Bard Reports First Quarter Results Sales Up 8 Percent, EPS Up 22 Percent.

Business Editors

MURRAY HILL, NJ--(BW HealthWire)--April 19, 2000

C. R. Bard, Inc. (NYSE:BCR) today reported net sales of $268.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2000, up 8 percent over prior year's net sales of $248.5 million. Net income for the first quarter was $31.5 million and diluted earnings per share were 62 cents, up 18 percent and 22 percent, respectively, over results for the same period in the prior year. In the prior-year period, Bard reported net income of $26.6 million and diluted earnings per share of 51 cents.

William H. Longfield, chairman and chief executive officer, said, "Bard's first quarter sales and earnings growth is indicative of the fundamental strength of Bard's franchise product lines. We remain focused on increasing revenue throughout our worldwide markets. We are encouraged by the strong first quarter sales performance, in spite of the weak Euro." Longfield continued, "For the balance of the year, we will continue to focus on our new product launches and further strengthening the research and development pipeline."

For the first quarter, net sales in the U.S. were $191.9 million, up 8 percent, and international net sales were $76.6 million, up 9 percent over the prior-year period. Total net sales growth for the quarter was negatively affected by 2 percent due to foreign currency translation, with international sales being negatively affected by 6 percent. Adjusting for currency, total net sales would have increased by 10 percent and international sales by 15 percent, respectively, in the first quarter.

C. R. Bard, Inc., headquartered in Murray Hill, New Jersey, is a leading multinational developer, manufacturer and marketer of health care products.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, the accuracy of which is necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties. Management refers the reader to Bard's 1999 Form 10-K for a detailed statement with regard to forward-looking statements.

                   C. R. BARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
      (thousands of dollars except per share amounts, unaudited)

                                     For The Three Months Ended
                                               March 31,
                                 ------------------ ------------------
                                         2000               1999
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales                           $ 268,500             $  248,500
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of goods sold                  120,300                109,400
  Marketing, selling and
  administrative                       85,500                 80,700
  Research and development expense     13,600                 13,800
  Interest expense                      5,300                  4,200
  Gain from dispositions of
    cardiology businesses  (1)        (15,400)                     0
  Other (income) expense, net  (2)     13,700                    500
                                      -----------        -------------

Total costs and expenses              223,000                208,600
                                      ----------           ----------
Income before taxes                    45,500                 39,900
  Provision for income taxes           14,000                 13,300
                                     -----------          -----------
Net income                       $     31,500             $   26,600
                                     ===========           ==========
Basic earnings per share         $        .62             $      .52
                                     ===========           ==========
Diluted earnings per share       $        .62             $      .51
                                     ===========           ==========
Average common shares
  outstanding - basic                  50,609                 51,332
                                     ===========          ===========
Average common shares
  outstanding - diluted                51,061                 52,040
                                     ===========          ===========

(1)   In the first quarter of 2000, the company settled all remaining
      open issues related to the 1998 dispositions of its cardiology
      businesses and recorded a gain of $15,400 ($.19 diluted per
      share after-tax). In addition, the company reached a long-term
      agreement to supply certain components on an OEM basis.

(2)   Included in other (income) expense for the first quarter of 2000
      are charges of $9,300 related to product line acquisitions and
      $5,400 related to legal settlements and research grants,
      amounting to a total charge of $.18 diluted per share after-tax.

                  Product Group Summary of Net Sales

                                 For The Three Months Ended
                                          March 31,
                              2000            1999       % Change
                           ----------       --------     --------
Vascular                 $  58,500         $  52,600       11
Urology                     89,100            84,900        5
Oncology                    60,900            57,100        7
Surgery                     44,200            40,200       10
Other ongoing products      15,800            13,700       15
                          ----------        ----------
     Total net sales      $268,500          $248,500        8
                          ==========         =========