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Avery Dennison Reports First Quarter 2006 Results

PASADENA, Calif.--April 25, 2006--Avery Dennison Corporation :

Highlights from Continuing Operations


    --  Net sales of $1.34 billion, approximately even with
        first-quarter 2005

        --  Organic sales growth of 3%, a two point improvement over
            the preceding two quarters

    --  Net income of $68.9 million and earnings per share of $0.69,
        up 19%

        --  Earnings per share before restructuring and other charges
            of $0.75, up 21%

    --  Company on track to achieve previously announced annualized
        savings of $80 to $90 million from restructuring efforts by
        year-end

    --  Price increases implemented to offset rising raw material and
        energy-related costs

Avery Dennison Corporation today reported first quarter diluted earnings per share of $0.69, compared with $0.57 per share for the first quarter of 2005. The increase in earnings reflected improvements in the Company's gross profit margin and operating expense ratio, as well as the benefit from an anticipated reduction in its tax rate relative to the same quarter last year.

In both years, first quarter results included restructuring and asset impairment charges and a net loss from discontinued operations; 2005 results also included a gain on sale of assets and transition costs related to a plant closure. The net effect of these items totaled approximately $0.06 per share in 2006 and $0.05 per share in the prior year. Excluding these items, first quarter earnings per share from continuing operations increased by 21 percent over the same quarter last year. (See Attachment A-3: "Preliminary Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures".)

"We delivered outstanding profit improvement this quarter, and are on track to achieve the savings we targeted from our cost reduction actions," said Dean A. Scarborough, president and chief executive officer of Avery Dennison. "Our employees are doing a tremendous job improving the profitability of our businesses, while maintaining their focus on innovation and top-line growth.

"Underlying unit volume growth improved sequentially," added Scarborough. "We anticipate further improvement in unit volume growth through the balance of the year. In particular, with pricing actions largely behind us, we expect our service and product advantages to once again drive share gain domestically for our roll materials business.

"We remain focused on our key strategic growth platforms," said Scarborough. "We expect that emerging markets will continue to provide solid growth, and our expansion efforts in radio frequency identification (RFID), roll label materials for the beverage market, the Retail Information Services business, and numerous other Horizon growth initiatives will deliver on their potential."

First Quarter Financial Highlights From Continuing Operations

(For a more detailed presentation of the Company's results for the quarter, see First Quarter 2006 Financial Review and Analysis, posted at the Company's Web site at www.investors.averydennison.com.)

-- Net sales were approximately even with the prior year at $1.34 billion. Organic sales growth, which excludes the impact of acquisitions, divestitures, and foreign currency translation, was approximately 3 percent.

-- Core unit volume grew approximately 2 percent compared with the prior year, representing the second consecutive quarter of improvement in underlying growth. Changes in pricing and product mix contributed approximately one point to top line growth.

-- Excluding restructuring and asset impairment charges, a gain on sale of assets and transition costs in 2005 related to a plant closure, operating margin improved by 100 basis points. (See Attachment A-3: "Preliminary Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures".)

-- The recognition of stock option expense added approximately $7 million of pre-tax cost compared with the prior year, which reduced operating margin by 50 basis points and reduced after-tax earnings by $0.04 per share. As previously announced, the Company expects pre-tax stock option expense for the full year of approximately $19 million, or $0.12 per share after-tax.

-- The effective tax rate declined by 390 basis points to 22.0 percent, in line with the Company's expectations.

Segment Highlights

(See Attachment A-4: "Preliminary Supplementary Information, Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Supplementary Information" for adjusted operating margins included below.)

-- Pressure-sensitive Materials reported sales of $787 million, approximately even with the prior year. Organic sales growth for the segment was 3 percent. Operating margin before restructuring and asset impairment costs, as well as a gain on sale of assets in the prior year, declined 10 basis points to 8.9 percent.

-- Office and Consumer Products sales declined 7 percent to $240 million. Organic sales decline for the segment was 3 percent, including a 2 percent reduction in sales from exiting certain private label business. Operating margin before restructuring charges and 2005 transition costs associated with a plant closure increased 270 basis points to 15.3 percent.

-- Retail Information Services sales grew 5 percent to $165 million. Organic sales growth for the segment was 6 percent. Operating margin before restructuring and asset impairment charges increased 310 basis points to 6.8 percent.

Outlook for the Year

Reflecting first quarter results, Avery Dennison adjusted its full year earnings guidance to a range of $3.55 to $3.80 per share before charges associated with ongoing restructuring efforts. The Company previously expected earnings to be in the range of $3.45 to $3.80 per share before restructuring charges.

Avery Dennison is a global leader in pressure-sensitive labeling materials, office products and retail tag, ticketing and branding systems. Based in Pasadena, Calif., Avery Dennison is a FORTUNE 500 company with 2005 sales of $5.5 billion. Avery Dennison employs more than 22,000 individuals in 48 countries worldwide who apply the Company's technologies to develop, manufacture and market a wide range of products for both consumer and industrial markets. Products offered by Avery Dennison include Avery-brand office products and graphics imaging media, Fasson-brand self-adhesive materials, peel-and-stick postage stamps, reflective highway safety products, labels for a wide variety of automotive, industrial and durable goods applications, brand identification and supply chain management products for the retail and apparel industries, and specialty tapes and polymers.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information presented in this news release may constitute "forward-looking" statements. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results and trends may differ materially from historical or expected results depending on a variety of factors, including but not limited to fluctuations in cost and availability of raw materials; ability of the Company to achieve and sustain targeted cost reductions; foreign exchange rates; worldwide and local economic conditions; selling prices; impact of legal proceedings, including the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") criminal investigation, as well as the European Commission ("EC"), Canadian Department of Justice, and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission investigations, into industry competitive practices and any related proceedings or lawsuits pertaining to these investigations or to the subject matter thereof (including purported class actions seeking treble damages for alleged unlawful competitive practices, and purported class actions related to alleged disclosure violations pertaining to alleged unlawful competitive practices, which were filed after the announcement of the DOJ investigation, as well as a likely fine by the EC in respect of certain employee misconduct in Europe); impact of potential violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act based on issues in China; impact of epidemiological events on the economy and the Company's customers and suppliers; successful integration of acquired companies, financial condition and inventory strategies of customers; development, introduction and acceptance of new products; fluctuations in demand affecting sales to customers; and other matters referred to in the Company's SEC filings.

The Company believes that the most significant risk factors that could affect its ability to achieve its stated financial expectations in the near-term include (1) potential adverse developments in legal proceedings and/or investigations regarding competitive activities, including possible fines, penalties, judgments or settlements; (2) the impact of economic conditions on underlying demand for the Company's products; (3) the impact of competitors' actions, including expansion in key markets, product offerings and pricing; (4) the degree to which higher raw material costs can be passed on to customers through selling price increases (and previously implemented selling price increases can be sustained), without a significant loss of volume; and (5) the ability of the Company to achieve and sustain targeted cost reductions.

The financial information presented in this news release represents preliminary, unaudited financial results.

For more information and to listen to a live broadcast or an audio replay of the 1st Quarter conference call with analysts, visit the Avery Dennison Web site at www.investors.averydennison.com

 
                                                                 A-1

AVERY DENNISON
PRELIMINARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(In millions, except per share amounts)
                                                                 

                                                     (UNAUDITED)

                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                ---------------------

                                                  Apr. 01,   Apr. 02,
                                                    2006      2005

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

Net sales                                         $1,337.2  $1,342.8

Cost of products sold                                982.0     990.9

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

Gross profit                                         355.2     351.9

Marketing, general & administrative expense          244.8     254.4

Interest expense                                      14.5      14.5

Other expense, net (1)                                 7.6       3.3

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

Income from continuing operations before taxes        88.3      79.7

Taxes on income                                       19.4      20.6

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

Income from continuing operations                     68.9      59.1

Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes       (0.2)     (1.4)

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

Net Income                                           $68.7     $57.7

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

Per share amounts:
Income (Loss) per common share, assuming dilution

    Continuing operations                            $0.69     $0.58

    Discontinued operations                            ---     (0.01)

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

    Net Income                                       $0.69     $0.57

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

Average common shares outstanding,
 assuming dilution                                   100.1     100.7
---------------------------------------------- ----------------------
Common shares outstanding at period end               99.8     100.2
---------------------------------------------- ----------------------

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the
2006 financial statement presentation.

(1) Other expense for the first quarter of 2006 includes $7.2 of
    restructuring costs and asset impairment charges and $.4 for legal
    accrual related to a patent lawsuit.

    Other expense, net, for the first quarter of 2005 includes $6.7 of
    restructuring costs and asset impairment charges, partially offset
    by gain on sale of assets of ($3.4).

                                                                 A-2

      Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures in Accordance
                         with SEC Regulation G


    Avery Dennison reports financial results in accordance with U.S.
    GAAP, and herein provides some non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP
    measures are not in accordance with, nor are they a substitute
    for, GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures are intended to
    supplement the Company's presentation of its financial results
    that are prepared in accordance with GAAP.

    Avery Dennison uses the non-GAAP measures presented to evaluate
    and manage the Company's operations internally. Avery Dennison is
    also providing this information to assist investors in performing
    additional financial analysis that is consistent with financial
    models developed by research analysts who follow the Company.

    The reconciliation set forth below is provided in accordance with
    Regulations G and S-K and reconciles the non-GAAP financial
    measures with the most directly comparable GAAP financial
    measures.

                                                                 A-3

AVERY DENNISON
PRELIMINARY RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES
(In millions, except per share amounts)


                                                    (UNAUDITED)

                                                Three Months Ended
                                                -------------------

                                                 Apr. 01,  Apr. 02,
                                                   2006      2005

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

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Margin:

Net sales                                        $1,337.2 $1,342.8

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

Income from continuing operations before taxes      $88.3    $79.7

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

GAAP Operating Margin                                 6.6%     5.9%

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


Income from continuing operations before taxes      $88.3    $79.7

   Non-GAAP adjustments:

   Restructuring and transition costs (1)             5.4      4.8

   Asset impairment charges                           1.8      2.7

   Other (2)                                          0.4     (3.4)

   Interest expense                                  14.5     14.5

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

Adjusted non-GAAP operating income before taxes
 and interest expense                              $110.4    $98.3

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

Adjusted Non-GAAP Operating Margin                    8.3%     7.3%

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


Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Net Income:


As reported net income                              $68.7    $57.7

   Non-GAAP adjustments, net of taxes:

   Restructuring and transition costs                 4.2      3.6

   Asset impairment charges                           1.4      2.0

   Other                                              0.3     (2.5)

   Loss from discontinued operations                  0.2      1.4

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

Adjusted Non-GAAP Net Income                        $74.8    $62.2

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



Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share:


As reported income (loss) per common share,
 assuming dilution                                  $0.69    $0.57

   Non-GAAP adjustments per share, net of taxes:

   Restructuring and transition costs                0.04     0.04

   Asset impairment charges                          0.02     0.02

   Other                                              ---    (0.02)

   Loss from discontinued operations                  ---     0.01

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

Adjusted Non-GAAP income per common share,
 assuming dilution                                  $0.75    $0.62

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

Average common shares outstanding,
 assuming dilution                                  100.1    100.7
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the
2006 financial statement presentation.

(1) 2006 includes restructuring costs of $5.4. 
    2005 includes restructuring and transition costs of $4 and $.8, 
    respectively, related to a plant closure.

(2) 2006 includes legal accrual related to a patent lawsuit of $.4. 
    2005 includes gain on sale of assets of ($3.4).


                                                                 A-4

                            AVERY DENNISON
                 PRELIMINARY SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
                             (In millions)


                                         (UNAUDITED)

                                     First Quarter Ended
                      -----------------------------------------------

                          NET SALES      OPERATING INCOME  OPERATING
                                                            MARGINS
                      ------------------ ---------------- -----------

                        2006     2005     2006(1) 2005(2)  2006  2005
                      ------------------ ---------------- -----------

Pressure-sensitive
 Materials              $787.2   $785.4    $65.9   $71.3   8.4%  9.1%
Office and Consumer
 Products                239.9    258.7     35.8    27.7  14.9% 10.7%
Retail Information
 Services                165.3    157.4      9.0     5.8   5.4%  3.7%
Other specialty
 converting businesses   144.8    141.3      4.8     3.7   3.3%  2.6%
Corporate Expense          N/A      N/A    (12.7)  (14.3)  N/A   N/A
Interest Expense           N/A      N/A    (14.5)  (14.5)  N/A   N/A
                      ------------------ ---------------- -----------

TOTAL FROM CONTINUING
 OPERATIONS           $1,337.2 $1,342.8    $88.3   $79.7   6.6%  5.9%
                      ================== ================ ===========

(1) Operating income for the first quarter of 2006 includes $7.2
    of restructuring costs and asset impairment charges and $.4 for
    legal accrual related to a patent lawsuit, of which the
    Pressure-sensitive Materials segment recorded $4, the Office and
    Consumer Products segment recorded $.8, the Retail Information
    Services segment recorded $2.3, and Corporate recorded $.5.

(2) Operating income for the first quarter of 2005 includes $7.5
    of restructuring and transition costs and asset impairment
    charges, partially offset by gain on sale of assets of ($3.4), of
    which the Pressure-sensitive Materials segment recorded ($.7) and
    the Office and Consumer Products segment recorded $4.8.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 
2006 financial statement presentation.


     RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

                                              First Quarter Ended
                                         ----------------------------
                                         OPERATING INCOME  OPERATING
                                                            MARGINS
                                         ---------------- -----------

                                           2006    2005    2006  2005
                                         ---------------- -----------
Pressure-sensitive Materials
----------------------------
Operating income, as reported              $65.9   $71.3   8.4%  9.1%
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Legal accrual related to a patent lawsuit    0.4     ---   0.1%  ---
Restructuring costs                          2.6     ---   0.3%  ---
Asset impairment charges                     1.0     2.7   0.1%  0.3%
Gain on sale of assets                       ---    (3.4)  --- (0.4%)
                                         ---------------- -----------

Adjusted non-GAAP operating income         $69.9   $70.6   8.9%  9.0%
                                         ================ ===========

Office and Consumer Products
----------------------------
Operating income, as reported              $35.8   $27.7  14.9% 10.7%
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Restructuring and transition costs (1)       0.8     4.8   0.4%  1.9%
                                         ---------------- -----------

Adjusted non-GAAP operating income         $36.6   $32.5  15.3% 12.6%
                                         ================ ===========

Retail Information Services
---------------------------
Operating income, as reported               $9.0    $5.8   5.4%  3.7%
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Restructuring costs                          2.0     ---   1.2%  ---
Asset impairment charges                     0.3     ---   0.2%  ---
                                         ---------------- -----------

Adjusted non-GAAP operating income         $11.3    $5.8   6.8%  3.7%
                                         ================ ===========

(1) For 2006, amount includes restructuring costs of $.8. 
    For 2005, amount includes restructuring and transition costs of 
    $4 and $.8, respectively, related to a plant closure.


                                                                 A-5

                            AVERY DENNISON
           PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                             (In millions)


                                                    (UNAUDITED)


ASSETS                                         Apr. 01,      Apr. 02, 
                                                 2006          2005
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                      $39.1         $53.0
  Trade accounts receivable, net                 836.7         830.8
  Inventories, net                               460.5         472.9
  Other current assets                           169.8         145.7

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

              Total current assets             1,506.1       1,502.4

Property, plant and equipment, net             1,280.9       1,339.8
Goodwill                                         676.6         693.1
Intangibles resulting from business
 acquisitions, net                                96.8         110.9
Other assets                                     582.1         650.0

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

                                              $4,142.5      $4,296.2

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


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

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

Current liabilities:
  Short-term and current portion of 
   long-term debt                               $376.4        $231.9
  Accounts payable                               606.2         599.6
  Other current liabilities                      454.1         471.5

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

              Total current liabilities        1,436.7       1,303.0

Long-term debt                                   720.8         994.7
Other long-term liabilities                      420.5         461.0
Shareholders' equity:
  Common stock                                   124.1         124.1
  Capital in excess of par value                 772.7         788.8
  Retained earnings                            1,971.2       1,903.4
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss           (80.6)        (36.4)
  Cost of unallocated ESOP shares                 (7.7)         (9.7)
  Employee stock benefit trusts                 (577.0)       (635.1)
  Treasury stock at cost                        (638.2)       (597.6)


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

              Total shareholders' equity       1,564.5       1,537.5

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

                                              $4,142.5      $4,296.2

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


                                                                 A-6

                            AVERY DENNISON
      PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                             (In millions)

                                                     (UNAUDITED)

                                                 Three Months Ended
                                              ------------------------
                                                 Apr. 01,     Apr. 02,
                                                   2006         2005
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating Activities:

Net income                                         $68.7        $57.7

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
 cash provided by operating activities:

   Depreciation                                     39.0         38.2

   Amortization                                     10.7         11.6

   Deferred taxes                                    0.1         (0.6)

   Asset impairment and net (gain) loss on
    sale of assets                                   1.2          0.3

   Other non-cash items, net                         3.6         (4.5)
                                                  -------      -------

                                                   123.3        102.7

   Changes in assets and liabilities              (101.6)      (105.4)
                                                  -------      -------

Net cash provided by (used in) operating
 activities                                         21.7         (2.7)
                                                  -------      -------

Investing Activities:

Purchase of property, plant and
 equipment                                         (51.5)       (43.9)

Purchase of software and other deferred
 charges                                            (8.8)        (4.9)

Proceeds from sale of assets                         5.2          5.2

Other                                               (1.0)         5.8
                                                  -------      -------

Net cash used in investing activities              (56.1)       (37.8)
                                                  -------      -------

Financing Activities:

Net increase in borrowings (maturities of
 90 days or less)                                    8.5        103.6

Additional borrowings (maturities longer
 than 90 days)                                       ---          0.3

Payments of debt (maturities longer than
 90 days)                                           (1.1)       (60.2)

Dividends paid                                     (42.8)       (41.9)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net         5.8          2.7

Other                                                4.0          4.0
                                                  -------      -------


Net cash (used in) provided by financing
 activities                                        (25.6)         8.5
                                                  -------      -------

Effect of foreign currency translation on
 cash balances                                       0.6          0.2
                                                  -------      -------

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents              (59.4)       (31.8)
                                                  -------      -------

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period      98.5         84.8
                                                  -------      -------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period           $39.1        $53.0
                                                  =======      =======