. Klebe was a Partner with the accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP from 1990
until April 1995. Jeffrey B. Levos joined Cooper in March 2000 after serving as
Vice President and Controller of The Coastal Corporation since 1997 and as their
Vice President and General Auditor from 1994 to 1997. Terrance M. Smith was Vice
President, Management Information Services of Moog Automotive, Inc. from 1986
until July 1996. Moog Automotive was acquired by Cooper in 1992 and subsequently
sold in October 1998.

                                        9
<PAGE>   13

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

     As of March 1, 2000, each director and each executive officer named in the
Summary Compensation Table beneficially owned the number of shares of Cooper
Common Stock listed in the following table. Each of the named individuals and
all directors and executive officers as a group beneficially owned 1.0% of
Cooper's outstanding Common Stock.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            NUMBER OF SHARES
                          NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                        BENEFICIALLY OWNED(1)
                          ------------------------                        ---------------------
        <S>                                                               <C>         <C>
        H. John Riley, Jr. .........................................         382,664  (2)(3)
        Warren L. Batts.............................................          19,200  (4)
        Alain J.P. Belda............................................           2,942  (5)
        Robert M. Devlin............................................           2,800
        Clifford J. Grum............................................          21,200
        Linda A. Hill...............................................           3,200
        John D. Ong.................................................           6,900  (6)
        Sir Ralph H. Robins.........................................           3,525
        H. Lee Scott................................................             662  (5)
        Dan F. Smith................................................           2,320  (5)
        James R. Wilson.............................................           5,107  (5)
        Ralph E. Jackson, Jr. ......................................         118,912  (2)(3)
        D. Bradley McWilliams.......................................          81,973  (2)(3)
        Diane K. Schumacher.........................................          52,314  (3)
        David A. White, Jr. ........................................          56,771
        All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group.............         950,372  (2)(3)
</TABLE>

- ---------------

(1) Includes shares held by executive officers in the Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Retirement Savings and Stock Ownership Plan. Also includes shares issuable
    upon the exercise of options granted under either the Stock Incentive Plan,
    the 1989 Director Stock Option Plan or the Directors' Stock Plan that are
    exercisable within a period of 60 days from March 1, 2000, as follows: Mr.
    Riley -- 145,500 shares; Mr. Batts -- 4,000 shares; Mr. Grum -- 2,000
    shares; Ms. Hill -- 2,000 shares; Mr. Ong -- 2,000 shares; Sir Ralph
    Robins -- 2,000 shares; Mr. Wilson -- 1,000 shares; Mr. Jackson -- 51,500
    shares; Mr. McWilliams -- 34,366 shares; Ms. Schumacher -- 26,666 shares;
    Mr. White -- 25,065 shares; and all directors and executive officers as a
    group -- 397,053 shares.

(2) Includes shares the receipt of which has been deferred pursuant to the Stock
    Incentive Plan and the Executive Restricted Stock Incentive Plan, as
    follows: Mr. Riley -- 110,260 shares; Mr. Jackson -- 49,289 shares; Mr.
    McWilliams -- 20,869 shares; Mr. White -- 6,020 shares; and all executive
    officers as a group -- 203,054.

(3) Includes shares the receipt of which has been deferred pursuant to the
    Management Annual Incentive Plan, as follows: Mr. Riley -- 10,374 shares;
    Mr. Jackson -- 1,673 shares; Mr. McWilliams -- 4,187 shares; Ms.
    Schumacher -- 1,756 shares; and all executive officers as a group -- 17,990
    shares.

(4) Includes 15,200 shares held in a trust for which Mr. Batts is the settlor
    and trustee and for which a member of his family is the beneficiary. Mr.
    Batts has sole voting and investment power with respect to these shares.

(5) Includes shares the receipt of which has been deferred by the directors
    under the Directors' Retainer Fee Stock Plan, as follows: Mr. Belda -- 2,142
    shares; Mr. Scott -- 662 shares; Mr. Smith -- 1,920 shares; and Mr.
    Wilson -- 2,407 shares.

(6) Includes 400 shares owned by members of Mr. Ong's family.

                                       10
<PAGE>   14

MEETINGS OF THE COOPER BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES

     Our Board of Directors met on seven occasions during 1999. All of the
directors attended 75% or more of the meetings of the Board and the Committees
of the Board on which they served except Messrs. Batts, Belda, Ong and Sir Ralph
Robins.

  Audit Committee

     The Audit Committee, which consists of all independent directors, held
three meetings during 1999. The Committee's principal responsibilities are to:

     - Confer with management and the independent auditors regarding financial
       reporting issues and practices.

     - Review filings made with the SEC, including the annual financial
       statements and the annual report on Form 10-K.

     - Recommend to the Board the appointment of independent auditors and review
       the auditors' independence, scope of annual audit and audit fees.

     - Review the internal audit program and the corporate compliance program.

     - Review compliance with Cooper's conflicts of interest and ethical conduct
       policies.

     - Review the accounting principles and policies of Cooper.

  Executive Committee

     The Executive Committee, which is authorized to act on behalf of the full
Board between regular meetings of the Board, held no meetings in 1999.

  Finance Committee

     The Finance Committee, which consists of all independent directors, held
three meetings during 1999. The Committee's principal responsibilities are to:

     - Review pension plan asset management.

     - Review Cooper's financial objectives, capital structure, financing
       arrangements and similar matters of a financial nature.

     - Make recommendations to the Board regarding dividends.

  Management Development and Compensation Committee

     The Management Development and Compensation Committee, which consists of
all independent directors, held two meetings during 1999. The Committee's
principal responsibilities are to:

     - Establish corporate compensation policies, including determining base
       salary and annual and long-term incentive awards for executive officers
       and other key employees.

     - Establish specific performance goals and objectives to be used to
       evaluate performance over a given period.

     - Evaluate the performance of executive officers and other key employees to
       determine whether performance goals and objectives have been attained and
       awards have been earned.

     - Determine stock option and long-term performance share grants to
       employees.

     - Review compliance with stock ownership guidelines for executive officers
       and other key employees.

     - Review succession planning and executive development.

                                       11
<PAGE>   15

  Committee on Nominations and Corporate Governance

     The Committee on Nominations and Corporate Governance, which consists of
all independent directors, held four meetings in 1999. The Committee's principal
responsibilities are to:

     - Recommend nominees for election to the Board and Committee assignments.

     - Review and recommend action on shareholder proposals.

     - Review corporate governance principles.

     - Consider shareholder recommendations for nominees for election to the
       Board. (Shareholders must submit such recommendations in writing to Diane
       K. Schumacher, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary,
       Cooper Industries, Inc., 600 Travis, Suite 5800, Houston, Texas 77002.)

                                       12
<PAGE>   16

                       EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION

     The following table presents information about compensation paid or accrued
for services by the Chief Executive Officer and our four most highly compensated
executive officers (the "Named Executives") for fiscal years 1997, 1998 and
1999.

                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               LONG-TERM
                                                                          COMPENSATION(2)(3)
                                                        ANNUAL          -----------------------
                                                    COMPENSATION(1)       AWARDS      PAYOUTS
                                                  -------------------   ----------   ----------
                   (A)                     (B)      (C)        (D)         (G)                        (I)
                                                                        SECURITIES      (H)           ALL
                                                                        UNDERLYING      LTIP         OTHER
                NAME AND                           SALARY     BONUS      OPTIONS      PAYOUTS     COMPENSATION
           PRINCIPAL POSITION              YEAR     ($)        ($)          #          ($)(4)        ($)(5)
           ------------------              ----   --------   --------   ----------   ----------   ------------
<S>                                        <C>    <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>
Riley, Jr., H. J. -- Chairman, President   1999   $876,667   $704,900    105,000     $1,770,291     $54,120
and Chief Executive Officer                1998    846,666    326,000     39,000      4,785,300      75,225
                                           1997    768,750    825,000     41,000              0      70,594

Jackson, Jr., R. E. -- Executive Vice      1999    451,875    306,500     33,000        630,796      26,724
President, Operations                      1998    429,167    142,000     15,000      1,702,350      36,637
                                           1997    395,312    385,000     15,500              0      34,664

McWilliams, D. B. -- Senior Vice           1999    352,500    202,300     21,000        435,312      20,993
President and Chief Financial Officer      1998    336,459    114,000     10,000        977,145      25,491
                                           1997    313,125    230,000     10,000              0      24,891

Schumacher, D. K. -- Senior                1999    293,208    176,200     16,000        325,576      18,212
Vice President, General Counsel            1998    279,917    111,500      8,000        977,145      22,046
and Secretary                              1997    255,729    210,000      8,000              0      21,633

White, Jr., D. A. -- Senior                1999    266,750    153,200     16,000        260,185      16,549
Vice President, Strategic Planning         1998    255,083    101,000      8,000              0      20,029
                                           1997    239,063    190,000      8,000              0      19,533
</TABLE>

- ---------------

(1) Column (e) "Other Annual Compensation" has been omitted since there are no
    amounts to report. The aggregate amount of perquisites and other personal
    benefits for any Named Executive does not exceed $50,000 or 10% of the total
    of annual salary and bonus for any such Named Executive.

(2) Column (f) "Restricted Stock Awards" has been omitted because there are no
    amounts to report.

(3) See the Long-Term Incentive Plan Table on page 15 disclosing long-term
    incentive awards granted in 1999 to the Named Executives pursuant to the
    Stock Incentive Plan.

(4) Represents performance-based shares that were earned by the Named Executives
    under the Stock Incentive Plan or the Executive Restricted Stock Incentive
    Plan in the last year of a four-year performance period ending on December
    31 of each of the years listed in the table. For 1999, the dollar value of
    the performance award shares is based on the price of Cooper's Common Stock
    on February 8, 2000. The specific stock awards that were earned by the Named
    Executives for the four-year performance period ending on December 31, 1999
    are as follows: H. J. Riley, Jr. 40,960 shares valued at $1,554,022; R. E.
    Jackson, Jr. 14,595 shares valued at $553,734; D. B. McWilliams 10,072
    shares valued at $382,132; D. K. Schumacher 7,533 shares valued at $285,802;
    and D. A. White, Jr. 6,020 shares valued at $228,399. In addition, the
    amount of LTIP Payouts for 1999 includes the following amounts paid to the
    Named Executives which is equivalent to the amount of dividends on the
    performance based shares for the four-year performance period: H. J. Riley,
    Jr. $216,269; R. E. Jackson, Jr. $77,062; D. B. McWilliams $53,180; D. K.
    Schumacher $39,774; and D. A. White, Jr. $31,786.

(5) The figures in column (i) for 1999 include Cooper's contributions to the
    Cooper Industries, Inc. Retirement Savings and Stock Ownership Plan and to
    the Cooper Industries, Inc. Supplemental Excess Defined Contribution Plan,
    respectively, as follows: H. J. Riley, Jr. $7,200 and $46,920; R. E.
    Jackson, Jr. $7,200 and $19,524; D. B. McWilliams $7,200 and $13,793; D. K.
    Schumacher $7,200 and $11,012; and D. A. White, Jr. $7,200 and $9,349.

                                       13
<PAGE>   17

                                 STOCK OPTIONS

     The following table presents information about stock option grants to the
Named Executives in the last fiscal year.

                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
                                           --------------------------------------------------------
                                           NUMBER OF    PERCENT OF TOTAL
                                           SECURITIES       OPTIONS
                                           UNDERLYING      GRANTED TO      EXERCISE OR                GRANT DATE
                                            OPTIONS       EMPLOYEES IN     BASE PRICE    EXPIRATION     PRESENT
                  NAME                     GRANTED(#)     FISCAL YEAR       ($/SH)(1)     DATE(2)     VALUE($)(3)
                   (A)                        (B)             (C)              (D)          (E)           (F)
                  ----                     ----------   ----------------   -----------   ----------   -----------
<S>                                        <C>          <C>                <C>           <C>          <C>
Riley, Jr., H. J.........................   105,000          10.31           $43.47       2/9/2009    $1,173,900
Jackson, Jr., R. E.......................    33,000           3.24            43.47       2/9/2009       368,940
McWilliams, D. B.........................    21,000           2.06            43.47       2/9/2009       234,780
Schumacher, D. K.........................    16,000           1.57            43.47       2/9/2009       178,880
White, Jr., D. A.........................    16,000           1.57            43.47       2/9/2009       178,880
</TABLE>

- ---------------

(1) The exercise price of each option is equal to the fair market value of
    Cooper's shares on the date of grant of the option.

(2) Options become one-third exercisable one year after the date of grant,
    two-thirds exercisable two years after the date of grant, and fully
    exercisable three years after the date of grant. An optionee may make
    lifetime transfers of nonqualified stock options to certain family members
    and trusts.

(3) The Black-Scholes option pricing model was used assuming a dividend yield of
    3.05%, a risk-free interest rate of 5.0%, an expected stock price volatility
    based on historical experience of 26.4% and an expected option life based on
    historical experience of 7 years. The attribution of values with the
    Black-Scholes model to stock option grants requires adoption of certain
    assumptions, as described above. While the assumptions are believed to be
    reasonable, the reader is cautioned not to infer a forecast of earnings or
    dividends either from the model's use or from the values adopted for the
    model's assumptions. Any future values realized will ultimately depend upon
    the excess of the stock price on the date the option is exercised over the
    exercise price.

     The following table presents information about options exercised during
1999 and the unexercised stock options held at December 31, 1999 by the Named
Executives.

              AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
                              FY-END OPTION VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                NUMBER OF SECURITIES
                                                               UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED         VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                  SHARES                               OPTIONS                IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                                 ACQUIRED         VALUE        AT FISCAL YEAR-END (#)        AT FISCAL YEAR-END ($)
            NAME              ON EXERCISE(#)   REALIZED($)    EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE     EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE
            (A)                    (B)             (C)                   (D)                           (E)
            ----              --------------   -----------   ---------------------------   ---------------------------
                                                             EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE   EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE
                                                             -----------   -------------   -----------   -------------
<S>                           <C>              <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>
Riley, Jr., H. J. ..........          0                0       83,833         144,667        $53,070          $      0
Jackson, Jr., R. E. ........          0                0       30,500          48,000         18,910                 0
McWilliams, D. B. ..........          0                0       20,699          31,001         13,054                 0
Schumacher, D. K. ..........          0                0       15,999          24,001          9,760                 0
White, Jr., D. A. ..........      9,000         $150,492       14,399          24,001          7,808                 0
</TABLE>

                                       14
<PAGE>   18

                                LONG-TERM AWARDS

     The following table presents information about long-term incentive awards
granted in 1999 to the Named Executives under the Stock Incentive Plan. The
performance-based share awards may be earned based on achievement of performance
goals over a four-year period commencing January 1, 1999 and ending on December
31, 2002. The performance goals are based on compound growth in earnings per
share over the performance period, with a threshold of six percent compound
growth before any awards are earned. At least 15 percent compound growth in
earnings per share must be achieved for a payout at the maximum level shown in
the table. The awards, to the extent earned, will be distributed in shares of
Cooper Common Stock, or at the executive's election, up to 50 percent of the
earned award may be paid in cash.

             LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN -- AWARDS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS
                                                                         UNDER NON-STOCK PRICE BASED PLANS
                                                                    --------------------------------------------
             (A)                     (B)               (C)              (D)             (E)             (F)
                                  NUMBER OF       PERFORMANCE OR
                                SHARES, UNITS,     OTHER PERIOD
                                   OR OTHER      UNTIL MATURATION
             NAME                 RIGHTS(#)         OR PAYOUT        THRESHOLD        TARGET          MAXIMUM
             ----               --------------   ----------------   ------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                             <C>              <C>                <C>            <C>             <C>
Riley, Jr., H. J. ............      7,000           12/31/2002      7,000 shares   28,000 shares   39,200 shares
Jackson, Jr., R. E. ..........      2,250           12/31/2002      2,250 shares    9,000 shares   12,600 shares
McWilliams, D. B. ............      1,500           12/31/2002      1,500 shares    6,000 shares    8,400 shares
Schumacher, D. K. ............      1,000           12/31/2002      1,000 shares    4,000 shares    5,600 shares
White, Jr., D. A. ............      1,000           12/31/2002      1,000 shares    4,000 shares    5,600 shares
</TABLE>

                                       15
<PAGE>   19

          COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG COOPER
           INDUSTRIES, INC., S&P 500 AND COOPER INDUSTRIES PEER GROUP

     The following graph compares the total shareholder return on Cooper's
Common Stock for the five-year period December 31, 1994 through December 31,
1999 to the total returns for the same period of the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock
Index and a Cooper Peer Group Index. The cumulative total return is based upon
an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 1994 with dividends reinvested.

     We currently operate in two primary business areas: electrical products and
tools and hardware. The Cooper Peer Group Index consists of corporations whose
businesses are representative of these business segments and, therefore, serves
as a valid base for comparing total return to shareholders. The corporations in
the Cooper Peer Group are: (1) Danaher Corporation, (2) Emerson Electric Co.,
(3) Hubbell Incorporated (Class B), (4) The Stanley Works, (5) Thomas and Betts
Corporation and (6) U.S. Industries (since 6/30/95). The Cooper Peer Group has
been weighted in accordance with each corporation's market capitalization
(closing stock price multiplied by the number of shares outstanding) as of the
beginning of each of the five years covered by the performance graph. The
weighted return for each year is the sum of the products obtained by multiplying
(a) the percentage that each corporation's market capitalization represents of
the total market capitalization for all corporations in the Index for such year
by (b) the total shareholder return for that corporation for such year.

                                     CHART

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       DEC-94   DEC-95   DEC-96   DEC-97   DEC-98   DEC-99
                                                       ------   ------   ------   ------   ------   ------
<S>                                                    <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Cooper Industries, Inc. .............................   $100     $112     $132     $158     $158     $138
S&P 500(R)...........................................   $100     $138     $169     $226     $290     $351
Cooper Peer Group Index..............................   $100     $134     $168     $210     $220     $205
</TABLE>

                                       16
<PAGE>   20

               MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
                        REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE

     The Management Development and Compensation Committee (the "Committee")
establishes compensation programs for our executive officers that are designed
to benefit the long-term interests of Cooper and its shareholders. The Committee
also reviews the performance of our executive officers and other key executives
every year. The Committee also conducts a complete review of succession planning
and executive development at least once every three years.

COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY

     The Committee's policy is to compensate and reward executive officers and
other key executives based on the combination of some or all of the following
factors, depending on the executive's responsibilities: corporate performance,
business unit performance and individual performance. The Committee evaluates
corporate performance and business unit performance by reviewing the extent to
which Cooper has accomplished strategic business objectives, such as sales
growth, improved profitability, cash flow and management of working capital. The
Committee evaluates individual performance by comparing actual accomplishments
to the objectives established under Cooper's Management Development and Planning
Program.

     The Committee assesses individual performance as follows:

     - At the beginning of each performance period, the Committee establishes
       specific objectives to be used as the basis for evaluating the
       executive's performance.

     - During the performance period, the Committee holds periodic discussions
       with the executive on the status of performance objectives.

     - At the end of the performance period, the Committee reviews the
       executive's progress on the performance objectives so that there is a
       clear understanding of what the executive has accomplished.

     - The Committee determines increases in base salary and annual cash
       incentive awards based on actual accomplishments during the performance
       period.

     - The Committee determines long-term stock incentive awards based on our
       sustained earnings per share performance over a four-year period.

     The Committee also takes into account the compensation practices of
comparable manufacturing companies (as described below) to ensure that Cooper is
able to attract, retain and reward executive officers whose contributions are
critical to our long term success.

     There are three major components of Cooper's executive compensation
program: a base salary, an annual cash bonus and long-term stock incentive
awards.

ANNUAL COMPENSATION

  Base Salary

     The Committee sets the base salary range for each executive officer using
the Hay Group Inc. Job Evaluation System, which provides a comparative
assessment of know-how, problem-solving and accountability factors in the job
rating process. The Committee also considers the competitiveness of the base
salary because the Committee believes it is critical to Cooper's success to
attract and retain the best qualified executives. The Committee uses the annual
Hay Survey of Compensation Practices to set the salary ranges for executive
officers. In 1999, the Hay Survey of Compensation Practices included 200
industrial companies with revenues in excess of $1 billion. The Committee
believes that using this broad group of companies to establish salary levels is
more appropriate than using a smaller group, such as the peer group used in the
share performance graph, because it minimizes the effect of any one company on
the average.

     The Committee's policy is to: (1) establish a salary range for the Chief
Executive Officer and the other executives named in the Summary Compensation
Table (the "Named Executives"); (2) set the midpoint of the range near the
average of the Hay Survey; and (3) pay compensation within the established
range. The Committee

                                       17
<PAGE>   21

takes into account the individual's duties, responsibilities, work experience,
impact on the business and individual performance when setting each executive's
actual base salary. The Committee verifies the Hay data through use of a
separate compensation study, known as the Total Compensation Measurement, which
includes information on 338 companies compiled by Hewitt Associates. During
1999, the actual base salaries for the Named Executives approximated the 50th
percentile of the Hay Survey.

     The Committee typically reviews salaries of senior executive officers at
12- to 14-month intervals, depending on performance and position in the salary
range. The Committee makes base salary adjustments primarily based on individual
performance with due consideration given to immediate past performance and
business decisions that impact our future growth and economic stability.

  Annual Incentive Compensation

     The Management Annual Incentive Plan ("MAIP") is a bonus plan for senior
executives that is designed to link executive compensation to our short-term
business objectives. The maximum annual award that may be granted to a
participant under the MAIP is $1.5 million. The Committee may pay awards earned
in cash or in Cooper Common Stock or a combination of cash and stock. Subject to
the Committee's approval, a participant in the MAIP may request to have all or a
portion of his or her award paid in shares of Cooper stock.

     In February 1999, the Committee established the performance goals and
maximum bonus opportunities under the MAIP for Named Executives and for other
executive officers. The performance goals were based upon increases in operating
earnings per share in 1999 over 1998. The bonus opportunity for the Named
Executives ranges from 0% to 120% of the salary range midpoint, depending on the
executive's position. Under the MAIP, the Committee has discretion to reduce the
amount of any award that would otherwise be payable upon achievement of the
performance goals based on its assessment of an individual's actual performance.

     In February 2000, the Committee determined and certified that the
performance goals established at the February 1999 meeting of the Committee were
met and cash bonuses were awarded to the Named Executives at an average of 66.7%
of base salary. The bonus amounts for each of the Named Executives are shown in
column (d) of the Summary Compensation Table. Two of the executives elected to
receive a portion of his or her award in shares of Cooper stock.

LONG-TERM EQUITY BASED COMPENSATION

  Stock Incentive Compensation

     The Committee provides incentives to executive officers that are tied to
the long-term performance of Cooper in order to link the executive's interests
to those of the shareholders and to encourage stock ownership by executives.

     In November 1995, the Committee adopted the Stock Incentive Plan ("Stock
Plan"), which was approved by Cooper's shareholders in April 1996. The Stock
Plan provides for the granting of stock options and performance-based share
awards to the Named Executives and other key executives. The Committee
determines the number of options and performance-based share awards granted
based on actual compensation, assumptions relating to stock price and earnings
growth, and recommendations from Frederic W. Cook & Co., a compensation
consulting firm who advises the Committee on competitive practices among
comparable manufacturing companies. The Committee believes that the stock
options and performance-based share awards granted under the Stock Plan provide
a significant link between the compensation of the Named Executives and other
key executives on the one hand and Cooper's long-term goals and shareholders'
interests on the other.

     In February 1996, the Committee granted performance-based share awards
under the Stock Plan to the Named Executives for a four-year performance period
beginning on January 1, 1996 and ending on December 31, 1999. The Committee set
performance goals tied to cumulative compound growth in operating earnings per
share during the performance period. The Committee determined that compound
earnings per share growth over the period of at least 6% was required before any
award would be earned and at least 15% was required for a payout at the maximum
level.

     In February 2000, the Committee determined that Cooper had achieved an
11.56% cumulative increase in Cooper's operating earnings per share during the
four-year performance period ending December 31, 1999. This increase meets the
performance objective at the commendable minus level of performance set by the
Committee in

                                       18
<PAGE>   22

February 1996. As a result, 79,180 shares of Cooper Common Stock were awarded to
five Named Executives at the February 2000 meeting of the Committee. The
specific stock awards for Named Executives in 1999 are shown in column (h) of
the Summary Compensation Table.

     In February 1999, the Committee granted stock options and performance-based
share awards to the Named Executives under the Stock Plan. The Committee also
granted stock options to other middle and upper level employees. The stock
options expire ten years after the date of grant and become exercisable over a
three-year period with one-third vesting in each successive year so that the
option is fully exercisable after three years. The options granted in 1999 have
an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant, which was
$43.47 per share. The performance-based share awards were granted to the Named
Executives for a four-year performance period beginning on January 1, 1999 and
ending on December 31, 2002. The Committee set performance goals tied to the
cumulative compound growth in earnings per share during the performance period.
Cooper must have cumulative compound growth in earnings per share of at least 6%
before any awards can be earned and growth of at least 15% for a payout at the
maximum award level.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

     Effective November 1, 1999, the Committee approved an increase of $40,000
in Mr. Riley's base salary. The Committee based Mr. Riley's base salary
adjustment on a review of the compensation levels of chief executive officers of
companies of comparable size and in similar businesses, using the surveys
previously discussed. The Committee also considered Cooper's financial results
and Mr. Riley's overall performance as Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer.

     In February 2000, under the MAIP, the Committee awarded a cash bonus of
$704,900 to Mr. Riley after reviewing Cooper's performance and determining that
the criteria established under the MAIP in February 1999 had been met. Specific
accomplishments during 1999 include continued growth in sales and operating
earnings, prudent use of funds received from the divestiture of the Automotive
Products segment to strengthen Cooper's financial position, the strategic
realignment of the Tools and Hardware segment to improve customer service and
operational effectiveness and the further expansion of our electrical business
through complementary acquisitions in the United States, England, France and
Mexico.

     Also in February 2000, the Committee determined that Mr. Riley earned
40,960 shares of Common Stock from the performance-based award granted in 1996
under the Stock Plan. This award was based on achievement of a cumulative
increase in operating earnings over the four-year performance period from
January 1, 1996 through December 31, 1999 of 11.56% which the Committee set in
February 1996 as the criteria for the commendable minus level of performance.

     In 1999, the Committee granted stock options and performance-based share
awards under the Stock Plan to Mr. Riley. The options are shown on the table
"Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year" on page 14 and the performance-based share
awards are shown in the table "Long-Term Incentive Plan -- Awards in Last Fiscal
Year" on page 15. The Committee determined the number of shares awarded to Mr.
Riley using the same criteria as for other executive officers. The individual
award was based on actual compensation, assumptions relating to stock price and
earnings growth and the recommendations and advice of Frederic W. Cook & Co., a
compensation consulting firm. The Committee believes that the stock options and
performance share awards granted to Mr. Riley are competitive with awards
provided to chief executive officers of other similar companies in related
businesses. Through the performance share awards, a significant portion of Mr.
Riley's compensation is tied directly to our financial performance and overall
return to shareholders.

STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES

     Effective January 1, 1996, the Committee established stock ownership
guidelines for executive officers and certain other key executives as a way to
align more closely the interests of the key executives with those of the
shareholders. These key executives are required to make continuing progress
toward compliance with the guidelines during the five-year period beginning
January 1, 1996 and to fully comply with the guidelines by December 31,

                                       19
<PAGE>   23

2000. Any officers appointed after January 1996 are subject to the guidelines
and have a period of five years from appointment to comply. The guidelines are
as follows:

     - Chief Executive Officer -- 4.5 times base salary

     - Other Senior Officers, including those other officers named in the
       Summary Compensation Table -- 3 times base salary

     - Other officers and division presidents -- 1.5 times base salary

     At its February 2000 meeting, the Committee reviewed the progress of
covered executives relative to compliance with the Stock Ownership Guidelines
and determined that acceptable progress has been made. All of the Named
Executives are currently in compliance with the guidelines.

OMNIBUS BUDGET RECONCILIATION ACT IMPLICATIONS

     The Committee has reviewed the provisions of the Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1993 and the regulations issued under the Act that impose
a limit, with certain exceptions, on the amount that a publicly held corporation
may deduct in any year for the compensation paid to its five most highly
compensated officers. The Committee believes that the bonuses paid pursuant to
the MAIP and the awards and options granted pursuant to the Stock Plan will
qualify as "performance-based" compensation and will meet the requirements of
the current tax law and Internal Revenue Service regulations so as to preserve
the tax deductibility of all executive compensation.

<TABLE>
<S>                         <C>
Robert M. Devlin, Chairman  Clifford J. Grum
Warren L. Batts             Sir Ralph H. Robins
Alain J. P. Belda           James R. Wilson
</TABLE>

                           OTHER COMPENSATION MATTERS

PENSION BENEFITS

     Upon retirement, the Named Executives may be entitled to retirement
benefits from the Salaried Employees' Retirement Plan of Cooper Industries, Inc.
("Cooper Retirement Plan"), the Cooper Industries, Inc. Supplemental Excess
Defined Benefit Plan ("Supplemental Plan") and the Crouse-Hinds Officers'
Disability and Supplemental Pension Plan ("Crouse-Hinds Officers' Plan").

     Under the Cooper Retirement Plan, Cooper credits the individual's plan
account four percent of each year's total compensation up to the Social Security
wage base for the year, plus eight percent of each year's total compensation
that exceeds the Social Security wage base. For this purpose, total compensation
is cash remuneration paid by Cooper to or for the benefit of a member of the
Cooper Retirement Plan for services rendered while an employee. For the Named
Executives, the total compensation is shown in columns (c) and (d) of the
Summary Compensation Table. However, neither performance-based share awards
shown in column (h) of the Summary Compensation Table nor deferred compensation
is included in total compensation for purposes of the Cooper Retirement Plan.
This formula for determining benefit credits became effective on July 1, 1986.

     Benefits for service through June 30, 1986 were determined based on the
retirement plan formula then in effect and converted to initial balances under
the Cooper Retirement Plan. The participant receives interest credits on both
initial balances and pay-based credits for benefits earned after July 1, 1986
until the participant begins to receive benefit payments. The Plan's interest
credit rate for 1999 was 4.5% and will be 5.75% for 2000. The participant may
elect to receive benefits at retirement payable in the form of an escalating
annuity, a level annuity with or without survivorship or a lump-sum payment.

     The Supplemental Plan is an unfunded, nonqualified plan that provides to
certain employees, including the Named Executives, Cooper Retirement Plan
benefits that cannot be paid from a qualified, defined benefit plan because of
Internal Revenue Code restrictions. The Supplemental Plan also provides benefits
equal to what would have been paid under the Cooper Retirement Plan on amounts
of deferred compensation had those amounts not been deferred. The Crouse-Hinds
Officers' Plan is an unfunded, nonqualified plan that we assumed following the

                                       20
<PAGE>   24

acquisition of Crouse-Hinds Company. Mr. Riley may receive benefits under the
Crouse-Hinds Officers' Plan in addition to amounts payable under our other
retirement plans.

                                PENSION BENEFITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                CREDITED         YEAR        ANNUAL
                                                              SERVICE AS OF   INDIVIDUAL   ESTIMATED
                                                               JANUARY 1,      REACHES     BENEFIT AT
                                                                  2000          AGE 65       AGE 65
                                                              -------------   ----------   ----------
<S>                                                           <C>             <C>          <C>
Riley, Jr., H. J............................................      37.2           2005       $789,000
Jackson, Jr., R. E..........................................      24.0           2006        158,000
McWilliams, D. B............................................      28.1           2006        153,000
Schumacher, D. K............................................      19.9           2018        197,000
White, Jr., D. A............................................      27.5           2007        126,000
</TABLE>

     For each Named Executive, the table above shows current credited years of
service, the year each reaches age 65, and the projected annual pension benefit
at age 65 under the Cooper Retirement Plan, the Supplemental Plan and the
Crouse-Hinds Officers' Plan. The projected annual pension benefit is based on
the following assumptions: benefits paid on a straight-life annuity basis;
continued compensation at the 1999 levels; and an interest credit rate of 5.75%.

CHANGE IN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS

  Management Continuity Agreements

     Cooper has Management Continuity Agreements with the Named Executives and
certain other key executives. The purpose of the agreements is to encourage the
executives to carry out their duties when there is a possibility of a change of
control of Cooper. The agreements are not ordinary employment agreements and do
not provide any assurance of continued employment.

     If, during the two-year period following a change of control, Cooper or its
successor terminates the executive's employment other than for "cause" or the
executive voluntarily terminates employment for "good reason" (as such terms are
defined in the agreements), the executive shall receive a lump-sum cash payment
equal to a multiple (3x in the case of the Chief Executive Officer, Executive
Vice President and Senior Vice Presidents and 2x in the case of the other key
executives) of the sum of the executive's salary and bonus, together with the
continuation of employee benefits for the number of years equal to the
multiplier used to calculate the lump-sum severance payment. The executive would
also receive a pro rata payment of their target bonus for the year of
termination and a lump-sum payment equal to the incremental benefits and
contributions that the executive would have received under Cooper's various
retirement and savings plans for the number of years equal to their multiplier,
taking into account the severance benefits received by the executive. Finally,
the agreements provide for a tax gross-up of any excise tax due under the
Internal Revenue Code for these types of agreements.

  Management Annual Incentive Plan

     The Named Executives participate in the Management Annual Incentive Plan,
which provides an annual bonus opportunity and is designed to tie annual
incentive compensation to overall corporate and individual performance. Under
the Plan, which is administered by the Management Development and Compensation
Committee of the Board (the "Committee"), bonuses are based upon performance
goals set by the Committee in February of the bonus year. The Committee may make
the award in cash or stock or a combination of both. The Plan provides that upon
a change in control of Cooper, all outstanding awards will be deemed earned on a
pro rata basis at the target level and will be paid in cash to each eligible
executive.

  Stock Incentive Plan

     The Named Executives have been granted stock options and performance-based
share awards under the Stock Incentive Plan ("Stock Plan"). Options granted
under the Stock Plan vest over a period of three years and have a 10-year term.
Performance-based share awards granted under the Stock Plan may be earned based
on achievement over a specified period of performance goals established by the
Committee. At the end of the performance period, performance shares earned, if
any, are issued and cash equal to the dividends on the performance shares is
paid.

                                       21
<PAGE>   25

The Stock Plan provides that upon a change in control of Cooper, all options
will be canceled and Cooper will make a cash payment to the Named Executives
equal to the difference in the fair market value of Cooper Common Stock (or the
highest price actually paid for the stock in connection with the change in
control, if higher) and the option price. In addition, all outstanding
performance shares will be deemed earned at the target level and will be issued.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

     Cooper pays nonemployee directors an annual retainer fee of $45,000. In
addition, nonemployee directors are paid meeting attendance fees of $1,000 for
regular committee meetings and $2,000 for special Board or committee meetings.
An additional annual retainer of $6,000 is paid to each nonemployee chairman of
a standing committee.

     In lieu of receiving the annual retainer and meeting fees in cash, each
nonemployee director may elect, under the Directors Deferred Compensation Plan,
to defer receipt of such amounts until a date determined by the director or
until retirement from the Board. Alternatively, each nonemployee director may
elect to receive all or a portion of the annual retainer fee and meeting fees in
shares of Cooper Common Stock instead of cash, under the Directors' Retainer Fee
Stock Plan. The Directors' Retainer Fee Stock Plan also provides that each
nonemployee director may elect to defer the receipt of all or a portion of the
shares of Common Stock otherwise payable under the Plan.

     Prior to February 1996, under the Cooper Industries, Inc. Directors
Retirement Plan, any director with at least 10 years of service as a director
(counting a fractional year as a full year), or any director who retired in
accordance with the Board's director tenure policy, was entitled to receive a
benefit amount equal to the annual basic retainer for nonemployee directors in
effect at the time of retirement, exclusive of any special compensation for
services as a committee chairman or attendance at meetings. The benefit amount
was payable annually in January for the preceding year, or quarterly if elected,
for the number of years in which the director served on the Board (counting a
fractional year as a full year), with payment to cease with the death of the
retired director. In February 1996, the Board terminated the Plan and no
additional benefits have accrued after April 30, 1996. However, any benefits
accrued under the Plan at that time were grandfathered.

     For years prior to 1996, each nonemployee director could have elected to
receive, in lieu of the annual retainer fee, a nonqualified stock option
covering 2,000 shares of Cooper Common Stock under Cooper's 1989 Director Stock
Option Plan (the "1989 Director Plan"). In February 1996, the Board of Directors
terminated the 1989 Director Plan, except to the extent options were
outstanding. During 1999, 4,000 shares of Cooper Common Stock were issued
pursuant to the exercise of previously granted options under the 1989 Director
Plan. As of December 31, 1999, options for 4,000 shares of Cooper Common Stock
were outstanding under the 1989 Director Plan.

     The Directors' Stock Plan, which was approved by the shareholders in April
1996, replaced the 1989 Director Plan and the Directors Retirement Plan. The
Directors' Stock Plan provides for a grant to each nonemployee director of 400
shares of Cooper Common Stock on each annual meeting date with a maximum of
1,200 shares to be issued to any individual director. Each nonemployee director
is also granted annually a stock option for 1,000 shares at fair market value
under the Directors' Stock Plan. The option vests on the third anniversary of
the date of grant and has a 10-year term. As of December 31, 1999, options for
37,000 shares were outstanding under the Directors' Stock Plan.

                                       22
<PAGE>   26

                                   PROPOSAL 2

                              SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL

     Six shareholders have informed us that they intend to present jointly the
following proposal at the meeting. The shareholders are as follows: Benedictine
Sisters, 530 Bandera Road, San Antonio, Texas 78228, owner of 50 shares of
Cooper Common Stock; the Loretto Literary and Benevolent Institution (also known
as the Sisters of Loretto), 527 Larkhill Court, St. Louis, Missouri 63119-4943,
owner of 391 shares of Cooper Common Stock; Domini Social Investments LLC, 11
West 25th Street, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10010-2001, owner of 22,600
shares of Cooper Common Stock; the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the
Incarnate Word, 6510 Lawndale, Houston, Texas 77223-0969, owner of 1,000 shares
of Cooper Common Stock; the Congregation of Holy Cross, Southern Province, 2111
Brackenridge Street, Austin, Texas 78704-4322, owner of 75 shares of Cooper
Common Stock; and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Board of Pensions,
800 Marquette Avenue, Suite 1050, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, owner of 20,400
shares of Cooper Common Stock.

                PROPOSAL FOR A GLOBAL SET OF CORPORATE STANDARDS

     WHEREAS, our company, as a global corporation, faces numerous complex
problems which also affect our interests as shareholders. The international
context within which our company operates is becoming increasingly diverse as we
enter the new millennium.

     Companies operating in the global economy are faced with important concerns
arising from diverse cultures and political and economic contexts. These
concerns require management to address issues beyond the traditional business
focus. These include human rights, workers' right to organize and bargain
collectively, non-discrimination in the workplace and sustainable community
development. Companies should find effective ways to eliminate the use of child
labor, forced labor, bribery and harmful environmental practices.

     We believe global companies need to operationalize comprehensive codes of
conduct, such as those found in the "Principles for Global Corporate
Responsibility: Bench Marks for Measuring Business Performance," developed by an
international group of religious investors. Companies need to formulate
policies, programs and practices to address the challenges they face in the
global marketplace.

     A New York Times editorial stated: "[Corporations] should hold themselves
to some guidelines. Their own practices should not be abusive, even if local
laws allow it. This means giving workers wages they can live on and good working
conditions." ("Corporations and Conscience," New York Times, 12/6/98).

     Our company should be in a position to assure shareholders that its
employees are treated fairly and paid a sustainable living wage wherever they
work in the global economy. One important element of ensuring compliance is the
utilization of independent monitors made up of respected local human rights,
religious and other non-governmental organizations. A number of global companies
are involved in the development of credible code enforcement mechanisms that
include independent monitoring.

     Improving the quality of life for employees and their communities can lead
to increased productivity and enhance the bottom line for the company.

RESOLVED, the shareholders request the Board of Directors to review or amend,
where applicable, its code or standards for its international operations and to
report a summary of this review to shareholders by October 2000.

                              SUPPORTING STATEMENT

     We recommend the review include the following areas:

          1. A description of policies which are designed to protect human
     rights -- civil, political, social, cultural and economic -- consistent
     with respect for human dignity and international labor rights standards.

          2. A report of efforts to ensure that the company does not employ
     children under the age of fifteen, or younger than the age of completing
     compulsory education in the country of manufacture where such age is higher
     than fifteen.

          3. A report of company policies ensuring that there is no use of
     forced labor, whether in the form of prison labor, indentured labor or
     bonded labor.

                                       23
<PAGE>   27

          4. Establishment of consistent standards for workers' health and
     safety, practices for handling hazardous wastes and protecting the
     environment, as well as promoting a fair and dignified quality of life for
     workers and their communities.

     We believe a company poised to compete in the 21st Century needs
comprehensive global standards to guide them.

                    RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

          THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST PROPOSAL 2.

     Proposal 2 was presented at our 1999 Annual Shareholders' Meeting and
received less than 7% of the votes cast at the meeting. We believe that this is
an indication that our shareholders are satisfied that we are meeting our
ethical obligation to act responsibly in the global communities in which we
operate.

     We have adopted corporate policies relating to employment practices,
employee health and safety and environmental management, which apply equally to
our worldwide operations. These policies were designed to ensure compliance with
the laws of the various countries in which we operate. Our management reviews
and amends these policies as necessary and is committed to ensuring that they
are enforced worldwide. We have a corporate compliance committee that reviews
compliance with our policies and applicable laws and a report on compliance is
given annually to the Audit Committee of the Board. Therefore, the Board of
Directors believes that conducting a special review and preparing a special
report upon our standards for international operations is unnecessary and would
not be an effective use of our corporate resources. We remain committed to
treating all employees with dignity, fairness and respect, protecting the health
and safety of our employees and protecting the environment.

     For these reasons, YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST
PROPOSAL 2.

                     RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     The Board selects our independent auditors for each year. During the year
ended December 31, 1999, Ernst & Young LLP was employed principally to perform
the annual audit and to render other services.

     Representatives of Ernst & Young will be present at the meeting and will be
available to answer questions and discuss matters pertaining to the Report of
Independent Auditors contained in the financial statements included in Appendix
A hereto. Representatives of Ernst & Young will have the opportunity to make a
statement, if they desire to do so.

                                   FORM 10-K

     A copy of the 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1999 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission will be
available on our home page at www.cooperindustries.com or may be obtained upon
request and without charge, by writing:

                           Public Affairs Department
                            Cooper Industries, Inc.
                                 P.O. Box 4446
                              Houston, Texas 77210

                                       24
<PAGE>   28

                                   APPENDIX A

                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
  and Results of Operations.................................   A-1
Consolidated Financial Statements:
  Report of Management......................................  A-16
  Report of Independent Auditors............................  A-17
  Consolidated Income Statements for the three years ended
     December 31, 1999......................................  A-18
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1999 and
     1998...................................................  A-19
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years
     ended December 31, 1999................................  A-20
  Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the
     three years ended December 31, 1999....................  A-21
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................  A-22
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   29

          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                           AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

                                    OVERVIEW

     The year ended December 31, 1999 represented Cooper's first full year of
performance as a company comprised of two key businesses: Electrical Products
and Tools & Hardware. In May 1997, Cooper sold its Kirsch window treatment
business and in October 1998, Cooper sold the Automotive Products segment.
Following the divestiture of the Automotive Products segment, Cooper has focused
on refining and growing its core businesses and positioning Cooper for future
growth and long-term profitability.

     Cooper used the proceeds from the sale of the Automotive Products segment
to reshape its capital structure through the purchase of 21.2 million shares of
Cooper Common stock and the repayment of $900 million of debt in 1998. As a
result, the reported results for 1999 are not comparable to the 1998 results
other than for segment operating earnings and net income per share. In addition,
actions taken to reduce the cost structure and improve productivity subsequent
to the Automotive Products segment divestiture resulted in charges against
earnings, expenses incurred as operations were consolidated and disruptions to
the affected businesses. The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations provides comparability of results
where practical.

     Impact of Automotive Products Segment Divestiture  The Automotive Products
segment was sold on October 9, 1998 with Cooper receiving $1.9 billion in
proceeds. Cooper received an additional $149.1 million in 1999 representing the
reimbursement of Cooper's pre-closing cash funding of international automotive
operations and the earnings and additional cash invested in the Automotive
Products segment between March 31, 1998 and October 9, 1998. Cooper purchased
21.2 million shares of Cooper Common stock at a cost of $1.0 billion and repaid
$900 million of debt during calendar year 1998 with the proceeds from the sale
of the Automotive Products segment. The mix of debt repayment and Common stock
purchases was designed to approximately replace in 1999 the loss of the
Automotive Products segment diluted earnings per share of $.76 in 1998 through
lower interest expense and lower average shares outstanding. As a result of the
use of the proceeds to repay debt and purchase shares of Cooper Common stock,
income from continuing operations and net income for the years ended December
31, 1999 and 1998 are not comparable. Cooper estimates that the effects of the
utilization of the proceeds and lower corporate expenses resulting from the
divestiture substantially replaced the earnings of the Automotive Products
segment in 1999 on a per share basis.

     The discontinued segment's results for the period from January 1, 1998 to
October 9, 1998 and the year ended December 31, 1997 are presented separately in
a single caption, "Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes."
The cash flows from discontinued operations are summarized into a single line
"Cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations" in the Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows. No debt was allocated to the discontinued operations
and the income from discontinued operations does not include an allocation of
Cooper's interest expense. For a discussion of the financial results of
discontinued operations see "Discontinued Operations -- Automotive Products
Segment".

     The book value of the Automotive Products segment's assets less the
liabilities assumed by the buyer plus costs related to the transaction resulted
in a small loss before income taxes. The loss before income taxes was offset by
income tax benefits. Cooper's income tax basis exceeded the book carrying amount
of the net assets exclusive of deferred income taxes thereby generating a
capital loss carryforward. Cooper limited the amount of tax benefits recognized
and recorded a deferred tax valuation allowance of $51.6 million based on an
evaluation of the amount of capital loss carryforward that is expected to be
realized before it expires. The valuation allowance represents the excess of the
deferred tax asset arising from the capital loss carryforward over capital gains
recognized during the three years prior to the sale and anticipated capital
gains which could be generated in prudent feasible transactions prior to 2003.

     Acquisitions and Divestitures  During the last three calendar years,
Cooper's continuing operations have completed 27 acquisitions and two
significant divestitures. The acquisitions have been in complementary product
lines that enhance areas of strength, while the dispositions have been of
noncore or under-performing businesses. On May 30, 1997, Cooper completed the
sale of its Kirsch window treatment division for $216.0 million. For the five
months ended May 30, 1997, Kirsch had revenues of $97.4 million and operating
earnings of $4.8 million. The Kirsch operations are included in the continuing
operations of Cooper until the date of the sale. In addition, on

                                       A-1
<PAGE>   30

October 9, 1998, Cooper completed the sale of its Automotive Products segment
for $1.9 billion. The Automotive Products segment is reflected as a discontinued
operation in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

     Nonrecurring Income and Expenses  During the past three years, Cooper has
been transitioning into a business focused on higher growth and less volatility
concentrated in electrical products and tools and hardware products. On May 30,
1997, Cooper completed the sale of its Kirsch window treatment division, an
underperforming business that had migrated to more of a fashion business than
the basic manufacture of drapery hardware and did not fit with the core
electrical products and tools and hardware products businesses. Cooper realized
a gain from the sale of this business. On October 9, 1998, Cooper completed the
sale of its Automotive Products segment. In addition, over the past three years,
Cooper has been realigning its product lines and operations and positioning
itself to compete more efficiently in the global markets.

     In 1994, Cooper sold its Cameron Forged Products business to Wyman-Gordon
Corporation ("Wyman-Gordon") and received Wyman-Gordon common stock as part of
the consideration. In 1995, the Wyman-Gordon common stock was monetized through
the issuance of DECS(SM) (Debt Exchangeable for Common Stock). Cooper realized
gains from the sale of Cooper's marketable equity securities of Wyman-Gordon
during 1998 and 1997.

     In 1998, Cooper also initiated an acquisition of TLG plc. The acquisition
was not consummated as Cooper could not justify exceeding an offer made by
another company. However, Cooper realized a gain from the sale of common stock
it had acquired at its offer price.

     The nonrecurring gains before income taxes that Cooper recognized during
the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1998    1997
                                                                ------   -----
                                                                (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                             <C>      <C>
DECS(SM) and Wyman-Gordon common stock......................    $132.7   $23.2
TLG plc common stock........................................       2.5      --
Sale of Kirsch..............................................        --    69.8
                                                                ------   -----
                                                                $135.2   $93.0
                                                                ======   =====
</TABLE>

     By December 31, 1998, Cooper had sold all of its investments in marketable
equity securities.

     During the fourth quarter of 1998, Cooper announced a voluntary and
involuntary severance program and committed to consolidate several facilities.
While both the voluntary and involuntary severance programs were announced in
1998, the amount that could be accrued in 1998 was limited to severance relating
to personnel actually severed in the fourth quarter and the severance provided
by Cooper's written formal policies. During the first quarter of 1999, Cooper
completed the voluntary program and accrued an additional $5.8 million primarily
representing the voluntary severance program premium over the severance provided
under Cooper's established policies. Cooper also accrued $1.5 million related to
severance and other costs for facility closures announced during the first
quarter of 1999. The additional accruals during the first quarter of 1999
totaled $7.3 million. In addition, during the first quarter of 1999, Cooper
reduced legal accruals by $2.8 million related to the favorable settlement of
certain litigation concerning lead in mini-blinds and reassessment of the
required reserve. Cooper also reached agreement and received $.8 million under
an insurance policy related to the unsuccessful offer to acquire TLG plc in
1998. Since the original charge related to the litigation was included as a
nonrecurring item in the Tools & Hardware segment and the costs related to TLG
plc were reflected as a nonrecurring corporate item, the reversal of the accrual
and the reimbursement of the expenses were reflected as nonrecurring items. The
net nonrecurring items for the first quarter of 1999 resulted in a $3.7 million
charge before income taxes and an after tax charge of $2.4 million ($.02 per
diluted common share).

     In 1998, Cooper recorded a charge of $53.6 million for nonrecurring and
unusual items. Cooper completed its formal annual review of each of its
operations in the fourth quarter of 1998 and developed plans to strengthen the
competitiveness and efficiencies of each operation. In addition to the specific
plans for actions of each operation committed to by management during the fourth
quarter, Cooper also initiated and announced a voluntary and involuntary
severance program. Cooper has a formal written severance policy for salaried
personnel and, in certain operations, contractual severance obligations for
hourly personnel. While both the voluntary and involuntary severance programs
were announced in 1998, the amount that could be accrued in 1998 was limited to
severance relating to personnel actually severed in the fourth quarter and the
severance provided by established written policies. Cooper accrued a total of
$26.4 million in severance in the fourth quarter of 1998. Excluding positions
                                       A-2
<PAGE>   31

that will be eliminated but are not included in the severance accrual, a total
of 1,759 positions will be eliminated, affecting all divisions and the Corporate
office. Certain of the eliminated positions will be replaced by positions in
lower cost manufacturing locations. As of December 31, 1998, a total of 124
positions had been eliminated. At December 31, 1998, a total of $25.4 million of
the $26.4 million severance accrual remained to be expended.

     Cooper also recorded a charge of $11.1 million for impairment of the assets
of two electrical product lines. Market conditions, including increased
competition from imports, had reduced the profitability of both of these product
lines to negative amounts. Due to the inability to recover the investments on an
undiscounted cash flow basis, the long-lived assets were written down to the
estimated fair market value based on prices for similar assets. The reduction in
future depreciation expense as a result of the write-down was less than $2
million in 1999. Cooper also recorded $16.1 million in other charges, including
facility exit costs. At December 31, 1998, a total of $7.8 million of the $16.1
million accrual remained to be expended. The nonrecurring charges in 1998 when
combined with the nonrecurring gains result in a net $53.0 million gain after
income taxes ($.46 per diluted common share) from nonrecurring and unusual items
included in 1998 income from continuing operations.

     The following table reflects 1999 activity related to the first quarter
1999 and fourth quarter 1998 employee reduction and facility consolidation plan.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               NO. OF      ACCRUED      FACILITY
                                                              EMPLOYEES   SEVERANCE   CONSOLIDATION
                                                              ---------   -------------------------
                                                                                (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>         <C>
Balance at December 31, 1998................................    1,635      $ 25.4         $ 7.8
Voluntary Severance Program premium over normal severance...       --         5.8            --
Facility closings announced.................................      249         1.2            .3
Employees terminated........................................     (966)         --            --
Cash expenditures...........................................       --       (22.0)         (3.4)
                                                                -----      ------         -----
Balance December 31, 1999...................................      918      $ 10.4         $ 4.7
                                                                =====      ======         =====
</TABLE>

     Cooper anticipates incurring in excess of $11 million related to severance
costs, facility exit costs and disruptions to operations that could not be
accrued as of December 31, 1999. A majority of the $11 million relates to
operating inefficiencies, training, personnel and inventory relocation costs,
which are required to be expensed as incurred. These costs are expected to be
incurred throughout 2000 and are anticipated to be modestly less than the
savings from the anticipated cost reductions. Cooper anticipates that the
accrued severance and facility consolidation accruals will be expended during
2000 as terminated employees are paid, the additional employees leave the
employment of the Company and facility consolidations are completed. This
paragraph contains forward-looking statements and actual results may differ
materially. The statements are based on a number of assumptions, risks and
uncertainties including the number of employees actually severed, the timing of
the facility consolidations, the magnitude of any disruption from facility
consolidations and the ability to achieve the projected cost reductions. 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
Cooper's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     In 1997, Cooper incurred charges of $40.5 million for actions management
committed to during the period after concluding an evaluation of geographic
manufacturing and distribution facilities within the Tools & Hardware segment
and information systems relating to year 2000 compliance efforts. The 1997
charges included impairment in the carrying value of assets and abandonment of
assets of $24.2 million and accruals for continuing obligations for replaced
systems and facility consolidations of $16.3 million.

     Cooper began consolidating certain international manufacturing and
distribution facilities in the Tools & Hardware segment during 1997. Adjustments
to the carrying value of assets and accruals were recorded for projects
committed to by management. Severance and certain other costs related to
projects committed to by management were not expensed until the affected
employees were notified and the costs incurred. A majority of the consolidations
were announced and such costs were accrued and expensed during 1997. Cash
expenditures in 1998 for the payout of accrued severance and other expenditures
related to the consolidations were not significant. However, as the projects
were completed, Cooper incurred additional expenses from consolidation
disruptions to operations and additional consolidation expenses. These
additional expenses were expensed as incurred in 1997 and 1998 and were not
significant.

                                       A-3
<PAGE>   32

     During 1997, Cooper also assessed the ability of existing information
systems to function at the turn of the century. Three of Cooper's divisions
implemented new enterprise systems with the remaining divisions modifying or
replacing existing software. Where possible, businesses abandoned home-grown or
highly customized applications with purchased, year 2000 compliant replacements
or upgrades. In some situations, operations within a business abandoned existing
software and migrated to consolidated hardware and software that was year 2000
compliant. Where these solutions were not possible, businesses either contracted
with third parties or committed internal resources to ensure that all major
systems were year 2000 compliant. Cooper recorded a $28.5 million charge in 1997
primarily related to the adjustment in the carrying value of abandoned hardware
and software. While depreciation and amortization were reduced by the effect of
the write-down, depreciation and amortization of new systems and equipment, as
well as expenses incurred to revise current software to be year 2000 compliant
and implementation costs of new systems exceeded the reduction in depreciation
and amortization.

     The nonrecurring gains in 1997, combined with nonrecurring charges and a
$6.1 million income tax benefit related to the settlements of certain state
income tax matters, resulted in the inclusion in income from continuing
operations of a net nonrecurring gain of $39.1 million after income taxes ($.32
per diluted share).

     With the exception of the sale of the Automotive Products segment and
Kirsch, the actions committed to in the three years ended December 31, 1999 did
not have a significant continuing impact on revenues. The cost savings in 2000
are anticipated to exceed the additional expenses anticipated to be incurred by
less than $20 million and to be in excess of $40 million in years beyond 2000.
See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional
information on nonrecurring gains and charges. The statements concerning
anticipated cost savings are forward-looking and actual results may differ
materially. The statements are based on a number of assumptions, risks and
uncertainties including the number of employees actually severed, the timing of
facility consolidations, the magnitude of any disruption from facility
consolidations and the ability to achieve the projected cost reductions. 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
Cooper's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     Capitalization  Effective January 1, 1995, Cooper exchanged all of its
outstanding $1.60 Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock for $691.2 million of
7.05% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2015 and $3.8 million in cash
related to fractional shares. During the first half of 1997, Cooper redeemed all
of its outstanding 7.05% Convertible Subordinated Debentures with a total of
$610 million converted to approximately 14.8 million shares of Cooper Common
stock and approximately $80 million redeemed for cash.

     During 1997, Cooper purchased approximately 3.6 million shares of its
Common stock for $191.5 million. This action was taken to maintain Cooper's
debt-to-total capitalization ratio between 35% and 45%. During 1998, Cooper
repurchased approximately 26.9 million shares of its Common stock at a cost of
$1,348.1 million. A total of $1.0 billion of the purchases of Common stock in
1998 was directly related to the sale of the Automotive Products segment as
discussed under "The Impact of the Automotive Products Segment Divestiture". The
remaining 1998 Common stock repurchases were related to maintaining the
debt-to-total capitalization ratio in the targeted range and eliminating the
dilutive effect of Common stock issued under employee stock plans. During 1999,
Cooper repurchased 800,000 shares of its Common stock at a cost of $44.0 million
to eliminate the dilutive effect of Common stock issued under employee stock
plans. At December 31, 1999, Cooper's debt-to-total capitalization ratio was
38.4%.

                         YEAR 2000 AND EURO CONVERSION

YEAR 2000 SYSTEMS ASSESSMENTS AND PREPAREDNESS

     The Year 2000 problem arose because many information systems and devices
containing embedded technology use two digits rather than four digits to
identify a year. Calculations in date-sensitive systems using two digits could
result in system failures and errors that disrupt normal business operations
during the year 2000. As of December 31, 1999, Cooper is complete with its
efforts to remediate current systems or implement new systems that are year 2000
compliant. As a result of the Company's efforts during the three years ended
December 31, 1999, disruptions to normal business operations have not occurred
subsequent to December 31, 1999.

                                       A-4
<PAGE>   33

EURO CONVERSION

     On January 1, 1999, the euro became the common currency of eleven of the
fifteen member states of the European Union. The national currencies will remain
legal tender in the participating countries until mid-year 2002. During the dual
currency phase, businesses must be capable of conducting commercial transactions
in either the euro or the national currency. After the dual currency phase, all
businesses in participating countries must conduct all transactions in the euro
and must convert their financial records and reports to be euro based. The euro
introduction may affect cross-border competition by creating cross-border price
transparency, beginning with the dual currency phase on January 1, 1999.

     Cooper estimates that approximately 10% of its 1999 revenues came from
countries that adopted the euro. Cooper expects that the impact of the dual
currency phase will not be material to its results of operations. Cooper has
assessed its information technology systems and believes that they are capable
of meeting the dual currency phase requirements. Cooper is assessing the risk to
its business of the final phase of the euro conversion which begins during 2002,
and currently is unable to determine whether the final phase of the euro
conversion will have a material effect on Cooper's operations.

                             RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The financial information and discussions that follow, along with the
Consolidated Financial Statements and related footnotes, will aid in
understanding Cooper's results of operations as well as its financial position,
cash flows and indebtedness.

REVENUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ------------------------------
                                                                1999       1998       1997
                                                              --------   --------   --------
                                                                      (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Electrical Products.........................................  $3,060.9   $2,824.4   $2,568.3
Tools & Hardware............................................     808.0      826.8      749.9
                                                              --------   --------   --------
          Continuing Revenues...............................   3,868.9    3,651.2    3,318.2
Kirsch......................................................        --         --       97.4
                                                              --------   --------   --------
          Total Revenues....................................  $3,868.9   $3,651.2   $3,415.6
                                                              ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>

     1999 vs. 1998 Revenues  Revenues in 1999 increased 6% over 1998. After
excluding the effects of ten acquisitions, revenues were 2% ahead of the prior
year. The continuing strengthening of the U.S. dollar against most functional
currencies in which international operations conduct business reduced revenues
measured in U.S. dollars by approximately $43 million or 1% compared to 1998.

     Annual revenues for the Electrical Products segment increased 8% from the
prior year and contributed approximately 79% of Cooper's continuing revenues in
1999. Excluding recent acquisitions, segment revenues increased 5% from 1998.
All Electrical Products' businesses, except electrical construction materials,
improved revenues during 1999 over 1998. The strength of the U.S. economy and
new product introductions resulted in strong overall growth in North American
sales. European sales declined slightly primarily due to the strength of the
U.S. dollar. Sales of lighting fixtures benefited from a continued strong
residential and non-residential construction market and new product
introductions. Sales of circuit protection products and electrical components
benefited from increased sales to original equipment manufacturers. Increased
shipments of electrical distribution equipment following the fourth quarter 1998
implementation of a new business system, also contributed to the year-over-year
improvement.

     The Tools & Hardware segment contributed approximately 21% of Cooper's
continuing revenues in 1999. Revenues decreased 2% from the prior year. Without
the benefit of acquisitions, revenues declined 8% from the prior year. The
negative impact of translation reduced revenues for the year by approximately
2%. Assembly equipment sales, both domestically and internationally, increased
over the prior year. However, industrial tool sales to the aerospace industry
declined dramatically from the prior year and industrial tool markets were weak
throughout the year, both in North America and Europe.

                                       A-5
<PAGE>   34

     1998 vs. 1997 Revenues  Revenues in 1998 increased 10% over 1997, excluding
1997 Kirsch revenues. Excluding the impact of eleven 1998 acquisitions and the
carryover impact of 1997 acquisitions, continuing revenues for 1998 were flat
when compared to 1997. The continued strengthening of the U.S. dollar against
most functional currencies in which international operations conduct business
reduced revenues measured in U.S. dollars by approximately $23 million or 1%
compared to 1997. The strength of the dollar also had a negative unquantifiable
impact on export sales.

     Annual revenues for the Electrical Products segment increased 10% from the
prior year and contributed approximately 77% of Cooper's continuing revenues in
1998. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, revenues increased 1%. Revenue
increases across most electrical businesses were strong early in the year. While
demand for lighting fixtures remained strong in the later part of the year,
beginning in the second quarter of 1998, demand for electrical construction
materials and electrical distribution equipment softened. Demand for power
systems equipment and electrical construction materials was negatively impacted
by the global decline in energy and natural resources projects and the
interruption of growth in Southeast Asia. Revenues were also negatively impacted
by a weak year end buy-in of fuses by distributors to meet annual volume
incentives and disruptions in shipments and the resultant build of backlog of
electrical distribution equipment as a new enterprise-wide business system was
placed in service at the power systems operation.

     The Tools & Hardware segment contributed approximately 23% of Cooper's
continuing revenues in 1998. Revenues increased 10% over the prior year.
Excluding the benefit of 1998 acquisitions, revenues decreased 3% compared to
1997. Lower shipments to domestic aerospace and automotive manufacturers and
softness in the industrial and electronic markets resulted in the year-to-year
decrease. Improved hand tool demand from consumer markets, strong demand for
assembly equipment from international markets and new products provided a
partial offset. Revenues were also unfavorably impacted by the implementation of
new enterprise-wide business systems at both operations that comprise the Tools
& Hardware segment.

SEGMENT OPERATING EARNINGS

     Cooper measures the performance of its businesses exclusive of nonrecurring
charges and financing expenses. All costs directly attributable to operating
businesses are included in segment operating earnings. Corporate overhead costs,
including costs of centrally managed functions, such as treasury, are not
allocated to the businesses. See Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.

     Historically, Kirsch was part of the Tools & Hardware segment. Effective
with the decision to divest this operation, its results were segregated from the
continuing Tools & Hardware segment for internal management reporting.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ------------------------
                                                               1999     1998     1997
                                                              ------   ------   ------
                                                                   (IN MILLIONS)
Segment Operating Earnings (internal management reporting --
     excludes nonrecurring gains and charges):
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>      <C>
Electrical Products.........................................  $516.7   $479.0   $461.6
Tools & Hardware............................................    97.9    112.4     99.6
                                                              ------   ------   ------
          Continuing Segment Operating Earnings.............   614.6    591.4    561.2
Kirsch......................................................      --       --      4.8
                                                              ------   ------   ------
          Total Segment Operating Earnings..................  $614.6   $591.4   $566.0
                                                              ======   ======   ======
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>      <C>
Nonrecurring Gains and (Charges):

Electrical Products.........................................  $ (3.0)  $(42.6)  $(15.9)
Tools & Hardware............................................    (4.3)    (8.7)   (22.5)
                                                              ------   ------   ------
          Continuing Segments...............................    (7.3)   (51.3)   (38.4)
Kirsch......................................................     2.8       --     69.8
                                                              ------   ------   ------
          Total.............................................  $ (4.5)  $(51.3)  $ 31.4
                                                              ======   ======   ======
</TABLE>

                                       A-6
<PAGE>   35

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                --------------------------
                                                                  1999      1998     1997
                                                                --------   ------   ------
                                                                      (IN MILLIONS)
Segment Operating Earnings (generally accepted accounting
               principles -- includes nonrecurring gains
               and charges):
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>      <C>
Electrical Products..........................................    $513.7    $436.4   $445.7
Tools & Hardware.............................................      93.6     103.7     77.1
                                                                 ------    ------   ------
          Continuing Segment Operating Earnings..............     607.3     540.1    522.8
Kirsch.......................................................       2.8        --     74.6
                                                                 ------    ------   ------
          Total Segment Operating Earnings...................    $610.1    $540.1   $597.4
                                                                 ======    ======   ======
</TABLE>

     1999 vs. 1998 Segment Operating Earnings  Segment operating earnings in
1999 included nonrecurring charges of $7.3 million for accruals for the
voluntary severance program premium, which could not be accrued when the program
was initiated in the fourth quarter of 1998 and involuntary severance and other
costs for facility closures announced during 1999. These charges are offset by a
$2.8 million reduction in legal accruals related to favorable settlement of
certain litigation concerning lead in mini-blinds and reassessment of the
required reserve. Segment operating earnings in 1998 included nonrecurring
charges of $51.3 million for adjustments to the carrying value of assets,
accruals for facility consolidations and related severance and other obligations
committed to by management. See "Nonrecurring Income and Expenses" in the
"Overview" section and Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Excluding nonrecurring charges, segment operating earnings for 1999 increased 4%
over 1998. Acquisitions contributed approximately $17 million or 3% to the
increase in segment operating earnings over the prior year. The continuing
strengthening of the U.S. dollar against most functional currencies in which
international operations conduct business reduced segment operating earnings
approximately $5 million or 1% compared to 1998.

     The Electrical Products segment operating earnings, excluding nonrecurring
charges, increased 8% to $516.7 million from $479.0 million last year. Excluding
the incremental effect of acquisitions, segment operating earnings were up 6%
compared to last year. The operating earnings increase was driven mainly by
increased sales of lighting products into the residential and non-residential
construction markets and greater shipments of circuit protection and electrical
components. Also contributing to the improvement in operating earnings were the
benefits of cost reduction programs. The decline in shipments of hazardous
construction materials and inefficiencies in the electrical distribution
equipment business as the business implemented a new information system held
down the increases for the segment as a whole. Excluding nonrecurring items,
return on revenues was 16.9% in 1999 versus 17.0% in 1998. Excluding recently
acquired businesses, the return on revenues was 17.1% in 1999.

     The Tools & Hardware segment operating earnings, excluding nonrecurring
charges, reflected a 13% decline from last year. Without the benefit of
acquisitions, operating earnings were 19% below the prior year. The increase in
assembly equipment shipments over the prior year and the decrease in highly
engineered industrial tools had a negative impact on product mix and resulting
earnings. Also impacting operating earnings were manufacturing inefficiencies as
operations adjusted to lower levels of production and from disruptions related
to restructuring projects. Translation of international earnings reduced segment
operating earnings approximately 2% compared to 1998. Excluding nonrecurring
items, return on revenues decreased to 12.1% in 1999 compared to 13.6% in 1998.
Recent acquisitions had a nominal impact. The decrease is primarily attributable
to an unfavorable product mix and manufacturing inefficiencies as operations
adjusted to lower levels of production and disruptions related to restructuring
projects.

     1998 vs. 1997 Segment Operating Earnings  Segment operating earnings in
1998 included nonrecurring charges of $51.3 million for adjustments to the
carrying value of assets, accruals for facility consolidations and related
severance and other obligations committed to by management. Segment operating
earnings in 1997 included nonrecurring charges of $38.4 million and a $69.8
million gain on the sale of Kirsch. See "Nonrecurring Income and Expenses" in
the "Overview" section and Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Excluding nonrecurring charges from 1998 and nonrecurring gains and charges from
1997, continuing segment operating earnings for 1998 increased 4% over 1997.
Excluding Kirsch from 1997 results, segment operating earnings increased 5% over
1997. Acquisitions contributed approximately $43 million or 8% to the segment
operating earnings over the prior year.

     The Electrical Products segment operating earnings, excluding nonrecurring
charges of $42.6 million in 1998 and $15.9 million in 1997, improved 4% over the
prior year and contributed 81% of Cooper's continuing segment
                                       A-7
<PAGE>   36

operating earnings. Acquisitions contributed approximately $28 million of the
increase in earnings before nonrecurring items in 1998. Increased sales volume,
performance improvements at the lighting products operations and contribution
from recent acquisitions were the primary sources of earnings growth in 1998.
Excluding the impact of acquisitions, operating earnings of substantially all
electrical products businesses began the year with strong incremental
improvement over the prior year. Beginning in the second quarter of 1998, the
softening of demand for certain power systems equipment and electrical
construction materials began to negatively impact comparable operating earnings.
This trend continued in the second half of the year with indications of a more
stable environment in the fourth quarter of 1998. The weak year end buy-in of
fuses and the disruption of shipments of electrical distribution equipment from
the implementation of new business systems also had a negative impact on the
comparable operating earnings. Excluding nonrecurring items, return on revenues
was 17% in 1998 versus 18% in 1997. Approximately half of the decrease in return
on revenues was driven by the addition of acquisitions with lower returns on
revenues. The remaining decrease was the result of the increase in sales of
lighting fixtures, which carry a lower return on sales than the average, the
slowing demand for higher margin construction materials and certain power
distribution equipment and costs associated with the implementation of a
business enterprise system for the power systems operations.

     The Tools & Hardware segment operating earnings, excluding nonrecurring
items of $8.7 million in 1998 and $22.5 million in 1997, increased 13% from 1997
and contributed 19% of continuing segment operating earnings. Acquisitions
contributed approximately $15 million in earnings in 1998. Excluding the impact
of acquisitions, operating earnings began the year with relatively strong
incremental earnings over the prior year. Softening demand in the industrial and
electronic markets and in the aerospace and automotive markets negatively
impacted year-over-year performance in the later half of the year. Excluding
nonrecurring items, return on revenues increased to 13.6%, up three tenths of a
point from the prior year. Acquisitions contributed a small portion of the
increase in return on revenues with the remainder of the increase primarily
driven by the favorable product mix in the first half of 1998, partially offset
by costs associated with the implementation of new enterprise-wide business
systems.

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -------------------------
                                                               1999     1998      1997
                                                              ------   -------   ------
                                                                    (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>       <C>
Segment Operating Earnings(1)...............................  $610.1   $ 540.1   $597.4
General Corporate:
  Nonrecurring Gains........................................      .8     135.2     23.2
  Nonrecurring Charges......................................      --      (2.3)    (2.1)
  Expense...................................................   (37.1)    (47.5)   (44.9)
Interest Expense, net.......................................   (55.2)   (101.9)   (90.4)
                                                              ------   -------   ------
  Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes.....  $518.6   $ 523.6   $483.2
                                                              ======   =======   ======
</TABLE>

- ---------------

(1) Includes nonrecurring gains and nonrecurring charges.

     Nonrecurring Gains and Nonrecurring Charges  See "Nonrecurring Income and
Expenses" in the "Overview" section and Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.

     General Corporate Expense  General corporate expenses, excluding
nonrecurring items, decreased $10.4 million in 1999. Reductions in personnel
following the fourth quarter of 1998 divestiture of the Automotive Products
segment, cost reduction efforts and lower benefit costs were the primary
contributors to the reduction. General corporate expenses, excluding
nonrecurring items, increased $2.6 million in 1998 over 1997 reflecting the
impact of inflation on compensation and other expenses. Cost reductions related
to the Automotive Products segment divestiture did not significantly impact the
comparability of 1998 expense to 1997 due to the transaction activities
subsequent to the sale.

     Interest Expense, net  Interest expense, net decreased in 1999 to $55.2
million from $101.9 million in 1998 primarily as a result of utilizing $900
million of the Automotive Products sale proceeds to reduce debt. Interest
expense, net, increased in 1998 to $101.9 million from $90.4 million in 1997 as
additional debt incurred to fund acquisitions and stock repurchases more than
offset the impact of the conversion during 1997 of $610 million of Cooper's
7.05% Convertible Subordinated Debentures to Cooper Common stock. The timing of
Common stock

                                       A-8
<PAGE>   37

repurchases and debt repayments related to the use of the proceeds from the sale
of the Automotive Products segment resulted in significant fluctuations in the
total debt of Cooper at specific points in time during 1998.

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     Income from continuing operations before and after income taxes and diluted
earnings per share from continuing operations are not comparable between 1999
and 1998 due to the sale of the Automotive Products segment in the fourth
quarter of 1998 and the use of the proceeds to repurchase Cooper Common stock
and repay debt. Cooper estimates that the effects of the utilization of the
proceeds and lower expenses resulting from the divestiture substantially
replaced the earnings per share of the Automotive Products segment in 1999.
Cooper believes that the only meaningful comparison of the results for 1999 to
1998 is the comparison of the diluted earnings per share for 1999 to the diluted
earnings per share inclusive of the Automotive Products segment earnings per
share in 1998.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                -------------------------------------
                                                                  1999          1998          1997
                                                                ---------     ---------     ---------
                                                                (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                             <C>           <C>           <C>
Income from continuing operations before income taxes.......     $518.6        $523.6        $483.2
  Excluding nonrecurring items..............................     $522.3        $442.0        $430.7

Income taxes................................................     $186.7        $187.7        $173.2
  Excluding nonrecurring items..............................     $188.0        $159.1        $159.8

Income from continuing operations...........................     $331.9        $335.9        $310.0
  Excluding nonrecurring items..............................     $334.3        $282.9        $270.9

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations.......     $ 3.50        $ 2.93        $ 2.57
  Excluding nonrecurring items..............................     $ 3.52        $ 2.47        $ 2.25

Diluted earnings per share -- net income....................     $ 3.50        $ 3.69        $ 3.26
  Excluding nonrecurring items..............................     $ 3.52        $ 3.23        $ 3.16
</TABLE>

     1999 vs. 1998 Income from Continuing Operations  Income from continuing
operations before income taxes for 1999, excluding net nonrecurring items,
increased 18% to $522.3 million from $442.0 million in 1998.

     The effective tax rate for 1999 was 36.0%, which was comparable to the 1998
rate of 35.8%. Excluding income taxes on both 1999 and 1998 nonrecurring items,
the effective tax rates for 1999 and 1998 was 36.0%.

     Excluding the net after-tax impact from nonrecurring items in both years,
income from continuing operations increased 18% to $334.3 million from $282.9
million in 1998. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased
19% to $3.50 from $2.93 in 1998. Excluding the net nonrecurring item impacts of
$(.02) per share in 1999 and $.46 per share in 1998, diluted earnings per share
from continuing operations increased 43%. Diluted earnings per share -- net
income decreased 5% in 1999. Excluding nonrecurring items diluted earnings per
share -- net income increased 9% in 1999.

     1998 vs. 1997 Income from Continuing Operations  Income from continuing
operations before income taxes for 1998, excluding net nonrecurring gains,
increased 3% to $442.0 million from $430.7 million in 1997. The Automotive
Products segment divestiture, as discussed in the Overview section, interest
expense on Common stock repurchases and nonrecurring items all had significant
impacts on the comparability of income from continuing operations before income
taxes.

     The effective tax rate for 1998 was unchanged from the 1997 rate of 35.8%.
Excluding income taxes on both 1998 and 1997 nonrecurring items and the 1997 tax
benefit related to the favorable settlements of several state income tax issues,
the effective tax rates for 1998 and 1997 were 36.0% and 37.1%, respectively.
This rate reduction resulted from Cooper's ongoing tax planning efforts.

     Income from continuing operations increased 8% over the 1997 level.
Excluding the net after-tax impact from nonrecurring items in both years, income
from continuing operations increased 4% to $282.9 million from $270.9 million in
1997. Increased segment operating earnings more than offset higher interest
expense contributing to the earnings increase. Diluted earnings per share from
continuing operations increased 14% over the 1997 level. Excluding the net
nonrecurring item impacts of $.46 per share in 1998 and $.32 per share in 1997,
diluted earnings

                                       A-9
<PAGE>   38

per share from continuing operations increased 10%. The Automotive Products
segment divestiture, as discussed in the Overview section, interest expense on
Common stock repurchases and nonrecurring items all had significant impacts on
the comparability of income from continuing operations and earnings per share.

PERCENTAGE OF REVENUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ------------------------
                                                               1999     1998     1997
                                                              ------   ------   ------
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>      <C>
Revenues....................................................  100.0%   100.0%   100.0%
Cost of Sales...............................................   67.3%    67.0%    66.8%
Selling and Administrative..................................   16.6%    16.9%    17.0%
</TABLE>

     1999 vs. 1998 Percentage of Revenues  Cost of sales, as a percentage of
revenues, in 1999 increased three tenths of a point from 1998. Recent
acquisitions increased cost of sales as a percentage of revenues two tenths of a
point in 1999. The remaining increase is primarily related to expenses from
reorganization activities and related production inefficiencies and lower
absorption of overhead costs due to reduced production levels in the Tools &
Hardware segment. Selling and administrative expenses, as a percentage of
revenues, were lower than the prior year by three tenths of a point. This
reduction in selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues for
1999 was primarily due to reduced corporate expenses following the fourth
quarter 1998 divestiture of the Automotive Products business and cost
improvement efforts, somewhat offset by the loss of leverage from lower revenues
in the Tools & Hardware segment.

     1998 vs. 1997 Percentage of Revenues  Cost of sales, as a percentage of
revenues, increased to 67.0% in 1998 from 66.8% in 1997. An unfavorable product
mix, competitive conditions for certain electrical product lines and higher
manufacturing costs related to implementation of new business systems in several
businesses accounted for the increase. Selling and administrative expenses
decreased slightly as a percentage of revenues. Excluding Kirsch in 1997, which
had relatively higher selling and administrative expenses, selling and
administrative expenses increased slightly as a result of softness in revenues
in certain of the Electrical Products segment businesses.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS -- AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS SEGMENT

     1998 vs. 1997 Revenues  Revenues for the discontinued Automotive Products
segment from January 1, 1998 through October 9, 1998, the date of sale of the
business, were $1,449.4 million compared to full year revenues for 1997 of
$1,873.2 million. Market conditions prior to the sale reflected increased sales
to worldwide original equipment manufacturers and improved steering and
suspension sales offset by weak domestic aftermarket demand in most product
lines. The net impact of the exchange of the temperature control business for
the brake business of Standard Motor Products ("SMP") resulted in lower revenues
during the period as a result of disruption in the marketplace during the
transition. Also, revenues were affected by the bankruptcy of a large customer
significantly reducing sales volume to this customer compared to 1997. In total,
revenues for a comparable period in 1997 decreased approximately 1%.

     1998 vs. 1997 Segment Operating Earnings  The discontinued Automotive
Products segment operating earnings from January 1, 1998 through October 9, 1998
were $143.7 million compared to $186.9 million, excluding nonrecurring charges,
for the 1997 fiscal year. In comparison to a comparable period in 1997,
operating earnings were slightly lower in 1998 than the prior year. The exchange
of the temperature control business for the brake business of SMP had a
significant impact on the comparability of operating earnings. The temperature
control business typically had operating losses in the first and fourth quarters
of each year with the majority of the operating earnings occurring in the second
and third quarters. The comparability of the 1998 operating earnings to 1997 was
also impacted by the increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts related to
a customer that filed for bankruptcy in 1998 and the settlement of litigation
matters.

     Segment operating earnings in 1997 including nonrecurring charges were
$143.5 million. During 1997, the Automotive Products segment incurred charges of
$43.4 million for actions management committed to during the period after
concluding an evaluation of certain sales, marketing and distribution activities
and information systems relating to year 2000 compliance efforts. The 1997
charges included adjustments to the carrying value of assets of $30.6 million
and accruals for obligations for replaced systems and facility consolidations of
$12.8 million. Adjustments to the carrying value of assets and accruals were
recorded for projects committed to by management. Severance and certain other
costs related to projects committed to by management are not expensed until the

                                      A-10
<PAGE>   39

affected employees are notified. A majority of the consolidations were announced
and such costs were accrued and expensed during 1997. The remaining committed
but unannounced consolidations did not result in significant additional
expenses.

     During 1997, Cooper began negotiations with SMP to exchange the Automotive
Products segment's temperature control business for the brake products business
owned by SMP. The 1997 nonrecurring charge includes adjustments to the carrying
value of the assets of the Automotive Products segment's remanufacturing
businesses, including a portion of the temperature control business, which were
in the process of being divested. The exchange of the Automotive Products
segment's temperature control business for the brake products business of SMP
was completed on March 28, 1998. For accounting purposes, the exchange
transaction was recorded as the sale of the Automotive Products segment's
temperature control business and the purchase of the SMP's brake business. The
fair market values of the temperature control business assets were equal to the
net book value of the assets after the write-down of the assets in 1997.

     During 1997, the Automotive Products segment also assessed the impact of
existing system capabilities to function at the turn of the century. One
division implemented a new enterprise system and the other division revised and
upgraded existing software to be year 2000 compliant. Where possible, businesses
have abandoned homegrown or highly customized applications and purchased year
2000 compliant replacements or upgrades. In some situations, operations within a
business abandoned existing software and migrated to consolidated hardware and
software that is year 2000 compliant. A $15.1 million charge was recorded in
1997 primarily related to the adjustment in the carrying value of abandoned
hardware and software.

     1998 vs. 1997 Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Taxes  Income
from discontinued operations, net of taxes, from January 1, 1998 through the
October 9, 1998 sale date, was $87.1 million ($.76 per diluted share) compared
to $84.6 million ($.69 per diluted share) for the 1997 fiscal year. Excluding
nonrecurring charges of $26.9 million ($.22 per diluted share), income from
discontinued operations, net of taxes, in 1997 was $111.5 million ($.91 per
diluted share).

EARNINGS OUTLOOK

     The following sets forth Cooper's general business outlook for 2000, based
on current expectations. The comparative figures for 2000 include the effects of
acquisitions made during 1999 and exclude 1999 nonrecurring items.

     Cooper expects revenues and operating earnings for the Electrical Products
segment to increase by ten to fifteen percent. Revenues and operating earnings
for the Tools & Hardware segment are expected to be relatively unchanged from
the prior year.

     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: (1)
modest growth in the domestic economy; (2) a modest improvement in European
markets; (3) a modest increase in construction spending worldwide; (4) no
significant change in raw material costs; (5) realization of anticipated
benefits of cost reduction programs; and (6) no significant adverse changes in
the relationship of the U.S. dollar to the currencies of countries in which
Cooper does business. 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 Cooper's periodic filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

PRICING AND VOLUME

     In each of Cooper's segments, the nature of many of the products sold is
such that an accurate determination of the changes in unit volume of sales is
neither practical nor, in some cases, meaningful. Each segment produces a family
of products, within which there exist considerable variations in size,
configuration and other characteristics.

     It is Cooper's judgment that, excluding the year-to-year effects of
acquisitions and divestitures, unit volume increased in the Electrical Products
segment and decreased in the Tools & Hardware segment in 1999.

     During the three-year period ending in 1999, Cooper was unable to increase
prices to fully offset cost increases in selected product offerings in both
segments. Cooper has been able to control costs through manufacturing
improvements and other actions during this period so that the inability to
increase prices has not significantly affected profitability in the segments.

                                      A-11
<PAGE>   40

EFFECT OF INFLATION

     During each year, inflation has had a relatively minor effect on Cooper's
results of operations. This is true primarily for three reasons. First, in
recent years, the rate of inflation in Cooper's primary markets has been fairly
low. Second, Cooper makes extensive use of the LIFO method of accounting for
inventories. The LIFO method results in current inventory costs being matched
against current sales dollars, such that inflation affects earnings on a current
basis. Finally, many of the assets and liabilities included in Cooper's
Consolidated Balance Sheets are recorded in connection with business
combinations that are accounted for as purchases. At the time of such
acquisitions, the assets and liabilities are adjusted to fair market value and,
therefore, the cumulative long-term effect of inflation is reduced.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

  Operating Working Capital

     For purposes of this discussion, operating working capital is defined as
receivables and inventories less accounts payable.

     In 1999, operating working capital, as reported in the Consolidated Balance
Sheet, increased $135 million. A majority of the increase resulted from recent
acquisitions. Operating working capital turnover for 1999 of 4.6 turns declined
from 5.0 turns in 1998. Higher operating working capital levels to support
consolidation and cost reduction programs in several businesses and the impact
of the new business system implementation at one of the electrical product
businesses offset the benefits from ongoing improvement programs.

     In 1998, operating working capital increased $97 million, driven by
increases in receivables and inventories of $30 million and $49 million,
respectively, and a $19 million decrease in accounts payable. Operating working
capital turnover for 1998 declined to 5.0 turns from 5.3 turns in 1997. The
decline in operating working capital turnover was due to the timing of accounts
payable disbursements and a build up of inventories as a result of implementing
new business systems. Excluding 1998 acquisition activity, the increase in
operating working capital was driven primarily by the timing of accounts payable
disbursements.

     In 1997, operating working capital increased $31 million. Excluding
acquisitions consummated in December 1997, operating working capital decreased
$18 million primarily as a result of a $46 million decrease in inventories
offset by a $26 million decrease in accounts payable. Excluding the impact of
the December 1997 acquisitions, operating working capital turns increased from
4.9 to 5.3 turns in 1997, an 8% improvement.

  Cash Flows

     Net cash provided by operating activities in 1999 totaled $402 million.
These funds, along with $149 million in cash received from the disposition of
the Automotive Products segment, $31 million in cash received from the exercise
of stock options and a net increase in debt of $182 million were used to fund
capital expenditures of $166 million, acquisitions of $435 million, share
repurchases of $44 million and dividends of $124 million.

     Net cash provided by continuing operating activities in 1998 totaled $333
million as cash generated from earnings was more than sufficient to offset
increases in operating working capital. These funds, along with the $1.9 billion
in proceeds from the Automotive Products segment sale and cash received from the
exercise of stock options of $42 million were used to fund acquisitions of $294
million, capital expenditures of $142 million, dividends of $149 million,
acquisitions of treasury stock of $1,348 million and a net reduction in total
debt of $347 million.

     Net cash provided by continuing operating activities in 1997 totaled $325
million. These funds, along with $216 million in proceeds from the sale of
Kirsch, an increase in debt of $213 million (net of acquisition related assumed
debt) and $74 million provided by discontinued operations were used to finance
net cash outflows for acquisitions of $366 million, capital expenditures of $117
million, dividends of $157 million and purchases of Cooper's Common stock of
$192 million.

     Cooper currently anticipates a continuation of its long-term ability to
annually generate in excess of $200 million in cash flow available for
acquisitions, debt repayment and common stock repurchases. The preceding
sentence contains forward-looking information, and actual results may differ
materially. The statement is based on certain assumptions risks and
uncertainties, including no significant change in the composition of Cooper's
business segments, no material change in the amount of revenues and no
significant adverse changes in the relationship of

                                      A-12
<PAGE>   41

the U.S. dollar to the currencies of countries in which Cooper does business.
The statement also assumes, without limitation, no significant change in
competitive conditions and such other risk factors as are discussed from time to
time in Cooper's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     In connection with accounting for purchase business combinations, Cooper
records, to the extent appropriate, accruals for the costs of closing duplicate
facilities, severing redundant personnel and integrating the acquired businesses
into existing Cooper operations. At December 31, 1999, Cooper had accruals
totaling $10.8 million related to these activities. Cash flows from operating
activities for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999, is
reduced by the amounts expended on the various accruals established in
connection with each acquisition. Cooper spent $4.8 million, $5.7 million and
$4.9 million in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. See Note 6 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

  Debt

     During 1996, Cooper filed a shelf registration statement for $300 million
of medium-term notes and issued $50 million of five-year notes. During 1998,
Cooper issued the remaining $250 million of five-year notes at an average
interest rate of 6.2% under the existing shelf registration statement. During
1999, Cooper completed a shelf registration statement to issue up to $500
million of debt securities. At December 31, 1999, all $500 million of the shelf
registration was available to be issued.

     During 1997, Cooper called for redemption its 7.05% Convertible
Subordinated Debentures. Cooper retired all $690 million of the outstanding
debentures. Of these debentures, a total of $610 million was converted to
approximately 14.8 million shares of Cooper Common stock and approximately $80
million was redeemed for cash.

     Cooper has targeted a 35% to 45% debt-to-total capitalization ratio and
intends to utilize cash flows to maintain a minimum debt-to-capitalization ratio
of approximately 35%. Excess cash will be utilized to purchase shares of
Cooper's Common stock or fund acquisitions. The ratio of debt-to-total
capitalization was 38.4%, 36.5% and 35.4% at year-end 1999, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.

  Capital Expenditures and Commitments

     Capital expenditures on projects to reduce product costs, improve product
quality, increase manufacturing efficiency and operating flexibility, or expand
product capacity were $166 million in 1999, $142 million in 1998 and $117
million in 1997. Capital expenditures for 1999 and 1998 included significant
expenditures for new systems implementations. Projected capital expenditures for
2000 are anticipated to exceed 1999 expenditures by approximately 25%. The
projected high level of capital expenditures in 2000 results from two large
manufacturing facilities in Mexico that are currently under construction. The
2000 anticipated capital spending represents approximately 54% for various
cost-reduction and capacity-maintenance projects, including machinery and
equipment modernization and enhancement and computer hardware and software
projects; 14% for capacity expansion; 7% related to environmental matters; and
25% for other items.

INTEREST RATE AND FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK

     Changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates affect
Cooper's earnings and cash flows. In certain countries where Cooper has
significant investments and where practical, debt is either borrowed in the
local functional currency or foreign currency forward contracts are entered into
to, in effect, exchange U.S. dollar denominated debt into local functional
currency debt. Borrowing in local functional currencies reduces the cash flow
risk as a significant portion of cash flows generated by the operations are
utilized to pay interest and principal on the debt and generally results in
favorable local tax considerations. The earnings risk is also reduced since
interest expense is in the same currency as the operating earnings that are
generated.

     Cooper uses forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce the risk
associated with changes in the exchange rates for firm commitments, where a
product is manufactured or purchased in one country and sold or consumed in the
manufacturing process in another country. Cooper's policy is to hedge firm
commitments to eliminate this risk if natural hedges do not exist. Substantially
all forward contracts expire within one year. Cooper believes that the effects
of currency movements on the respective underlying hedged transactions offset
any gain or loss on forward exchange contracts.

                                      A-13
<PAGE>   42

     The table below provides information about Cooper's financial instruments
at December 31, 1999 that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. The table
presents principal cash flows by expected maturity dates and weighted average
interest rates for debt obligations.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 2000     2001      2002       2003       2004      THEREAFTER     TOTAL
                                 ----     -----     -----     ------     ------     ----------     ------
                                                     (IN MILLIONS, WHERE APPLICABLE)
<S>                              <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>
Long-term debt:
  Fixed rate...................  $1.6     $51.8     $61.0     $153.8     $  0.5       $349.8       $618.5
  Average interest rate........   6.3%      6.3%      6.4%       6.5%       6.5%         6.5%         6.3%
  Variable rate................  $0.5     $ 0.5     $ 0.5     $  0.5     $220.5       $ 55.6       $278.1
  Average interest rate........   6.1%      6.1%      6.1%       6.1%       5.9%         5.0%         6.1%
</TABLE>

     Information about Cooper's foreign currency forward contracts in excess of
$5 million at December 31, 1999 is presented below. The contracts mature during
2000. The notional amount is used to calculate the contractual payments to be
exchanged under the contracts. The notional amount represents the U.S. dollar
equivalent.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           2000
                                                              -------------------------------
                                                              (IN MILLIONS, WHERE APPLICABLE)
<S>                                                           <C>
U.S. Dollar Functional Currency
- -------------------------------
Sell U.S. Dollars/Buy German Deutschemark
  Notional amount...........................................               $6.1
  Average contract rate.....................................                .52
</TABLE>

     The table below provides information about Cooper's financial instruments
at December 31, 1998 that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. The table
presents principal cash flows by expected maturity dates and weighted average
interest rates for debt obligations.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 1999      2000      2001      2002       2003      THEREAFTER     TOTAL
                                 ----     ------     -----     -----     ------     ----------     ------
                                                     (IN MILLIONS, WHERE APPLICABLE)
<S>                              <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>            <C>
Long-term debt:
  Fixed rate...................  $2.3     $  1.2     $51.1     $60.7     $153.2       $348.7       $617.2
  Average interest rate........   6.3%       6.3%      6.4%      6.4%       6.5%         6.6%         6.4%
  Variable rate................  $4.0     $100.5     $ 0.5     $ 0.5     $  0.9       $ 57.2       $163.6
  Average interest rate........   5.3%       5.3%      5.4%      5.3%       5.3%         5.4%         5.3%
</TABLE>

                                      A-14
<PAGE>   43

     The table below provides information about Cooper's foreign currency
forward contracts in excess of $5 million at December 31, 1998. The contracts
matured during 1999. The table presents the notional amounts and weighted
average exchange rates. These notional amounts are used to calculate the
contractual payments exchanged under the contracts. All amounts are presented in
U.S. dollar equivalents.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           1999
                                                              -------------------------------
                                                              (IN MILLIONS, WHERE APPLICABLE)
<S>                                                           <C>
U.S. Dollar Functional Currency
- -------------------------------
Buy German Deutschemark/Sell U.S. Dollars
  Notional amount...........................................              $132.2
  Average contract rate.....................................                 .61
Sell German Deutschemark/Buy U.S. Dollars
  Notional amount...........................................              $162.3
  Average contract rate.....................................                 .60
Buy Pounds Sterling/Sell U.S. Dollars
  Notional amount...........................................              $107.8
  Average contract rate.....................................                1.65
Sell Pounds Sterling/Buy U.S. Dollars
  Notional amount...........................................              $175.3
  Average contract rate.....................................                1.66
Canadian Dollar Functional Currency
- -----------------------------------
Buy U.S. Dollars/Sell Canadian Dollars
  Notional amount...........................................              $ 18.4
  Average contract rate.....................................                 .65
German Deutschemark Functional Currency
- ---------------------------------------
Sell Pounds Sterling/Buy German Deutschemark
  Notional amount...........................................              $  7.8
  Average contract rate.....................................                 .61
</TABLE>

     See Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional
information regarding the fair value of Cooper's financial instruments.

                      RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

     See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                      A-15
<PAGE>   44

                              REPORT OF MANAGEMENT

     The management of Cooper Industries is responsible for the preparation,
integrity and fair presentation of the accompanying Consolidated Financial
Statements. The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and, as such, include
amounts based on informed estimates and judgments of management. Management also
prepared the other information included in the 2000 Proxy Statement and is
responsible for its accuracy and consistency with the Consolidated Financial
Statements.

     The Consolidated Financial Statements have been audited by an independent
accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, which was given unrestricted access to all
financial records and related data, including minutes of meetings of
shareholders, the Board of Directors and committees of the Board. Management
believes that all representations made to the independent auditors during their
audit were valid and appropriate.

     Cooper maintains a system of internal control designed to provide
reasonable assurance to Cooper's management and Board of Directors that assets
are safeguarded against loss; transactions are authorized, executed and recorded
in accordance with management's instructions; and accounting records are
reliable for preparing published financial statements. The system of internal
control includes: a documented organizational structure and division of
responsibility; regular management review of financial performance and internal
control activities; comprehensive written policies and procedures (including a
code of conduct to foster a sound ethical climate) that are communicated
throughout Cooper; and the careful selection, training and development of
employees. Cooper's internal audit department monitors the operation of the
internal control system and reports findings and recommendations to management
and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Prompt corrective action is
taken to address control deficiencies and other opportunities for improving the
internal control system.

     The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which is composed entirely
of directors who are not employees of Cooper, meets periodically with
management, the independent auditors, and the director of internal audit to
discuss the adequacy of internal control and to review accounting, reporting,
auditing and other internal control matters. The internal and independent
auditors have unrestricted access to the Audit Committee.

<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>

/s/ H. John Riley, Jr.                         /s/ D. Bradley McWilliams
H. John Riley, Jr.                             D. Bradley McWilliams
Chairman, President and                        Senior Vice President and
Chief Executive Officer                        Chief Financial Officer
</TABLE>

                                      A-16
<PAGE>   45

                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Cooper Industries, Inc.

     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cooper
Industries, Inc. as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the related consolidated
income statements and statements of shareholders' equity and cash flows for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.

     We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.

     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Cooper
Industries, Inc. at December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the consolidated results of
its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1999, in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States.

                                    /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Houston, Texas
January 27, 2000

                                      A-17
<PAGE>   46

                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

                         CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ------------------------------------
                                                                 1999         1998         1997
                                                              ----------   ----------   ----------
                                                              (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>          <C>
Revenues....................................................   $3,868.9     $3,651.2     $3,415.6
Cost of sales...............................................    2,603.4      2,447.1      2,281.6
Selling and administrative expenses.........................      640.9        616.4        580.5
Goodwill amortization.......................................       47.1         43.8         32.4
Nonrecurring gains..........................................         --       (135.2)       (93.0)
Nonrecurring charges........................................        3.7         53.6         40.5
Interest expense, net.......................................       55.2        101.9         90.4
                                                               --------     --------     --------
     Income from continuing operations before income
      taxes.................................................      518.6        523.6        483.2
Income taxes................................................      186.7        187.7        173.2
                                                               --------     --------     --------
     Income from continuing operations......................      331.9        335.9        310.0
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes....         --         87.1         84.6
                                                               --------     --------     --------
          Net income........................................   $  331.9     $  423.0     $  394.6
                                                               ========     ========     ========
Income per Common share
  Basic:
     Income from continuing operations......................   $   3.53     $   2.97     $   2.64
     Income from discontinued operations....................         --          .77          .72
                                                               --------     --------     --------
          Net income........................................   $   3.53     $   3.74     $   3.36
                                                               ========     ========     ========
  Diluted:
     Income from continuing operations......................   $   3.50     $   2.93     $   2.57
     Income from discontinued operations....................         --          .76          .69
                                                               --------     --------     --------
          Net income........................................   $   3.50     $   3.69     $   3.26
                                                               ========     ========     ========
Cash dividends per Common share.............................   $   1.32     $   1.32     $   1.32
                                                               ========     ========     ========
</TABLE>

  The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these
                                  statements.

                                      A-18
<PAGE>   47

                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ---------------------
                                                                1999        1998
                                                              ---------   ---------
                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
                                      ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents...................................  $    26.9   $    20.4
Receivables.................................................      740.3       626.4
Inventories.................................................      569.3       533.3
Deferred income taxes and other current assets..............      130.1       237.2
                                                              ---------   ---------
          Total current assets..............................    1,466.6     1,417.3
                                                              ---------   ---------
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated
  depreciation..............................................      768.0       710.5
Goodwill, less accumulated amortization.....................    1,739.0     1,470.7
Deferred income taxes and other noncurrent assets...........      169.8       180.6
                                                              ---------   ---------
          Total assets......................................  $ 4,143.4   $ 3,779.1
                                                              =========   =========

                       LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Short-term debt.............................................  $   191.2   $   118.1
Accounts payable............................................      393.4       378.7
Accrued liabilities.........................................      492.5       467.6
Accrued income taxes........................................        6.6          --
Current maturities of long-term debt........................        2.1         6.3
                                                              ---------   ---------
          Total current liabilities.........................    1,085.8       970.7
                                                              ---------   ---------
Long-term debt..............................................      894.5       774.5
Postretirement benefits other than pensions.................      224.4       237.3
Other long-term liabilities.................................      195.6       233.0
                                                              ---------   ---------
          Total liabilities.................................    2,400.3     2,215.5
                                                              ---------   ---------
Common stock, $5.00 par value...............................      615.0       615.0
Capital in excess of par value..............................      671.7       674.0
Retained earnings...........................................    1,998.1     1,790.0
Common stock held in treasury, at cost......................   (1,449.3)   (1,444.8)
Unearned employee stock ownership plan compensation.........      (23.0)      (40.6)
Accumulated other non-owner changes in equity...............      (69.4)      (30.0)
                                                              ---------   ---------
          Total shareholders' equity........................    1,743.1     1,563.6
                                                              ---------   ---------
          Total liabilities and shareholders' equity........  $ 4,143.4   $ 3,779.1
                                                              =========   =========
</TABLE>

  The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these
                                  statements.

                                      A-19
<PAGE>   48

                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------
                                                               1999       1998       1997
                                                              -------   ---------   -------
                                                                      (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>         <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income................................................  $ 331.9   $   423.0   $ 394.6
  Less: income from discontinued operations.................       --       (87.1)    (84.6)
                                                              -------   ---------   -------
  Income from continuing operations.........................    331.9       335.9     310.0
  Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating
     activities:
     Depreciation and amortization..........................    147.6       137.5     122.0
     Deferred income taxes..................................     60.0        12.4      (6.6)
     Gain on sales of marketable equity securities and DECS
      exchange..............................................       --      (135.2)    (23.2)
     Gain on disposition of Kirsch..........................       --          --     (69.8)
     Changes in assets and liabilities:(1)
       Receivables..........................................    (47.5)        1.9     (40.6)
       Inventories..........................................     (5.2)      (31.1)    (17.6)
       Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.............    (25.9)       18.8      53.9
       Accrued income taxes.................................      4.6        (6.9)      3.1
       Other assets and liabilities, net....................    (63.6)       (0.4)     (6.5)
                                                              -------   ---------   -------
          Net cash provided by operating activities.........    401.9       332.9     324.7
                                                              -------   ---------   -------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Proceeds from disposition of businesses...................    149.1     1,900.0     216.0
  Cash paid for acquired businesses.........................   (434.6)     (293.7)   (366.4)
  Capital expenditures......................................   (165.8)     (142.4)   (117.3)
  Purchase of TLG plc common stock..........................       --       (42.4)       --
  Proceeds from sales of marketable equity securities.......       --        44.9        --
  Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment......     11.2         5.9       5.2
                                                              -------   ---------   -------
          Net cash provided by (used in) investing
            activities......................................   (440.1)    1,472.3    (262.5)
                                                              -------   ---------   -------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from issuances of debt...........................    250.9     1,220.7     564.7
  Repayments of debt........................................    (69.0)   (1,567.8)   (351.8)
  Acquisition of treasury shares............................    (44.0)   (1,348.1)   (191.5)
  Dividends.................................................   (124.4)     (148.8)   (157.4)
  Activity under employee stock plans and other.............     30.7        41.7      15.6
                                                              -------   ---------   -------
          Net cash provided by (used in) financing
            activities......................................     44.2    (1,802.3)   (120.4)
                                                              -------   ---------   -------
Cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations..........       --       (12.2)     74.2
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
  equivalents...............................................      0.5        (0.6)     (1.8)
                                                              -------   ---------   -------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents............      6.5        (9.9)     14.2
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year................     20.4        30.3      16.1
                                                              -------   ---------   -------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year......................  $  26.9   $    20.4   $  30.3
                                                              =======   =========   =======
</TABLE>

- ---------------

(1) Net of the effects of acquisitions, divestitures and translation.

     The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of
these statements. See Note 16 for information on noncash investing and financing
activities.

                                      A-20
<PAGE>   49

                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       CAPITAL                              UNEARNED      ACCUMULATED
                                                      IN EXCESS                          EMPLOYEE STOCK    NON-OWNER
                                             COMMON    OF PAR     RETAINED   TREASURY    OWNERSHIP PLAN   CHANGES IN
                                             STOCK      VALUE     EARNINGS     STOCK      COMPENSATION      EQUITY        TOTAL
                                             ------   ---------   --------   ---------   --------------   -----------   ---------
                                                                                (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                          <C>      <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>              <C>           <C>
BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1996..................  $540.2    $150.1     $1,275.3   $      --       $(92.9)        $ 94.5      $ 1,967.2
                                                                                                                        ---------
  Net income...............................                          394.6                                                  394.6
  Minimum pension liability adjustment.....                                                                   23.6           23.6
  Translation adjustment...................                                                                   (4.2)          (4.2)
  Decrease in unrealized gain on
    investments in marketable equity
    securities.............................                                                                   (9.1)          (9.1)
  Reclassification to realized gain........                                                                  (14.4)         (14.4)
                                                                                                                        ---------
    Net income and other non-owner changes
       in equity...........................                                                                                 390.5
                                                                                                                        ---------
  Common stock dividends...................                         (157.4)                                                (157.4)
  Conversion of 7.05% Convertible
    Subordinated debentures................   73.9      536.3                                                               610.2
  Purchase of treasury shares..............                                     (191.5)                                    (191.5)
  Stock issued under employee stock
    plans..................................    0.7       (7.5)                    40.9                                       34.1
  ESOP shares allocated....................                                                    26.4                          26.4
  Other activity...........................    0.2        0.9          2.0         0.9                                        4.0
                                             -----    --------    --------   ---------   ----------       --------      ---------
BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1997..................  615.0      679.8      1,514.5      (149.7)       (66.5)          90.4        2,683.5
                                                                                                                        ---------
  Net income...............................                          423.0                                                  423.0
  Minimum pension liability adjustment.....                                                                   (1.1)          (1.1)
  Translation adjustment...................                                                                   (8.4)          (8.4)
  Decrease in unrealized gain on
    investments in marketable equity
    securities.............................                                                                  (26.0)         (26.0)
  Reclassification to realized gain........                                                                  (84.9)         (84.9)
                                                                                                                        ---------
    Net income and other non-owner changes
       in equity...........................                                                                                 302.6
                                                                                                                        ---------
  Common stock dividends...................                         (148.8)                                                (148.8)
  Purchase of treasury shares..............                                   (1,348.1)                                  (1,348.1)
  Stock issued under employee stock
    plans..................................              (6.3)                    50.0                                       43.7
  ESOP shares allocated....................                                                    25.9                          25.9
  Other activity...........................               0.5          1.3         3.0                                        4.8
                                             -----    --------    --------   ---------   ----------       --------      ---------
BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1998..................  615.0      674.0      1,790.0    (1,444.8)       (40.6)         (30.0)       1,563.6
                                                                                                                        ---------
  Net income...............................                          331.9                                                  331.9
  Minimum pension liability adjustment.....                                                                    1.1            1.1
  Translation adjustment...................                                                                  (40.5)         (40.5)
                                                                                                                        ---------
    Net income and other non-owner changes
       in equity...........................                                                                                 292.5
                                                                                                                        ---------
  Common stock dividends...................                         (124.4)                                                (124.4)
  Purchase of treasury shares..............                                      (44.0)                                     (44.0)
  Stock issued under employee stock
    plans..................................              (1.6)                    37.2                                       35.6
  ESOP shares allocated....................                                                    17.6                          17.6
  Other activity...........................              (0.7)         0.6         2.3                                        2.2
                                             -----    --------    --------   ---------   ----------       --------      ---------
BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1999..................  $615.0    $671.7     $1,998.1   $(1,449.3)      $(23.0)        $(69.4)     $ 1,743.1
                                             =====    ========    ========   =========   ==========       ========      =========
</TABLE>

  The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these
                                  statements.

                                      A-21
<PAGE>   50

                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the
accounts of Cooper and its majority-owned subsidiaries. Affiliated companies are
accounted for on the equity method where Cooper owns more than 20% but less than
50% of the affiliate unless significant economic, political or contractual
considerations indicate that the cost method is appropriate.

USE OF ESTIMATES: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

CASH EQUIVALENTS: For purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows,
Cooper considers all investments purchased with original maturities of three
months or less to be cash equivalents.

INVENTORIES: Inventories are carried at cost or, if lower, net realizable value.
On the basis of current costs, 69% of inventories at December 31, 1999 and 1998
were carried on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. The remaining inventories,
which are primarily located outside the United States, are carried on the
first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost.
Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the related assets
using primarily the straight-line method. This method is applied to group asset
accounts, which in general have the following lives: buildings -- 10 to 40
years; machinery and equipment -- 3 to 18 years; and tooling, dies, patterns and
other -- 3 to 10 years.

GOODWILL: With minor exceptions, goodwill is amortized over 40 years from the
respective acquisition dates. At each balance sheet date presented, management
reviews the carrying value of long-lived assets and goodwill at the lowest level
feasible whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying
amount may not be recoverable. If this review indicates that the carrying amount
will not be recoverable, as determined based on undiscounted cash flows over the
remaining amortization periods, an impairment loss is recognized. The impairment
loss equals the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the asset.
The fair value of the asset is based on prices for similar assets, if available,
or discounted cash flows.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS: On a recurring basis, foreign currency forward
exchange contracts and commodity contracts are entered into to reduce risks of
adverse changes in foreign exchange rates and commodity prices. All contracts
are hedges with the gain or loss on the contract recognized in the same period
and in the same category of income or expense as the underlying hedged
transaction. Cooper does not enter into speculative derivative transactions. Due
to the short term of the contracts and a restrictive policy, contract
terminations are rare and insignificant events which are accounted for through
income in the period they occur. Cooper currently is not a party to any interest
rate swap agreements used to manage its interest rate risk. Cooper's policy is
to recognize the interest rate differential to be received or paid over the
lives of the interest rate swap as an adjustment to interest expense.

REVENUE RECOGNITION: Cooper recognizes sales when products are shipped. Accruals
for sales returns and other allowances are provided at the time of shipment
based upon experience.

COMMON STOCK BASED COMPENSATION: Cooper follows the intrinsic value method of
accounting for stock based compensation plans as prescribed by Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES: In June 1998, the
Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
("SFAS No. 133"). SFAS No. 133 requires that all derivatives be recognized as
assets and liabilities and measured at fair value. The accounting for changes in
the fair value of a derivative depends on the intended use of the derivative and
the resulting designation. SFAS No. 133 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after June 15, 2000 and early adoption is permitted. Cooper is currently
evaluating the effects of the new standard. Cooper does not anticipate that the
new standard will have an impact on net income. However, the new standard
requirement to

                                      A-22
<PAGE>   51
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

mark to market certain of Cooper's financial instruments utilized to hedge
currency and commodity price risks will result in fluctuations in the fair value
being included in shareholders' equity, net of tax. Due to Cooper's policies
regarding financial instruments, it is not likely that the adoption of the new
standard will have a significant effect on Cooper's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

NOTE 2: NONRECURRING ITEMS AND UNUSUAL ITEMS

     During the past three years Cooper has been transitioning into a business
focused on higher growth and less volatile businesses concentrated in electrical
products and tools and hardware. On May 30, 1997, Cooper completed the sale of
its Kirsch window treatment division, a business that was underperforming and
did not fit with the core electrical products and tools and hardware businesses.
On October 9, 1998, Cooper completed the sale of its Automotive Products segment
(Note 18). In addition, over the past three years, Cooper has been realigning
its product lines and operations and positioning itself to compete more
efficiently in the global markets.

     In 1994, Cooper sold its Cameron Forged Products business to Wyman-Gordon
Corporation ("Wyman-Gordon") and received Wyman-Gordon common stock as part of
the consideration. In 1995, the Wyman-Gordon common stock was monetized through
the issuance of DECS(SM) (Debt Exchangeable for Common Stock) (Note 10). Cooper
realized gains from the sale of Cooper's marketable equity securities of
Wyman-Gordon and the DECS monetization during 1998 and 1997.

     In 1998, Cooper initiated an acquisition of TLG plc. The acquisition was
not consummated as Cooper could not justify exceeding an offer made by another
company. However, Cooper realized a gain from the sale of common stock it had
acquired at its offer price (Note 3).

     Nonrecurring gains, before income taxes, during the years ended December
31, 1998 and 1997 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                YEAR ENDED
                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                              --------------
                                                               1998    1997
                                                              ------   -----
                                                              (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>
DECS(SM) and Wyman-Gordon common stock......................  $132.7   $23.2
TLG plc common stock........................................     2.5      --
Sale of Kirsch..............................................      --    69.8
                                                              ------   -----
                                                              $135.2   $93.0
                                                              ======   =====
</TABLE>

     During the fourth quarter of 1998, Cooper announced a voluntary and
involuntary severance program and committed to consolidate several facilities.
While both the voluntary and involuntary severance programs were announced in
1998, the amount that could be accrued in 1998 was limited to severance relating
to personnel actually severed in the fourth quarter and the severance provided
by Cooper's written formal policies. During the first quarter of 1999, Cooper
completed the voluntary program and accrued an additional $5.8 million primarily
representing the voluntary severance program premium over the severance provided
under Cooper's established policies. Cooper also accrued $1.5 million related to
severance and other costs for facility closures announced during the first
quarter of 1999. The additional accruals during 1999 totaled $7.3 million. In
addition, during 1999, Cooper reduced legal accruals by $2.8 million related to
the favorable settlement of certain litigation concerning lead in mini-blinds
and reassessment of the required reserve. Cooper also reached agreement and
received $.8 million under an insurance policy related to the unsuccessful offer
to acquire TLG plc in 1998. Since the original charge related to the litigation
was included as a nonrecurring item in the Tools & Hardware segment and the
costs related to TLG plc were reflected as a nonrecurring corporate item, the
reversal of the accrual and the reimbursement of the expenses were reflected as
nonrecurring items. The net nonrecurring items for 1999 resulted in a $3.7
million charge before income taxes and resulted in an after tax charge of $2.4
million ($.02 per diluted common share).

     In 1998, Cooper recorded a $53.6 million charge for nonrecurring and
unusual items. Cooper completed its formal annual review of each of its
operations in the fourth quarter of 1998 and developed plans to strengthen the
competitiveness and efficiencies of each operation. In addition to the specific
plans for actions of each operation

                                      A-23
<PAGE>   52
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

committed to by management during the fourth quarter, Cooper also initiated and
announced a voluntary and involuntary severance program. Cooper has a formal
written severance policy for salaried personnel, and in certain operations,
contractual severance obligations for hourly personnel. While both the voluntary
and involuntary severance programs were announced in 1998, the amount that could
be accrued in 1998 was limited to severance relating to personnel actually
severed in the fourth quarter and the severance provided by established written
policies. Cooper accrued a total of $26.4 million in severance in the fourth
quarter of 1998.

     Cooper also recorded a charge of $11.1 million for impairment of the assets
of two electrical product lines. Market conditions, including increased
competition from imports, had reduced the profitability of both of these product
lines to negative amounts. Due to the inability to recover the investments on an
undiscounted cash flow basis, the long-lived assets were written down to the
estimated fair market value based on prices for similar assets. Cooper also
recorded $16.1 million in other charges, including facility exit costs. In
addition to hourly and certain voluntary and involuntary salaried severance,
considerable facility exit costs cannot be accrued until the closing of a
facility is announced and the costs are incurred. The charges in 1998 when
combined with the nonrecurring gains result in a net $53.0 million after income
taxes ($.46 per diluted common share) of nonrecurring and unusual items included
in income from continuing operations.

     See "Nonrecurring Income and Expenses" in Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for additional
information related to the 1999 and 1998 severance and facility consolidation
charges including spending, number of employees terminated and remaining accrual
balances.

     In 1997, Cooper incurred charges of $40.5 million for actions management
committed to during the period after concluding an evaluation of geographic
manufacturing and distribution facilities within the Tools & Hardware segment
and information systems relating to year 2000 compliance efforts. The 1997
charges include impairment in the carrying value of assets and abandonment of
assets of $24.2 million and accruals for continuing obligations for replaced
systems and facility consolidations of $16.3 million. The nonrecurring gains in
1997, combined with nonrecurring charges and a $6.1 million income tax benefit
related to the settlements of certain state income tax matters (See Note 11),
resulted in a net nonrecurring gain of $39.1 million after income taxes ($.32
per diluted share) being included in income from continuing operations.

     Cooper began consolidating certain international manufacturing and
distribution facilities in the Tools & Hardware segment during 1997. Adjustments
to the carrying value of assets and accruals were recorded for projects
committed to by management. Severance and certain other costs related to
projects committed to by management were not expensed until the affected
employees were notified and the costs incurred. A majority of the consolidations
were announced and such costs were accrued and expensed during 1997.

     During 1997, Cooper also assessed the ability of existing information
system capabilities to function at the turn of the century. Three of Cooper's
divisions implemented new enterprise systems with the remaining divisions
modifying or replacing existing software. Where possible, businesses abandoned
home-grown or highly customized applications with purchased, year 2000 compliant
replacements or upgrades. In some situations, operations within a business
abandoned existing software and migrated to consolidated hardware and software
that was year 2000 compliant. Where these solutions were not possible,
businesses either contracted with third parties or committed internal resources
to ensure that all major systems were year 2000 compliant. Of the 1997 total
charge, $28.5 million related to the adjustment in the carrying value of
abandoned hardware and software and liabilities related to hardware and
software.

NOTE 3: ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

     In 1999, Cooper completed eight acquisitions in its Electrical Products
segment and two small acquisitions in its Tools & Hardware segment. The
acquisitions include two businesses in the United Kingdom and a business in
France that expand the product offerings of the Cooper European based division,
three domestic lighting businesses and four other small product-line
acquisitions. The acquisitions had an aggregate cost of $443.8 million. A total
of $338.2 million in goodwill was recorded, on a preliminary basis, with respect
to the acquisitions.

     In 1998, Cooper completed one large acquisition, ten small product-line
acquisitions and the divestiture of the Automotive Products segment. Seven
acquisitions were in the Tools & Hardware segment and four were in the
                                      A-24
<PAGE>   53
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Electrical Products segment. In March 1998, the Company acquired INTOOL for a
total cost of $227.2 million. INTOOL manufactures and sells pneumatic and
electric assembly tools, precision-drilling equipment, fastening systems and
portable and fixed mounted tools used in industrial, automotive, aerospace and
energy markets. The ten small product line acquisitions had an aggregate cost of
$67.6 million. A total of $245.7 million in goodwill was recorded, including an
additional $10.5 million in 1999, with respect to the acquisitions. On October
9, 1998, Cooper completed the sale of its Automotive Products segment for $1.9
billion (See Note 18).

     On September 4, 1998, Cooper announced its offer to acquire TLG plc in a
transaction valued at approximately $535 million. On September 28, 1998, Cooper
announced that its offer to acquire TLG plc had expired and would not be
extended due to a rival bid made to acquire TLG plc for approximately $585
million. During the third quarter of 1998, Cooper acquired common stock of TLG
plc for $42.4 million. The common stock was tendered to the rival bidder in
October 1998. Cooper realized a gain of approximately $1.6 million after income
taxes in the fourth quarter of 1998 from the sale of the common stock.

     In 1997, Cooper completed one large acquisition, five small product-line
acquisitions and the divestiture of Kirsch. In December 1997, Cooper acquired
Menvier-Swain Group plc ("Menvier") for a total cost of approximately $274.5
million. Menvier manufactures and markets emergency lighting, fire detection and
security systems, primarily in Europe. The five small product line acquisitions
had an aggregate cost of $164.1 million. A total of $343.8 million of goodwill
was recorded with respect to the acquisitions. All acquisitions were in the
Electrical Products segment. On May 30, 1997, Cooper completed the sale of its
Kirsch window treatment division for $216 million. For the five months ended May
30, 1997, Kirsch had revenues of $97.4 million and operating earnings of $4.8
million. Kirsch was part of the Tools & Hardware segment.

     The acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases and the results of
the acquisitions are included in Cooper's consolidated income statements since
the respective acquisition dates. The pro forma net income and earnings per
share for 1999, 1998 and 1997, assuming the acquisitions had been made at the
beginning of each year, would not be materially different from reported net
income and earnings per share.

NOTE 4: INVENTORIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ---------------
                                                               1999     1998
                                                              ------   ------
                                                               (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>
Raw materials...............................................  $196.9   $213.4
Work-in-process.............................................   133.6    114.7
Finished goods..............................................   299.5    275.6
Perishable tooling and supplies.............................    20.1     21.0
                                                              ------   ------
                                                               650.1    624.7
Excess of current standard costs over LIFO costs............   (80.8)   (91.4)
                                                              ------   ------
          Net inventories...................................  $569.3   $533.3
                                                              ======   ======
</TABLE>

                                      A-25
<PAGE>   54
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

NOTE 5: PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT AND GOODWILL

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -------------------
                                                                1999       1998
                                                              --------   --------
                                                                 (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Property, plant and equipment:
  Land and land improvements................................  $   51.6   $   56.7
  Buildings.................................................     356.0      367.3
  Machinery and equipment...................................     731.7      716.3
  Tooling, dies and patterns................................     168.0      151.8
  All other.................................................     267.6      227.7
  Construction in progress..................................     117.7      110.0
                                                              --------   --------
                                                               1,692.6    1,629.8
  Accumulated depreciation..................................    (924.6)    (919.3)
                                                              --------   --------
                                                              $  768.0   $  710.5
                                                              ========   ========
  Goodwill..................................................  $2,143.6   $1,830.4
  Accumulated amortization..................................    (404.6)    (359.7)
                                                              --------   --------
                                                              $1,739.0   $1,470.7
                                                              ========   ========
</TABLE>

NOTE 6: ACCRUED LIABILITIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ---------------
                                                               1999     1998
                                                              ------   ------
                                                               (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>
Salaries, wages and employee benefit plans..................  $201.2   $187.7
Product and environmental liability accruals................    48.2     61.8
Commissions and customer incentives.........................    36.0     32.1
Facility integration of acquired businesses.................    10.8     15.6
Other (individual items less than 5% of total current
  liabilities)..............................................   196.3    170.4
                                                              ------   ------
                                                              $492.5   $467.6
                                                              ======   ======
</TABLE>

     At December 31, 1999, Cooper had accruals of $18.3 million with respect to
potential product liability claims and $56.9 million with respect to potential
environmental liabilities, including $27.0 million classified as a long-term
liability, based on Cooper's current estimate of the most likely amount of
losses that it believes will be incurred.

     The product liability accrual consists of $4.2 million of known claims with
respect to ongoing operations, $9.3 million of known claims for previously
divested operations and $4.8 million which represents an estimate of claims that
have been incurred but not yet reported. While Cooper is generally self-insured
with respect to product liability claims, Cooper has insurance coverage for
individual 1999 claims above $3.0 million.

     Environmental remediation costs are accrued based on estimates of known
environmental remediation exposures. Such accruals are adjusted as information
develops or circumstances change. The environmental liability accrual includes
$11.8 million related to sites owned by Cooper and $45.1 million for retained
environmental liabilities related to sites previously owned by Cooper and
third-party sites where Cooper was a potentially responsible party. Third-party
sites usually involve multiple contributors where Cooper's liability will be
determined based on an estimate of Cooper's proportionate responsibility for the
total cleanup. The amount actually accrued for such sites is based on these
estimates as well as an assessment of the financial capacity of the other
potentially responsible parties.

     It has been Cooper's consistent practice to include the entire product
liability accrual and a significant portion of the environmental liability
accrual as current liabilities, although only approximately 10-20% of the
balance

                                      A-26
<PAGE>   55
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

classified as current is normally spent on an annual basis. The annual effect on
earnings for product liability is essentially equal to the amounts disbursed. In
the case of environmental liability, the annual expense is considerably smaller
than the disbursements, since the vast majority of Cooper's environmental
liability has been recorded in connection with acquired companies. The change in
the accrual balances from year to year reflects the effect of acquisitions and
divestitures as well as normal expensing and funding.

     Cooper has not utilized any form of discounting in establishing its product
or environmental liability accruals. While both product liability and
environmental liability accruals involve estimates that can have wide ranges of
potential liability, Cooper has taken a proactive approach and has managed the
costs in both of these areas over the years. Cooper does not believe that the
nature of its products, its production processes, or the materials or other
factors involved in the manufacturing process subject Cooper to unusual risks or
exposures for product or environmental liability. Cooper's greatest exposure to
inaccuracy in its estimates is with respect to the constantly changing
definitions of what constitutes an environmental liability or an acceptable
level of cleanup.

     In connection with acquisitions accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting, Cooper records, to the extent appropriate, accruals for the costs of
closing duplicate facilities, severing redundant personnel and integrating
the acquired business into existing Cooper operations. Significant accruals
include plant shut-down and realignment costs. The following table summarizes
the accrual balances and activity during each of the last three years:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1999    1998    1997
                                                              -----   -----   -----
                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                           <C>     <C>     <C>
ACTIVITY DURING EACH YEAR:
Balance, beginning of year..................................  $15.6   $ 6.2   $14.8
Spending....................................................   (4.8)   (5.7)   (4.9)
Kirsch disposition..........................................     --      --    (0.4)
Reclassifications...........................................     --      --    (4.0)
Acquisitions -- initial allocation..........................    1.2     9.9     1.4
Acquisitions -- final allocation adjustment.................   (0.3)    5.2    (0.1)
Translation.................................................   (0.9)     --    (0.6)
                                                              -----   -----   -----
Balance, end of year........................................  $10.8   $15.6   $ 6.2
                                                              =====   =====   =====
BALANCE BY CATEGORY OF ACCRUAL:
Plant shut-down and realignment.............................  $ 9.5   $13.4   $ 5.8
Facility relocations and severance..........................    0.3     0.1     0.4
Other realignment and integration...........................    1.0     2.1      --
                                                              -----   -----   -----
                                                              $10.8   $15.6   $ 6.2
                                                              =====   =====   =====
</TABLE>

     Plant shut-down and realignment includes the costs to terminate personnel,
shut down the facilities, terminate leases and similar costs. The spending
related primarily to downsizing and consolidating facilities. Facility
relocations and severance includes costs to consolidate sales and marketing
operations of the acquired companies into Cooper operations, termination costs
of redundant personnel and shut-down costs of redundant warehouses and the
acquired companies' headquarters. Other realignment and integration costs
includes costs to exit product lines and miscellaneous costs.

     During the three years ended December 31, 1999, accruals reversed to income
were insignificant. Reclassifications in 1997 were related to lease obligations
on closed facilities reclassified to other accrued liabilities. The 1998
acquisitions-initial allocation amount primarily relates to the INTOOL
acquisition. Acquisitions-final allocation adjustment represents adjustments to
goodwill for finalization of the purchase price allocations recorded in the
previous year. The 1998 acquisitions-final allocation adjustment is due to the
acquisition of Menvier in December 1997. The Menvier acquisition had
insignificant accruals for terminations and no significant individual exit plan
costs were accrued. Substantially all spending related to these accruals
represented cash outlays by Cooper.

                                      A-27
<PAGE>   56
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

NOTE 7: LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ---------------
                                                               1999     1998
                                                              ------   ------
                                                               (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>
6.35%* commercial paper maturing at various dates through
  February 2000.............................................  $220.0   $100.0
6.41%-6.97% second series medium-term notes, due through
  2010......................................................   302.1    302.1
5.78%-6.45% third series medium-term notes, due through
  2008......................................................   300.0    300.0
5.65%* Pound Sterling notes payable maturing at various
  dates through 2005........................................    27.9     29.3
ESOP notes, due 1999........................................      --      3.5
Other.......................................................    46.6     45.9
                                                              ------   ------
                                                               896.6    780.8
Current maturities..........................................    (2.1)    (6.3)
                                                              ------   ------
Long-term portion...........................................  $894.5   $774.5
                                                              ======   ======
</TABLE>

- ---------------

* Weighted average interest rates at December 31, 1999. The weighted average
  interest rates on commercial paper and Pound Sterling bank loans and notes
  were 5.6% and 6.41%, respectively, at December 31, 1998.

     Cooper has U.S. committed credit facilities of $1,165 million, $665 million
of which expires in 2000 and $500 million expires in 2004. At December 31, 1999,
Cooper had $816.2 million of its $1,165 million U.S. committed credit facilities
available, after considering commercial paper backup. At December 31, 1998,
$866.1 million of its total $1.0 billion U.S. committed credit facilities was
available after considering commercial paper backup. The agreements for the
credit facilities require that Cooper maintain certain financial ratios,
including a prescribed limit on debt as a percentage of total capitalization.
Retained earnings are unrestricted as to the payment of dividends, except to the
extent that payment would cause a violation of the prescribed limit on the
debt-to-total capitalization ratio.

     During 1999, Cooper completed a shelf registration statement to issue up to
$500 million of debt securities. At December 31, 1999, all $500 million of the
shelf registration was available to be issued.

     Interest rates on Cooper's commercial paper and U.S. bank loans were
generally 2.85% and 2.8% below the U.S. prime rate during 1999 and 1998,
respectively. Total interest paid during 1999, 1998 and 1997 was $63 million,
$100 million and $107 million, respectively. No interest expense has been
allocated to discontinued operations.

     Commercial paper of $220 million and $100 million at December 31, 1999 and
1998, respectively, was reclassified to long-term debt reflecting Cooper's
intention to refinance these amounts during the twelve-month period following
the balance sheet date through either continued short-term borrowing or
utilization of available credit facilities.

     The floating-rate ESOP notes were indebtedness of Cooper's ESOP. Cooper
guaranteed the payment of the ESOP notes; accordingly, the notes were reported
as Cooper's debt at December 31, 1998 (See Note 13). The ESOP notes were repaid
during 1999.

     Maturities of long-term debt for the five years subsequent to December 31,
1999 are $2.1 million, $52.3 million, $61.5 million, $154.3 million and $221.0
million, respectively. The future net minimum lease payments under capital
leases and obligations under operating leases are not significant.

                                      A-28
<PAGE>   57
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

NOTE 8: COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK

COMMON STOCK

     At December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, 250,000,000 shares of Common stock
were authorized of which 94,199,620, 94,248,751 and 120,161,446 shares were
issued and outstanding at December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. During
the year ended December 31, 1999, Cooper purchased 800,000 shares as treasury
stock at an average price of $54.99 per share and 708,270 shares were issued in
connection with employee stock plans. During the year ended December 31, 1998,
Cooper purchased 26,891,548 shares as treasury stock at an average price of
$50.13 per share and 926,770 shares were issued in connection with employee
stock plans. During 1997, Cooper issued 14,785,831 shares in exchange for the
redemption of the 7.05% Convertible Subordinated Debentures. During the year
ended December 31, 1997, Cooper purchased 3,645,017 shares as treasury stock at
an average price of $52.54 per share and 813,387 of these shares were issued in
connection with employee stock plans. At December 31, 1999, Cooper had
11,357,953 shares reserved for the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, grants and
exercises of stock options, performance-based stock awards and subscriptions
under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and other plans.

     Under the terms of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, any holder of Common
stock may elect to have cash dividends and up to $24,000 per year in cash
payments invested in Common stock without incurring any brokerage commissions or
service charges.

     Under a Shareholder Rights Plan adopted by the Board of Directors in 1997,
share purchase Rights were declared as a dividend at the rate of one Right for
each share of Common stock. Each Right entitles the holder to buy one
one-hundredth of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock at a purchase
price of $225 per one one-hundredth of a share or, in certain circumstances
Common stock having a value of twice the purchase price. Each Right becomes
exercisable only in certain circumstances constituting a potential change of
control on a basis considered inadequate by the Board of Directors. The Rights
expire August 5, 2007 and, at Cooper's option, may be redeemed prior to
expiration for $.01 per Right.

PREFERRED STOCK

     At December 31, 1999 and 1998, Cooper was authorized to issue 1,340,750
shares of Preferred stock with no par value, 10,000,000 shares of $2.00 par
value Preferred stock and 2,821,079 shares of $1.00 par value Preferred stock.
At December 31, 1999 and 1998, no Preferred shares were issued or outstanding.

NOTE 9: STOCK OPTIONS AND EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

     Under Cooper stock option plans, officers, directors and key employees may
be granted options to purchase Cooper's Common stock at no less than 100% of the
market price on the date the option is granted. Options generally become
exercisable ratably over a three-year period commencing one year from the date
of grant and have a maximum term of ten years. The plans also provide for the
granting of performance-based stock awards to certain key executives.

                                      A-29
<PAGE>   58
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

     A summary of the status of Cooper's fixed stock option plans for officers
and employees as of December 31, 1999 and activity during the three years ended
December 31, 1999 is presented below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            1999                   1998                    1997
                                    --------------------   ---------------------   --------------------
                                                WEIGHTED                WEIGHTED               WEIGHTED
                                                AVERAGE                 AVERAGE                AVERAGE
                                                EXERCISE                EXERCISE               EXERCISE
                                     SHARES      PRICE       SHARES      PRICE      SHARES      PRICE
                                    ---------   --------   ----------   --------   ---------   --------
<S>                                 <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>
Outstanding at beginning of
  year............................  2,144,104    $46.52     3,113,077    $43.55    3,189,083    $44.05
Granted...........................  1,018,700    $43.52       968,200    $56.63      974,900    $45.06
Exercised.........................   (286,492)   $39.82    (1,075,905)   $45.00     (491,165)   $41.67
Canceled..........................   (127,711)   $50.13      (861,268)   $49.02     (559,741)   $50.68
                                    ---------              ----------              ---------
Outstanding at end of year........  2,748,601    $45.94     2,144,104    $46.52    3,113,077    $43.55
                                    =========              ==========              =========
Options exercisable at end of
  year............................  1,128,905                 782,509              1,361,573
Options available for grant at end
  of year.........................  3,289,602               4,264,190              4,706,406
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 OPTIONS OUTSTANDING                      OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
- ------------------------------------------------------   ----------------------
                                 WEIGHTED
                    SHARES        AVERAGE     WEIGHTED     SHARES      WEIGHTED
                  OUTSTANDING    REMAINING    AVERAGE    EXERCISABLE   AVERAGE
   RANGE OF           AT        CONTRACTUAL   EXERCISE       AT        EXERCISE
EXERCISE PRICES    12/31/99        LIFE        PRICE      12/31/99      PRICE
- ---------------   -----------   -----------   --------   -----------   --------
<S>               <C>           <C>           <C>        <C>           <C>
$39.06 - $43.47    1,559,643        7.3        $41.86       568,843     $39.06
$45.06 - $56.63    1,188,958        7.4        $51.30       560,062     $49.44
                   ---------                              ---------
                   2,748,601                              1,128,905
                   =========                              =========
</TABLE>

     During 1999, options to purchase 11,000 shares of Common stock were granted
to nonemployee directors at an exercise price of $49.03 and options for 4,000
shares were exercised at $14.69 per share. During 1998, options to purchase
11,000 shares of Common stock were granted to nonemployee directors at an
exercise price of $63.78 and options for 4,000 shares were exercised at $24.00
per share. During 1997, options to purchase 9,000 shares of Common stock were
granted to nonemployee directors at an exercise price of $45.44 and options for
6,000 shares were exercised at $27.13 per share. At December 31, 1999, options
under the director plans for 18,000 Common shares were exercisable at $17.31 to
$63.78 per share, and 146,800 shares were reserved for future grants.

     Participants in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan receive an option to
purchase Common stock at a price that is the lesser of 85% of the market value
on the offering date or 85% of the market value on the purchase date. On
September 10, 1999, a total of 307,545 shares were sold to employees at $45.68
per share. At December 31, 1999, subscriptions for 640,824 shares of Common
stock were outstanding at $44.63 per share or, if lower, 85% of the average
market price on September 10, 2001, which is the purchase date. At December 31,
1999, an aggregate of 2,735,428 shares of Common stock were reserved for future
issuance.

     Cooper follows the intrinsic value method of accounting for stock-based
compensation plans as prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations.
Accordingly, no compensation expense is recognized under Cooper's fixed stock
option plans or Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Compensation expense of $6.1
million, $6.6 million and $8.2 million was recognized in the consolidated income
statements during 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively for the performance-based
stock awards. If compensation expense for all of Cooper's stock-based
compensation plans was recognized using the alternative fair value method of
accounting under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation, net income and earnings per share would have
decreased by approximately 2.3% in 1999, 1.6% in 1998 and 1.2% in 1997. The fair
value was estimated on the date of grant, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing
model with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants in 1999,
1998 and 1997, respectively: dividend yields of 3.0%, 2.3% and 2.8%, expected
volatility of 26.4%, 22.2% and 20.1%, risk free interest rates of 5.0%, 5.6% and
6.4% and expected lives of 7 years in 1999, 1998 and 1997.

                                      A-30
<PAGE>   59
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

NOTE 10: ACCUMULATED NON-OWNER CHANGES IN EQUITY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              MINIMUM    UNREALIZED    CUMULATIVE
                                                              PENSION      GAIN ON     TRANSLATION
                                                             LIABILITY   INVESTMENTS   ADJUSTMENT     TOTAL
                                                             ---------   -----------   -----------   -------
                                                                              (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                          <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>
Balance December 31, 1996..................................    $(26.4)     $ 134.4       $(13.5)     $  94.5
Current year other non-owner changes in equity.............      23.6        (23.5)        (4.2)        (4.1)
                                                               ------      -------       ------      -------
Balance December 31, 1997..................................      (2.8)       110.9        (17.7)        90.4
Current year other non-owner changes in equity.............      (1.1)      (110.9)        (8.4)      (120.4)
                                                               ------      -------       ------      -------
Balance December 31, 1998..................................      (3.9)          --        (26.1)       (30.0)
Current year other non-owner changes in equity.............       1.1           --        (40.5)       (39.4)
                                                               ------      -------       ------      -------
Balance December 31, 1999..................................    $ (2.8)     $    --       $(66.6)     $ (69.4)
                                                               ======      =======       ======      =======
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1999                           1998                           1997
                                     ---------------------------   -----------------------------   ---------------------------
                                     BEFORE      TAX               BEFORE       TAX                BEFORE      TAX
                                      TAX     (EXPENSE)    NET       TAX     (EXPENSE)     NET      TAX     (EXPENSE)    NET
                                     AMOUNT    BENEFIT    AMOUNT   AMOUNT     BENEFIT    AMOUNT    AMOUNT    BENEFIT    AMOUNT
                                     ------   ---------   ------   -------   ---------   -------   ------   ---------   ------
                                                                           (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                  <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>      <C>         <C>
Minimum pension liability
  adjustment.......................  $ 1.9      $(0.8)    $ 1.1    $ (1.8)     $ 0.7     $ (1.1)   $39.3     $(15.7)    $ 23.6
                                     ------     -----     ------   -------     -----     -------   ------    ------     ------
Decrease in unrealized gain during
  the year.........................     --         --        --     (40.6)      14.6      (26.0)   (14.7)       5.6       (9.1)
Less reclassification adjustment
  for realized gains...............     --         --        --    (132.7)      47.8      (84.9)   (23.2)       8.8      (14.4)
                                     ------     -----     ------   -------     -----     -------   ------    ------     ------
Net unrealized gain on
  investments......................     --         --        --    (173.3)      62.4     (110.9)   (37.9)      14.4      (23.5)
                                     ------     -----     ------   -------     -----     -------   ------    ------     ------
Translation adjustment.............  (62.3)      21.8     (40.5)    (12.9)       4.5       (8.4)    (6.4)       2.2       (4.2)
                                     ------     -----     ------   -------     -----     -------   ------    ------     ------
Other non-owner changes in
  equity........................... $(60.4)     $21.0    $(39.4)  $(188.0)     $67.6    $(120.4)   $(5.0)    $  0.9     $ (4.1)
                                     ======     =====     ======   =======     =====     =======   ======    ======     ======
</TABLE>

     In December 1995, Cooper issued 16.5 million DECS at $13.50 which, at
maturity, were mandatorily exchangeable into shares of Wyman-Gordon common stock
or, at Cooper's option, into cash in lieu of shares. The DECS were a hedge of
Cooper's investment in Wyman-Gordon common stock. Prior to redemption, the
unrealized gain on the investment in Wyman-Gordon common stock was included in
accumulated non-owner changes in equity as an unrealized gain on investments in
marketable equity securities, net of tax. Additionally, Cooper's long-term debt
included an increase in the market value of Wyman-Gordon common stock related to
the DECS. The offset to the debt increase, net of tax, decreased the unrealized
gain on investments in marketable equity securities, net of tax.

     During 1997, Cooper exchanged a portion of the DECS for Wyman-Gordon common
stock and realized a gain of $23.2 million ($14.4 million after income taxes).
The remaining DECS were exchanged for Wyman-Gordon common stock upon redemption
in December 1998 resulting in a realized gain of $132.7 million ($84.9 million
after income taxes).

                                      A-31
<PAGE>   60
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

NOTE 11: INCOME TAXES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ------------------------
                                                               1999     1998     1997
                                                              ------   ------   ------
                                                              (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT FOR
                                                                    PERCENTAGES)
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>      <C>
Components of income from continuing operations before
  income taxes:
  U.S. operations...........................................  $390.7   $404.8   $405.5
  Foreign operations........................................   127.9    118.8     77.7
                                                              ------   ------   ------
          Income from continuing operations before income
           taxes............................................  $518.6   $523.6   $483.2
                                                              ======   ======   ======
Components of income tax expense:
  Current:
     U.S. Federal...........................................  $ 84.3   $122.8   $131.0
     U.S. state and local...................................     6.2     18.1     16.0
     Foreign................................................    36.2     34.4     32.8
                                                              ------   ------   ------
                                                               126.7    175.3    179.8
                                                              ------   ------   ------
  Deferred:
     U.S. Federal...........................................    48.0     11.0     (4.5)
     U.S. state and local...................................    10.4     (2.7)    (0.6)
     Foreign................................................     1.6      4.1     (1.5)
                                                              ------   ------   ------
                                                                60.0     12.4     (6.6)
                                                              ------   ------   ------
          Income tax expense................................  $186.7   $187.7   $173.2
                                                              ======   ======   ======
Total income taxes paid.....................................  $132.5   $184.4   $211.4
                                                              ======   ======   ======
Effective tax rate reconciliation:
  U.S. Federal statutory rate...............................    35.0%    35.0%    35.0%
  State and local income taxes..............................     1.9      1.7      1.8
  Foreign statutory rate differential.......................    (1.5)    (0.5)    (1.0)
  Nondeductible goodwill....................................     2.3      2.2      2.3
  State tax settlements(1)..................................      --       --     (1.3)
  Foreign Sales Corporation.................................    (0.7)    (1.0)    (0.8)
  Tax credits...............................................    (0.3)    (0.8)    (1.0)
  Other.....................................................    (0.7)    (0.8)     0.8
                                                              ------   ------   ------
          Effective tax rate attributable to continuing
           operations.......................................    36.0%    35.8%    35.8%
                                                              ======   ======   ======
</TABLE>

- ---------------

(1) During 1997, Cooper settled several state income tax matters and recognized
    a $6.1 million benefit in its income tax provision.

                                      A-32
<PAGE>   61
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------
                                                               1999      1998
                                                              -------   -------
                                                                (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>
Components of deferred tax liabilities and assets:
  Deferred tax liabilities:
     Property, plant and equipment and intangibles..........  $ (93.8)  $ (64.6)
     Deferred gain on marketable equity securities..........       --     (47.9)
     Inventories............................................    (22.3)    (24.9)
     Employee stock ownership plan..........................    (20.7)    (19.2)
     Pension plans..........................................    (32.8)    (27.4)
     Other..................................................    (24.9)    (41.0)
                                                              -------   -------
          Total deferred tax liabilities....................   (194.5)   (225.0)
                                                              -------   -------
  Deferred tax assets:
     Postretirement and other employee welfare benefits.....     90.7      94.2
     Accrued liabilities....................................    147.7     155.8
     Minimum pension liability..............................      1.8       2.6
     Capital loss carryforward(1)...........................     88.6     157.3
     Other..................................................     37.0      20.5
                                                              -------   -------
          Total deferred tax assets.........................    365.8     430.4
  Valuation allowance(1)....................................    (51.6)    (51.6)
                                                              -------   -------
          Net deferred tax asset (liability)................  $ 119.7   $ 153.8
                                                              =======   =======
</TABLE>

- ---------------

(1) Cooper incurred a capital loss on the sale of the Automotive Products
    segment. The capital loss carryforward is available to offset capital gains
    through 2003.

     The U.S. Federal portion of the above provision includes U.S. tax expected
to be payable on the foreign portion of Cooper's income before income taxes when
such earnings are remitted. Cooper's liabilities for continuing operations at
December 31, 1999 and 1998 include the additional U.S. tax estimated to be
payable on substantially all unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries.

NOTE 12: PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

     Cooper and its subsidiaries have numerous defined benefit pension plans and
other postretirement benefit plans. The benefits provided under Cooper's various
postretirement benefit plans other than pensions, all of which are unfunded,
include retiree medical care, dental care, prescriptions and life insurance,
with medical care accounting for approximately 90% of the total. Current
employees, unless grandfathered under plans assumed in acquisitions, are not
provided postretirement benefits other than pensions. The vast majority of the
annual other postretirement benefit expense is related to employees who are
already retired.

                                      A-33
<PAGE>   62
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        OTHER
                                                                                   POSTRETIREMENT
                                                              PENSION BENEFITS        BENEFITS
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
                                                               1999      1998      1999      1998
                                                              -------   -------   -------   -------
                                                                          (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Change in benefit obligation:
  Benefit obligation at January 1...........................  $592.5    $547.3    $ 158.8   $ 156.1
  Service cost..............................................    15.4      13.3        0.2       0.3
  Interest cost.............................................    38.1      39.0       10.4      10.3
  Benefit payments..........................................   (34.8)    (49.2)     (13.6)    (13.7)
  Actuarial (gains) losses..................................   (37.0)     32.9      (38.6)     (0.5)
  Acquisitions..............................................      --       6.7         --       6.3
  Other.....................................................    (8.9)      2.5       (0.7)       --
                                                              ------    ------    -------   -------
Benefit obligation at December 31...........................   565.3     592.5      116.5     158.8
                                                              ------    ------    -------   -------
Change in plan assets:
  Fair value of plan assets at January 1....................   606.8     569.6         --        --
  Actual return on plan assets..............................    35.5      68.7         --        --
  Employer contributions....................................     8.1       6.4       13.6      13.7
  Benefit payments..........................................   (32.0)    (46.3)     (13.6)    (13.7)
  Acquisitions..............................................      --       7.0         --        --
  Other.....................................................    (3.1)      1.4         --        --
                                                              ------    ------    -------   -------
Fair value of plan assets at December 31....................   615.3     606.8         --        --
                                                              ------    ------    -------   -------
Funded status...............................................    50.0      14.3     (116.5)   (158.8)
Unrecognized actuarial gain.................................   (36.6)    (16.2)    (104.7)    (73.6)
Unrecognized prior service cost.............................     0.1      (0.2)      (3.2)     (4.9)
Other.......................................................     1.0      (0.3)        --        --
                                                              ------    ------    -------   -------
Net amount recognized.......................................  $ 14.5    $ (2.4)   $(224.4)  $(237.3)
                                                              ======    ======    =======   =======
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet consist of:
  Prepaid benefit asset.....................................  $ 80.7    $ 68.1    $    --   $    --
  Accrued benefit liability.................................   (72.7)    (79.4)    (224.4)   (237.3)
  Intangible asset..........................................     1.9       2.4         --        --
  Accumulated other non-owner changes in equity.............     4.6       6.5         --        --
                                                              ------    ------    -------   -------
Net amount recognized.......................................  $ 14.5    $ (2.4)   $(224.4)  $(237.3)
                                                              ======    ======    =======   =======
</TABLE>

     The projected benefit obligation and accumulated benefit obligation for
Cooper's unfunded defined benefit pension plans were $70.1 million and $65.6
million as of December 31, 1999, and $77.9 million and $71.7 million as of
December 31, 1998, respectively.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 OTHER POSTRETIREMENT
                                                          PENSION BENEFITS             BENEFITS
                                                      ------------------------   ---------------------
                                                       1999     1998     1997    1999    1998    1997
                                                      ------   ------   ------   -----   -----   -----
                                                                       (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                   <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost........................................  $ 15.4   $ 13.3   $ 13.8   $ 0.2   $ 0.3   $ 0.5
Interest cost.......................................    38.1     39.0     40.0    10.4    10.3    12.5
Expected return on plan assets......................   (50.7)   (47.6)   (44.5)     --      --      --
Amortization of unrecognized transition asset.......    (1.5)    (1.5)    (1.4)     --      --      --
Amortization of prior service cost..................     0.1      0.1      0.1    (1.5)   (1.4)   (1.8)
Recognized actuarial (gain) loss....................    (0.8)    (0.1)     2.2    (7.5)   (6.6)   (5.5)
Curtailment.........................................     0.1       --      0.5      --      --      --
                                                      ------   ------   ------   -----   -----   -----
Net periodic benefit cost...........................  $  0.7   $  3.2   $ 10.7   $ 1.6   $ 2.6   $ 5.7
                                                      ======   ======   ======   =====   =====   =====
</TABLE>

                                      A-34
<PAGE>   63
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                OTHER
                                                                                           POSTRETIREMENT
                                                                 PENSION BENEFITS             BENEFITS
                                                           -----------------------------   ---------------
                                                               1999            1998         1999     1998
                                                           -------------   -------------   ------   ------
<S>                                                        <C>             <C>             <C>      <C>
Weighted average assumptions as of December 31:
Discount rate............................................  6.00% - 7.75%   5.50% - 6.75%    7.75%    6.75%
Expected return on plan assets...........................  7.50% - 8.50%   8.50% - 9.00%      --       --
Rate of compensation increase............................  3.00% - 4.50%   3.00% - 5.00%      --       --
</TABLE>

     For other postretirement benefit measurement purposes, a 7.8% annual
increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for
2000. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 5.5% for 2002 and remain at
that level thereafter. A one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care
cost trend rates would have the following effects:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1-PERCENTAGE-    1-PERCENTAGE-
                                                              POINT INCREASE   POINT DECREASE
                                                              --------------   --------------
<S>                                                           <C>              <C>
Effect on total of service and interest cost components.....       $0.7            $(0.6)
Effect on the postretirement benefit obligation.............       $7.0            $(6.2)
</TABLE>

     During 1999, 1998 and 1997, expense with respect to domestic and foreign
defined contribution plans (primarily related to various groups of hourly
employees) totaled $17.5 million, $15.7 million and $13.3 million, respectively.

NOTE 13: COOPER SAVINGS AND EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLANS

     All full-time domestic employees, except for certain bargaining unit
employees, are eligible to participate in the Cooper Retirement Savings and
Stock Ownership Plan ("CO-SAV"). Under the terms of the Plan, employee savings
deferrals are partially matched with contributions by Cooper of Common stock
consisting of either an allocation of shares in Cooper's Employee Stock
Ownership Plan ("ESOP") or treasury shares issued to the ESOP.

     The ESOP purchased Cooper Common stock which was financed through external
borrowings and loans from Cooper (See Note 7). Cooper makes annual contributions
to the ESOP to fund the payment of principal and interest on ESOP debt.
Dividends received by the ESOP are used to pay debt service or purchase treasury
shares. As the debt is repaid, unallocated shares are allocated to CO-SAV
participants to satisfy Cooper's matching obligation or to replace dividends on
allocated shares with Cooper Common shares. The ESOP debt matured in July 1999
and was fully repaid. The purchases funded by loans between the ESOP and Cooper
are treated as eliminated intercompany loans for financial statement purposes.

     Dividends paid on unallocated shares of $1.0 million and $1.7 million
during 1999 and 1998, respectively, were used to reduce the amount of cash
required to fund principal and interest payments on ESOP debt. Dividends paid on
allocated ESOP shares of $3.8 million and $5.6 million during 1999 and 1998,
respectively, were used to pay additional principal and interest payments in
order to allocate shares equivalent to the dividend amount to participants in
the CO-SAV plan. Cooper contributed an additional $13.5 million and $21.8
million in cash to the ESOP during 1999 and 1998, respectively, to fund
principal and interest payments on ESOP debt.

     The number of allocated, committed to be allocated, and unallocated ESOP
shares at December 31, 1999 and 1998 is summarized below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               SHARES PURCHASED      SHARES PURCHASED
                                                                 PRIOR TO 1994            IN 1994
                                                             ---------------------   -----------------
                                                               1999        1998       1999      1998
                                                             ---------   ---------   -------   -------
<S>                                                          <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>
Allocated to CO-SAV participants...........................  2,872,743   2,813,078   631,574   559,967
Committed to be allocated..................................      1,687      47,793    38,132    11,991
Unallocated................................................    175,761     321,969   287,394   513,823
</TABLE>

                                      A-35
<PAGE>   64
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

     The fair value of the unallocated ESOP shares was $18.7 million at December
31, 1999.

     Shares purchased by the ESOP prior to 1994 are accounted for in accordance
with Statement of Position 76-3, Accounting Practices for Certain Employee Stock
Ownership Plans and Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 89-8, Expense Recognition
for Employee Stock Ownership Plans. Compensation expense is equal to Cooper's
CO-SAV matching obligation, adjusted for the difference between the fair market
value and cost of the shares committed to be allocated. Compensation expense is
reduced by the amount of dividends paid on unallocated ESOP shares available for
future matching. All shares issued to the ESOP are considered outstanding for
purposes of computing earnings per share.

     Shares purchased by the ESOP in 1994 are accounted for in accordance with
Statement of Position 93-6, Employers' Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership
Plans ("SOP 93-6"). SOP 93-6 was effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 1993. Compensation expense is recognized at the fair value of the
shares committed to be allocated which is equal to the amount of Cooper's CO-SAV
matching obligation. Unearned employee stock ownership plan compensation is
credited as shares are committed to be allocated based on the cost of the shares
to the ESOP. The difference between the fair market value and cost of the shares
committed to be allocated is recorded as an adjustment to capital in excess of
par value. Dividends paid on unallocated shares are recorded as a reduction of
ESOP debt, accrued interest or accrued employee benefits. Unallocated shares are
not treated as outstanding in the earnings per share computation.

     Compensation expense for the CO-SAV plan and the ESOP was $18.6 million,
$15.6 million and $13.1 million and interest expense on ESOP debt was $0.1
million, $0.4 million and $1.4 million in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

NOTE 14: INDUSTRY SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

INDUSTRY SEGMENTS

     Cooper's continuing operations consist of two segments: Electrical Products
and Tools & Hardware. Markets for Cooper's products and services are worldwide,
with the United States being the largest market.

     The Electrical Products segment manufactures, markets and sells electrical
and circuit protection products, including fittings, enclosures, plugs,
receptacles, lighting fixtures, fuses, emergency lighting, fire detection
systems and security products for use in residential, commercial and industrial
construction, maintenance and repair applications. The segment also
manufactures, markets and sells products for use by utilities and in industry
for electrical power transmission and distribution.

     The Tools & Hardware segment manufactures, markets and sells hand tools and
chain and clamp products for industrial, construction and consumer markets; and
air-powered and electric tools for general industry, primarily automotive and
aerospace manufacturers. Cooper also manufactured and marketed window treatments
through its Kirsch division until its sale on May 30, 1997. Historically, Kirsch
was included in the Tools & Hardware segment. Effective with the decision to
divest the operation, its results were segregated from the continuing Tools &
Hardware segment for internal management reporting.

     The performance of businesses are evaluated at the segment level and
resources are allocated among the segments. The Cooper executive responsible for
each segment further allocates resources between the various division operating
units that compose the segment and, in international markets, determines the
integration of product lines and operations across division operating units. The
accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the
summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1. Cooper manages cash, debt
and income taxes centrally. Accordingly, Cooper evaluates performance of its
segments and operating units based on the operating earnings exclusive of
financing activities and income taxes. Nonrecurring and unusual items are
excluded from the evaluations. The segments are managed separately because they
manufacture and distribute distinct products. Intersegment sales and related
receivables for each of the years presented were insignificant.

                                      A-36
<PAGE>   65
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

     Financial information by industry segment was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              REVENUES                 OPERATING EARNINGS                TOTAL ASSETS
                                   ------------------------------   -------------------------   ------------------------------
                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                   ------------------------------   -------------------------   ------------------------------
                                     1999       1998       1997      1999     1998      1997      1999       1998       1997
                                   --------   --------   --------   ------   -------   ------   --------   --------   --------
                                                                          (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>
Electrical Products..............  $3,060.9   $2,824.4   $2,568.3   $516.7   $ 479.0   $461.6   $2,969.5   $2,473.3   $2,441.7
Tools & Hardware.................     808.0      826.8      749.9     97.9     112.4     99.6      897.8      903.8      561.7
Kirsch...........................        --         --       97.4       --        --      4.8         --         --         --
                                   --------   --------   --------   ------   -------   ------   --------   --------   --------
  Total management reporting.....  $3,868.9   $3,651.2   $3,415.6    614.6     591.4    566.0    3,867.3    3,377.1    3,003.4
                                   ========   ========   ========
Segment nonrecurring and unusual
  items..........................                                     (4.5)    (51.3)    31.4
                                                                    ------   -------   ------
Net segment operating earnings...                                    610.1     540.1    597.4
General Corporate:
  Nonrecurring gains.............                                      0.8     135.2     23.2
  Nonrecurring charges...........                                       --      (2.3)    (2.1)
  Expense........................                                    (37.1)    (47.5)   (44.9)
Interest expense.................                                    (55.2)   (101.9)   (90.4)
                                                                    ------   -------   ------
Consolidated income from
  continuing operations before
  income taxes...................                                   $518.6   $ 523.6   $483.2
                                                                    ======   =======   ======
Corporate assets.................                                                                  276.1      402.0      530.2
Discontinued operations..........                                                                     --         --    1,973.7
                                                                                                --------   --------   --------
Consolidated assets..............                                                               $4,143.4   $3,779.1   $5,507.3
                                                                                                ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     ELECTRICAL   TOOLS &                         CONSOLIDATED
                                                      PRODUCTS    HARDWARE   KIRSCH   CORPORATE      TOTAL
                                                     ----------   --------   ------   ---------   ------------
1999                                                                       (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                  <C>          <C>        <C>      <C>         <C>
  Depreciation.....................................    $ 69.6      $29.4     $  --     $  1.5        $100.5
  Goodwill amortization............................      37.7        9.4        --         --          47.1
  Nonrecurring gains...............................        --         --        --        0.8           0.8
  Nonrecurring charges.............................       3.0        1.5        --         --           4.5
  Capital expenditures.............................     117.5       36.5        --       11.8         165.8
  Investment in unconsolidated affiliates..........      11.4         --        --         --          11.4
1998
  Depreciation.....................................    $ 66.4      $25.9     $  --     $  1.4        $ 93.7
  Goodwill amortization............................      35.9        7.9        --         --          43.8
  Nonrecurring gains...............................        --         --        --      135.2         135.2
  Nonrecurring charges.............................      42.6        8.7        --        2.3          53.6
  Capital expenditures.............................      95.9       45.3        --        1.2         142.4
  Investment in unconsolidated affiliates..........       8.6         --        --         --           8.6
  Other significant noncash item:
     Write-down of impaired long-lived assets......      11.1         --        --         --          11.1
1997
  Depreciation.....................................    $ 61.2      $22.3     $ 4.2     $  1.9        $ 89.6
  Goodwill amortization............................      27.9        4.2       0.3         --          32.4
  Nonrecurring gains...............................        --         --      69.8       23.2          93.0
  Nonrecurring charges.............................      15.9       22.5        --        2.1          40.5
  Capital expenditures.............................      79.2       35.6       1.4        1.1         117.3
  Investment in unconsolidated affiliates..........       0.4        2.0        --         --           2.4
  Other significant noncash item:
     Write-down of impaired long-lived assets......      13.4       10.1        --        0.7          24.2
</TABLE>

                                      A-37
<PAGE>   66
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

     Revenues and long-lived assets by country are summarized below. Revenues
are attributed to geographic areas based on the location of the assets producing
the revenues.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     REVENUES                    LONG-LIVED ASSETS
                                          ------------------------------   ------------------------------
                                            1999       1998       1997       1999       1998       1997
                                          --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                                   (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
United States...........................  $2,944.5   $2,815.7   $2,730.4   $1,912.6   $1,756.3   $1,755.6
Germany.................................     223.1      226.1      197.7      149.5      171.4      149.0
United Kingdom..........................     179.4      164.1       72.4      443.9      302.3      310.7
Canada..................................     133.5      127.3      136.3        4.4        5.1        7.2
Other foreign countries.................     388.4      318.0      278.8      166.4      126.7       93.0
                                          --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                          $3,868.9   $3,651.2   $3,415.6   $2,676.8   $2,361.8   $2,315.5
                                          ========   ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>

     International revenues by destination, based on the location products were
delivered, were as follows by segment:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 INTERNATIONAL REVENUES
                                                                               --------------------------
                                                                                 1999      1998     1997
                                                                               --------   ------   ------
                                                                                     (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                            <C>        <C>      <C>
Electrical Products..........................................................  $  775.9   $678.9   $612.7
Tools & Hardware.............................................................     351.0    286.6    290.5
Kirsch.......................................................................        --       --     29.1
                                                                               --------   ------   ------
                                                                               $1,126.9   $965.5   $932.3
                                                                               ========   ======   ======
</TABLE>

NOTE 15: OFF-BALANCE-SHEET RISK, CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK AND FAIR VALUE OF
         FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, INCLUDING DERIVATIVES

     As a result of having sales and purchases and other transactions
denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies used by Cooper's
businesses, Cooper is exposed to the effect of foreign exchange rate
fluctuations on its cash flows and earnings. To the extent possible, Cooper
utilizes natural hedges to minimize the effect on cash flows of fluctuating
foreign currencies. When natural hedges are not sufficient, it is Cooper's
policy to enter into forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge all significant
transactions for periods consistent with the terms of the underlying
transactions. Cooper does not engage in speculative transactions. While forward
contracts affect Cooper's results of operations, they do so only in connection
with the underlying transactions. Gains and losses on these contracts offset
losses and gains on the transactions being hedged. The volume of forward
activity engaged in by Cooper from year to year fluctuates in proportion to the
level of worldwide cross-border transactions, and contracts generally have
maturities that do not exceed one year.

                                      A-38
<PAGE>   67
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

     The table below summarizes, by currency, the contractual amounts of
Cooper's forward exchange contracts at December 31, 1999 and 1998.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                              --------------
                                                              1999     1998
                                                              -----   ------
                                                              (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                           <C>     <C>
British Pound Sterling(1)...................................  $  --   $290.9
German Deutschemark(2)......................................    7.2    298.2
Canadian Dollar.............................................    0.6     18.6
Euros.......................................................    3.9       --
Mexican Pesos...............................................    3.4      1.5
Swiss Francs................................................    2.4      3.8
Dutch Guilder...............................................    1.5      3.5
Italian Lira................................................     --      2.0
Australian Dollar...........................................    0.7      2.7
Other.......................................................    1.1      4.6
                                                              -----   ------
                                                              $20.8   $625.8
                                                              =====   ======
</TABLE>

- ---------------

(1) $276.9 of the 1998 British Pound Sterling forward contracts were entered
    into in the fourth quarter of 1998 and matured in May 1999.

(2) $260.2 million of the 1998 German Deutschemark contracts were entered into
    in the fourth quarter of 1998 and matured in January 1999.

     In the normal course of business, Cooper has letters of credit, performance
bonds and other guarantees which are not reflected in the consolidated balance
sheets. In the past, no significant claims have been made against these
financial instruments. Management believes the likelihood of performance under
these instruments is minimal and expects no material losses to occur in
connection with these instruments. In 1999, Cooper entered into an executory
contract with a third party that provides Cooper the right, but not the
obligation, to purchase U.S. government obligations shortly before maturity on
January 16, 2001. In the worst case scenario, Cooper could realize a $7.3
million loss under the agreement. At December 31, 1999, if Cooper had exercised
its rights under the agreement, a small gain would have been realized. Cooper's
other off-balance-sheet risks are not material.

CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

     Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited
due to the wide variety of customers and no one customer exceeding 4.5% of
accounts receivable. Credit risk is also limited by the world-wide markets into
which Cooper's products are sold, as well as their dispersion across many
different geographic areas.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

     Cooper's financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash
equivalents, trade receivables, trade payables, debt instruments and foreign
currency forward contracts. The book values of cash and cash equivalents, trade
receivables and trade payables are considered to be representative of their
respective fair values. Cooper had approximately $1.1 billion and $899 million
of debt instruments at December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively. The book value
of these instruments was approximately equal to fair value at December 31, 1999
and 1998. Based on year-end exchange rates and the various maturity dates of the
foreign currency forward contracts, Cooper estimates that the contract value is
representative of the fair value of these items at December 31, 1999 and 1998.

                                      A-39
<PAGE>   68
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

NOTE 16: SUMMARY OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     The following noncash transactions have been excluded from the consolidated
statements of cash flows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                           ---------------------------
                                                                            1999      1998      1997
                                                                           -------   -------   -------
                                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                        <C>       <C>       <C>
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed or incurred
  From the acquisition of businesses:
  Fair value of assets acquired......................................      $ 522.9   $ 349.8   $ 505.1
  Cash used to acquire businesses, net of cash acquired..............       (434.6)   (293.7)   (366.4)
                                                                           -------   -------   -------
Liabilities assumed or incurred......................................      $  88.3   $  56.1   $ 138.7(1)
                                                                           =======   =======   =======
Noncash increase in net assets from:
  Conversion of 7.05% Convertible Subordinated Debentures
     Into Cooper Common stock........................................      $    --   $    --   $ 610.0
  Exchange of DECS for Wyman-Gordon common stock.....................           --     235.2      33.8
</TABLE>

- ---------------

(1) Includes $46.2 million of notes payable exchanged for Menvier-Swain common
    stock.

NOTE 17: NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     BASIC                          DILUTED
                                         -----------------------------   -----------------------------
                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                         -----------------------------   -----------------------------
                                          1999       1998       1997      1999       1998       1997
                                         -------   --------   --------   -------   --------   --------
                                                     ($ IN MILLIONS, SHARES IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                      <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>
Income from continuing operations......  $ 331.9   $  335.9   $  310.0   $ 331.9   $  335.9   $  310.0
Income from discontinued operations....       --       87.1       84.6        --       87.1       84.6
Interest expense on 7.05% Convertible
  Subordinated Debentures, net of
  income taxes.........................       --         --         --        --         --        5.8
                                         -------   --------   --------   -------   --------   --------
Net income applicable to Common
  stock................................  $ 331.9   $  423.0   $  394.6   $ 331.9   $  423.0   $  400.4
                                         =======   ========   ========   =======   ========   ========
Weighted average Common shares
  outstanding..........................   94,046    113,266    117,459    94,046    113,266    117,459
                                         =======   ========   ========
Incremental shares from assumed
  conversions:
  Options, performance-based stock
     awards and other employee
     awards............................                                      896      1,392      1,201
  7.05% Convertible Subordinated
     Debentures........................                                       --         --      4,270
                                                                         -------   --------   --------
Weighted average Common shares and
  Common Share equivalents.............                                   94,942    114,658    122,930
                                                                         =======   ========   ========
</TABLE>

NOTE 18: DISCONTINUED OPERATION

     On October 9, 1998, Cooper completed the sale of the Automotive Products
segment for cash proceeds of $1.9 billion. During 1999, Cooper received an
additional $149.1 million representing reimbursement of Cooper's pre-closing
cash funding of international automotive operations and the earnings and
additional cash invested in the Automotive Products segment between March 31,
1998 and October 9, 1998.

     Cooper's results of operations and the related footnote information for all
periods presented herein excludes the results of the Automotive Products segment
from continuing operations' revenues and other components of income and expense.
The discontinued segment's results are presented separately in a single caption,
"Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes". The Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows reflect the cash flows

                                      A-40
<PAGE>   69
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

from discontinued operations in a single line "Cash flows provided by (used in)
discontinued operations". No cash or debt has been allocated to the discontinued
operations.

     Revenues from the discontinued Automotive Products segment were $1.5
billion for the period from January 1, 1998 to October 9, 1998 and $1.9 billion
for the year ended December 31, 1997. Income from the discontinued Automotive
Products segment was $87.1 million (net of $56.6 million of income taxes) for
the period from January 1, 1998 to October 9, 1998 and $84.6 million (net of
$58.9 million of income taxes) during the year ended December 31, 1997.

     The pre-tax loss on the sale of $18.8 million was offset by a tax benefit.
Cooper sold the common stock of the entity that held a majority of the
Automotive Products segment assets domiciled in the United States and certain
investments in foreign subsidiaries. In certain countries, the assets, net of
liabilities or investments in subsidiaries, were sold by existing Cooper
entities.

     Cooper's total income tax basis exceeded the book carrying amount of the
net assets exclusive of deferred income tax assets which generated a capital
loss carryforward. For financial reporting purposes, the sale of the common
stock versus a sale of the net assets of the Automotive Products segment
resulted in a realization of items (primarily goodwill amortization) that had
reduced the book carrying amount without a corresponding income tax benefit.
Cooper limited the amount of tax benefits recognized based on an evaluation of
the amount of the capital loss carryforward that is expected to be realized
before it expires.

NOTE 19: UNAUDITED QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         1999 (BY QUARTER)
                                                              ---------------------------------------
                                                                 1         2         3          4
                                                              -------   -------   -------   ---------
                                                               (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Revenues....................................................  $924.7    $957.5    $982.2    $1,004.5
Cost of sales...............................................   622.0     639.8     664.4       677.2
Selling and administrative expenses.........................   156.3     156.6     160.8       167.2
Goodwill amortization.......................................    11.3      11.5      11.5        12.8
Nonrecurring charges........................................     3.7        --        --          --
Interest expense............................................    13.2      12.2      13.7        16.1
                                                              ------    ------    ------    --------
Income before income taxes..................................   118.2     137.4     131.8       131.2
Income taxes................................................    42.6      49.4      47.4        47.3
                                                              ------    ------    ------    --------
Net income..................................................  $ 75.6    $ 88.0    $ 84.4    $   83.9
                                                              ======    ======    ======    ========
Income per Common share:
  Basic.....................................................  $  .80    $  .93    $  .90    $    .89
  Diluted(1)................................................  $  .80    $  .92    $  .89    $    .89
</TABLE>

- ---------------

(1) Includes net nonrecurring charges of $.02 per share in the first quarter.

                                      A-41
<PAGE>   70
                            COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1998 (BY QUARTER)
                                                              --------------------------------------
                                                                 1         2         3         4
                                                              -------   -------   -------   --------
                                                               (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Revenues....................................................  $894.1    $951.2    $924.0    $ 881.9
Cost of sales...............................................   601.9     639.8     621.8      583.6
Selling and administrative expenses.........................   154.8     156.7     151.0      153.9
Goodwill amortization.......................................    10.1      11.1      11.2       11.4
Nonrecurring gains..........................................      --        --        --     (135.2)
Nonrecurring charges........................................      --        --        --       53.6
Interest expense............................................    25.3      27.4      34.8       14.4
                                                              ------    ------    ------    -------
Income from continuing operations before income taxes.......   102.0     116.2     105.2      200.2
Income taxes................................................    36.7      41.8      37.9       71.3
                                                              ------    ------    ------    -------
Income from continuing operations...........................    65.3      74.4      67.3      128.9
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes...........    26.7      31.6      25.9        2.9
                                                              ------    ------    ------    -------
Net income..................................................  $ 92.0    $106.0    $ 93.2    $ 131.8
                                                              ======    ======    ======    =======
Income per Common share
Basic:
  Income from continuing operations.........................  $  .55    $  .62    $  .59    $  1.27
  Income from discontinued operations.......................     .22       .27       .23        .03
                                                              ------    ------    ------    -------
  Net income................................................  $  .77    $  .89    $  .82    $  1.30
                                                              ======    ======    ======    =======
Diluted:
  Income from continuing operations(1)......................  $  .54    $  .62    $  .59    $  1.26
  Income from discontinued operations.......................     .22       .26       .22        .03
                                                              ------    ------    ------    -------
  Net income................................................  $  .76    $  .88    $  .81    $  1.29
                                                              ======    ======    ======    =======
</TABLE>

- ---------------

(1) Includes gains, net of nonrecurring expenses on the redemption of the DECS
    and sale of investments of $.52 per share in the fourth quarter.

                                      A-42
<PAGE>   71

[X]  PLEASE MARK YOUR                                                       9327
     VOTES AS IN THIS
     EXAMPLE.



<TABLE>
<S>                                                              <C>
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL NOMINEES.       THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST PROPOSAL 2.

                  FOR      WITHHELD                                                         FOR   AGAINST  ABSTAIN

1. Election       [ ]         [ ]     NOMINEES:                  2. Shareholder proposal    [ ]     [ ]       [ ]
   of                                      01 C.J. Grum          relating to a global set
   Directors.                              02 R.H. Robins        of corporate standards.
                                           03 J.R. Wilson

To withhold your vote for any nominee(s), write the name(s)
here:


- ----------------------------------------------------------



                                                                                  I plan to attend the meeting. [ ]


                                                                                  Please sign exactly as name appears hereon.
                                                                                  Joint owners should each sign. When signing
                                                                                  as attorney, executor, administrator,
                                                                                  trustee or guardian, please give full title
                                                                                  as such.


                                                                                  --------------------------------------------


                                                                                  --------------------------------------------
                                                                                     SIGNATURE(S)                        DATE
</TABLE>



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            o Fold and Detach Here o                      (OVER)

  THIS IS YOUR PROXY,                                              [COOPER LOGO]
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

                          VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET

                            QUICK o EASY o IMMEDIATE

Cooper Industries, Inc. encourages you to take advantage of two new
cost-effective and convenient ways to vote your shares. You may now vote your
proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, using either a touch-tone telephone or
electronically through the Internet. YOUR TELEPHONE OR INTERNET VOTE MUST BE
RECEIVED BY 12:00 MIDNIGHT NEW YORK TIME ON APRIL 24, 2000.

Telephone and Internet proxy voting is permitted under the laws of the state in
which Cooper is incorporated. Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the
proxies named on the above proxy card to vote your shares in the same manner as
if you marked, signed, and returned your proxy card.

VOTE BY PHONE:                ON A TOUCH-TONE TELEPHONE DIAL 1-877-PRX-VOTE
                              (1-877-779-8683) FROM THE U.S. AND CANADA OR DIAL
                              201-536-8073 FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.

                              You will be asked to enter the VOTER CONTROL
                              NUMBER that appears on the proxy card. Then follow
                              the instructions.

                                       OR

VOTE BY INTERNET:             LOG ON TO THE INTERNET AND GO TO THE WEB
                              SITE: http://www.eproxyvote.com/cbe.

                              Click on the "PROCEED" icon - You will be asked to
                              enter the VOTER CONTROL NUMBER that appears on the
                              proxy card. Then follow the instructions.

                                       OR

VOTE BY MAIL:                 Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it
                              in the postage-paid envelope. IF YOU ARE VOTING BY
                              TELEPHONE OR THE INTERNET, PLEASE DO NOT MAIL YOUR
                              PROXY CARD.

YOU CAN ALSO ELECT TO RECEIVE FUTURE ANNUAL REPORTS AND PROXY STATEMENTS OVER
THE INTERNET INSTEAD OF RECEIVING PAPER COPIES IN THE MAIL. SEE THE REVERSE SIDE
OF THE PROXY CARD FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.


<PAGE>   72
<TABLE>
  <S>                                                                   <C>
     COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC.                                            [COOPER LOGO]
     PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
     APRIL 25, 2000
     SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

         The undersigned shareholder of Cooper Industries, Inc. ("Cooper") appoints
     Diane K. Schumacher and Terrance V. Helz, or either of them, proxies, with full
     power of substitution, to vote all shares of stock that the shareholder would be
     entitled to vote if present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Cooper on
     Tuesday, April 25, 2000, at 11:00 a.m. (Central Time) in the Chase Center
  P  Auditorium, 601 Travis Street, Houston, Texas, and at any adjournments thereof,
  R  with all powers the shareholder would possess if present. The shareholder hereby
  O  revokes any proxies previously given with respect to such meeting.
  X
  Y      THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED ON THE REVERSE SIDE, BUT IF NO
     SPECIFICATION IS MADE, IT WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR (C.J.
     GRUM, R.H. ROBINS, J.R. WILSON) AND AGAINST PROPOSAL 2 AND IN THE DISCRETION OF
     THE PROXIES ON OTHER MATTERS AS MAY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT
     THEREOF.

         This card also constitutes voting instructions for any shares held for the
     shareholder in Cooper's Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan and the
     Cooper Industries, Inc. Retirement Savings and Stock Ownership Plan, as well as
     any shares acquired through Cooper's Employee Stock Purchase Plan that are being
     held in a book-entry account at First Chicago Trust Company of New York, as
     described in the Notice of Meeting and Proxy Statement.
</TABLE>


                                     (Please date and sign on the reverse side)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            o Fold and Detach Here o



                      HOW TO RECEIVE YOUR ANNUAL REPORT AND
                            PROXY STATEMENT ON-LINE


         You may now receive future Cooper Industries, Inc. annual reports and
proxy statements on-line on the Internet by submitting your consent to Cooper.
This will save Cooper postage and printing expenses and have information
available to you faster.

         Most shareholders can elect to view future proxy statements and annual
reports over the Internet instead of receiving paper copies in the mail. If you
are a registered shareholder and you wish to consent to Internet delivery of
future annual reports and proxy statements, follow the instructions set forth
below.

         o  Log onto the Internet and go to the web site:
            http://www.econsent.com/cbe/ (If you are voting your shares this
            year using the Internet, you can link to this web site directly from
            the web site where you vote your shares.)

         o  You will be asked to consent to Internet delivery of annual meeting
            materials and provide your TAXPAYER I.D. NUMBER (U.S. SOCIAL
            SECURITY NUMBER), E-MAIL ADDRESS and ACCOUNT NUMBER. Your account
            number is the 10 digit hyphenated number located above your name on
            the proxy card. You will not need to provide an account number if
            you only hold shares through the Cooper Industries' Retirement
            Savings and Stock Ownership Plan.

         If you are not a registered shareholder and you wish to consent to
Internet delivery of future annual reports and proxy statements, please contact
the bank, broker or other holder of record through which you hold your shares
and inquire about the availability of such option for you.

         If you consent, your account will be so noted and, when Cooper's 2000
Annual Report and the Proxy Statement for the 2001 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders become available, you will be notified by e-mail on how to access
them on the Internet.

         If you do elect to receive your Cooper materials via the Internet, you
can still request paper copies by contacting Cooper Industries, Inc. at 600
Travis, Suite 5800, Houston, Texas 77002-1001, Attn: Public Affairs Department.
Also, you may change or revoke your consent at any time by going to the above
web site and following the applicable instructions.



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