Bell Microproducts Inc. announces fourth quarter earnings charge.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 21, 1995--Bell Microproducts Inc. (Nasdaq:BELM) Tuesday announced that the company currently expects to record a charge to fourth quarter net earnings in the range of $0.08 to $0.11 per share.

Although the company expects to be profitable for the quarter, the charge is expected to result in a shortfall to analysts' expectations.

The company attributed the expected earnings charge to inventory valuation issues of certain DRAM products primarily purchased directly for the company's Manufacturing Division customers. These products are not subject to the price protection privileges normally applicable to components purchased from the company's franchised suppliers. Price levels of DRAMs have fallen significantly recently requiring this revaluation of inventory.

Demand for the company's other semiconductor, computer products and contract manufacturing services currently remains strong, as is the outlook for 1996 at this time.

Bell Microproducts Inc. is a distributor of high technology products serving the industrial and commercial markets. The company markets a wide range of semiconductor products including memory, logic, microprocessors, and specialty components. The company also offers one of the industry's broadest selections of computer products including hard drives, optical drives, tape drives, PCMCIA devices, subsystems and complete computer systems. In addition, Bell Microproducts offers an extensive set of value-added services including systems integration, testing, kitting, and contract assembly of printed circuit boards and subsystems through its Quadrus Manufacturing Division.

CONTACT: Bell Microproducts, Inc.

W. Donald Bell, 408/451-9400