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Cooper Declares Dividend

28 April 1998

Cooper's Board Declares Dividend; Additional Stock Repurchases Authorized

    HOUSTON, April 28 -- The board of directors of Cooper
Industries, Inc. today declared a quarterly dividend on the
company's outstanding common shares.  A regular quarterly dividend of
33 cents on each common share is payable July 1, 1998, to shareholders of
record on June 11, 1998.
    Cooper also announced that its Board of Directors authorized additional
stock repurchases.  Cooper's Board approved an extension of the company's
stock buyback authorization based on Cooper's continued strong cash flow and
the company's planned exit from the automotive products business.
    The maximum amount of Cooper's common stock repurchase program is
$300 million.  Cooper intends to repurchase its stock in open market
transactions subject to applicable New York Stock Exchange and Securities and
Exchange Commission rules.
    "Our success in making Cooper a company with more predictable, higher
earnings and greater growth potential is evidenced by these actions," said
H. John Riley, Jr., Cooper's Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer.  "I am pleased to provide this immediate reward to our shareholders,
while we continue to pursue our long-term growth objectives," Riley added.
    Cooper Industries, with 1997 revenues of $5.3 billion, is a diversified,
worldwide manufacturer of electrical products, tools and hardware, and
automotive products.  Additional information about Cooper is available on
the company's World Wide Web site: http://www.cooperindustries.com.

SOURCE  Cooper Industries, Inc.