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     NWL : NEWELL RUBBERMAID (NYSE) 
  All Headlines   Newell Rubbermaid Reports First Quarter Results * EPS of $0.24, Up 33% Versus Prior Year, Beats First Call Estimate * Free Cash Flow of $30 Million Up $22 Million From Q1 2001  FREEPORT, Ill., May 1, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NYSE: NWL chart, msgs) today announced that its earnings for the first quarter exceeded Wall Street expectations and were in line with the company's previous guidance. 
  First Quarter Results 
  Net sales in the first quarter of 2002 were $1.60 billion, down 0.9% from $1.61 billion in the first quarter 2001 and in line with company expectations. This represents a five-and-a-half-point trend improvement in internal growth versus the fourth quarter of 2001. The company cited solid performance in its Rubbermaid Home Products business, which grew revenue by 5% in the quarter and is gaining additional retail shelf space as a result of new product introductions and account reviews won over the last year. The company also said that its Parker/Eldon writing instruments and office products business grew solidly in the quarter, with sales up five percent. 
  Excluding restructuring and other non-recurring items, diluted earnings per share were $0.24 in the first quarter of 2002 versus $0.18 in the fourth quarter of 2001, a 33% improvement. The First Call consensus estimate was $0.22. 
  As part of its previously announced restructuring plan, the company recorded first quarter pre-tax restructuring and other non-recurring items of $19.8 million ($13.1 million after taxes) related primarily to severance and facility exit costs in connection with the company's streamlining initiative. Including these restructuring and other non-recurring items, diluted earnings per share were $0.19 in the first quarter of 2002 versus $0.14 in the first quarter of 2001, a 36% improvement. 
  As previously disclosed, during the first quarter the company adopted the new accounting standard for "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" (SFAS Rule No. 142). As a result, the company recorded a $514.9 million one-time, after-tax, non-cash charge in its first quarter income statement. During the quarter, the company also adopted the non-amortization provision of SFAS Rule No. 142. This accounting change resulted in a first quarter earnings improvement of $0.03 per diluted share. 
  Including all charges and the impact of the previously announced accounting change, the company reported a diluted loss per share of a $1.74 in the first quarter of 2002. Diluted earnings per share were $0.14 in the first quarter of 2001. 
  The quarter was highlighted by a continued improvement in free cash flow, up $22 million from the first quarter of 2001, building on the significant progress made in 2001. For the quarter, the company generated free cash flow of $30.4 million versus $8.3 million generated in the first quarter of 2001. The company defines free cash flow as cash generated from operations, net of capital expenditures and dividends. 
  The company pointed to a continued trend in improved year-over-year inventory levels and better management of accounts payable as major contributors to cash flow. For the quarter, inventory levels were $1.15 billion, down $162.6 million from the first quarter of 2001, and accounts payable were $525.8 million, up $159.3 million from the first quarter of 2001. 
  The company added that its continued focus on productivity measures contributed to the expansion of gross margin by over two points, excluding charges, to 26.7% in the quarter from 24.5% in the first quarter of 2001. 
  "We continued to build momentum during the first quarter and feel we are extremely well positioned to achieve our sales and earnings targets for the year," said Joseph Galli, Newell Rubbermaid's Chief Executive Officer. "The company is making significant progress in new product development, key account management and building a world class management team. We are transforming Newell Rubbermaid strategically and organizationally into a company capable of continuous sales and earnings growth." 
  Among the operating highlights of the first quarter: 
       * On April 30, the company acquired American Tool Companies, a leading        manufacturer of hand tools and power tool accessories.  This marks an        important expansion and enhancement of the company's product lines and        customer base and gives the company significant scale in the "do-it        -yourself" retailing market.  The hand tool and power tool accessories        portfolio includes branded hand tools such as Vise-Grip(R) pliers,        Quick-Grip(R) hand clamps, Record(R) vises, Straight-Line(TM) marking        tools and Prosnip(R) snips, in addition to power tool accessories such        as Irwin(R) and Speedbor(R) wood boring bits, Hanson(R) drill bits,        Marathon(TM) saw blades, Joran(R) masonry drill bits and Unibit(TM)        step drills.
       * During the quarter, the company continued to strengthen its management        ranks, with 21 new hires and promotions at the vice president and        president levels.
       * The company nominated Raymond G. Viault, vice chairman of General        Mills, Inc., an executive with broad experience in the consumer        products industry, to Newell Rubbermaid's board of directors.  The        company added that Mr. Viault's global brand building and general        management experience, international expertise and contributions as a        board member of other organizations would add enormously to the        company's strategic direction.
  2002 Outlook
  The company reiterated that for the full year 2002 it expects diluted earnings per share, excluding charges, to be in the range of $1.48 - $1.58. For the second quarter 2002, the company expects diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $0.34 - $0.39. 
  Conference Call 
  The company's first quarter 2002 conference call is scheduled for today, May 1 at 10:00 a.m. CT. To participate on the call, please RSVP at (402) 220- 0820. A dial-in number will be provided at that time. The call also may be accessed live by listening to an audio cast. To listen to the audio cast, use the link provided under Investor Relations on Newell Rubbermaid's corporate home page at www.newellco.com . 
  A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours following the conclusion of the call through May 31, 2002 by dialing (402) 220-0820. 
  The statements contained in this press release that are not historical in nature are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees since there are inherent difficulties in predicting future results, and actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. For a list of major factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, refer to Newell Rubbermaid's 2001 Form 10-K, Exhibit 99, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 
  This press release and additional financial information about the company's first quarter results are also available at the Company's Web site at www.newellco.com . 
  Newell Rubbermaid Inc. is a global marketer of consumer products with 2001 sales of nearly $7 billion and a powerful brand family including Sharpie(R), Paper Mate(R), Parker(R), Waterman(R), Colorific(R), Rubbermaid(R), Blue Ice(R), Calphalon(R), Little Tikes(R), Graco(R), Levolor(R), Kirsch(R), Shur- Line(R), BernzOmatic(R), Eldon(R), Goody(R), Vise-Grip(R), Quick-Grip(R) and Irwin(R). The company is headquartered in Freeport, Illinois and employs 49,000 people worldwide. 
                                      Newell Rubbermaid Inc.                         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)                              (in millions, except per share data)
                  As reported                                              Three Months Ended March 31,                                               2002        2001     % Change
      Net sales                               $1,597.0    $1,610.7      (0.9)%     Cost of products sold                    1,177.9     1,218.9           GROSS MARGIN                         419.1       391.8       7.0%               % of sales                       26.2%       24.3%
      Selling, general &      administrative expense                    299.1       264.6      13.0%               % of sales                       18.7%       16.4%     Restructuring costs                          9.8        10.0      (2.0)%     Goodwill amortization      and other                                   0.0        14.1          OPERATING INCOME                      110.2       103.1       6.9%               % of sales                        6.9%       6.4 %     Nonoperating expenses:          Interest expense                       25.1        39.3          Interest income                        (0.7)       (1.3)          Other                                   8.6         4.1                                                 33.0        42.1     (21.6)%
           INCOME BEFORE TAXES AND           CUMULATIVE          EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE            77.2        61.0      26.6%               % of sales                        4.8%       3.8 %
      Income taxes                                26.2        22.6               Effective rate                   34.0%      37.0 %
           NET INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE           EFFECT          OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE                  $51.0       $38.4      32.6%               % of sales                        3.2%       2.4 %
      Cumulative effect of accounting      change                                  ($514.9)       $0.0
            NET INCOME / (LOSS)                ($463.9)      $38.4               % of sales                      -29.1%       2.4 %
       EARNINGS PER SHARE BEFORE CUMULATIVE      EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE:          Basic                                 $0.19       $0.14      35.7%          Diluted                               $0.19       $0.14      35.7%
       EARNINGS PER SHARE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF      ACCOUNTING CHANGE:          Basic                                $(1.93)       $-            NA          Diluted                              $(1.93)       $-            NA
       EARNINGS PER SHARE:          Basic                                $(1.74)      $0.14          NA          Diluted                              $(1.74)      $0.14          NA
      Average shares outstanding:          Basic                                 266.8       266.6       0.1%          Diluted                               266.8       266.6       0.1%
                                              Newell Rubbermaid Inc.                                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)                                      (in millions, except per share data)
               Excluding non-recurring items                                                      Three Months Ended                                                             March 31,                                             2002               2001   % Change
      Net sales                             $1,597.0           $1,610.7   (0.9)%     Cost of products sold                  1,171.2            1,215.8          GROSS MARGIN                        425.8              394.9    7.8%               % of sales                     26.7%              24.5%
      Selling, general &      administrative expense                  295.8              263.5   12.3%               % of sales                     18.5%              16.4%     Restructuring costs                        0.0                0.0     Goodwill amortization      and other                                 0.0               14.1          OPERATING INCOME                    130.0              117.3   10.8%               % of sales                      8.1%               7.3%     Nonoperating expenses:          Interest expense                     25.1               39.3          Interest income                      (0.7)              (1.3)          Other                                 8.6                4.1                                               33.0               42.1
       INCOME BEFORE TAXES                      97.0               75.2   29.0%               % of sales                      6.1%               4.7%
      Income taxes                              33.0               27.8               Effective rate                 34.0%              37.0%
            NET INCOME                         $64.0              $47.4   35.1%               % of sales                      4.0%               2.9%
       EARNINGS PER SHARE:          Basic                               $0.24              $0.18   33.3%          Diluted                             $0.24              $0.18   33.3%
      Average shares outstanding:          Basic                               266.8              266.6    0.1%          Diluted                             266.8              266.6    0.1%
                            Newell Rubbermaid Inc.                  CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)                               (in millions)
                                                             March 31, March 31,                                                              2002      2001     Assets:     Cash and cash equivalents                                 $10.2     $19.9     Accounts receivable, net                                1,191.3   1,131.5     Inventories, net                                        1,147.4   1,310.0     Other current assets                                      428.0     411.5          Total Current Assets                               2,776.9   2,872.9
      Marketable Equity Securities                                -         7.9     Other Long-Term Investments                                80.1      74.9     Other Assets                                              363.3     342.8     Property, Plant and Equipment                           1,645.4   1,719.5     Trade Names and Goodwill                                1,744.6   2,150.1          Total Assets                                      $6,610.3  $7,168.1
      Liabilities and Stockholders'      Equity:     Notes payable                                             $29.7     $13.8     Accounts payable                                          525.8     366.5     Accrued liabilities and other                           1,102.1     951.7     Current portion of long-term debt                         553.0     214.3          Total Current Liabilities                          2,210.6   1,546.3
      Long-Term Debt                                          1,565.2   2,318.3     Company-Obligated Mandatorily      Redeemable          Convertible Securities of a           Subsidiary Trust                                    500.0     500.0     Other Long-Term Liabilities                               449.1     459.1
      Stockholders' Equity                                    1,885.4   2,344.4          Total Liabilities and           Stockholders' Equity                             $6,610.3  $7,168.1
                            Newell Rubbermaid Inc.              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW (UNAUDITED)                                (in millions)
                                          For The Three Months Ended March 31,                                         2002                            2001     Operating Activities:     Net income                         $(463.9)                         $38.4     Adjustments to reconcile net      income to net cash provided      by operating activities:          Depreciation and amortization    68.0                           87.6          Cumulative effect of change           in accounting                  514.9          Deferred taxes and other         45.2                           19.6     Changes in current accounts,      excluding the effects of      acquisitions:          Accounts receivable              95.7                           45.9          Inventories                     (50.0)                         (56.1)          Other current assets            (12.6)                           7.7          Accounts payable                 28.7                           24.5          Accrued liabilities and other  (103.5)                         (43.5)     Net cash provided by (used in)      operating activities               $122.5                         $124.1
      Investing activities:     Acquisitions, net                    $11.3                         $(15.4)     Expenditures for property, plant      and equipment                       (36.0)                         (59.7)     Disposals of non-current assets      and other                             3.4                            4.7     Net cash provided by (used in )      investing activities               $(21.3)                        $(70.4)
      Financing Activities:     Proceeds from issuance of debt      $515.1                          $19.1     Payments on notes payable and      long-term debt                     (561.1)                         (18.7)     Proceeds from exercised stock      options and other                     3.9                            0.8     Stock repurchase                       -                              -     Cash dividends                       (56.0)                         (56.0)     Net cash provided by (used in )      financing activities               $(98.1)                        $(54.8)
      Exchange rate effect on cash          $0.3                          $(1.5)     Increase (decrease) in cash and      cash equivalents                      3.4                           (2.6)     Cash and cash equivalents at      beginning of year                     6.8                           22.5     Cash and cash equivalents at end      of period                           $10.2                          $19.9
      Supplemental cash flow disclosures -          Cash paid during the period           for:          Income taxes                    $13.0                         $(40.8)          Interest                         24.3                           52.5
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  Source:   Newell Rubbermaid Inc. 
  Contact: 
       Jesse Herron, Director - Investor Relations, +1-815-381-8150,      fax, +1-815-381-8155; Ken Ross, VP Corp. Communications, +1-815-381-8151, fax,      +1-815-381-8176; or Victoria Gilbert, Mgr. Corp. Communications,      +1-815-381-8151, fax, +1-815-381-8176, all of Newell Rubbermaid Inc.      /Company News On-Call:  prnewswire.com      URL:              newellco.com      mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm |