Amphenol reports record earnings for 1996.

WALLINGFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 15, 1997--Amphenol Corp. (NYSE:APH) reported today that net income for the fourth quarter 1996 was $16,533,000, or 37 cents per share, compared to $16,482,000, or 35 cents per share, for the 1995 period.

Sales for the fourth quarter 1996 were $197,602,000 compared to $188,662,000 for the 1995 period.

Currency translation had the effect of decreasing sales by approximately $2.9 million in the fourth quarter 1996 when compared to the 1995 period.

For the year ended Dec. 31, 1996, net income was $67,578,000 or $1.45 per share, compared to $62,858,000, or $1.33 per share for the 1995 period. Sales for the year 1996 were $776,221,000 compared to $783,233,000 for 1995. Currency translation had the effect of decreasing sales by approximately $11.5 million in 1996 when compared to 1995.

In commenting on the quarter, Amphenol Chief Executive Officer, Martin H. Loeffler, stated, "We are pleased with our fourth quarter results. The company's connector business continued to have excellent results with good increases in sales in most of our major markets and excellent profitability. The coaxial cable business for cable television continues to be slow when compared to year ago results, however we continue to see some strengthening in international cable activity. We are pleased to announce that effective Jan. 8, 1997, we acquired a 51% interest in Kai-Jack Industrial Co. Ltd., a leading provider of radio frequency ("RF") interconnect products in Taiwan. Kai-Jack is an excellent company with state-of-the-art technology, and we expect that this acquisition will further enhance our opportunities in the rapidly expanding wireless and broadband communication markets in the Far East and elsewhere in the world."

Amphenol Chairman, Lawrence J. DeGeorge, commented, "The company achieved excellent profitability and earnings per share growth in 1996. The company has purchased a total of 2.6 million of its shares in connection with the company's previously announced 5.0 million share repurchase program. In addition, we continue to invest in new products and additional capacity because of our confidence in the worldwide growth opportunities in our major markets."

Amphenol Corp. manufactures connectors, cable and interconnect systems for electronics, cable television, telecommunications, aerospace, transportation and industrial applications. The company's products are engineered and produced in North America, Europe and the Far East and sold by a worldwide sales and marketing organization. -0-

                           Amphenol Corp.
                         Financial Summary
               (Unaudited, except year end Dec. 31, 1995)

                     Three Months Ended
                          Dec. 31,
                    1996           1995

Sales            $197,602,000  $188,662,000
Net income         16,533,000    16,482,000
Net income
 per share       $        .37  $        .35
Average shares
 outstanding       45,110,069    47,316,860
-0-


                         Year Ended
                          Dec. 31,
                    1996           1995

Sales            $776,221,000  $783,233,000
Net income         67,578,000    62,858,000
Net income
 per share       $       1.45  $       1.33
Average shares
 outstanding       46,649,541    47,304,180

CONTACT: Amphenol Corp., Wallingford

Edward G. Jepsen, 203/265-8650