Brightpoint Reports Third Quarter Financial Results.

Third quarter net income increased 59% to $9,418,000 vs.

$5,928,000 in prior year

Third quarter net income per share of 1997. Net income of $9,418,000 or $0.18 per share, for the third quarter of 1998 increased 59% (50% on a of a nonrecurring nature. Net income excluding the impact of the net investment gains and related income taxes is herein referred to as "adjusted." Net income (adjusted)rter of 1997 and net sales for the first nine months of 1998 increased 69% over the same period in 1997. The increases in net sales reflect continued strength in the demarter of 1998 due primarily to the rapid migration from sales to other distributors to direct sales, taking advantage of the Company's newly-established in-country presences in the Europe, Middle East and Africa and Asia-Pacific divisions.______________

Percent Percent Year-to-Year

19781 10% 58,141 13% 144%

____________________________________ Total 1997 of Total 1998 of Total Growtcessories 17,966 7% 35,933 $445,772 100% 83%

____________________________________

     Gross Margin. The gross margins for the quarters ended
September 30, 1998 and 1997 were 8.5%. The gross margin for the nine
months ended September 30, 1998 was 8.8% compared to 8.3% for the same
period in 1997. The gross margin expansion realized in the first nine
months of 1998 is due primarily to the Company's continued increase in
the amount of higher-margin value-added logistics services in all
four of the Company's divisions.
     Operating Margin. The operating margin (income from operations as
a percent of net sales) decreased to 3.7%er of 1997. The operating
margins for the nine rative expenses as a percent of net sales. The i an
increase in selling,
general and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales.
     Selling, generaome (adjusted) for the third quarter and nine
months of 1998 increased 59% and 76%, respectively, from the satinued
increase in gross and operating margins.51,000 shares outstanding). Net income
per shar1997.
     Balance Sheet. In the third quarter of 1998, balance sheet
statistics improved from the 1998 seco end of the second quarter.
Annualized inventords with an aggregate principal
amount at maturity of $380 million ($1,000 face value per bond). The
notes arhares per bond. The bonds were placed for the Coility and to invest
in highly-liquid, short- teunications industry. Brightpoint strives to enhance
the
success of its customers through the specialized and services include
inventory management, prepaid solutions, custom packaging and other
outsourced services. Additional information about the Company can be
found on its welations Information line at 877-IIR-CELL
(877-4any's actual results to differ
from the reportee incorporated into this news release by referen
(Unaudited)

                              Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                 September 30        September 30
                              ________ ________  ________ _________  ________
__________
                     administrative expenses         10,836   21,57

Net investment gain (1)               -        -     1,432        572
Intere___
Income before income taxes
 and minority interest            8,515   13,387    23,721     38,844
Income taxes                      2,557    4,016     7,097     11,6____
Income before minority interest   5,958    9,371    16,624     27,191
Minority interest                            $5,928   $9,418   $16,211
$27,319
                               ________ ________  ________ __________
                               ________ ________  ________ __________
Net income per share (1)
   Basic                        $  0.12  $  0.18    $ 0.36    $  0.53
                                           $  0.12  $  0.18    $ 0.34    $ )
                                   $ 0.33    $  0.50
                                                  _
 outstanding
     Basic    ____
     Diluted                     49,651   e been $0.33 and
$0.50, respectively.



Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents                 $ 2,941      $37,204
 Accounts receivable (less allowance for
  doubtful accounts of $3,394 in 1997
  and $3,891 in 1998)                      212,946      234,632
 Contract financing receivables             49,470       16,163
 Inventories                                95,716      153,363
 Marketable securities                       3,478           --
 Other current assets                       26,960       39,264
                                        __________   __________
Total current assets                       391,511      480,626

Property and equipment                      23,420       45,567
Goodwill and other intangibles              31,161       78,816
Other assets                                10,610       27,773
                                        __________   __________
Total assets                              $456,702     $632,782
                                        __________   __________
                                        __________   __________

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
 Accounts payable and accrued expenses    $110,191     $104,344
                                        __________   __________
Total current liabilities                  110,191      104,344

Long-term debt                             146,963      280,407
Minority interest                              257          130

Stockholders' equity:
 Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: 1,000
  shares authorized; no shares issued or
  outstanding                                   --           --
 Common stock, $0.01 par value: 100,000
  shares authorized; 50,396 and 52,377
  issued and outstanding in 1997
  and 1998, respectively                       504          524
 Additional paid-in capital                160,387      182,916
 Retained earnings                          42,891       70,
 $456,702     $632,782
                                        __________   __________
                                        __________   __________