Cooper Companies
COO
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NZ$19.24 B
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The Cooper Companies Inc., is one of the largest manufacturers of contact lenses worldwide.
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================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
----------------------
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1999 COMMISSION FILE NO. 1-8597
----------------------
THE COOPER COMPANIES, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
----------------------

DELAWARE 94-2657368
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
OF INCORPORATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.)

6140 STONERIDGE MALL ROAD, SUITE 590 94588
PLEASANTON, CALIFORNIA (ZIP CODE)
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

925-460-3600
(REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)
----------------------

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE
TITLE OF EACH CLASS ON WHICH REGISTERED
Common Stock, $.10 Par Value, and New York Stock Exchange
associated Rights Pacific Exchange

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

Aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the registrant as of December 31, 1999: Common Stock, $.10 Par Value --
$413,012,274.

Number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock, as of
December 31, 1999: 14,063,223.


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

DOCUMENT PART OF FORM 10-K
Portions of the Annual Report to Stockholders for the Parts I and II
fiscal year ended October 31, 1999
Portions of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Part III
Meeting of Stockholders to be held March 28, 2000

================================================================================
PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

INTRODUCTION

The Cooper Companies, Inc. (the "Company," "Cooper" or "we" and similar
pronouns), through its principal subsidiaries, develops, manufactures and
markets healthcare products. CooperVision ("CVI") markets a range of contact
lenses to correct visual defects, specializing in toric lenses that correct
astigmatism. Its leading products are disposable-planned replacement toric and
spherical lenses. CVI also markets conventional toric and spherical lenses and
lenses for patients with more complex vision disorders. CooperSurgical ("CSI")
markets diagnostic products, surgical instruments and accessories to the women's
healthcare market.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. To identify forward-looking
statements, look for words like "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should,"
"seeks," "approximately," "intends," "plans," "estimates" or "anticipates" and
similar words or phrases. Discussions of strategy, plans or intentions often
contain forward-looking statements. These, and all forward-looking statements,
necessarily depend on assumptions, data or methods that may be incorrect or
imprecise.

Events, among others, that could cause actual results and future
actions to differ materially from those described by or contemplated in the
forward-looking statements include major changes in business conditions and the
economy, loss of key senior management, major disruptions in the operations of
Cooper's manufacturing facilities, new competitors or technologies, significant
disruptions caused by third parties failing to address the year 2000 issue, or
by problems with our year 2000 compliance program, the impact of an undetected
virus on our computer systems, acquisition integration costs, foreign currency
exchange exposure, investments in research and development and other start-up
projects, dilution to earnings per share from acquisitions or issuing stock,
regulatory issues, significant environmental clean-up costs above those already
accrued, litigation costs, costs of business divestitures, and other factors
described in Cooper's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the
"Business" section in this Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 1999 and the
related portions of the Company's 1999 Annual Report to Stockholders ("1999
Annual Report") incorporated here by reference. The 1999 Annual Report is
included as Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESSES

The information required for this item is incorporated here by
reference to the caption "Letter to Shareholders" and the additional
"CooperVision" section in the 1999 Annual Report.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Company-sponsored research and development expenditures during the
fiscal years ended October 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 were $2 million, $1.9 million
and $1.7 million, respectively. During fiscal 1999, CooperVision spent about 52%
and CooperSurgical spent about 48% of the total. Cooper did not conduct any
customer-sponsored research and development programs.

2
Cooper employs 28 people in its research and development and
manufacturing engineering departments. Outside specialists in lens design
formulation science, polymer chemistry, microbiology and biochemistry support
product development and clinical research for CooperVision products.
CooperSurgical conducts research and development in-house and also employs
outside surgical specialists, including members of its surgical advisory board.

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), other federal agencies
and foreign ministries of health regulate the development, testing, production
and marketing of the Company's products. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
and other statutes and regulations govern the testing, manufacturing, labeling,
storage, advertising and promotion of such products. If applicable regulations
are not followed, companies are subject to fines, product recall or seizure,
suspension of production and criminal prosecution.

Cooper develops and markets medical devices under different levels of
FDA regulation depending upon the classification of the device. Class III
devices, such as flexible and extended wear contact lenses, require extensive
premarket testing and approval, while Class I and II devices require
substantially lower levels of regulation.

Before a new contact lens can be sold commercially, CooperVision
("CVI") must complete these steps: (1) compile data on its chemistry and
toxicology, (2) determine its microbiological profile and (3) define the
proposed manufacturing process. This data must be submitted to the FDA to
support an application for an Investigational Device Exemption. Once this is
granted, clinical trials can begin. These are subject to review and approval by
an Institutional Review Board and, where a lens is determined to have a
significant risk, the FDA. After the clinical trials are completed, a Premarket
Approval Application must be submitted and approved by the FDA.

In connection with some of Cooper's new products, it can submit an
expedited procedure known as a 510(k) application for premarket notification to
the FDA. Any product that can demonstrate that it is substantially equivalent to
another device marketed before May 28, 1976 can use this procedure. If the new
product is not substantially equivalent to a preexisting device or if the FDA
rejected a claim of substantial equivalence, FDA approval to market would
require extensive preclinical and clinical testing. This would increase the cost
and would delay product marketing substantially.

FDA and state regulations also require the Company to adhere to
applicable "good manufacturing practices" ("GMP"). They require detailed quality
assurance and record keeping and periodic unscheduled regulatory inspections.
The Company believes it is in substantial compliance with GMP regulations.

Health authorities in foreign countries regulate Cooper's human device
clinical trials and medical device sales. The regulations vary widely from
country to country. Even if the FDA has approved a product, the regulatory
agencies in each country must approve new products before they are marketed.

These regulatory procedures require considerable resources and usually
result in a substantial time lag between new product development and marketing.
Cooper cannot assure that all necessary approvals will be obtained, or obtained
in a timely manner. If the Company does not maintain compliance with regulatory
standards or if problems occur after marketing, product approval may be
withdrawn.

ISO 9000 CERTIFICATION AND CE MARK APPROVAL

In addition to the FDA regulatory requirements, the Company also
maintains ISO 9000 certification and CE Mark approvals for all lens products.
These quality programs and approvals are required by the European Medical Device
Directive and must be maintained for all products intended to be sold in the

3
European market. In order to maintain these prestigious quality benchmarks, the
Company is subjected to rigorous biannual reassessment audits of their quality
systems and procedures by globally recognized notified bodies and agencies.

RAW MATERIALS

In general, CVI's raw materials consist of various polymers and
packaging materials. There are alternative supply sources of all of these
materials. Raw materials used by CSI or its suppliers are generally available
from more than one source. However, because some products require specialized
manufacturing procedures, CSI could experience inventory shortages if it needed
an alternative manufacturer on short notice.

MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION

In the United States, Canada and certain European countries, CVI
markets its products through its field sales representatives, who call on
ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians and optical chains. In the United
States, field sales representatives also call on distributors. In Japan and
certain European counties, CVI uses distributors and has given them the
exclusive right to market our products.

CSI's products are marketed worldwide by a network of field sales
representatives and distributors. In the United States, Cooper augments its
sales and marketing activities by employing telemarketing, direct mail,
advertising in professional journals, and CSI uses a direct mail catalog.

PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND LICENSING AGREEMENTS

Cooper owns or licenses a variety of domestic and foreign patents
which, in total, are material to its businesses. The names of certain of
Cooper's products are protected by trademark registrations in the United States
Patent and Trademark Office and, in some cases, also in foreign trademark
offices. Applications are pending for additional trademark registrations. Cooper
aggressively enforces and defends its patents and other proprietary technology.

DEPENDENCE ON CUSTOMERS

Cooper's business does not materially depend on any one customer or any
one affiliated group of customers.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

Cooper's business is not materially subject to profit renegotiation or
termination of contracts or subcontracts at the election of the United States
government.

COMPETITION

Each of Cooper's businesses operates in a highly competitive
environment. Competition in the healthcare industry revolves around the search
for technological and therapeutic innovations in the prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of illness or disease. Cooper competes primarily on the basis of
product quality, program differentiation, technological benefit, service and
reliability.

4
Many companies develop and manufacture contact lenses. CVI competes
primarily on its product quality, service and reputation among medical
professionals and by participating in specialty niche markets. It sponsors
clinical studies to generate medical information to improve its lenses. Major
competitors have greater financial resources and larger research and development
and sales forces than CVI. Many of these competitors offer a greater range of
contact lenses and a variety of other eyecare products, including lens care
products and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, which may give them a competitive
advantage in marketing their lenses to high volume contract accounts.

In the surgical segment, competitive factors include technological and
scientific advances, product quality, price and effective communication of
product information to physicians and hospitals. CSI believes that it benefits,
in part, from the technological advantages of certain of its products and from
developing new medical procedures that can create new markets for equipment and
instruments. CSI competes by focusing on distinct niche markets and by supplying
these with high quality equipment, instruments and disposable products. For
certain procedures, medical practitioners can obtain all of the equipment,
instruments and disposable products from CSI. As CSI develops products for new
medical procedures, it offers to train medical professionals to perform them.
CSI competes with a number of manufacturers in each of its niche markets,
including larger manufacturers with greater financial and personnel resources
who sell a substantially larger number of product lines.

BACKLOG

Backlog is not a material factor in Cooper's businesses.

SEASONALITY

CVI's contact lens sales in the first fiscal quarter are generally
lower than subsequent quarters, as fewer patients visit practitioners during the
holiday season.

COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

Federal, state and local provisions that regulate the discharge of
materials into the environment, or relate to the protecting of the environment,
do not currently materially effect Cooper's capital expenditures, earnings or
competitive position. See "Environmental" in Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements of the Company included in the 1999 Annual Report,
regarding certain anticipated remediation costs, which is incorporated here by
reference.

WORKING CAPITAL

Cooper's businesses have not required any material working capital
arrangements in the past five years.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT BUSINESS SEGMENTS, GEOGRAPHIC AREAS, FOREIGN
OPERATIONS AND EXPORT SALES

The information required for this item is incorporated here by
reference to Note 12 "Business Segment Information" of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements of the Company included in the 1999 Annual Report.

5
EMPLOYEES

On October 31, 1999, Cooper employed approximately 1,750 persons. The
Company believes that its relations with its employees are good.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

The following are the principal facilities of Cooper as of October 31,
1999:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APPROXIMATE OWNED
FLOOR AREA OR LEASE
LOCATION OPERATIONS (SQ. FT.) LEASED EXPIRATION
-------- ---------- ------------ ------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
United States
Pleasanton, CA Executive Offices 13,700 Leased Sept. 2000
Irvine, CA Executive Offices, CVI
Offices, Distribution
and Customer Service 17,500 Leased Jan. 2000
Huntington Beach, CA CVI Manufacturing &
Technical Offices 20,600 Leased March 2002
Fairport, NY CVI Administrative
Offices & Marketing 23,500 Leased April 2003
Scottsville, NY CVI Manufacturing
and Research 49,500 Owned N/A
Henrietta, NY CVI Distribution
and Warehouse Facility 56,000 Leased Feb. 2003
Shelton, CT CSI Manufacturing,
Research and
Development, Marketing,
Distribution and
Warehouse Facilities 35,000 Leased April 2002

Canada
Markham, Ont. CVI Offices,
Manufacturing
Distribution and
Warehouse Facilities 21,000 Leased Feb. 2000

United Kingdom
Hamble, Hampshire, Aspect Manufacturing,
England Research and Development,
Marketing and Admin.
Offices 93,800 Owned N/A
Fareham, Hampshire, Distribution and Customer
England Service 30,800 Leased Jan. 2018
Fareham, Hampshire, Manufacturing and
England Warehouse 27,100 Leased June 2018
</TABLE>

The Company believes its properties are suitable and adequate for its
businesses.

6
ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

The information required for this item is incorporated here by
reference to "GT Labs" in Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
of the Company included in the 1999 Annual Report.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999, the Company did not submit
any matters to a vote of the Company's security holders.

7
PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

The information required for this item is incorporated here by
reference to the caption "Quarterly Common Stock Price Range" in the 1999 Annual
Report.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

The information required for this item is incorporated here by
reference to the caption "Five Year Financial Highlights" in the 1999 Annual
Report.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS.

The information required for this item is incorporated here by
reference to the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" in the 1999 Annual Report.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is primarily exposed to market risks that relate to changes
in interest rates, foreign currency fluctuations and in the market value of its
long-term debt obligations. The Company's policy is to minimize, to the extent
reasonable and practical, its exposure to the impact of changing interest rates
and foreign currency fluctuations by entering into interest rate swaps and
foreign currency forward exchange contracts, respectively. In general, the
Company does not enter into derivative financial instrument transactions for
speculative purposes. Additional information for this item is included under the
caption "Derivatives" in Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" and
in Note 7 "Financial Instruments" in the 1999 Annual Report, which is
incorporated here by reference.

LONG-TERM DEBT

Proceeds from the sale of HGA were used to pay down debt carrying an
average interest rate of approximately 7%. Total debt was reduced to $62 million
at October 31, 1999 from $90.2 million at October 31, 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

October 31, 1999 October 31, 1998
---------------- ----------------
(In millions)
<S> <C> <C>
Short term $ 4.9 $11.5
Long term 57.1 78.7
----- -----
Total $62.0 $90.2
===== =====
</TABLE>

On an annualized basis the debt reduction would result in a decrease in
interest expense of approximately $2 million, assuming we do not raise debt for
other purposes.

The following table sets forth as of October 31, 1999, the Company's
long-term debt obligations, excluding capitalized leases, principal cash flows
by scheduled maturity, weighted average interest rates and estimated fair market
value.

8
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Expected Maturity Date - Fiscal Year
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
There- Fair
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 after Total Value
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
($ in Millions)
Long-term Debt
Fixed interest rate ($US) $ -- $ -- $ -- $23.4 $ -- $ -- $ 23.4 $ 23.4
Average interest rate 8.00% 8.00% 8.00% 8.00% --% --
Variable interest rate ($US) $ 0.5 $ 0.6 $ 0.5 $22.1 $ 0.6 $ 2.3 $ 26.6 $ 26.6
Average interest rate 6.32% 6.34% 6.36% 6.12% 5.72% 5.66%
</TABLE>

INTEREST RATE EXPOSURES

The Company enters into interest rate swap agreements to minimize the
impact of changes in interest rates on its variable rate long-term debt
obligations. The Company currently has three interest rate swap agreements on a
total of $24.3 million of its outstanding variable rate debt obligations. These
instruments have the effect of converting variable rate instruments to fixed
rate instruments. The interest rate swap agreements assure that the Company will
pay 6.19%, 4.88% and 7.13% on the aforementioned $24.3 million long-term debt
obligations for the periods ending November 2002 (principal amount $17.4
million), January 2012 (principal amount $2.7 million) and April 2003 (principal
amount $4.2 million), respectively. The table below shows the notional amount
and weighted average interest rates of each of the Company's interest rate swaps
by maturity. The receive rate is based on October 31, 1999 rates, and projected
based on the consumer price index. Notional amounts are used to calculate the
contractual payments to be made under the contracts.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Notional Amounts Maturing in Fiscal Year
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
There- Fair
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 after Total Value
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
($ in Millions)
Interest rate swaps
Variable to fixed ($US) $ -- $ -- $ -- $17.4 $ -- $ -- $17.4 $17.2
Average pay rate 6.19% 6.19% 6.19% 6.19% 6.19%
Average receive rate 5.48% 5.62% 5.77% 5.92% 5.70%
Variable to fixed ($US) $ 0.2 $ 0.2 $ 0.3 $ 0.3 $ 0.3 $ 1.4 $ 2.7 $ 2.7
Average pay rate 4.88% 4.88% 4.88% 4.88% 4.88% 4.88% 4.88%
Average receive rate 4.82% 4.95% 5.08% 5.21% 5.35% 6.01% 5.65%
Variable to fixed ($US) $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 4.2 $ -- $ -- $ 4.2 $ 4.3
Average pay rate 7.13% 7.13% 7.13% 7.13% 7.13%
Average receive rate 5.92% 6.07% 6.23% 6.39% 6.15%
</TABLE>

FOREIGN CURRENCY EXPOSURES

The Company uses forward exchange contracts to minimize the effect of
foreign currency fluctuations on its long-term debt obligations denominated in
Great Britain Pounds ("GBP"), incurred to fund a portion of the Company's
acquisition of Aspect Vision Care Ltd. (see caption "Aspect Acquisition" in Note
2 "Acquisitions" in the 1999 Annual Report, which is incorporated here by
reference). The following table provides information on the Company's foreign
currency forward exchange contracts. The information is provided in U.S. Dollar
equivalent amounts, which is the way it is presented in the Company's financial
statements. The table shows the notional amounts at the contract exchange rates
and the weighted average contractual foreign currency exchange rates by expected
maturity dates.

9
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Notional Amounts Maturing in Fiscal Year
-------------------------------------------------------------------
There- Fair
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 after Total Value
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Foreign Contracts to Buy GBP:
Notional amount (in millions) $ 1.8 $ 3.5 $ 8.4 $23.4 $ -- $ -- $37.1 $37.0
Average contractual exchange rate $1.61 $1.62 $1.63 $1.63 $ -- $ -- $1.63
Foreign contracts to sell GBP:
Notional amount (in millions) $ 1.8 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 1.8 $ 1.8
Average contractual exchange rates $1.64 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $1.64
Foreign contracts to sell Canadian $:
Notional amount (in millions) $ 0.9 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 0.9 $ 0.9
Average contractual exchange rate: $0.68 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $0.68
</TABLE>


ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

The information required for this item is incorporated here by
reference to the captions "Consolidated Balance Sheets," "Consolidated
Statements of Income," "Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows," "Consolidated
Statements of Comprehensive Income," "Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements," "Independent Auditors' Report" and "Two Year Quarterly Financial
Data" in the 1999 Annual Report.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

Not applicable.

10
PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

The information included under the heading "Election of Directors" and
"Executive Officers of the Company" in the Company's Proxy Statement for the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on March 28, 2000 (the "2000 Proxy
Statement") is incorporated by reference with respect to each of the Company's
directors and the executive officers who are not also directors of the Company.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

The information included under the subheadings "Executive Compensation"
and "Compensation of Directors" of the "Election of Directors" section of the
2000 Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference with respect to the Company's
chief executive officer, the four other most highly compensated executive
officers of the Company and the Company's directors.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

The information included under the subheadings "Securities Held by
Management" and "Principal Security Holders" of the "Election of Directors"
section of the 2000 Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference with respect to
certain beneficial owners, the directors and management.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

The information required for this item is incorporated here by
reference to the heading "Aspect Acquisition" in Note 2 "Acquisitions" in the
1999 Annual Report.

11
PART IV

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

(a) Documents filed as part of this report:

1. Accountants' Consent and Report on Schedule.

2. Financial Statement Schedule of the Company.

SCHEDULE
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
-------- -----------
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

3. Exhibits

The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index are
filed as part of this report.

All other schedules which are included in the applicable
accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
are not required here because they are not applicable.

(b) Reports filed on form 8-K at end of Exhibit List:

Cooper filed the following reports on Form 8-K during the period
August 1, 1999 through October 31, 1999.

August 9, 1999--Item 5. Other Events.
August 26, 1999--Item 5. Other Events.
October 4, 1999--Item 5. Other Events.

12
ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT AND REPORT ON SCHEDULE

The Board of Directors
THE COOPER COMPANIES, INC.

The audits of the consolidated financial statements of The Cooper
Companies, Inc. and subsidiaries referred to in our report dated December 9,
1999, which is incorporated herein by reference, included the related financial
statement schedule for each of the years in the three-year period ended October
31, 1999 as listed in Item 14 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K. This financial
statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement schedule
based on our audits. In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when
considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a
whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth
therein.

We consent to incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos.
33-50016, 33-11298, 333-22417, 333-25051, 333-27639 and 333-80795 on Forms S-3
and Registration Statement Nos. 333-10997, 33-27938, 33-36325, 33-36326 and
333-58839 on Forms S-8 of The Cooper Companies, Inc. of our reports dated
December 9, 1999, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of The Cooper
Companies, Inc. and subsidiaries as of October 31, 1999 and 1998 and the related
consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income and cash flows for each
of the years in the three-year period ended October 31, 1999, and related
schedule, which reports appear in or are incorporated by reference to the
October 31, 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Cooper Companies, Inc.

KPMG LLP

San Francisco, California
January 27, 2000

13
SCHEDULE II

THE COOPER COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
THREE YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1999

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADDITIONS
BALANCE AT CHARGED TO (DEDUCTIONS)/ BALANCE
BEGINNING COSTS AND RECOVERIES/ AT END
OF YEAR EXPENSES OTHER (1) OF YEAR
------- -------- --------- -------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
Year ended October 31, 1999......................$ 1,087 $ 321 $ (272) $ 1,136
======== ======== ======= ========
Year ended October 31, 1998......................$ 721 $ 283 $ 83 $ 1,087
======== ======== ======= ========
Year ended October 31, 1997......................$ 716 $ 155 $ (150) $ 72
======== ======== ======= ========
</TABLE>

(1) Principally uncollectible accounts written off, net of amounts recovered
that were previously written off.

14
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on January 28, 2000.

THE COOPER COMPANIES, INC.

By: /s/ A. THOMAS BENDER
--------------------------
A. THOMAS BENDER
PRESIDENT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER AND DIRECTOR

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities indicated on the dates set forth opposite their
respective names.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE CAPACITY DATE
--------- -------- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ ALLAN E. RUBENSTEIN Chairman of the Board of Directors January 28, 2000
- -----------------------------------
(ALLAN E. RUBENSTEIN)

/s/ A. THOMAS BENDER President, Chief Executive Officer January 28, 2000
- ----------------------------------- and Director
(A. THOMAS BENDER)

/s/ ROBERT S. WEISS Executive Vice President, Treasurer, January 28, 2000
- ----------------------------------- Chief Financial Officer and Director
(ROBERT S. WEISS)

/s/ STEPHEN C. WHITEFORD Vice President and Corporate January 28, 2000
- ----------------------------------- Controller
(STEPHEN C. WHITEFORD)

/s/ MICHAEL H. KALKSTEIN Director January 28, 2000
- -----------------------------------
(MICHAEL H. KALKSTEIN)

/s/ MOSES MARX Director January 28, 2000
- -----------------------------------
(MOSES MARX)

/s/ DONALD PRESS Director January 28, 2000
- -----------------------------------
(DONALD PRESS)

/s/ STEVEN ROSENBERG Director January 28, 2000
- -----------------------------------
(STEVEN ROSENBERG)

/s/ STANLEY ZINBERG Director January 28, 2000
- -----------------------------------
(STANLEY ZINBERG)
</TABLE>

15
EXHIBIT INDEX

LOCATION OF
EXHIBIT IN
EXHIBIT SEQUENTIAL
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT NUMBER SYSTEM
- ------ ----------------------- -------------

3.1 -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as partially
amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No.
33-17330) and Exhibits 19(a) and 19(c) to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Fiscal Quarter
ended April 30, 1988....................................

3.2 -- Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of
Incorporation dated September 21, 1995 incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31,
1995....................................................

3.3 -- Amended and Restated By-Laws dated December 16, 1999....

4.1 -- Certificate of Elimination of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock of The Cooper Companies,
Inc. filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on
October 30, 1997, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.1 on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended October 31, 1997.

4.2 -- Rights Agreement, dated as of October 29, 1997, between
the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.0 to the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 29,
1997....................................................

4.3 -- Amendment No. 1 to Rights Agreement dated September 26,
1998, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 25,
1998....................................................

4.4 -- Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock of The Cooper Companies,
Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.0 of the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 29,
1997....................................................

10.1 -- 1998 Long-term Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference
to Exhibit A of the Company's Proxy Statement for its
1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 2,
1998....................................................

10.2 -- Amendment No. 1 to 1998 Long-term Incentive Plan of The
Cooper Companies, Inc. dated April 2, 1998, incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company's
post-effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 Registration
Statement filed on January 20, 1999.....................

10.3 -- Severance Agreement entered into as of June 10, 1991, by
and between CooperVision, Inc. and A. Thomas Bender,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to Amendment
No. 1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended October 31, 1992..................

10.4 -- Letter dated March 25, 1994, to A. Thomas Bender from
the Chairman of the Compensation Committee of the
Company's Board of Directors, incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994.........

10.5 -- Severance Agreement entered into as of April 26, 1990,
by and between Nicholas J. Pichotta and the Company
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year
ended October 31, 1995..................................

10.6 -- Letter Agreement dated November 1, 1992, by and between
Nicholas J. Pichotta and the Company incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995.

10.7 -- Severance Agreement entered into as of August 21, 1989,
by and between Robert S. Weiss and the Company,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to Amendment
No. 1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended October 31, 1992..................

16
LOCATION OF
EXHIBIT IN
EXHIBIT SEQUENTIAL
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT NUMBER SYSTEM
- ------ ----------------------- -------------

10.8 -- 1996 Long-term Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors
of The Cooper Companies, Inc., incorporated by reference
to the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1996 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders.................................

10.9 -- Amendment No. 1 to 1996 Long-term Incentive Plan for
Non-Employee Directors of The Cooper Companies, Inc.,
dated October 10, 1996, incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.14 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996.........

10.10 -- Amendment No. 2 to 1996 Long-term Incentive Plan for
Non-Employee Directors of The Cooper Companies, Inc.,
dated October 29, 1997, incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.15 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997.........

10.11 -- Agreement dated as of September 28, 1993, among Medical
Engineering Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
and the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
October 1, 1993.........................................

10.12 -- Amendment No. 3 to 1996 Long-term Incentive Plan for
Non-Employee Directors of The Cooper Companies, Inc.,
dated October 29, 1999..................................

10.13 -- Change in Control Agreement dated as of October 14, 1999
between The Cooper Companies, Inc., and Carol R. Kaufman

11* -- Calculation of Earnings per share.......................

13 -- 1999 Annual Report to Stockholders. The following
portions of such report are incorporated by reference in
this document and are deemed "filed." Letter to
Shareholders, the additional "CooperVision" section and
Financial Section which includes: Five Year Financial
Highlights, Two Year Quarterly Information, Quarterly
Common Stock Price Range, Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, the Consolidated Financial Statements and
the Notes thereto, and the Independent Auditors' Report.

21 -- Subsidiaries............................................

27 -- Financial Data Schedule.................................

* The information required in this exhibit is incorporated here by
reference to Note 4, "Earnings Per Share," in the 1999 Annual
Report.



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