Towson, MD

Black & Decker's earnings soared to $83 million for the second quarter of this year ending July 2, 2000. Earnings per diluted share increased 21% over the same period last year, reflecting improved operating performance, a lower tax rate, and lower average outstanding shares of the Corporation's stock due to a stock repurchase program.

New lawn and garden products, such as blower vacs and string trimmers, and the launch of the global Dustbuster® cordless vacuum contributed to growth in the consumer tools unit, while continued improvement at Price Pfister encouraged sales in Hardware and Home Improvement.